Ask any video gamer if they enjoy doing what they do and you’re sure to get a smile on their face. It’s not every day that you get to play games for a living but for those that do it, the satisfaction of bringing a character to life through gameplay knows no bounds.
Even as a kid, I found video games to be an intriguing realm. Not sure if it was the fact that I could be anyone I wanted to be or the fact that you could play within a virtual environment but something about the interactivity of games appealed to me. Plus, I was always envious of the characters in the games I played.
While the world of video gaming is a varied one, there is one area where your average Joe can have an impact: the creation of game content. It might not be the most exciting part of creating a game but without it, the fun and immersive gameplay would cease to exist.
The In-Demand Industry
The video game industry has come a long way since the days of Pong and Space Invaders but even now, nearly 50 years later, there is still a lot of growth potential. That’s thanks in part to the ever-expanding reach of the Internet and social media platforms like Twitter and YouTube which allow content to be disseminated and consumers to find what they’re looking for faster than ever before.
If you’re looking to gain experience in the field, it’s a great place to start. There are numerous opportunities to learn about game development through numerous game academies and through paid online courses.
Even for beginners, developing games is a rewarding experience. While it might not be the most lucrative field, the flexibility of being able to work on your own schedule is unparalleled. You won’t get bored of playing games anytime soon.
The Rise Of eSports
Video games have transitioned from a mere pastime to a full-fledged sport. As the market has grown, so has eSports. The number of people participating in eSports has more than doubled in the last five years and it’s expected that by 2018, the video game industry will contribute $15.9 billion to the eSports market.
Just like in traditional sports, some people make a lot of money and become famous through their involvement in eSports. The top five eSports games by revenue this year will pull in a combined $1.7 billion.
The largest and most popular traditional sports leagues like the NBA and the NFL have adapted to the new digital environment and have developed lucrative esports initiatives. This is because eSports offers a number of advantages to sports organizations.
Firstly, like traditional sports, eSports is a relatively easy and cost-effective way to capture an audience and grow a fan base. Secondly, video games allow for a greater degree of diversity in the people who play them compared to traditional sports leagues. Thirdly, and perhaps most significantly, video games allow for the possibility of live and on-demand participation.
In short, while traditional sports have moved to the cloud, video games continue to thrive in the increasingly connected world we live in.
What Is A Video Game Writer?
For the past decade or so, the line between playing video games and writing about them has blurred. While some authors, such as Richard Thal, have transcribed books based on their play-throughs of video games, most professionals in the field now write about games they’ve played or are currently playing.
As the games evolve with the aid of technology and reach new platforms, there is often an overlap between the development of a video game and its related content. An experienced game writer might take a rough draft of a game, embellish it with additional content and guide the development of a game while playing a key role in making it more fun and immersive for the player.
While there is definitely still a role for amateur writers in the field, more and more people are aiming to become full-fledged game writers. With the right credentials and some experience under your belt, you can expect to make about as much money as a typical Hollywood screenwriter.
How Much Money Does A Game Writer Make?
If you’re wondering how much money you can make as a game writer, the answer is: as much as you want. Like many other jobs out there, the amount depends on a number of factors. The most important of which is your abilities and whether or not you’re able to negotiate a higher rate.
As a rule of thumb, if you’re a decent writer and can hold your own against the best in your field, you can expect to make about as much money as a typical Hollywood screenwriter. That’s not including the bonus you might receive for creating content that goes viral and inspires a significant amount of copy-pasta. Which, of course, is all dependent on the kind of content you create.
In 2018, if you’re a college graduate with a Bachelors in English and you can demonstrate you have at least two years of professional writing experience, you can look for jobs as an English teacher or an editorial assistant at a magazine or newspaper. Your chances of getting a well-paying job will increase if you’re able to demonstrate that you have some expertise in creating content for social media or if you can show that you have published articles in reputable media companies.
In terms of actual monetary figures, experienced and qualified game writers can command six-figure incomes. However, if you’re just getting started, you can probably expect to make a good chunk of change writing for video game companies or doing freelance writing for websites and blogs related to the industry.
The Evolution Of Media
When you boil it down, all of this content– be it a TV show, a movie, a video game or a song– exists to entertain you. However, over the past few years, media has evolved from being a passive experience, something you turn on and off, to being an active participant in your leisure time. This change is evident in the way people interact with content and how they consume it.
In the case of video games, this evolution can be traced back to the rise of eSports and the increasing prevalence of social media platforms. For a while, people were turning off Netflix, Hulu and Spotify in order to play video games which meant they were missing out on a lot of content. As a result, game developers started to see their audience grow rapidly as people came back for more once they realized how much content there was to consume.
In today’s world, the line between media and games is blurred. As technology advances and more people get access to higher speeds and greater capacity, the difference in speed between loading a game and viewing content on a website becomes less significant. This is why, when you search for images related to a game, you might see some screenshots or an unbox video along with a list of what is inside. It’s all part of the same package and it’s something you have to get used to if you want to continue enjoying content how and where you want to.
The Future Of Video Games
If you’re a fan of video games and technology, you’re in luck because the two are likely to evolve even further together. In the next five to ten years, we’re expected to see the lines between games and technology become more blurred.
For example, in the near future, it’s not entirely uncommon to see technology flowing into the games or the reverse. Take virtual reality for example, which is a form of technology that will blur the line between reality and simulation. While you might only be able to try out virtual reality games at certain locations or events, the technology will become widespread enough that you might feel the need to buy one just to play.
The opportunity for creators, players and viewers alike is endless and it’s something the industry will have to adjust to in order to keep up with.