Wednesday 22 June 2011

Job Roles In The Games Indsutry


Jobs and roles in the Computer Games Industry By Jonathan Petts

There are many jobs in the computer games industry across all fields from Creative Roles to Technical to Production Management. Each of these roles has a key part in the company and the development of the latest video game the company produces. Roles may change and the size of the role may change depending on the size of the company, such as a large company may have many jobs for one role, and roles just have one person doing it. In smaller developers many roles may be occupied by one person, so someone could be a lead programmer and project manager, depending on the skills this person has.

Currently there are just under 9,000 employed in the UK game industry as of 2009
Two thirds of this number are in the development and creation, then the other third are in publishing.  In terms of employment many are actually full time, games take years to create, although some roles are not needed throughout the whole process such as location manager depending on the game you may send out people to scout out locations to base there game, they will then take photo make detailed reports for the creative side to have enough information to create an accurate representation, this role is only needed at the beginning of the development, this is why in many small developers the producers and game designers may become the location managers, as they know what is needed and to keep costs down roles are merged, in larger companies as many games can be developed at once, this role could be on going, and could be a more permanent role as they could go from developer to developer as a free lance or an in house. This is just an example of  a job role can be early, but yet essential. Other just such as full time are the most common, others who are not directly part of the company may be employed such as the game testers who test the final stages of the game and make comments to ensure it is fit for release.
So there is a wide range of jobs from small jobs, to big full time multi role jobs. This industry is very unique in the way it is run, it is almost like many people working on one painting someone may be good at drawing certain things, and some could be providing the canvas, but all together they work to produce a piece of art.


The main roles in the industry for computer games are as follows  and what they do:
All jobs descriptions are found on
http://www.skillset.org/games/careers/profiles/article_5284_1.asp

Game Designer
This roles is one of the most important they devise how the game is made, the plot, the characters the setting, structure, modes of play, extra features, selling points points of difference.  Basically the whole idea for the game is down to the game designers. These people are employed by publishers and independent companies, some may stay with a company for a whole series of games or may be used for a one off game.

Programmer
Programmers bring the game to life, they write the code for the controls, the elements the AI (artificial intelligence) they put the game together and write thousands of lines of code, to ensure the game runs correctly and test code and fix bugs that are alerted to them but game testers. These people have to be very experience in this industry and usually have years of experience behind them. They must also work very closely with the game designers and animators to ensure the whole game is knitted together how they producers and game designers envisioned the game.  Programmers can usually develop on to the lead programmers.


External Producer
This person does not usually work in hosue in the studio but there role is too ensure the game is delivered on time and successfully. They will work with publishers and marketing. They usually are working on more than one title at a time so this can involve lots of travelling and changing titles at short notice.  They must ensure “the publisher has all the relevant information required to make the game as commercially successful as possible”
http://www.skillset.org/games/careers/profiles/article_5284_1.asp

Lead Programmer
This role is pretty self explanatory, they manage the engineering teams and programmers assign them tasks and certain roles to write code for certain parts of the game from controls to the game engine. They also develop the technical specifications with the game designer and the lead artists the ensure the game is what they want. They must also find solutions to issues that arise and ensure that the different builds of the game are fixed for the next build. They must also ensure the project moves forward this means working closely with the project manager to deliver code and there work on time.  This is not an entry level role, this a senior role and a lot of experience in the industry is needed.  Degrees in maths and physics and in computer science are usually required.

Artist
These people create all the visual elements from textures in the game to the characters and how the game looks form guns to props interface components.  They also create concepts and storyboard the story for the game.Some games looks for a super realistic look where as other want a fantasy look or a look the game designer wants. This means you need to be very creative and be a very good artist to adapt to any situation. Within this role many sub roles are available form 3d modelling, to textures and environments, there are a lot of roles for this. But some are done by one person depending on the size of the game. Most people get the jobs by having degrees of HND and large profolios of there work so the producers can decide if their style if right for the project, they may also have experience from previous work.

Creative Director
This role is very important and has a very key role in the production. They make key and big decisions about how the game looks, sound and plays. This role is not always employed by studios this role is taken up by other members of the team, this just depends on the size of the studio they may employ multiple people to do this role.
This role can be split between programmers, designers and producers. This role is a new role and evolved out of the producers role to take more weight of them.  No direct qualifications are need, but previous experience in the industry would be required from artistic vision to the ability to inspire others.

Technical Artist
This role works between the artists and the programmers. To ensure all elements can be integrated into the game, giving each of the respected roles information of what if needed and what can be changed. They must set up and maintaining the art production workflow as well as making decisions about which art packages should be used. They are also tasked with implementing new ideas and technologies to the working environment, they can also train others for new ideas and programs that are implemented. One large part of this role is making sure they have the latest software and hardware such as consoles and computers to ensure they up working the best of there ability. This is not an entry level job, usually lots of experience is required to do this role, between two and five years experience is required in the industry to take up this role.
Most of the qualifications that are required for this role are degree’s in some form of art, or a technical subject and a few years experience.

