Roles and Careers
Find out more about the roles and what you can do to get started.
QA / Games Tester
What you actually do
Break the game on purpose. Find what's wrong, write it up clearly so it can be fixed.
what you need to start
Attention to detail, clear writing, patience. The most common way in.
typical starting pay
$55–65K
Game Designer
What you actually do
Decide how the game plays and feels. Build levels, tune the rules, test them.
what you need to start
A portfolio of things you've made, even small ones. Strong communication.
typical starting pay
$65–80K
Programmer
What you actually do
Write the code that makes the game work.
what you need to start
Coding ability - self-taught counts. C++, C# or Unity/Unreal experience.
typical starting pay
$70–85K
Artist / 3D
What you actually do
Make the characters, environments and effects people see.
what you need to start
A showreel or art portfolio. Blender, Maya or Substance experience helps.
typical starting pay
$65–80K
Producer
What you actually do
Keep the team and the schedule moving. Unblock people.
what you need to start
Organisation, people skills, calm under pressure. Often a second-step role.
typical starting pay
$70–85K