Due to the skills required, becoming a game engineer can take some time and education, but it can also be a very well-paying job.

In this article, we will go over what exactly a game engineer does, what kind of education you will need to become one, and how much money you can expect to make.

Game Engineer vs Developer or Designer?

It is not uncommon for the titles game designer, developer, and engineer to be used interchangeably. While there are some overlaps between these roles, they do also have their differences.

The differences between these roles and the tasks that each handles will vary depending on the team they are part of, but there are some general differences.

The title ‘game developer’ is a relatively general term basically meaning anyone who works on a game. Game developers may handle a number of different duties including programming, level design, beta testing, and more.

A game engineer will handle many of the same tasks as a regular developer, and more. An engineer may be tasked with more highly technical jobs that require advanced knowledge.

For example, if your company wants to work with a custom game engine, a game engineer may be responsible for designing this engine in order to ensure the best performance.

An engineer may also be responsible for things like building and maintaining network code, as well as developing internal tools to help with development.

A game designer is different from the previous two as he or she tends to lean more heavily into the creative and abstract side of game development. They may for example come up with new gameplay concepts, level ideas, or visual concepts.

Designers may also help to come up with the overall mood and direction for the project. Designers may also handle technical tasks but to a lesser extent.

All of these roles play an important part in game development, and will usually work closely together to complete projects.

For example, a game engineer may build a custom-level creation tool, a designer will come up with the visual concepts and objectives, and a developer will code and construct the actual gameplay. In this way, each member of the team can focus on their own specialties to make a great final product.

Why Are Game Engineers Important?

Games are getting more and more advanced and so the need for highly skilled engineers is growing. In fact, game engineers may be responsible for much of the amazing progress we have seen in video games over the years, using their advanced knowledge to push the technology even further.

In addition to becoming more technically demanding, games have also become increasingly complex projects. Having highly experienced and knowledgeable engineers is crucial to producing high-quality games on time and on budget.

Finally, game studios rarely just release a game and move on to the next project. Games are now live services requiring years of support so players can keep enjoying the experience.

An engineer will be crucial to creating stable and well-documented game systems, as well as maintaining those systems for years to come. When something does break, it’s important to have a knowledgeable expert to fix it.

What Education Is Required To Become A Game Engineer?

A game engineer is a very important role that requires knowledge of a lot of technical subjects. If you are hoping to get a job as a game engineer, your best bet will be to pursue post-secondary education in a related topic.

Despite the name, you shouldn’t feel the need to get an engineering degree to be a game engineer. Instead, good choices for education may include computer science, game development, software engineering, and more.

Beyond a bachelor’s degree, you can do more to help you stand out and land a job as a game engineer. You could for example continue beyond your bachelor’s degree and pursue a master’s degree in a relevant field. This will obviously expand your knowledge, but also help you to land better jobs with higher pay.

Outside of academics, your work experience will be an important aspect. This can begin as early as you are in school, looking for courses and internship opportunities involving game development.

Once you start looking for a job, consider that you may not land the role of an engineer immediately. Instead, it may take a few years of experience to prove and develop your skills before these higher-level roles will be more accessible to you.

Skills Required From A Game Engineer

A game engineer may be expected to possess the following skills among others

• Advanced programming skills in a variety of languages such as C++, C#, and Python
• Experience working with libraries and APIs
• Ability to understand and break down complex technical problems
• Ability to manage projects and teams
• In-depth knowledge of video games, the game industry, and the game development process
• Knowledge of the hardware. Functions, and limitations of common video game platforms including consoles and mobile.

How Much Does A Game Engineer Make?

Video game engineers are generally well paid, though your compensation is going to depend on your capabilities, level of experience, and who you work for.

A new game developer or game engineer may start out making around $70,000 a year, but as they continue their work this can grow to above $200,000.

There are many companies that hire game engineers, so it should be fairly easy for an established engineer to find work and negotiate a competitive salary. This makes a game engineer an appealing career choice as there is great potential for growth and advancement.

What Tools Does A Game Engineer Use?

As a game engineer, you will probably do a large majority of your job on the computer, though there will not be any one piece of software you will use. Many studios take advantage of industry toolkits such as Unity or Unreal Engine. You may also use custom in-house tools, or perhaps write your own.

On a more advanced level, some engineers may also be involved with video game hardware. This could include minor things like determining hardware specs for games, too much larger tasks like helping to design entirely new video game hardware.

How To Find Game Engineer Jobs

There are countless studios these days, big and small, in need of game engineers. One way to find jobs is to simply keep an eye on job boards for companies in your area and apply the old-fashioned way.

Another way to land a job may be to leverage connections you may have made in the industry on your way to becoming an engineer. For higher-level roles like this, a good recommendation from another person can go a long way.

If you make enough of a name for yourself in the industry, eventually companies may even try to recruit you for your skills.

It may also be worthwhile to consider relocating to where many game developers are based. In the US, many developers are located along the east coast in cities such as San Francisco, Los Angeles, Seattle, and others.

Other US cities include Austin, Chicago, and New York. Outside of the US, Canada and England are also major locations for game developers, in cities such as Montreal, Vancouver, and London.

When it comes to the actual hiring process, you are going to need to prove your skills match up with what studios are looking for. As well as having a strong resume, it will be a good idea to build a portfolio of past projects and accomplishments.

If you really want to show off your skills, consider creating a few case studies, demonstrating the problem at hand, how you approached it, and the results of your work. This will be a great way to show developers you know your stuff.

Once you do land a job as a game engineer, your work doesn’t end there. Your role will likely present you with constant new challenges you will need to overcome, and you will always be learning and growing your skills as new technologies are developed.

If you choose this path, we hope your career as a game engineer is an exciting and fruitful one!

This article will cover everything you need to know about building your digital portfolio, the tools to use, and why you should start making a portfolio now.

What Are Portfolio Websites?

There are two different types of ‘portfolio websites’. First is a personal website that houses your art portfolio, and the other are tools designed to help create online portfolios, also called ‘portfolio builders’ or ‘website builders.

First, we’ll look at your personal portfolio and why you may want to build one online.

Why Are They Important?

In the old days, your portfolio was physical: basically a folder with various examples of your work. When applying for a job, you were expected to submit your portfolio or bring it along to any interviews.

Nowadays when artists build a portfolio, most do so digitally. This offers many benefits to artists.

For one, a digital portfolio is very easy to compile, especially if you work in a digital medium. Another reason is that you can include a wider range of media in a digital portfolio, such as audio, video, 3D models, and more.

Finally, a digital portfolio is easy to share with employers, collaborators, and fans with just a simple link.

While there are limitless ways you could present your work in a digital form, the most popular is through a portfolio website. A portfolio website is going to be more accessible than just a folder on your computer and can include a nice design and layout to make your work really stand out.

In addition, your portfolio may be part of a larger personal site that can also contain things like a blog, contact info, or shop.

How To Create An Online Portfolio

You could build your own site from scratch if you’re savvy (and this may be a good idea if you are a web designer for example) this isn’t a good option for most. That brings us to ‘portfolio builders’, which help users to create professional-looking websites without technical knowledge.

Some popular examples of portfolio websites include Wix, Squarespace, and Dribbble.

The harder question than if you should use a website builder is which website builder you should use. There are many different choices in this field, and often with very similar features.

The best website builder for you is going to depend on your needs, and there is no single best option. In the next section, we will compare a few popular options you may want to look into.

Top Portfolio Websites For Artists

Before we look at the many different options for website builders, let’s go over some of the criteria that you could use to evaluate your choices. These may include:

• Ease of use: while you can expect it to take some effort to create your portfolio site, a good option should make it easy for non-technically inclined artists to build and maintain their portfolio.
• Customization options: the point of a portfolio is to stand out, so it is important that the service lets you tailor your portfolio to your own needs. This can make a big difference in the overall feel of your portfolio. This includes visual aspects of your page, but also more technical aspects like media embedding and responsive design.
• Pricing: Obviously this will be a major factor in your decision of which service to use. While there are many free options, these usually come with limitations that would make you want to consider a more premium offering. The good news is, there are many different services at price points for any budget.

Squarespace

Squarespace is one of the most well-known website builders, thanks largely to their massive advertising budget, often sponsoring content creators, podcasts, and more. However, Squarespace isn’t all advertising, and they have a robust platform to back up their popularity.

Squarespace has many built-in templates that can make setting up a professional-looking portfolio a breeze. The site also offers additional features for things like SEO, eCommerce, marketing, and more, which can make it a one-stop shop for website building.

Squarespace is free to start, but plans with a custom domain starting at $16 a month, with higher tiers unlocking additional features. For a digital portfolio, the basic plan would be a great start.

