The gaming industry is growing rapidly. And Forbes reported that the industry generated about $150 billion in 2019. Since major companies are passionately investing in the gaming industry, being a gamer has become one of the most lucrative careers in the 21st century. In today’s article, you will learn the top skills you need to start a career in the gaming industry.
The gaming industry is still very fertile for anybody who wants to grow a career in that area. But the industry is powered by skills. And if you want to be successful as a gamer, there are specific skills you need to develop.
If you have these skills, you will strategically place yourself in a position of advantage in the industry.
So, here are 4 skills you need to start a career in the gaming industry;
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#1. Programming.
There’s no way you can become a game developer if you don’t have programming skills. You must be good with coding before you start developing games.
Without a doubt, programming is one of the skills you need to start a career in the gaming industry.
If you are good with programming languages like C# and C++, it’s an added advantage for you.
However, it’s not advisable to start learning programming language for the fun of it. Before you learn any, decide on the type of games you want to develop.
For instance, learning java would be a great idea if you want to specialize in developing mobile games. Similarly, if you want to focus on developing desktop or computer games, C++ would be the perfect programming language for you.
But generally, programming is one of the most frequently demanded skills in the gaming industry. Programmers don’t only function as engineers; they also fit into game designers, technical artists, etc.
Even producers need to have a basic knowledge of programming to function effectively in the gaming industry.
If you are a beginner, you should start with python. It’s a general-purpose programming language, and it’s easy to learn.
There are communities online as well as a pool of resources for beginners to learn the python language. And once you have mastered python, you can start learning other areas you want to specialize in.
#2. Design
Design is one of the most important variables in the gaming equation. You need to have a knack for design to develop fun and aesthetically appealing games. That is why it’s one of the skills you need to start a career in the gaming industry.
A good design gives an exceptional experience to your game. And in most cases, the design experience users get determines the success and failure of the game.
People don’t just want to play games; they want to have the game experience. So, it’s crucial to learn user experience and user interface designs like UX/UI design skills. It will help you with your career in the gaming industry.
There’s always a vacuum in UX and UI designs in the gaming industry. And with the introduction of Virtual Reality (VR) and Augmented Reality (AR) features in games, giving users a befitting design experience has become more challenging.
Perhaps, that is why companies like Sony invested heavily in new technologies in AR and VR. And that has made Sony a major leader in the gaming industry.
Games with a well-designed interface are always outstanding in the industry. And companies will pay you very well if you are a game developer with amazing UI and UX design skills.
#3. Time Management
Time management is one of the best skills you need to start a career in the gaming industry. Developing a game is not an easy task. It takes a lot of time, effort, and teamwork.
And when you guys are developing any game, it’s important to constantly meet deadlines regardless of the task involved. That means you must not give room for procrastination. Otherwise, your output will suffer.
As a gamer, you must learn to organize the hours of your days. With this attitude, you can take years out of minutes and months out of seconds.
With good time management skills, you can thrive excellently in the gaming industry that requires you to prioritize deadlines.
If you know how to manage your time proactively, the sky will be your beginning in the gaming industry.
#4. Story Telling
Every game developer should be a great storyteller. That is what makes your game more fun and interesting to play. If you can hone your storytelling skills as a design, you will be outstanding in the gaming world.
You can add emotional elements like suspense and humor to get your audience’s attention with storytelling skills. And that will make every game you make an input in be outstanding.
Storytelling doesn’t only make your game enjoyable; it also gives users an experience they always want to come back to.
Any game with a good storyline always leaves a lasting impression on players. And that is what some of the most popular games like Fortnite, Ark: Survival Evolved, PUBG mobile, Alto’s adventure, etc. all have in common.
Conclusion
Now you know some of the skills you need to start a career in the gaming industry. With these skills, you will become outstanding in the industry.
Are you passionate about starting a career in the gaming industry? Which of these skills do you have? Kindly let me know in the comment below.