There’s no question that nerds love video games, but with the six video game jobs any nerd would love to have, gamers can turn a nerdy hobby into a lucrative career. The top video game jobs are mainly technical in nature, which means to get them, you’re going to have to be smart and get a good education. The subjects you’ll need to know best include math, science, animation, and art. Once you master the basics, you can start working toward a satisfying career in video games.
Lead Character Artist. In this video game job, nerds will enjoy not only the direct creation of video game characters, but also the thrill of leading a creative team. Imagine being able to dictate the hero of the next great video game of your generation. This job might involve creating elements of the world within the video game, as well. Key skills you’ll need include creativity, animation, and leadership. You will likely need a bachelor’s degree in game art or computer animation.
Video Game Tester. The rumors are true! Video game testing is a real need in the industry, and there are plenty of nerds who would love to get paid to it. The more professional name for this job is quality assurance technician, and while it is an awesome way to make a living, it can also be hard work. Your job is to test the games at all stages of development, catch glitches in the program, and keep detailed notes. This means you need to be detail-oriented and have a lot of patience. Previous internet technology experience is also a plus.
Online Game Designer. The Internet is the latest big thing in video games. As an Online Video Game designer, any nerd would love having the experience of creating new games for the Internet. While this job is extremely satisfying to any gamer, it’s no picnic. You’re overseeing all production. Management skills are a must. You also need a four-year degree in game design and experience with game production and programming.