Wix

Wix is another major name when it comes to website-building services, and is very similar to Squarespace in terms of functionality. This means that it will have everything you need, and many things you won’t need if all you want to do is make a portfolio.

The primary difference between Squarespace and Wix is that Wix provides a bit more freedom over your site design, though this can also mean a bit more effort required to get things just right.

Wix offers a free service but plans with a custom domain starting at $16 per month. You can pay for higher account tiers that will provide additional services, but the basic plan will suffice for a standard portfolio.

Dribbble

Dribbble is another well-known service for building a digital portfolio. Unlike the previous mentions, Dribbble is specifically focused on building a portfolio for artists and designers.

This means that Dribble will be very user-friendly for that purpose, but maybe a bit more limited if you plan on building a full site. The platform also offers career tools and a job board to help you find work, making it a great choice for freelancers.

A pro account on Dribbble will cost you as low as $5 per month, though it won’t include a custom domain, which you will need to purchase separately to connect to your page.

WordPress

WordPress is one of the oldest and most widely used website applications on the internet, and for good reasons. WordPress has thousands of users across all sorts of industries so there is a lot of info and resources to help you get started.

The downside of WordPress is it may require some more technical knowledge to make the most of its features, though this will depend on how complex you want your page to be.

And WordPress is free…technically. The application itself can be downloaded for no cost, but unless you have your own web server you will need to pay for hosting. WordPress itself offers hosting, with a free option and a $ 10-a-month premium plan that is best for artists and freelancers.

Adobe Portfolio

If you’re a creative type, you’re probably familiar with Adobe. As part of its wide suite of creative applications, Adobe has created its own portfolio-building site, aptly named Adobe Portfolio.

The best reason to choose Adobe portfolio is if you already use their other products.

Not only is Portfolio well integrated with their other apps such as Photoshop and InDesign, but it is also included in their Adobe Creative Cloud subscription. This means you may already have access to Adobe portfolio without any extra cash required.

The downside is that you can’t pay for Adobe Portfolio separately, and will need to sign up for a CC subscription, which can range from $10 a month to over $50.

Some Options Beyond Site Builders

Bespoke

If you really want to stand out (and have a bit of extra cash to spend) you could consider working with a web designer to create a bespoke website for your portfolio. This will be one of the most expensive options, but will also allow you the ultimate control over your portfolio.

This option is a bit more involved and would be suited for larger artists or companies rather than a beginner.

Google Drive

If you need to share your work fast and want to keep it simple, your easiest option may be to simply load your files into a service like Google Drive or another cloud storage platform. In addition to being quick and easy, this option is free to get started.

On the other hand, there are nearly no customization options, and you won’t even be able to use a custom URL.

Portfolio Communities

Finally, there are numerous online communities that allow you to share your portfolio of work such as Behance, Artstation, and Deviantart. Even social networks like Instagram can serve as a de-facto portfolio.

These options are a great way to connect with fans, other artists, and potential clients, but also tend to be a bit restrictive and should ideally be used alongside a dedicated personal website.

Four Inspiring Examples of Artist Portfolio

What follows are some examples of live portfolio sites from real working artists. These can serve as a good starting point for inspiration on laying out your own portfolio and what to include. Special thanks to the artists featured here, and if you like what you see be sure to visit their sites for more!

Concept Art – Gerrin Tramis

3D Character Art – Brendon Isaiah Bengtson

Animator / Character Artist – Mathias Takacs

Game Designer – Manuel Correia

Do I Need A Portfolio?

Every artist should consider keeping a portfolio. If you are looking for creative work, this is one of the most common things that an employer will want to see from you.

Once you put in the work to get your portfolio started, it will be easy to update it with your latest work. While it’s most commonly seen as a way to help you find jobs, it can also be nice to simply look back and take pride in what you have made, and to inspire your future progress.

In terms of what can go in your portfolio: anything you’ve made! This could be work you’ve done for previous jobs, projects you made for your school, or even pieces made specifically for your portfolio. The most important thing is that it shows off your style and what you’re capable of.

Just remember, this is your portfolio. You should not include anyone else’s work in your portfolio, especially to try to pass it off as your own.

How To Get Started

If you’re just starting out, you should try and include your best works, as well as works that showcase a variety of different skills.

If you’re a painter, for example, you might want to include paintings of different subjects, different mediums, and sizes. If you only include one type of work in your portfolio, it may be hard for potential employers to understand your skills.

On the other hand, don’t go too broad. If you practice a few different types of art for example, consider making a portfolio for each. This way, you could send your 3D modeling portfolio to a potential employer without them having to sift through your landscape paintings.

If you are looking to start as an artist but don’t have much yet for your portfolio, you may want to take some time to create one. Think about what your potential clients will be looking for, and also take a look at what other artists in your field include in their own portfolios.

Create a list of three to five ideas for portfolio pieces and work on creating those.

Final Thoughts

If you’re just getting started and looking for work, remember that your portfolio is just a tool and won’t get you to work on its own.

Portfolios are made to be shared! Don’t be shy about sharing your portfolio with anyone who may be interested. You never know where your next job may be found!

Hopefully, you now have a great idea of why you should build a portfolio, what to put in it, and how to get it made. Now you get to do the fun part: Actually building your perfect custom portfolio. Best of luck!

The role combines both artistic and technical skills into a single job that is crucial for productions in film, television, video game development, and more.

If you are looking to start a career in the field of digital media or 3D animation, becoming a 3D animation rigger may be a good choice for you. This job is in high demand at a number of different companies and can be a well-paying career with great growth potential.

In this article, we will explain some of the basics of what a 3D animation rigger does, and the role they play in larger animation projects. And, we will provide you with some tips you need to begin your journey getting started in 3D animation rigging.

What is a 3D Animation Rigger?

When it comes to 3D animation, there are many different steps in turning an idea into a finished project. In order to understand what a 3D rigger does, it’s important to know a bit about the overall process.

Once concept art has been created for a 3D character or asset, it will be the job of a 3D modeler to make the actual object that will be used by animators. But, a 3D model is really only a static object, and before the animators can begin to pose and animate the model it needs to be rigged.

Rigging is best thought of as building the skeleton of a 3D model that will dictate how it can move when animated. In addition to simpler movements such as limbs, a character rigger may also work on things like facial rigging for expressions, rigging clothing, and more.

Rigging is also important not just for animated characters, but for any 3D object that needs to move in a more complex way.

Just like a human skeleton, a 3D rig can become very complex, with many different interacting elements that work together to make movements natural.

For very detailed models, such as those used in an animated feature or AAA video game, there may be hundreds or even thousands of virtual bones and muscles that combine to create natural-looking movements.

Rigging is a very important job because it breathes life into simple static models and allows animators to make use of them. Rigging can be a delicate art to get models to move just right without looking wrong and a rigger needs to have an understanding of both the technical aspects of 3D modeling as well as the process of 3D animation in order to optimize their rigs.

What Skills Do Character Riggers Need?

When you read a rigger job description, you will find that there is a lot that goes into being a successful 3D animation rigger.

On the technical side, a rigger needs a good understanding of how 3D models are made and the many ways that they can be rigged to move as intended. Though rigging is often compared to setting up a puppet it is a much more complex task and knowing what bone to put where as well as how it connects to the underlying model is a very important part of the job.

Riggers also need to be familiar with the software aspects of 3D animation. This includes working with different file types, editing model properties, navigating and working in 3D space, and exporting files properly for use in animation.

More advanced riggers may draw on their technical skills even further and work to develop new software tools to make rigging more efficient or to automate tasks.

There is also a wide range of artistic skills a rigger will be expected to possess. For one, a good rigger needs to know a bit about animation so they understand how their model will be used in the final project.

This goes beyond the surface level as well – animated characters each have their own personalities, often expressed through movement, and a good rig is a foundation for creating these distinctive personalities.

Especially for human characters, a rigger needs a solid grasp of real human anatomy to make sure their characters move like humans, while also having a grasp on the artistic ways that animation can modify or exaggerate real human movements for an intended effect.

As a rigger, you will also need a range of soft skills that will help you thrive in the role. Problem-solving is a big one, as you will rarely get a rig perfect on the first try. It may take many attempts and different approaches to get a character set up just right. Communication also is a very important skill.

The modelers and animators on either side of the rigging process have highly technical jobs of their own, and a rigger will often need to communicate with both to create a solid final product. Collaboration is also a big part of this role, as most animation projects these days involve large teams with many different members all working together.

What Tools Do 3D Animation Riggers Use?

Animation riggers do most of their work on computers using specialized 3D software. There are a few common programs that are used across the industry, including Maya, 3DS Max, and Blender among others.

