As one popular gaming character would say, “You’d better believe it!” Gaming design is a very serious business. Since the introduction of Pong to shopping malls barely three decades ago, computer and video games have turned into an almost-recession proof, billion dollar industry, and the designer is king. With the objective of entering this field in mind, many are participating in degree programs online and on campus.
These days gaming design is an interesting hybrid career. A good designer needs an education in both computer science and business administration to truly get the most from an education. Getting a bachelors degree from an on campus or an accredited online college doesn’t really matter too much. A game designer must have experience with computers anyway.
A key reason for both types of skills is, on the business side, a good designer must be able to either create an original concept or hunt down a licensed property that can be turned into games. From there, he or she must also divine what format the game would work best in, whether it’s Playstation, the Internet, or otherwise. Then the designer has to assemble his or her design team, including programmers, artists and marketing people to help assemble the right package and unleash it on the consumer market.
To call the career extremely hot is a bit of an understatement. The Bureau of Labor Statistics did a report back in 2006. At that time, the report showed that nearly two thirds of all American households played video or computer games in some capacity. At the time, the Bureau projected that job growth in the field would be an extraordinary 30% by 2018.
While the current recession has slowed the industry somewhat, it looks like other forms of entertainment are turning around quickly. One thing helping the industry is growth in game rentals as opposed to sales. Another innovation that is helping is the introduction of new tech, such as the smart phone and the recent Apple’s iPad, although at this moment it’s way too soon to fully comprehend how the latter will impact the business.
This in turn makes financial aid a bit easier to get than most other career paths. As the career involves computer science it is eligible for S-STEM scholarships through the National Science Foundation, in addition to standard Pell and state grants. At the same time, a number of private companies who are involved in video gaming one way or another are providing their share of scholarships. This makes good sense as it helps them recruit the fresh and creative talent they always need. So, consult a financial aid officer when researching this career. This aid can add extra life to one’s academic quest.
One thing that proves how serious a business game designing has become is the salary. The Bureau reports a designer fresh out of school usually starts at $37,000, and the average salary for experienced personnel is over $60,000. With such possible benefits as health insurance, retirement and investment packages and possible profit sharing, the total packages can go into the $100,000 range.
So when you add it all up, it sounds like a career that’s just too good to be true. The irony is it’s very real. There is your online degree education that can get you started. A business degree and your technology degree online can be obtained while you currently work, as you take care of a family, and as you do all that’s needed to enter this exciting field. If this area of study is of interest and you would like more information about your online it degree, check the internet.
