The digital games industry is massive globally, worth more than $240 billion in 2020 and growing each year. And game studios are the places where our favourite video games are created. They are a place where a variety of creative and technical professionals come together to design, draw, record, develop, code, and test games before releasing them to the public.
Here are some common things you can expect to find at game studios:
- They’re very tech-oriented – as you might expect, you’ll be working with a lot of the latest and greatest technology, both software and hardware.
- Time management is key – lots of games are developed on strict timelines, and launching on time is always important.
- You won’t be working alone – unless you’re a freelance developer, chances are you’ll be working with a large team of people to deliver great quality games.
Key Outcome
Produce high quality and entertaining content
The main focus of game studios is to create video games, all the way from initial ideation to product launch. There are many different styles, genres, and formats of games for different interests.
Key Tasks
- Develop initial concepts and ideas
- Create digital assets, including art, video, and sound
- Develop code and continually test and bugfix
- Manage budgets and timelines
- Prepare marketing materials for launch
- Monitor feedback and quality of product post-launch
Industry
You can find game studios in the professional, scientific and technical services, and arts and recreation industries
Game studios are generally found in the professional, scientific and technical services, and arts and recreation industries. Size can vary from huge, multi-national studios with offices around the world, to small indie studios with just a handful of employees.
Work Environment
You can expect regular hours and both on-site and remote work
Regular work hours | Work on-site and remote | Jobs more common in metro areas | Strong job growth
Game studios are generally open regular working hours from 9 to 5, and most workers work regular hours. Some overtime might be necessary to ensure products meet deadlines close to launch. Some roles, such as quality assurance and customer service, can work irregular hours to provide 24/7 service and account for players in different time zones.
Because a lot of work is done using computers and technology, there is ample opportunity for roles with flexible working arrangements, including remote work and working from home.
Most game studios are based in metropolitan areas, but as the industry grows some smaller studios may branch out into regional areas as well – plus freelance developers can work from almost anywhere in the world, as long as they have the technology.
The Career Clusters you’ll find in a game studio
People from all Clusters are needed for a game studio to run effectively, but the most common Clusters you’ll find are Innovators and Linkers. As in any role, you might find yourself performing tasks across multiple Clusters.