These programs often combine elements of sculpting, modeling, rigging, animation, and more into a single package, and as a result, can require a lot of practice to become familiar with Usually, a studio will use a specific software ecosystem in their workflow, and as a rigger, you will often be expected to adopt the program of choice of your employer.

When it comes to 3D software there are a lot of common elements and transferable skills, but a rigger may need to take time to learn multiple different programs to be flexible and versatile to employers. Each of these industry-level programs is generally as capable as the next, but the way that individual tasks are completed may vary greatly.

Animation Rigger Salaries

Because animation rigging is an in-demand job that draws on many refined skills, there is good money to be made if you choose to go into this career. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median wage in 2021 for special effects artists and animators was $78,790 a year, or about $37 an hour.

Though a rigger’s salary may vary based on where you work, you will also have a lot of room to grow your skills and in turn your salary. Riggers may also be able to move up in their field, becoming managers of a larger team of riggers or overseeing an entire animation department.

In terms of job prospects riggers are already in high demand. In the future, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that the field of special effects artists and animators is expected to grow by up to 16% from 2020 to 2030, much faster than other industries. This means there will be a lot of work for talented riggers for a long time to come.

How to Become a 3D Animation Rigger

In the world of digital art, education and tools have become more accessible than ever. This means almost anyone can teach themselves a skill like rigging and potentially get a job doing it.

However, most professionals in the visual effects industry choose to get a formal education in the topic. There are many benefits to going this route.

Rigging Formal Education

For one, you will get to learn at a much more elevated pace from highly qualified instructors at your school. You can also learn a lot about the industry as a whole from these courses, and you can develop important relationships that can help when networking later in your career. Finally, studios will be much more likely to consider you for employment if you have a degree in a relevant field.

Many colleges offer courses in areas like digital art, digital media, and animation that would be applicable to a job as a rigger. Some may even offer courses or specialization in rigging. If you plan on getting into a more technical visual effects job like rigging, it may also help to take some courses related to computer science, physics, and mathematics.

Programs in visual effects and rigging can range from a year up to a full 4-year program. Beyond formal education, you may also choose to look for an internship or apprenticeship to gain more real-world experience working in the industry which will help a lot in finding a job down the line.

One important tool for any artist when it comes to finding a job is your portfolio. Your degree might get your foot in the door, but nothing proves your skills better than a solid demonstration of your skills. Most jobs won’t even let you apply without a portfolio. Keeping an up-to-date portfolio of your strongest work will be one of the best ways to stand out among your peers.

Rigging Job Hunt

When it comes time to find a job, there are many different companies you can apply to.

Most obvious would be animation studios or game developers, but many media and production companies will have their own VFX team that may be in need of a rigger. You don’t need to move to California to work in visual effects: opportunities exist nearly all over, not to mention studios that may offer remote job opportunities.

With your degree and a strong portfolio, it’s only a matter of time before you find a job that’s suitable for you.

Continue to hone your skills as a rigger and you can go very far in the industry. Good luck!

Operating one of the largest games in the world (as far as popularity and number of accounts are concerned) in Fortnite, this company records over 350 million accounts and an impressive total of 2.5 billion friend connections.

Epic Games Company Overview

The company was established in 1991 and founded by Tim Sweeney, its current CEO. They are located in Cary, North Carolina, and boast more than 40 offices located around the world.

Epic Games is also responsible for developing Unreal Engine, which has become responsible for many of the world’s best games as well as numerous projects in film and television.

Yet, that’s not where Epic Games’ story ends, because the technology they have developed is also used in manufacturing, architecture, the automotive industry, and numerous simulation technologies.

It may be oversimple to equate Epic Games today with Fortnite, but that misses out on a significant value in the technology they bring to the world, including the world beyond gaming.

Current Location

Currently, Epic Games is breaking ground on a brand new world headquarters in its base hometown of Cary, NC. Having purchased the old Cary Towne Center (a mall that had been in decline for years) and torn down a significant portion of it, Epic Games will soon be heading to its new state-of-the-art facility in the heart of one of the hottest real estate and business markets in the world.

How Many People Are Employed at Epic Games?

Globally, Epic Games employs 6,356 people at 23 locations around the world. In 2020, annual revenue was $5.1 billion, with $4.3 billion in total funding for the company.

Working for Epic Games

The company attracts a high number of developers, designers, producers, artists, engineers, publishers, business managers, and operations specialists, among numerous other positions.

Work Environment

While it’s difficult to provide an overview of the climate and culture of a place to work that is relevant to everyone, the general consensus with regard to working at Epic Games is that the company offers a solid benefits package and seeks to be diverse in an age of diversity and inclusion.

However, one of the key components that many current and former Epic Games employees noted was that there was a lack of work and life balance. In other words, long hours and not much time to be able to devote to family, friends, and even recreation were one of the biggest issues people had with the company.

A few individuals complained about the management, arguing that even though they worked hard and provided value to the company, micromanaging was a problem, as was what may be perceived by some as an unfair promotional structure.

Indeed.com also noted that the main viewpoint or perspective from employees at Epic Games was that it still seemed to be operated like a startup company, rather than one with thousands of employees and billions in revenue.

Operating Like A Start-Up Company, A Major Concern?

A startup company often requires early team members (aka. Employees) to put in long hours and there’s generally a lot of pressure to meet hard and fast deadlines and achieve adequate funding levels to continue growth.

When a major company that’s been around for more than 30 years tends to operate like a startup, there is a serious risk of burning through valuable team members, which aligns well with the overall comments and reviews of past and current staff members.

Positions at Epic Games

There are numerous positions available at Epic Games, likely due to both expansion opportunities and turnover. Every time an employee steps into a role at a highly frenetic and demanding company, stress increases and that tends to lead to burnout, which causes men and women to seek employment elsewhere.

The experience as well as the overall benefits of having Epic Games on one’s resume can certainly provide the kind of balance a young, ambitious individual needs to dive into these opportunities.

The core disciplines at Epic Games include Art, Engineering, Production, Design, Publishing, and Business/Operations. While openings change as they are filled and others open up, currently, this is a list of some openings at Epic Games:

• 3D Animator – Cinematics
• 3D Marketing Artist
• Account Manager
• Account Transactional Specialist
• Agency Development Manager
• Analyst AW Senior – Animation
• Analytics Producer
• Animation Programmer (MetaHumans)
• Apple Platform Programmer
• Art Direction
• Art Producer
• Associate Producer – Creative Events
• Audio Gameplay Programmer
• Automation Software Development Engineer in Test
• Backend Engineer
• Business Affairs Associate
• Cinema FX Manager
• Insights Manager
• Lead Animator
• IT Engineer
• HR Coordinator
• Marketing Analyst
• Music Supervisor
• Online Programmer
• Outsource Manager
• Partner Marketing Manager
• Physics Programmer
• Platform Engineer
• Product Designer
• Product Director
• Senior Data Analyst
• Senior Environment Artist
• Senior Financial Analyst
• Senior Level Designer
• Senior Mobile Engineer
• Senior Technical Writer
• Senior VFX Artist
• Web Developer

There are literally hundreds of job openings along these lines. The core talents and skills that Epic Games seeks out involve passion. Their focus is on creating a positive, collaborative environment. They also hold high value in doing what’s right for their community and are constantly seeking to raise the bar, as they put it, on engine and game development.

How Much Do Epic Games Workers Make?

A common theme many currents and former employees of Epic Games have mentioned is solid compensation and benefits. Although it’s difficult to narrow the focus on how much money Epic Games workers make because there is a wide range of positions available within the company as well as its partners’ organizations.

It is clear that for a person seeking fair pay for the position they would be applying for, Epic Games stands at the upper echelon of companies paying their employees fair wages.

It’s not merely the hourly rate or salary a person is paid that encapsulates the entirety of compensation, but also the benefits, which may include medical coverage as well as other packages (including fitness, work environment, and more).

The average salary at Epic Games was $92,506 per year for an Associate Producer and up to $192,097 per year for a Senior Programmer.

How Hard Is It To Get A Job At Epic Games?

That all depends on the position one would be aspiring to obtain at a place like Epic Games. Because of their longevity, reputation, focus on development, and their Unreal Engine’s success and usage around the world, it stands to reason that getting hired at Epic Games will be relatively challenging.

More people tend to want to work at valued companies like Epic Games, so with more competition, it means more resumes the hiring managers will be exposed to, more interviews with prospective new hires, and then it’s the smallest details that ultimately become the biggest factors in hiring.

Pros and Cons of Working at Epic Games

For the most part, Epic Games is a great place to work, one that will give a personal experience and a boost to their career. Pay and benefits are strong, and while there has been frustration among former staff at some managerial issues, the main ‘con’ would have to be the workload.