QA tester
This role is vital but yet considered easy, they must test the game and find bugs and glitches in the game to make sure when the game is shipped it is 100% playable and it will satisfy the player. There role is to test the game and rely information to the game designer and programmers. They also act as the games first audience so if certain game elements they feel do not work they can rely this information, so a decision can be made about the idea.
It is considered to be and easy job but a lot of discipline is required, they are responsible for the games quality to ensure there are no massive issues and to alert people to these issues, such as spelling mistakes and copyright issues.
No qualifications are required but a passion for gaming and a little programming knowledge is required, and good English skills to write reports about the game andf the ability to express yourself well. They must also have good computer skills.

Lead Artist
Much like the lead programmer, this roles involves controlling the artists they must assign roles to the artists form 3d modelling to possible location management such as going out to places and seeing if they would be suitable for the game, basically the location managers role.  They also work with the game designers to get the whole look of the game planned and oversee the whole development of the visual elements. They produce much of the initial artwork such as characters and storyboards themselves. They also research and tests out different modelling, texturing, animation, rendering and lighting techniques and tools appropriate to the games technology, with input from the Lead Programmer. Apart form 5 years experience in the industry for this role degrees in fine art or graphics are required. They must have a portfolio of there work from previous places of employment and demonstrate good leadership skills and the ability to motivate.




Animator

Animators are required to create the movement and behaviour of elements in the game form characters to vegetation and scenery environmental effects. They use specialist programs to develop these movements and scenes. Well animated elements bring the game to life, giving the game a realistic feel to elements in real life such as the movement of grass or tree’s and realistic movement of people walking.  This job is usually a full time role as it is required through out the whole production and is a series is created they are usually required for the second game. They work closely with the programmers to ensure there elements can be implemented into the game.
Degrees in animation or computer science and a very good art level are required plus a good knowledge of the programs that are used, they must have a good understanding about animation principles and have a good portfolio of there previous work and what they are capable of doing. 

Assistant Producer
This role works closely with the games producer to ensure they game is delivered on time and to the highest possible level. Usually they will focus on certain areas of the game assigned to them by the producer.  This could involve communications between developers and publishers.  This is a very busy role in making sure the game is made on time and ensure all departments are on the same wave length and know what they are doing.
There are not direct qualifications needed , but previous production experience is needed good time management good communication skills and leadership skills are needed and a passion for the industry. There are short courses available around the UK at colleges to start you off and give the ability to get a job as a producer.


Project Manager/ Producer
This roles is much like the other roles that ensure the game is produced on time and within budget. They control the financing of the game and other resources for the project such as new computers this means working with the games designer and lead artist. They need to make sure the games vision is maintained and solve any issues that arise. As always there are no specific qualifications required for this role – experience is the key. Project Managers need to be able to demonstrate a track record gained across the whole life cycle of a project.

Level Editor
The level editor creates and implements key elements to the story including landscapes, buildings and objects to make the game enjoyable. They must work with the game designer to ensure the characters and visual elements are used correctly and that the story works well with the levels and tasks the player is required to do. They develop the challenges for these levels and the actions they must do to proceed to the next part of the game, they also implement achievements in game rewards to the game. They must also devise the atmosphere in the game to absorb the player in the game.
There are no specific qualifications required for Level Editors, but most entrants to the industry are now graduates. Degree subjects vary, but might include a design, engineering or software development element. They must be able to use programs such as 3ds max and maya to put the game and elements together, and learn how to use the in house tools. They must have good artistic skills to put the their ideas onto paper.
Brand Manager
This role is very important and they must basically advertise the game and create a good brand image to create hype for this game to ensure high sales of this game. They must work with the developers and publishers to create ad campaigns they must develop long term plans for the game, and deal with the press and go to game conventions and show off the game.  They must work very closely with the production teams and devs to ensure the right image is portrayed, and the advertising works well.
Experience is the key. Product Managers need to be able to demonstrate a track record gained across the whole life cycle of a marketing campaign. They must have good management skills to organise events and good social skills to talk to many different people and give a positive vibe about the game to ensure it sells well.


Audio Engineer
This role involves creating the soundtrack and sound for the game such as gun shots the spoken parts by the actors playing the characters. They must be able to compose and conduct the soundtrack and organise high quality tracks and sounds for the game. They work very closely with the artists and game designers to ensure there vision about the game and the characters are created for them.  Good audio is the key it can invoke fear, happiness, action, and many other emotions so this role is very important to ensure the game engrosses the player and makes it interesting.
Sound degrees and qualifications are required and a good portfolio of previous work and have a good knowledge of the programs used such a logic studio and have a good standard of musical knowledge to produce good audio.



How to get these jobs:

This depends on what role you want, for example some roles require lots of education such as programmers you must have multiple degrees and a lot of work to show what you can do, others roles depend on you experience and skills such as selling ideas to people and the ability to manage others. But where do you find these jobs? And get the skills for them.

