| When you look at your favorite video game, you are | | | | contemporary computer game may include advanced |
| looking at the work of a team of people. They include | | | | physics, artificial intelligence, 3D graphics, digitized sound, |
| at least one game designer, some programmers, a | | | | an original musical score, complex strategy and may |
| team of animators and other technicians and testers. | | | | use several input devices and may be playable against |
| Then there's the guy who thought who the whole thing | | | | other people via the Internet or over a LAN. Each |
| up. This leader is called the game developer. | | | | aspect of the game can consume several |
| In many ways a game developer is the first step into | | | | programmers, each working on a particular aspect of |
| gaming management. If there is a close parallel to this | | | | the game. |
| position, it's probably the producer of your favorite | | | | Most jobs for game programmers specify a bachelor's |
| animated TV show of movie. Although the developer | | | | degree (in mathematics, physics, computer science, "or |
| more than likely rose up the ranks from a particular | | | | equivalent experience"). Many online colleges offer |
| specialty, they have to have at least a solid general | | | | courses and degrees in game programming. Any such |
| knowledge of what others in the development team | | | | degrees should offer a well-rounded education that |
| do. | | | | includes all the fundamentals of software engineering |
| It's also a highly creative position as the basis of the | | | | and some side courses in business management. |
| game starts with the developer. Many these days | | | | From there, it's up to the developer to work his way |
| keep their eyes on publications such as the Hollywood | | | | up the chain of command. |
| Reporter or Variety for the next ultra popular book, | | | | Once there though, the salary can be considerable. |
| sport, TV show or movie, and then try to figure out | | | | According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the |
| how to make a game out of it. | | | | average developer makes about $100,000. The |
| The ones that software publishers truly treasure are | | | | benefits package usually includes insurance, retirement |
| the ones who come up with a totally original game | | | | program, expense account and, most importantly, profit |
| concept. That's because the publisher doesn't have to | | | | sharing. Developers becoming millionaires are not |
| share any licensing fees with the original property. In | | | | unheard of. |
| fact, the savvy software company turns around and | | | | As for the future of game development? One need |
| starts brokering their trademark and copyright to film | | | | only look at the video gaming industry. Even though the |
| and TV studios, toy manufacturers and whatever else | | | | business took a bit of a hit thanks to the recession, it |
| they can collect a licensing fee from. | | | | still made over $20 billion in 2009. With the expansion |
| Once upon a time computers were so simple that the | | | | of the Internet and such platforms as the smart phone, |
| development could all be done by one or very few | | | | both the profession and the industry will be growing |
| people. That was back in the days of Pong, Brick Out | | | | again very soon. |
| and maybe Alien Invaders. These days, a | | | | |