To work at Epic Games means devoting a great deal of time and energy to whatever they demand. For someone who is ambitious and seeking to climb the ladder of success, this won’t be an issue, but for a family-focused person or someone for whom free time is still vital, this can be a challenge.

How to Get a Job at Epic Games

If you are looking to land a coveted job at Epic Games, it’s much like many other top-tier employers. Here are some of the steps you’ll want to follow:

Step 1: Put together a solid resume.

Even if you don’t have extensive experience just yet, that won’t necessarily disqualify you from working there. Make sure your resume highlights the skillset that Epic Games is seeking for the position you want.

It’s advisable to hire an experienced resume specialist to help yours stand out from among the hundreds and (often likely) thousands of resumes they will receive.

Step 2: Apply Online

Apply to Epic Games via their website. You can see a list of all currently available positions here.

Step 3: Practice, Practice, Practice

Practice your interview skills. Have a friend or family member practice an ‘interview’. While you won’t know the questions Epic Games might ask, the goal here is to help you relax for the real interview.

Step 4: Do Your Research

Find out everything you can about Epic Games. The more an applicant knows about the company, including its history, community outreach, etc., the more impressive they become during the interview process.

Step 5: Showcase Your Passion For Gaming

Have passion. If you don’t have passion for this type of work, they’ll know. What you want is to make sure your passion for gaming and development shines through on the phone (when they contact you for an interview) and during the coveted interview.

Step 6: Never Give Up

If you don’t get an interview, seek a smaller company to build your experience.

Working at Epic Games can be a career opportunity, and it’s a great place to work if you love video games.

They create the neural networks and algorithms that make the characters in a game behave the way they should.

AI programmers are prized members of any game’s development team. In this article, you’ll learn everything you need to know about AI Programmers and how to become one.

What is AI programming?

AI programming is a significant part of a game’s development.

Essentially, the idea of AI programming is to build the code and logic that makes Non-playable characters (NPC’S) act in a way that seems realistic. Any enemies, wildlife, citizens and even many objects players will see in a game have AI programming to govern how they work in response to a player’s actions.

The job of an AI programmer can be described as “programming the brains of a game”. They do this by writing decision trees with programming code.

AI has to know how to respond to a number of things that could happen in a game, as when they don’t they might act in unpredictable and potentially game-breaking ways, and the players will notice.

The decision trees the AI programmer writes are there to help the AI avoid this.

So what does this look like for the player?

For example, let’s imagine an enemy soldier in a shooting game. AI programming tells these soldiers that they have to search around for the player’s character, and fire at them when they come into view of their camera (which the AI programmer would have created).

But they also have to react to being hit themselves. As the enemy soldier searches, the pathfinding that the programmer gives them allows them to avoid getting stuck by walls and objects.

Their digital intelligence tells them to walk around barriers instead of towards them and might adjust accordingly if something in the game’s environment changes.

After all, it would be pretty unfortunate if the player moved a garbage can and the AI could not find a way to pass it. How accurate the AI is when they fire at the player is also a big part of their program. Two inaccurate and there’s no challenge.

Too accurate and the game becomes impossible. All of these factors and more are governed by the systems the AI programmer put into place.

At the end of a game’s development, the AI programmer will work with the QA testers to see what bugs and problems might arise when their code is met with actual players.

You never know for sure how well your AI works until players actively start trying to break it, and this part of the development process helps the programmer prepare for it.

It’s easy to see why this would be a complicated area of game development, even for those with lots of programming experience. Creating a digital neural network is far from easy. But that’s why AI programmers are so important.

By building up the AI’s logic, they make the difference between an unbalanced, clunky game and a timeless classic.

How to Become an AI Programmer

Becoming an AI programmer isn’t easy, as AI programming is not an entry-level position. These programmers need to have a thorough understanding of game programming, and a love of complex computing systems.

They must be fluent in several coding languages (Python especially), game engines, and 3D animation software. This makes the bar of entry pretty high.

AI programming is fundamental to gameplay, so the job tends to go to those programmers who have the most experience. Most AI programmers start out first as game programmers for a minimum of three years before specializing in the field of AI.

Even then, there’s the issue of education. They are all but required to have at least a degree in the computer sciences, game programming, physics, or math.

In fact, the average AI programmer typically has a master’s degree, and Ph.D.’s are not uncommon for this position.

It’s one of the most complicated areas of programming, and the field is advancing all the time with new technologies and techniques that could easily become the next industry standard in a few short years.

If the AI of your game is lagging behind what everyone else can do, it’s a serious problem that can make your game feel dated.

And so these developers need to keep up with the latest trends and advancements in AI programming.

This is a job that’s difficult to obtain, as it requires higher education, plenty of game dev experience, and an understanding of evolving trends.

AI Programming Jobs and Career

In order to get hired as an AI programmer, you’ll also need to put some time into making a portfolio. A development portfolio is what you show to potential employers to prove you have experience in programming.

It should be a collection of your very best work and targeted towards the job you want.

So if you want to specialize in AI, you’ll need to emphasize some of the AI you’ve programmed on games you’ve worked on before.

Maybe you designed the AI for an epic boss battle you’re really proud of, or maybe you created an NPC in a game that moves around the game’s world in a realistic way, interacting with objects and the player. Whatever the case, be clear about what exactly you worked on.

Some employers will even make you do a programming test, to see if you actually have the coding experience you say you have.

The more experience as a programmer you have, the better your portfolio will look, so if it’s not accepted at first, keep trying!

You’ll likely have to work as a general game programmer, or under an AI programmer for some time before you have enough material to prove you can specialize in the role.

So if it’s such a difficult position to obtain, why become one?

Well to start with, AI programmers have an average salary of $81,000 a year, with some making as much as $100,000. On that alone it’s no surprise that it’s a highly competitive position.

But another reason developers choose to go into this field is simply that it’s fascinating.

By developing the AI, you are essentially learning to control all the creatures in a game’s world, and how to give them life. This knowledge has other applications as well, with some AI programmers delving into the field of robotics or software development with the skills they’ve learned programming games.

For those who love to figure out what makes in-game characters tick, and who have an interest in neural networks, software development, and even robotics, AI programming can be a dream job.

But don’t be discouraged. As difficult as it is to become an AI programmer, there are some things you can do to give yourself an edge when it comes to getting this job.

AI Programming Tutorials And Tips

Despite the high level of education professional AI programmers in the industry tend to have, there is a lot you can learn on your own that can give you the edge you need to get into this field.

AI Video Tutorials

There are many courses and video tutorials you can find to teach you AI programming without breaking the bank. If you’re new to computer programming, what you’ll want to focus on is learning to program AI in the Python programming language.

It is the language of choice for AI, as its Syntax is fairly easy to learn and understand in comparison to other languages. FreeCodeCamp.Org has an excellent four-hour tutorial on youtube.

But if you want something more specific to AI, Clever Programmer has a nine-hour video that will teach you the basics of making AI in Python. It actually covers how to create facial recognition AI, as well as human detection AI for self-driving cars.

While not necessarily catered towards game programming, this video can give you a solid grounding in several complicated types of AI and is a great way to start.

Finally, there is codingame.com, which is a programming practice platform, offering detailed tutorials on a whole host of programming languages.

They’ll teach you how to design and test a game, and have a host of prebuilt programming challenges and competitions to help you get a feel for AI creation. All in all, these are a great place to start.

AI Programming Books

There are also a number of books that can definitely be a valuable resource when it comes to programming game AI. To start, there is the Programming Game AI By Example.

Despite looking complicated, it actually does a great job at walking you slowly through concepts like path planning, inter-agent communication, and fuzzy logic that even beginners can understand.

The only weakness is that this book specifically uses the C++ programming language.

If you’re wanting something a bit more visual, try out the book Artificial Intelligence For Games. Written by veteran game programmer Ian Millington, this book teaches you how to program AI with examples from actual games.

Best of all, it comes with a CD-ROM full of source code and demonstrations to help you practice your newly found techniques.

AI Game Competitions

Once you’ve gotten in some practice, consider joining in on an AI programming competition. You can win prizes while creating

AI that will compete with AI designed by other programmers. Even if you don’t win, it’s a great way to meet other programmers, learn their techniques, see where you’re succeeding and where you’re falling short, and generally, just a fun way to practice.

It’s also a great networking event, where you can gain the attention of game industry veterans.

Some examples of great AI programming competitions are the famous Kaggle Simulations, where you submit a programming agent to compete against other players’ agents in a game environment.

There’s also Bomberland, a competitive programming game based on the classic Bomberman games.

AI Blogs And Podcasts

Since AI programming is a career that relies on keeping up to date with the latest advancements in the field, following these blogs or podcasts is a great way to keep up with the latest news.