Education:
There are many universities that offer degrees for programmers and art degrees such as:
The university of Derby offers:
BA in programming
BA in modelling and animation
BA in Games production

They also offer ways into the industry they have previous professionals who can offer assistance to help them get a job, but the qualifications offered are the required ones to get into programming, modelling and production. This is what the university says about its link with the industry
Derby is at the centre of a network of games studios spanning the East Midlands region. Here at the University we have direct links with many of these studios, along with a number of other software development companies, including Microsoft.
Our current placement students are receiving great reviews from their companies in industry which include Lionhead, Blitz, Kuju, Eurocom and Monumental.”  
This shows that they have ability to go straight into a job.
A London based college seen here:
Offers a Game Design + Development Diploma for the ages of 17 and up this is more a starter course to get you on the right lines, so if you want to get into the industry you need to start of with basic courses to help you understand the basics then you move onto a degree or if possible straight into a job.
You will be trained to a high level of industry standards to give you skills necessary to get a job in this field.

For my last example this university offers an 8 semester course:

In game simulation it will give you a BA Hons. The university gives a detailed understanding of what kind of job you could get after completing the course successfully.
  • “Game Developer: Decide the mission, theme, and rules of the game, laying out small sections of the game and devising puzzles for players to solve or enemies to defeat.
  • Game Programmer: Control the speed and placement of art and sound. Specialties within this field include engine, artificial intelligence, graphics programmers, and tool programmers.
  • Military Simulation Programmers: Help analyze, design, integrate, and test real-time simulation control systems for aerospace defense and technology training. Turn combat-style games into military simulations and explore the future of weapon technologies and new battle scenarios.
  • Crime Scene Investigation Software Developer: Develop technology that gives investigators the ability to view a crime from every possible angle through interactive reconstruction programs.
  • Corporate Training Software Designer: Create training plans and programs for almost any professional industry from healthcare to technology, providing strategies to ensure that employees are prepared to do their jobs well.”
To obtain these jobs you must do many things such as go on company websites and see if they are currently recruiting, you can looking in magazines  for jobs or jobs hunting websites, you will then go for interviews and they will decided if you are suitable for the job.
For example:
This is the site for the jobs for Electronic arts, it gives you list of types of jobs you can then select a location to work and the job role you wish to have, it then gives a detailed explanation of what you need for this role and a run through of the application process.
But jobs develop as you gain experience you will get a great understand of how your jobs works you could be a trainee programmer but after a few years experience the skills you have learned could lead to a job as a lead programmer if you stay with a company long enough or gain a good reputation.

Jobs can be sound of sites such as
This jobs is for a job at Criterion Games in Guildford. It gives a job description and the ability to apply. It says what you job will involve and says what successful candidates will require here is an example:
  • Have a good solid Project Management background and extensive industry experience, having shipped at least 2 games above 80% metacritic.
  • Practical knowledge of a variety of project management methodologies applied on a wide variety of projects is required. Experience with an Agile methods (e.g. Scrum) and tools is a distinct advantage.
  • Experience of managing staff is required, including hiring, regular review and feedback, annual appraisals and dealing with performance issues.
  • Games development requires a high degree of flexibility in approach and a successful candidate will be able to balance structure/process with the needs of a creative and dynamic environment.
  • Be educated to a degree level (or equivalent)
So they are many ways to get a job in this Industry it is all about looking on developer websites, for jobs applying and going to lots of interviews, you can find jobs on jobs hunting websites or get a job through a friend who could of referred you or you may get a job through college after work experience or being a trainee.

But not only is finding a job something that needs to be taken into account, we also need to look at how can I progress within these companies, how can I go higher in the company and what do these paths entail?

http://jobs.next-gen.biz/article/321/

This article here is very helpful as it talks about how to work your way up the gaming ladder,  from this I learnt that a new Developer (programmer) can earn up to £18,000 and £24,000. Something else this article also got me interested in was making sure your skills can be used in many other sectors. So being able to code different things and work on many types of projects. Pretty much if you have and art ability then you can work in a whole range of fields.

So once you have got a job and your working hard to move up in the company I found an interview with a game developer called Jagex.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oWMiQdbtSrM&feature=plcp

It is very long but at numerous points I learnt alot, the man called "Mod Chris L" talks about how he started in Q and A questions and answers in the company so bug fixing he describes it, then he said in the afternoons he would play with code and develop things for this game, after a while he got noticed and the team put him into a developer role meaning he could make things for the game, after a short while he was developing things in his spare time and looking at the code, as the years went on he became a team leader for a few ideas he had and now he is a development leader for many parts of the game.

This shows that if your skills can cross to different parts such as creativity to create the ideas, coding to bring them to life this will get you noticed as he was only a beta tester there was nothing major about him, but he took the time to learn about it and he went up in the company through using his skills in many other ways and tried to stand out with unique ideas that the players would like.


1 comment: