Survey Reveals Thriving Industry

Last updated: 10/10/2006 - 09:24

It looks like working in games development could become the career choice of a generation of young gamers – not just lured by the fantasy of working at their favourite pastime, but also by considerable financial rewards.

American gaming industry magazine Game Developer has released the results of its annual survey - which indicates that the games development industry has remained healthy despite the general downturn in the overall U.S. and world economies.

Mainstream Culture

Long gone are the days when gaming was marginalised as something for kids it seems. "Games are becoming an ever greater force in mainstream entertainment and culture, and with this trend comes increased interest in career opportunities in game development," says Jennifer Olsen, Editor-in-Chief of Game Developer magazine.

"And because game development combines both entertainment and high- tech, the industry is well positioned to thrive in a variety of economic conditions."

With public interest getting broader and the huge successes of titles based on TV shows (such as Buffy The Vampire Slayer) feature film tie-ins (including The Lord of The Rings: The Two Towers) and even musical acts (Britney’s Dance Beat, for one) it’s perhaps no surprise that game developers are finding themselves much in demand and able to command high earnings.

The survey findings include:*

  • The average US game programmer salary is $66,000 (around £41,840)


  • A technical director with 6 or more years experience earns an average of $104,000 (around £65,942)


  • Game artists earn an average of $61,000 (around £38,682.69)


  • A game designer with one year of experience earns an average of $52,000 (around £32,973), with the highest salary reported at $300,000 (around £190,239)


  • Game producers earn an average of $76,000 (around £48,191)


  • Developer salaries are highest in California and Texas, where game development studios tend to cluster


  • Women in the game industry fare better than women in other industries, earning 89 cents on the dollar, exceeding the national average of 76 cents


    • *Numbers are rounded to the nearest thousand. Source:Game Developer Magazine 2002.

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