Distill, for example, is an academic journal that regularly posts articles about different facets of AI programming and machine learning. The topics can be pretty complex for beginners, but there are interactive elements in most of them to make them easier to understand.

For a Blog with a more personal touch, check out Colah’s Blog. Christopher Olah is a researcher that works for Open AI, an AI research facility in California.

He often posts about the newest research into artificial intelligence and tries to explain the concepts in a clear concise manner. Since Open AI is already at the forefront of the industry, this blog is practically straight from the source.

Finally, I highly recommend checking out This Week In Machine Learning AI, or TWIML. This is a podcast all about AI programming, with over 500 episodes under its belt. They talk to different experts on different topics every episode, making it a virtual treasure trove of information.

How To Stay Ahead of the Game

Designing the AI of all the creatures in a videogame is a little like engineering your very own world. By learning how NPC’s think, you can truly make a game feel alive. But this ability doesn’t come easily; there is a lot of work to do to become an AI Programmer.

However, every line of code, and every digital agent you create serves to bring you one step closer to this goal. It’s all going to come down to experience, a passion for making games, and your own personal interest in what makes them work.

If you listen to these blogs, read the books, and attend the competitions mentioned in this article, you’ll be ahead of the curve. Keep working on your code, and studying AI techniques, and soon enough you’ll be a professional AI Programmer.

That is the often underappreciated role of the systems designer, who works to build and tweak the systems in a game to be as enjoyable as possible.

But what exactly is their role in game development, and what does it take to become a systems designer?

What is a Video Game Systems Designer?

During a game project, a team of developers are trying to build the mechanics and code of a game, and make it playable. Meanwhile, a team of designers is creating the characters, story, and world to make this game follow a creative vision.

So what do system designers do?

System designers are there at the very beginning of the game’s conceptual phase, listening to what both teams are trying to do and assessing what software they need to make it happen. Then they spend their time during the production of the game making sure the game is meeting that vision, creating and adjusting systems to make the game experience better.

Combat, crafting, in-game timers, and character progression are all systems that this designer might create, or otherwise adjust. Essentially, their job is to build the in-game systems the player will experience, and make sure those systems are fun.

• How many enemies spawn?
• Is it a good amount, or too overwhelming?
• How much experience should enemies give the player to make leveling-up satisfying, and how much of a boost should leveling up give?
• Are the game crafting items balanced?
• What about the in-game shopkeepers?

When all of this is implemented, the system designer also has to ensure that the game’s performance isn’t affected, and adjust things as needed. This might mean creating a resource flow, which keeps an eye on all of the in-game resources being produced.

Early on, the systems designer can pitch and create new systems to the team if they feel the gameplay needs something, but as time goes on the job becomes more about fixing the systems that are already in place and keeping track of everything in Excel spreadsheets.

While they are active all throughout a game’s production, system designers are actually busiest at the beginning and end of a development cycle. During the prototyping phase at the start, developers work to make a playable prototype of different game elements.

The system designer is able to use this to tell exactly what systems will need to be added to the game, and what sort of limitations they might face. Then they get hard at work in building those systems.

But during the QA testing phase, the game will finally be getting feedback from actual players. The system designer is very active during this process, as when players interact with the game it may reveal flaws in the systems that may have been overlooked.

As this process goes on, system designers do the tweaks and patches to improve on these issues.

How To Become A Systems Designer

The interesting thing about this role in game development is that while a system designer’s job is very technical, requiring an understanding of programming, math, and detailed note-taking, there is also a lot of creativity involved.

They have to talk to the team, decide what they’re able to do and what systems would be the most fun, pitch these ideas and create them from scratch. Maintaining them all the while.

In a sense, they act as a gentle hand, nudging the game’s progress back onto the track it started on in the concept phase. But what do you need to actually become a systems designer?

Firstly, a thorough understanding of Excel spreadsheets. Much of the data, flow, and systems created by a system designer are tracked through spreadsheets.

Updating and adding to the spreadsheets regularly helps keep track of how the systems are working, what’s been changed recently, what still needs to be changed, etc. Because of this, system designers need to have a knack for organization.

They also need to be able to implement these changes and systems to the game, and that means having an understanding of writing game scripts and knowledge of one or more programming languages.

They don’t have to be expert programmers, but having some understanding of programming is a huge boon. Communication is also a big part of the job.

System designers can’t just implement whatever systems they want, they need to be able to communicate to the design team what they think a game needs and why, as well as explain what is or isn’t working about them as they’re implemented.

Video Game Systems Designer Jobs

System designers can build systems for games, board games, cards, RPGs, or even systems to help corporate offices with their organization. In other words, there are a lot of opportunities out there if you’re willing to branch out.

Many of these system designer jobs can be found on job sites such as Indeed.com, Glassdoor, and Workopolis.

Though many system designers find success by creating their own work, either funding projects through Kickstarter or self-publishing a project. It doesn’t have to be a videogame, even if that’s where your interests lie.

Tabletop games follow many of the same principles as video games and being able to show a potential employer that you have designed systems in the past is the best way to get steady work in this field.

Learn Video Game Design

Becoming a systems designer can be very fulfilling. They get to use their organizational skills, knowledge of game design, and math skills in a creative way.

On top of that, the average salary of a system designer is $86,000 a year. But what kind of education do you need to become a systems designer?

Well, the good news is that having a degree is beneficial to get hired, but not necessarily required to get into this role. When applying for any game design field, it is your experience and design portfolio that will help you the most.

With that said, having a bachelor’s degree in game design, computer science, or game programming can certainly boost your resume above the crowd. You will likely need to work as a general game designer first before specializing in system design, so any real-world experience you can get is a huge benefit.

The good news is, some of the biggest game companies such as Blizzard, Toys For Bob, and Sony offer game design internships. They may not specifically focus on system design, but attending these programs can certainly help fill your portfolio and give you experience working on a game design team.

Game Design Portfolio

The good news about attending an internship, or earning a degree in game design or programming, is you will naturally be building up an impressive portfolio. A system design portfolio is a collection of your very best design work, and having one is crucial to getting a career in the games industry.

Employers don’t just need to see a resume and your references, they want to know if you can actually help their team design systems. Make sure your portfolio only has your very best work, and that it emphasizes your system design work if that’s what you’re going for.

Show the process you used to create a system in a game, from your excel spreadsheet and flow charts to the final result of your work.

To build up a portfolio without formal education, can be a bit trickier, and will take some initiative. You’ll either have to try your hand at designing some games yourself or try to get experience elsewhere.

You see, system design is not limited to video games. Tabletop RPGs, card games, and board games are rife with the same system design principles that video games use.

Creating one of them can certainly count towards a system design portfolio. Stonemaier Games, creators of several successfully funded Kickstarter board games, have an excellent series of guides to help with this.

But if you want to keep your focus on video games, then you will have to fill your portfolio by designing games of your own. By learning to design games, you will by necessity start to pick up on how to make game systems.

The Unity engine is a great place to start. It’s a free engine that’s relatively easy to use and is the staple in most studios.

Another way to get a job in systems design is to attend Networking Events. Every year there are dozens of events held, where industry professionals and novices alike come to meet and greet and take part in competitions.

If you’re unfamiliar with designing games, but want to focus on designing systems, there’s a good chance there are people you can meet at these events who can help you.

Learn Systems Design

To learn the fundamentals of system design, you could look into the GDC Vault. This website is filled to the brim with information and videos, all from industry professionals covering all facets of game design.

Many system designers have contributed to this vault, so there is a lot to learn here. However, there is an annual subscription fee of $550.

A much cheaper option is the book Introduction to Games Systems Design. It’s a comprehensive guide to what it takes to actually design systems for a game, written by professional system designers.

An excellent resource, since while there are plenty of books and resources out there for the game design itself, very few books focus on the system design aspect of the process. But this book throws it into the spotlight.

Finally, there are many youtube channels that cover various areas of system design and how to improve them. Design Doc has plenty of videos focusing on specific aspects of system design and what makes them effective.

The GDC, in addition to the previously mentioned vault, also has a youtube channel with countless videos on game design. Here is one specific to the role of a system designer.

These resources can be extremely handy to learn the ins and outs of system design, so you can start filling up your portfolio.

Is A Career in Systems Design For You?

They may not be the most commonly talked about position on a games design team, but system designers are crucial to making games fun.

Without their math skills, organization, flow charts, and creative ideas, design teams would get much further into a project before realizing some of the fundamental systems of the game just aren’t fun.

System designers can look at the designer’s creativity, as well as the development team’s abilities, and meet them halfway. They create the skill-trees, the level-up systems, the resource management, and the crafting and help make them all fun to use.

