Game Animator Career Outlook
Video games have come a long ways since the 1970’s coin-operated video games and their successor, Atari. In the three intervening decades, video games have made astounding inroads.
The demographics of games have altered substantially. No longer just an entertainment outlet for teenage males, adult men in the 25 to 40-age category are now dedicated players. In fact, the average male in this category is 35 years old with 12 years experience in gaming.
Women, too, are becoming gaming aficionados. Statistics show up to 41 percent of gamers are women, many of whom are playing combat style games.
Multi-player video games with online capabilities have, in many cases, become a means of social interaction for youth and young adults. Players can talk with other gamers or build a team of friends and communicate with their friends through the game medium. Consoles have up to four or eight controller inputs to permit several gamers to play at the same time.
Dedicated gamers may spend up to 72 hours a week gaming. New releases are eagerly awaited. Hours-long lineups outside stores on release dates, with willing buyers ready to spend disposable income, are common.
Zynga recently created a phenomenon with Farmville for Facebook. Adult men and women, teenagers and children all quickly joined the social game, inviting Facebook friends to be co-operative neighbors. Farmville was rapidly followed by several other Zynga social games. Millions of people play these social games daily on Facebook. It is likely the trend of social games will grow, with a dividend of more sophisticated animation in the future.
The United States is the largest producer of computer and console video games and, thus, the bulk of game animation jobs are found in the US. Games industry revenue is approximately $7 billion yearly.
Production of a single video game requires teams of up to 200 people, dependent on the complexity of the concept. Game animators are employed by development studios and outsourcing companies. Employment as a game animator is generally on a permanent basis.
The projected outlook for game animators’ growth in job positions will be on average with other occupations in the United States. Although the game industry is burgeoning, the cost of producing a game is very expensive. Publishers often operate under budget restraints for this reason. It is expected that the demand for continually more complex video games will produce some of this growth.
Wages for game animators vary for typical reasons. The type of company has an influence. An independent publisher will likely offer a lower salary than an established publisher or developer. Your location will also have an impact. Game publishers are concentrated in the state of California, with some sparsely located in New York and Washington, among other states.
Education is an important factor. Most game developers and publishers want certification or a degree in visual arts. It may be difficult to obtain a job without some form of education.
An impressive portfolio is necessary. The portfolio is the selling feature of a game animator’s talents. A prospective game animator without a portfolio is not likely to make it to the interview stage. Portfolios can be developed in a number of ways. All visual art programs give students the opportunity to build a portfolio. Assisting a game animator through a minimal wage or unpaid internship lends credence to credentials. A game animator can also complete work of his or her own to submit in a portfolio.
Years of experience as a game animator affect salaries. Animators with less than three years experience can expect an average salary of $45,000. Those with between three and six years experience have a possibility of earning approximately $60,000 per year. The three year mark is notable for an increase in salary.
Game animators with in excess of six years experience may expect in the area of $70,000 per annum. Lead animators have the opportunity to earn between $68,000 and $82,000.
