Careers in Gaming
Thanks to the increasing preference for playing games online and on the cell phone, new careers are emerging, says Our Career Counselor
Thanks to the increasing preference for playing games online and on the cell phone, new careers are emerging, says Our Career Counselor
Gaming: A Growing Market
Effusive smiles beaming on the faces, fingers trekking the keypads– local train commuters' preoccupation with mobile phone games has not only eased their travel boredom but has also propelled a new industry: the gaming industry.
And it is not merely restricted to cell phones. Solitaire, minesweeper and a host of new computer games are deemed as great stress busters at office. Somehow this game culture has steeped into our consciousness.
"The casual games culture is growing in our country," asserts Pradnesh Kulkarni, a game producer at Nazara Technologies Pvt. Limited. Little wonder then that creatures of unimpeded imagination are looking at the gaming industry as a unique career opportunity. Particularly striking is the way the industry is growing, though it is still in the nascent stage.
The gaming market in India promises to scale a whooping US $60 million dollars by the fall of 2006. What’s more, the mobile phone gaming market in India is estimated at US $35 million.
Careers in Gaming
For mobile phone games, the designer ideates on the concept of a game (based on brands– the Tendulkars, the Dhonis, the Sania Mirzas of the world) and presents it to the producer for approval. The producer weighs the feasibility of the account presented by the designer. Once he approves it, the concept is forwarded to theart department comprising game artists. Using softwares such as 3-D max, the game artists or animators create the designs, wondrous landscapes and bizarre caricatures as suggested by the designer.
The designer advances the game to the level designer who patterns various levels of the game. Then it is transferred to the programming department– the programmer decides the way the game will run, i.e. the codes, sequence and timing. Without a proper programming code, all there'd be in a game are pretty pictures and a clutter of words. A game programmer is the one who, by creating codes in the programming languages, animates the game. He has to make the game as elegant as he can without any hiccups in performance. Later, it is handed over to the sound department for background music and effects. Finally, it is sent for porting i.e. a trial run on various handsets.
Technical Skills required
If you are proficient in computer programmes such as Brew (variant of c++) and J2ME (Java Micro Edition) then you could apply as gaming programmer. Sound knowledge of animation softwares such as 3-D Max is mandatory.
Apart from the aforesaid skills, gaming companies look for people with group skills. This is the most critical skill to possess, as the process of creating a game involves a host of people who have to work in co-ordination with each other.
Qualities required
* Passion for games
* Efficiency in computer languages like C++, Java and Brew
* Good communication skills
Remuneration for Gaming Programmers and Designers
Programmers and designers are in great demand in the industry; especially those who are flexible and can perceive the“big picture.”
An experienced game programmer can earn anywhere between Rs 35,000 to Rs 40,000. A fresher can start at Rs 12,000 to Rs 13,000. A game designer draws around Rs 20,000 to Rs 30,000.
After a designer acquires considerable experience, he/she is promoted to the level of game producer in order to supervise the projects. A mobile-phone game designer handles around four to five projects at a given time. However, a computer game designer is asked to handle only one project at a given time due to the nature of its vast applications.
Top Institutes in India
Game EDU, New Delhi
Image college of Arts, Animation and Technology (ICAT), Chennai, Tamil Nadu
Edit Institute,Mumbai
Multimedia Animation Technology Career In Design Animation and interaction design.Jobs In Multimedia Graphic Designers Best Institutes For Multimedia Designers Pay Scales
Career In Fashion Technology Jobs In Fashion Industry Designing Freelance Work For designers
Graduating from France Studying management in France means... particularly in Fashion Technology Modelling Paris University International Residencies and Executive Education. post-graduate educational programmes such as Bachelors in International Business, MBAs ........
bravenet.com