These systems are a fundamental part of the rules and strategies that players will use in a game, and in the end, that’s what makes becoming a system designer worth it.

An environment artist is tasked with creating most of the art and assets the players will see in a given setting. They can make gray test models into works of art, and turn some empty rooms into a detailed dungeon. But how does someone become an environment artist; and what actually goes into making these fantastic landscapes?

What Is An Environment Artist?

An environment artist is a part of a games design team responsible for creating most of the visuals a player will see or interact with. This could mean creating impressive fantasy setpieces.

Designing Objects

It could also mean designing everyday objects that give an environment life. Office chairs, trees, rocks, etc.

Such objects might seem like an afterthought, but someone has to create the art assets that go into making them. This can take some research. An artist may look into visual references for simple objects, or to find inspiration for complex ones.

Collision of Objects

Environment artists will also design the collision of these objects. Collision is the math that governs the physics of how different objects interact with each other in a game. For example, you don’t want the player character to be able to walk through the walls of a building. But you may want a garbage can to be knocked over if something hits it with enough force.

A game could have hundreds of individual objects and assets that need to be created, and each with its own collision. For that reason, environment artists normally work in large teams. This divides up the work and allows them to bounce ideas and inspiration off of each other.

Environment Artists vs Level Designers

Environment artists are not to be confused with level designers, however. Despite building the assets that go into a level, and sometimes a playable early layout of the level itself, level designers and environment artists are slightly different jobs.

There can be a lot of overlap between the two positions, and so the two job titles can be interchangeable. But the main difference is that the level designer will take the assets that the environment artists created and place them into the game.

They don’t usually create the assets themselves, and will instead work closely with environment artists to request new objects or to make sure the vision of the team is being met. This is important, because, on large AAA games, the environment artists have enough on their plate just to build everything that needs to go into the game, and may not have the time needed to place the objects they created.

But it’s a very collaborative job, and the artists can use their inspiration and creativity to ensure all the set dressing they make brings life and context to the world of the game.

Even in games that use 2D rather than 3D graphics, there is a need for environmental artists. Rather than 3D models, they may be tasked with creating sprites of various objects or designing tiles (a pattern that can be easily drawn into the game to create the level layout and scenery).

Whether they specialize in 2D or 3D, the goal is the same. To create the environments and build the pieces that will go into the world that the player will see.

Hierarchy of Environmental Artists’ Roles

It should be noted that there is also a bit of a hierarchy when it comes to environmental artists and the roles that they’ll take in a game’s development. Junior environment artists with less experience will normally be assigned smaller props and assets, while the more experienced senior artists work on entire, large-scale sets and levels.

In other words, this is one job in the gaming industry where you can actually find work even without years of experience under your belt. But this also means that your experience level will have a big impact on your salary.

A junior environment artist’s salary is around $50,000, while more experienced environment artists can make up to $94,000. Prove that you’re able to put out high-quality objects and levels, and you can work your way up the ladder. In short, becoming an environment artist can be a lucrative and creative career path.

What do you actually need to become one?

Required Skills of An Environment Artist

Artistic Skills

First and foremost, an environment artist needs to be a creative, artistic person with a passion for video games. It’s a lot of work to build objects for a game, and the work will be for nothing if the artist can’t find the drive to express themselves.

The artist should be well versed in form, light, and texture, shade, perspective, as well as a number of different art styles to match the game they’re working on. Some games may have a more realistic tone, and others may be more abstract or fantastical in nature. The objects that the artist creates will have to fit with whatever the vision is.

Some high-level environment artists, rather than just relying on images they can find for reference, may create 2D concept art themselves. This not only assists them with their work, but can give the entire team a stronger vision of the game they are all making, and what needs to be worked on next to make it happen.

Technology Proficiency

Environment artists will also need to have an understanding of a number of different software programs required for their job. First, there’s the engine. The most commonly used engines are Unity and Unreal Engine, but some game development projects may have a specialized engine of their own.

Engines are what power and run the game, and serve as the foundation upon which all game development happens. So no matter what, an environment artist should have an understanding of the engine their game will use. Luckily, if you’re not there yet, Unreal and Unity are actually free to use. So you don’t have to have a career in the gaming industry to get some practice with them.

After that, environment artists need to get some practice making 3d models and props. This means using modeling software such as Maya, or 3ds Max. Zbrush is a 3D sculpting program that allows the artist to add even finer details to their models, as well as to paint them.

Each of these programs allows you to create grayscale models of objects or characters, that you can then add your colors and texture to later. Entire playable levels will be done this way; first by making simple grey buildings and platforms to build the basic layout of the level, and then adding in the art and detail later. This makes sure the actual gameplay of the game is working from the beginning, and that everyone can see visually what areas still need to be completed.

Finally, an environment artist should know how to make textures that will go over the models. These are often created in photoshop, though different artists may favor different software. Once you’ve mastered these three categories, you will be well on your way to becoming an environment artist.

Architecture and Design Knowledge

Creating the buildings and interiors that will appear in a game is no easy feat. Buildings are complicated structures, coming in many different styles from many different time periods. While they may necessarily have to get a degree in architecture, environment artists absolutely need to have an understanding of it. Even creating a digital model of a building is a complex process.

In addition, interior design is essential to creating the shape, objects, and assets of an indoor area. In a game, similar to in a real home, objects are placed and spaced out for a reason. For example, if the player becomes lost in a large building with many turns, they may become frustrated or bored. But the way that you place furniture and objects and subtly guide a player to their destination, either by funneling them where you’d like them to go or by providing visible landmarks to make it easier to get your bearings.

Interior design can also be used for thematic reasons. Placing objects tightly in a thin hall might make the player feel claustrophobic and tense, which could be great for a horror game. Items being placed in odd places can make a room seem visually striking, or indicate that there is a certain weirdness to it. All that is why having an understanding of interior design and architecture is a huge asset to any environment artist.

How To Get A Job As A Game Environment Artist

So, if you’ve become proficient in the technologies and have a great mind at creating 3D art, how do you actually get a job as an environment artist? Do you need to have an education? The answer: It depends.

As an environment artist, you will be part of a team. This means you won’t be expected to work on massive levels by yourself, and certainly not when you’ve only just started. But a team needs reliable members. To enter this field you at least need to be able to show that you’re competent enough in the necessary software to build a portfolio of 3D models and objects you’ve created.

Develop Your Software and People Skills

Education is one path to this. The Vancouver Institute of Media Arts, for example, offers a one-year course that will teach you all about the art of game design, including environmental art. It’s a great way to learn the skills you need, earn a degree, and get a head start on your portfolio. But if going through an entire course is not for you, landing a job as an environment artist is still possible.

The best course of action is to practice. Improve your art most importantly, but also your software skills.

Try to make a playable level or at least a number of high-quality objects you can show off to potential employers, as well as your best art, in general, to show off to potential employers. If your portfolio passes scrutiny, they will often give you a test to prove that you can produce what they need in a timely manner and are a good fit for the vision of the game they want.

Also, your personality will make a big impact on your job prospects. After all, you’ll be working with a team of people. Employers will want to make sure you’re an asset not just to the game, but to the dynamic of the art department as a whole.

Where to Look for a Game Environment Artist Job

But where do you even apply to get a job as a game environment artist?

Well, there are several ways. First, you can check on various job sites, such as Indeed or LinkedIn. They will sometimes have environmental artist job openings available on their platforms. If you have a specific company in mind, they will often have ways to apply for a job right on their website, though this method of entry into the industry can be a lot harder.

Perhaps the best way to get a job in the industry is to network yourself by attending events where game designers meet, such as the Game Developer Conference, which hosts huge crowds of developers and designers alike. Unity Unite is an event where people who use the Unity engine show off the assets they’ve made, meet fellow designers and learn from professionals.

Keep appearing at these sorts of events, and you’ll have a good chance of meeting potential employers, as well as friends and colleagues who can help you in the future. They’re great opportunities that can do wonders for an up-and-coming environment artist.

Ready to Start Building Game Environments?

Of all the jobs that go into the creation of a game, environmental artists have a truly special one. By using their skill with technology, their creativity when it comes to making unforgettable and grand set dressing, and their relationship to a team of like-minded artists, they get to literally build a game from the ground up.

From empty white halls to the claustrophobic sanitized halls of Aperture Science. From a mold of digital clay to an impressive throne of skulls or a mountain of gold.

Video games are considered to be more than entertainment, but a form of art. It is the work of environmental artists that makes it so. As a member of one of these teams, you can play a game, point to a detailed object, whatever it is, and say with pride–” I made that.” That itself, is truly what makes this career path so special.

If you have the skills, and the drive, then you can carve the form of a game into existence like it was a clay sculpture, and take part in helping the players remember your game forever.

