Like all sectors, even that of video games has its specificities. The salary changes depend on the expected skills and on the particularities of the different professions practiced. A game developer is a key character in the creation of a game. Indeed, he is involved at all levels with the production team, and it is he who brings the game to life. However, the subject of salaries remains a taboo in business: therefore, let’s talk about !
Position yourself in a competitive market
If you were asked to name a taboo topic in business, you would probably think about money and salary. However, it is important that you know how to position yourself in a competitive market, which is the job market. This factor is not a criterion that must necessarily force you to change jobs. This can allow you to, among other things, negotiate a raise or simply know where you stand relative to your competitors.
The purpose of this article is to provide visibility and quantified data in the video game industry but know that every case is different. It all depends on your experience, the benefits in kind that the company can provide you, your skills… But don’t forget that whatever your earnings, the most important thing is that you are satisfied every day.
Salary scales according to occupations
Video game developer
A video game developer is an essential figure in the creation of a game, in fact he is the master of it Programming languages and gets involved at all levels with the production team. He is the one who brought the game to life. In France, a recent graduate video game developer can expect a salary between €20,000 and €40,000 in total per year. This figure reaches €50,000 for the elderly and can go up to €70,000 in rare cases (2021 figures, AFJV). Be careful though, because there are many variables to take into consideration, depending on the specialty and the languages used.
Video Game Data Manager
The data manager is a professional who knows how to read, extract, measure, analyze and translate statistics to establish accurate reports for sales and marketing teams. It also ensures the correct integration of the new technical elements of the team. A game data manager can request a gross annual salary between 50,000 and 60,000 eurosjust got out of school.
Game programmer
The gameplay programmer must understand the intentions of the creative team and translate them into patterns and instructions that allow the programmers to build modules into the universe of whatever is desired. His role is therefore above all analytical. He also masters the game’s interactivity, so he has to ensure that the rendering meets expectations and is of high quality. The salary for a beginner game programmer is around €25,000 to €36,000 gross per year. As you gain experience and reach the end of your career, this salary rises on average to €50,000 gross per annum.
Technician Artist Videogames
The technical artist is a versatile professional with a 360-degree view. He acts as a mediator between the graphics and the developers and ensures the smooth running of the work of the production teams, the artistic quality and the performance of the video game. Salaries obviously vary according to the years of experience, but a Video Game Technical Artist can earn between 24,000 and 35,000 euros gross per year.
Programming engine video games
The role of the programming engine is to improve the performance of the game engine on a daily basis. He is responsible for developing the tools and components of the game and of course the quality of the gameplay. For a person whose main activity is engine programming, the salary can vary between €30,000 and €35,000 gross per year. The salary can reach up to 60,000 euros gross at the end of the career.
Video game technical architect
The Video Games Technical Architect position is one of the most technical in the industry and is a key job, particularly within studios. He has great technical and managerial skills. In France, the salary for this position can be around €45,000 for a junior, and go up to €55,000 or even €70,000, depending on the opportunities.
Other professions related to Game Art
The Horde doesn’t just train expert technicians! From September 2022 our new course dedicated to Game Art allows you to consider your professional future in this sector. What are the main professions?
Artistic director
The artistic director, also called Artistic director, occupies a position at the top of the pyramid. Specialized in video games, he coordinates the work of the video game art team and is responsible for the graphic coherence of the project. He must therefore perform both artistically and technically. In terms of salaries, for a beginner, we can count around 40,000 euros gross per year. They can go up to 60,000 euros, or even more in some cases.
Lead Graphic Designer
The Lead Graphic Designer is a major player in the production of a video game. He is responsible for most of the creative aspect of the project. He is an artistic but also technical expert who makes sure that every element fulfills its function within the game. At the beginning of his career, he can expect to earn around 35,000 euros gross per year, and his salary can go up to 45,000 euros, depending on the studio.
UI artist
A person in this position is responsible for creating the game’s user interfaces and menus. UI artist it intervenes in two main areas which are the design of the game and the implementation of some visual elements in collaboration with the programmers. A Junior UI Artist earns an average of 30,000 euros a year, while after several years of experience his salary can go up to 40,000 euros.
In recent years, the demand for video game technicians has continued to grow. This overview of the remuneration that can be expected from different video game professions will help you project yourself, although this information varies from profile to profile.
