Working World

What did you think you would be when you grew up? Are you fulfilling your dreams in that regard or are you stuck in a rut, following where your paycheck leads you? For some of us the idea of becoming a video game developer is a childhood fantasy come true.

“As a kid I would joke that I want to be taller and play video games,” said Sam Hudgins, owner of Zubian Studios in Lakewood, Colo., who gave us some insight into how to go from dreaming of a career in video gaming to building a business around it.

Hudgins majored in graphic arts with emphasis on video game design at Westwood College in Anaheim. After graduating this past May, he formed Zubian Studios and has been busy producing not only games but online training videos and animated television and Internet commercials for corporate clients. “I have found that 90 percent of what you’ll learn is your own effort and initiative,” he said.
    
On the Job

So what exactly is a video game developer? Dan Dement of DeVry University pointed me toward Wikipedia for the most concise definition: “Video game developers fall into one of three main categories: third-party developers, in-house developers and the smaller independents. Developers usually employ a staff of programmers, game designers, artists, sound engineers, producers and testers, though some of these roles may be outsourced. Confusingly, an individual person in any one of these roles may be referred to as a ‘video game developer.’”

“We’re such a new industry most people don’t have degrees in video gaming development,” Hudgins said. “You have to make it up as you go along. Honestly, you just have to have the talent and know-how. When it comes down to it, you must have a broad base in everything but be good in one thing. For example, specializing in one area of the field like character development.”

He went on to explain that character development specialists would conceptualize a character (or work with a concept artist) and then develop the life of that character before passing it off to a 3-D artist, who then might pass it off to a texture artist. Video game developing requires a broad base of knowledge to be able to work with — and direct — a team of other artists who are critical to the process.

Platt College’s Scott Greene confirmed the newness of this career track, stating that there are not many degree programs out there, and one can come into the field from many directions.

“Platt does not as yet have a video game developer program, though I support our expanding into this field,” he said. “We train people in Maya and 3-D animation, which prepares our students to work in film, video, television, etc. The skills we teach are transferable to games in the specific areas of character creation, texture, animation, rigging, lighting and architectural creation.”

“The interactive entertainment industry is a booming field and Westwood College wants to do all it can to help gaming students get a foot in the door and employed in this industry,” said Glennon Neubauer, gaming program director at Westwood College in Anaheim. “As a result of our successful game software development and game art programs, Westwood has built incredible partnerships with a variety of both casual game and serious game companies.”     

Miguel Aranda, director of career services at Westwood College, said, “The key to success in this field is drive. Developers are going to work long hours. They need a passion for making games, but it is hard work, not just fun like playing games. Developers also need key skills in art, programming design, etc.”
    
In the Classroom

Required courses for a degree in this industry depends on the specialty that’s pursued. For example, DeVry University offers three separate bachelor’s degree programs for students interested in pursuing a career in video game development: game and simulation programming, computer information systems with a specialized track in web game programming, and multimedia design and development with a specialized track in web game programming.

Game simulation programming means you learn about language coding, visual design principles, software methods used in the development of video games, crime scene reconstruction and corporate training software, to name a few. Web game programming focuses on the multimedia tools and techniques used to create Web-based games and dynamic Web pages, as well as training applications for consumer electronics. Multimedia design development encompasses the skills sets required to design, illustrate, manage and produce visual communications by mastering key software applications, fundamental design principles, Web content management and graphics animation.

Hudgins, who considers himself a technical artist, said he fell in love with the graphics side of the industry. A love of Photoshop led him to his video game developing career and the economic downturn inspired him to form Zubian. “The entertainment industry and game sales are growing,” he said. “People want an escape from their economic woes. Game sales have never been higher.”

What type of jobs can you expect to find? They are as varied as the paths to this career. “With the gaming industry charting revenues in excess of $21 billion, and the U.S. Army alone investing millions in simulation training, exciting new jobs in these areas are created every day,” Dement said.

You don’t necessarily need a degree to break into the field, but you do need to have the highly specialized technical skill sets and creativity to go the distance. So if you have a passion for video games, why not back it up with some serious studies? Apply yourself to either the right-brained creative job skills or the left-brained technical programming skills and go for it. Training is available and the schools we’ve spoken with all offer financial aid, career counseling and internship programs that introduce you to the key employers in the industry.   ­

Resources

DeVry University
Entertainment Software Association
International Game Developers Association
Platt College
Westwood College

Katy Allgeyer is an artist and freelance writer. She is a columnist for Working World and Working Nurse magazines and her features have appeared there and in Feng Shui Times, The Art of WellBeing, You & Me Magazine and others.