Long before the printed word had been invented, we were telling our stories and myths, visually, through art.

This tradition–through video Games, graphic novels, newspapers, and of course comic books themselves, is still ongoing to this day. All of these mediums rely on talented artists who can tell a compelling story; with or without words. These artists are commonly referred to as comic illustrators.

What is a Comic Illustrator?

A comic illustrator’s job is to create the images and visual elements of a piece of storytelling media, such as a comic book. Some illustrators, such as Alan Moore, the famous creator behind Watchmen and V For Vendetta even write the story and text boxes themselves.

But most of the time it is the job of the comic illustrator to listen to the authors and writers, understand their vision, and add the text in a visually pleasing way to their art. But that’s not to say the illustrator has no power.

Comics are a visual medium, where the artist’s images and skills are what the reader will remember. Even if someone else writes the text, make no mistake, it is the illustrator’s story. Therefore, illustrators’ creativity and skill are their greatest assets.

The comic panels themselves are first drawn as sketches on traditional pen and paper. Afterward, these sketches are scanned and uploaded to a computer program, such as Photoshop, InDesign, Corel Painter, or Illustrator to be completed. Different companies will have different preferences when it comes to software, so comic illustrators need to be able to competently use them.

Sketching and uploading doesn’t begin right away, however. Many comic illustrators begin their work by doing extensive research gathering visual references and creating layouts to test how the text and images will look when put together.

Finding references to images, expressions, and objects to inspire you, as well as creating is a big part of the job, especially for large-scale projects with many images. It’s not uncommon for several days to be spent entirely in preparation before truly beginning work on the images.

That is not to say that a comic illustrator’s job is leisurely. There are often tight deadlines, and sometimes a comic illustrator may have to juggle several projects at a time. However, the most well-established artists have a lot more leeway when it comes to setting their own schedules, and the ability to see your art published is, in itself, inspiring.

Do Comic Artists Only Draw Comics?

Actually, there are a wide variety of assignments an illustrator can expect. For example, one of the most common illustration jobs is actually in the education industry. Using comics and creative images is a great way to help visual learners understand a topic better, and comic illustrators can often be asked to fill the pages of the newest textbook.

Newspapers and political cartoons are a great avenue for more comedy-leaning artists. Advertisers can also hire comic illustrators to help them with comic-oriented ads. It’s not uncommon for comic creators to gain a following online. Cyanide and Happiness took the standard layout of a newspaper comic and added their own vulgar and obscene humor to become a popular webcomic that updates daily.

Even video game design often goes hand in hand with a comic illustration. The introductory cutscene to The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt, for example, uses a comic book art style to help set the tone of its dark and gritty world. Indie developers will often use a comic book style so that their cutscenes can have a lot of visual impacts, without spending precious time and resources making them in 3D with CGI.

Of course, there are plenty of jobs to be had in the gaming industry designing landscapes, characters, and storyboards as well. So for a comic illustrator who doesn’t mind wearing several hats, the game industry can be a gold mine. In short–no. They are not limited strictly to comics themselves and can find work in a number of different areas. They can even choose to specialize in whatever area interests them the most.

A Comic Illustrator’s Salary

The payment a comic illustrator can expect varies from job to job, and artist to artist. Many comic illustrators begin as freelance agents, taking jobs that appeal to them whenever they can. The average payment in these cases is $100 dollars an image and $55,000 a year in salary.

However, the most successful illustrators, who regularly do work for large companies such as Marvel or can easily make a salary of over $77 000 a year. generally, the more professional work you have done, the more leverage you have in your future jobs. Companies will pay more for the services of an artist with a reputation for submitting great work on time.

How to Get a Job As A Comic Illustrator

An artist’s talent, style, and ability to work well on a schedule are the biggest factors when it comes to being hired as a comic illustrator. Having a great portfolio of comic art is, at the end of the day, what will truly show off your skill.

Art Education

With that said, having such a portfolio does not necessarily require a degree. But your post-secondary schooling will show off to potential employers how serious you are about getting into a career in art. Having at least a bachelor’s degree in an art field, as well as an art major, is practically required to get your foot in the door.

So, if you’re interested in this career, it’s best to attend a notable art school with a solid reputation; such as the Rhode Island School of Design. This will give you the skills you need to progress in a comic illustration career, as well as a massive head start on your portfolio. You’ll need to have an understanding of graphic design, studio art, sketching, and storyboarding.

In addition, you’ll need to be well versed in a variety of software; from Photoshop to InDesign. Once your skills have been finely honed, and you feel you’re ready to start working, how do you actually find a job?

Comic Artist Career Pathway

Many comic illustrators start off as freelance artists. This can often mean accepting jobs on websites such as Fiverr and Upwork in the beginning. They offer a great way to make connections and to prove yourself as an artist who can get a job done.

Unfortunately, unless you choose to become a self-publisher, the comic book industry is incredibly competitive, and it will take some hard work and no shortage of luck to join a titan like DC Comics. There are job websites out there as well, such as Glassdoor.com, that can occasionally point you to great opportunities.

But no matter what, it may take some time before you can land yourself a high-paying career. The more completed jobs you can add to your portfolio, the higher quality of job you can come to expect.

A Comic Illustrator’s Portfolio

Putting together a great portfolio of your work is the single most important factor when it comes to finding work as a professional artist. This is no less true for a comic illustrator than it is for a photographer. Generally, while having great art in a number of different styles and mediums can help, you’ll want to focus your portfolio towards the career that you want.

In this case, you could have great pin-ups and have finished several commissions of high quality, but if you don’t show off your skill at making comics themselves, it will be difficult to accept you as a comic illustrator. If there’s an area that you wish to specialize in, such as inking or line work, then make sure to have artwork that emphasizes your skill in this area.

It’s alright to show that you can do a little bit of everything. But it’s even better to show that you can do the thing you want to do really, really well. If you’re applying for multiple different art paths, have a different portfolio ready to cater to each.

As for comics though, remember that they are not just pictures, but stories. Employers aren’t just judging your art, but trying to gauge your storytelling ability. Having the text boxes in the same place each time, or lacking movement between your characters may work fine as a personal project but will fail to impress a prospective employer.

Try and show off just what you can convey visually, and the creative ways you can place and use dialogue. Develop an understanding of the methods and themes that comics are exploring currently, and try to prove that you can do it too. Do all that, and soon enough you’ll be launching your illustration career.

Is Comic Art For You?

Becoming a successful comic illustrator can be a lofty goal. But it can also open doors to many different paths; from video game design to webcomics. There are few jobs out there that so fully rely on your creativity and personality.

An author may have written the story to the comic, but it is up to you to actually tell it. A cartoon at the back of a newspaper is only as successful as the number of people it can entertain. In this way, a comic illustrator is both artist and a master storyteller, and with a little school and some hard work, it can become a long and successful career.

Game development heavily relies on the coding aspect of making a game, while game design works on the world that the players will see. But how can you bridge the gap between them? Well, that is the job of a technical artist.

What is a Technical Artist?

A technical artist is someone who can work with both skill sets. They have an understanding of a game engine and its limitations, as well as how to develop tools to get around them. They also understand the artist’s vision and help supply them with the tools they need to do their work–as well as to avoid incoming roadblocks.

If the art team is having technical trouble, the technical artist is the first person they call. Art assets have to be converted into usable code to be put into the game. But they are neither developers nor are they designers. Instead, they act as a combination of the two.

Can Technical Artists Work on Video Games?

A technical artist has to be comfortable with coding languages such as Python and C++, and have some great communication and organizational skills. Generally, the main goal of a technical artist can be summed up as “Make the process of bringing art into the game faster”. However, doing this could mean many things:

Creating Tools For the Art Team

The main responsibility of a technical artist is to build the tools that the art team will need. While artists may be using programs such as Maya or Photoshop, game design often requires more tools than these systems offer.

A technical artist, for example, may need to build a tool that populates a village with randomized villagers using a number of presets, so the artist doesn’t have to do each villager individually. Or they might develop a tool to count the number of birds appearing in the sky at any given time. Whatever the artist needs, it’s the job of the technical artist to understand it and see if the request is reasonable or not.

Artists might not have the greatest understanding of the programming side of things, so blindly following their requests could lead to problems. Instead, technical artists try to understand their objective and create the tools that get them there without interfering with the programming department.

Troubleshooting

A large part of a technical artist’s job is to troubleshoot problems as they come up. If an artist’s tool isn’t working right, the team is hitting a wall of memory limitations, or an asset isn’t looking like it should, they are the first ones to call.

Often this means finding the problems that might come up, and fixing them before they can even happen. So a technical artist has to be able to pay attention to the work of the entire team and see how things are progressing.

