Video+Game+Developer

__** Video Game Developer! **__ ==

toc Why did I pick this career, you ask? Video games are a large part in society; they're a great pastime, and they connect people all around the world. Plus, developing a video game just seems like fun!

=Description/Working Conditions=

According to [|Wikipedia] (because I'm too weird to make up my own definition), "A **video game developer** is a software developer business or individual which creates video games." Kinda simple, right?

If you were a game developer, you could specialize in a certain company, if you wanted to. Like Nintendo, Sony, Microsoft... All good companies. Or, you could be private, like Bungie, the creators of the Halo franchise.

So, basically, you're one of the awesome people when it comes to the gaming industry. //You're// the one who's making the games. Without any of them, we'd all be bored still playing hopscotch, or something //outside//. Who wants to go outside these days, anyways?

Sandals and t-shirts are common attire with developers, probably to keep workplace morale up. It may seem easy, but this industry requires long work hours, which some people find unbearable. So, employee burnout is not uncommon. Sometimes, companies make a tough deadline, and then this is called "crunch time". More Wikipedia ; "the point at which the team is thought to be failing to achieve milestones needed to launch a game on schedule." (*Cough cough* **EA** *cough*)

=Tech Used in This Career=

Because this career is mostly tech based, a lot of technology is used. (Kinda obvious, right?) You would usually work on computers, which have the most up-to-date graphics cards and virtual reality (VR) software.

=Training Needed=



If you want to let a picture dictate your life, then you could look up any of these schools above! ITT Tech I've heard referenced many times in my life, so it should be worth the look!

Meanwhile, in Newfoundland, CONA (or CNA, whatever you're used to calling it) has a video game development course in Bay St. George. [|This] is the link to that site, in case you're interested!

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This course is an Applied Arts course, and it takes two (2) years to complete, when it starts in September. But to enter, you need the following:

Provincial High School Graduation Certificate with a 60% average in nine level 3000 credits or equivalent Comprehensive Arts and Science (Transition) Certificate Adult Basic Education (Level III) Graduation with General College Profile (or Business-Related College Profile or Degree and Technical Profile) with an average pass mark of 60% Applicants who do not meet the educational prerequisites for this program, are 19 years of age or older, and have been out of school for at least one year
 * 1.** **High School**
 * 2.** **Comprehensive Arts and Science (CAS) Transition**
 * 3.** **Adult Basic Education (ABE)**
 * 4** **Mature Student Status**

may be considered on an individual basis under the Mature Student Clause.

You'll learn the basics of graphic design, and 2D and 3D modeling. You'll also learn the steps in planning games and levels, and cinematic, art, and animation! As the site states; "These skills are further built on by a rigorous look at the production process, p roject and team management techniques, and the business of games. The program’s focus will allow students to create quality content to place in personal portfolios to demonstrate a thorough understanding of video game design."

So, if you have a knack for creating stories and characters, and you just want to make them //come to life//, then you should get into gaming and creation!

This is something a CNA student made themselves, with the help of an Unreal engine. (Personally, I love those games, and this is just awesome!)

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=Possible Jobs=

There are quite a few jobs in the video game development industry, but they may be hard to come by, especially if you want to work for a big company, like EA or Microsoft. You may be better off looking locally first, and then if you find nothing, then you should look online.

A site like [|this] could help, as there are a few jobs posted to apply for, and it gets updated every month or so. Looking a little further, a site called [|Gamasutra] has some job postings for some higher-up companies. But it might be better to work your way up and get some experience first in this field before trying to apply for one of the higher-ups.

Jobs In NL has nothing posted, as of yet. They might have something in the future, but I doubt it. Newfoundland doesn't have much of a presence in Video Game Design.

=The Important Part: MONEY=

According to [|Wikipedia], "A typical game-development employee, depending on his or her expertise and experience, averaged roughly $73,000 in 2007." That's pretty good, almost $6100 a month, $1520 a week. Impressive for doing something you love, right?

=Ending Credits!=

Well, that's about all I know/can search on Video Game Design! So, I would like to leave you with something adorable (which I like to do at the end of my projects)



I feel like this has relevance, as EVERY HARDCORE GAMER never likes being disturbed while fighting a boss. Especially final bosses. Don't do it.



Now, if you want to have some fun, I've made a crossword! Good luck!





If you get bored with that, then play some Pac-Man! One of the most famous video game characters!

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=References Section!=

Wikipedia: []

Gamasutra: [] AFJV: []

College of the North Atlantic: []