Manage the Game Development Pipeline

The game development pipeline is the chain of events of game development, and how fast the team can get from point A to B with the fewest “clogs”. During development, countless files are being made, shared, updated, saved, or deleted. This can very quickly add up to an overwhelming tidal wave of information that’s impossible to keep track of.

To make sure that doesn’t happen, the technical artist is responsible for organizing this pipeline. This could mean creating programs that help to sort it. A pretty common program they would make is called Version Control.

A version control system saves a file and records any changes each time someone edits or changes a file. That way, if you need to see what a file looked like three weeks ago to correct a mistake, the old version of the file will still exist. Organizing the pipeline could also mean making folders, and renaming files as needed. It’s a lot of work, but absolutely essential to keeping progress on the game moving.

Working With And Creating Shaders

Shaders are programs that run in a render of a scene. In practice, they often become presets of a material, such as a cobblestone road or a grassy field, that can easily be added to tweak and improve the visuals of your game.

It’s not uncommon at all for technical artists to specialize in creating and using shaders. This can quickly improve the look of an environment, saving the art department a lot of time so they can work on the important set pieces.

Rigging and Animation

Rigging is the process of making 3D Models move. Rigging is essentially putting a moveable “bone” into a model so that each limb and part of a model is capable of movement. They are the points that tell your software which parts of a character should move and which shouldn’t.

For example, if you want to have a game character wave naturally, bones will have to be placed in each joint of the arm, as well as the fingers of the hand. A big part of rigging is also making sure that only the parts you wish to move do so. Waving an arm should not move the character’s head.

This can be a time-consuming process, and technical artists will often build tools to make the process of rigging faster.

A technical artist is responsible for all of that and even more. Their job may also involve creating game exporters, making backgrounds, creating textures, and even developing lighting systems. In other words, Technical artists have to have the know-how to do a bit of everything. But it’s all with the central goal of making the process of bringing art into the game faster.

How and Why to Become a Technical Artist

So now that you know what a technical artist does, how do you actually become one? The good news is that they are among the most sought-after people in the game industry. Being a jack-of-all-trades means you can contribute a lot of work to the development team after all. There is always work out there for a technical artist.

Technical Artist Salary

For that reason, the average salary of a technical artist is $71,000 a year, and the more specializations you can do, the better the salary becomes. It’s not uncommon for a technical artist to make over $100,000 yearly if they work for a large enough company.

Education and Skills Needed

But the bad news is that becoming one isn’t easy. They need to have skills in both art and programming. They also need to have more education, experience, and a richer portfolio than most other positions.

Often, this experience is gained through working as either a programmer or an artist first, before developing an interest in the other side of things. But there are still those who attend post-secondary school exclusively to become technical artists.

Generally speaking, to become a technical artist, you should have a degree or diploma in a relevant art study, such as fine arts or graphic design. You should also achieve a degree or diploma in computer science or game development. That comes to a lot of schooling.

However, experience, and building a portfolio of your work are the most important aspects here. If you can work in the gaming industry for a number of years, you can gain the skills a technical artist might need along the way.

To start work in the game industry, practice! Take part in special events where you can network with others in the industry. Try your hand at the 24-hour game dev challenges, or the modding scene. Do everything in your power to get your name out there, and soon you’ll have an idea of the companies you should apply to. You may even make some developer friends along the way.

Building a Technical Art Portfolio

You’ll need to have a passion for game creation, a creative mind, and some projects under your belt before you begin to apply for this job. Taking part in modding, and making small games of your own, is a great way to improve your skills and give you something to show off to employers.

Artstation.com has a great catalog of technical art to browse, that can give you a better idea of the sort of work those technical artists are expected to do. You’ll need to build a portfolio (a collection of your finest technical art) to sell your talents to employers. Make sure that your portfolio focuses on technical art such as shaders and rigging, etc.

When making a portfolio, it’s always best to display your best work that’s the most relevant to the job that you want. Here are a few other quick tips. Also, be clear about which part of the work is yours on projects in which multiple people contributed. You do not want your portfolio to mislead its viewers.

Would You Excel as a Technical Artist?

Even in a field with as many different positions as game development, a technical artist stands out in terms of skill and adaptability. The needs of the developers cannot always be understood by the art department, and vice versa. But a technical artist can cater to the needs of both, keeping the flow of productivity moving.

It may not be the job that gets the most attention from the players themselves, but for the dev team, they are essential to getting the game completed on time and in a good state. It’s no wonder they are so highly sought after by big game companies. In a way, the entire video game itself is one big piece of technical art.

Give up?

Who doesn’t want to start their own game company? Who doesn’t want to create a new killer IP?

The popularity of video games is a great reason to start your own game company. Fancy yourself a creative developer? Or maybe you see yourself as a programmer, designer, or studio head.

Regardless, it’s a great time to become a game developer. This doesn’t mean it’s easy by any means. However, we have ways and means to help you over the hill.

Let’s see the various ways why you should start your own video game company, how to make sure the business is a good fit, and the different steps to make it happen.

Why Start Your Own Video Game Company?

Because you want to make games, duh!

Also, because the video game industry within the United States alone is well worth 60.4 billion U.S. dollars. Expect the total value of the game industry to rise exponentially. To the tune of $200 billion.

Is It The Right Business For You?

We’ll be honest: not everyone is cut out for the game development business. It can be really tough. You can scrape by for years, working late nights to meet deadlines.

However, if you have no problems with scenarios like that, and want to get your IP out there for people to see, then it may be worth starting your own company.

Furthermore, let’s look at some ways to see if it’s for you.

Assess Your Skills and Experiences

First thing’s first: you need to assess your skillset. This is an excellent opportunity for both introspection and analysis.

What do you excel at in video game design?

Are you good with programming languages?

Are you a web designer by trade? Or

Are you a special effects expert?

Your background and your personal skill set can give you significant advantages when starting your own game company. Take into account your professional experience as well. Consider how well-versed you are in certain aspects of game development, game design, and turn it into a business plan.

Another part of your own work history is your familiarity with games. To get a good start on starting a game company, you should always be creating. Whether it’s games, designs, or discussing game design on your favorite Subreddit, putting your name out there and consulting with other talented developers can help you out big time.

Growth Potential

This good practice of reflecting and predicting aspects of your game and developing a business plan can make all the difference. Let’s look at a few critical elements of turning untested developers into experienced individuals confident about designing games.

• What’s the demographic?
  • Who is your game for? Is it for children, teens, or mature audiences?
• What’s the genre?
  • What type of game is it?
• How much will you charge for your game?
  • Will it go on Steam for $9.99? A full $60?
• What is your business’s name?
  • Okay, this one may not pack the punch of the others, but a massive part of designing your small business has a great company name.

Finances

Starting your own business requires a lot of financial and business sense. Startup costs, staff salaries, and office space all are part of the game developing industry.

How does a game company make money? By making games!

How does a game development company make games? With resources!

How do you…okay, you see where I’m going with this. Many different moving parts go into making any business decision, let alone starting your own game company. Finances will likely be the main focus of your business for the foreseeable future.

You will need to be extremely detailed here, as finances are no joke. Having a concrete budget for employees, software licenses, and office space are great starting points. Many developers create good business plans with financial professionals to give them a bit of ‘cushion.’

Start Your Own Video Game Company

Getting Started

Getting started can be the most challenging part of a company’s formation. Let’s ease the burden a bit by offering some useful tidbits you can use to make a difference in your development journey.

Find A Mentor to Help You Through the Process

We can’t stress how important this is. A good mentor can make the difference between you thriving in the video game industry. Have you had a great design teacher in high school or college? Why not ask these people for some pointers?

Many graphic design and animation programs have in-depth mentor aspects to them. These mentors give students critical insight into the industries they have mastered.

Industry experts can cover many topics, like a business, costs, development, job training, and creating critical business documents. Find people you trust to help make you keen on business and creative decisions.

Build a Team

Possibly the most essential aspect of becoming a professional game developer is putting together a good team. Your team doesn’t need to be huge, filling a giant office building. Most small teams work better together.

Try to shoot for at least ten people you can create comfortably with.

Make a Game Document

A game document is your detailed outline of the game you want to develop. Think of it as a more in-depth elevator pitch of your title.

This game document usually includes the genre, title, synopsis, game development timeline, and a few more fundamental aspects. These documents are great ways for companies with plenty of money to take an interest in your IP.

Final Thoughts

Overall, knowing how to start a video game company is an invaluable set of tools to take your creations to the next level. Creating a successful gaming company requires a lot of moving parts. However, it’s entirely possible to accomplish.

Most importantly, it allows you to share ideas, designs, indie video games, and art with an eager crowd of video gamers.