Let's keep it short: I've heard video-game programmers can earn approximatively 80,000$ per year, and I like programming (never really got into seriously, but I'm willing to if this job is really that high payed for doing I will seriously enjoy).
So, hum...

1) Is this statistic true?
2) Which education should I get? I'm currently finishing my Pure and Applied Sciences Diploma at college. I don't know which university program I should go into, and what are the requirements (did I have study into a programming-oriented program?).

1. I'm sure there are some video-game programmers that earn $1 million a year, but that doesn't mean the average programmer will earn that.
2. No idea for Canadians. If you specifically want to get into game-programming though, start working on a mod.

Now, I think you're much more likely to earn $80k in some other field of programming than you are in game development. Also game development is known for it's particularly bad working conditions (80 hour weeks nonstop for 18 months, for example), lack of overtime etc. Game development can be great if you're at a great company, or working on something you're really interested in. But if you're working on some Wii game aimed at 5-8 year olds, you might become a bit dis-illusioned. It's also pretty soul-destroying if you work for some place that churns out sequels, or mis-manages stuff, or throws on DRM and fucks the thing up so no one buys the game, or pushes the game out 6 months too early so it's full of bugs, doesn't sell and your company goes under and you're laid off.

You might want to google "EA spouse" and read up about it, here's the wikipedia on it: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/EA_Spouse

Game development can typically involve a large number of different skills, more so than a lot of other types of development, so from the technical perspective it can be quite full of variety and rewarding.

Post has been edited 1 time(s), last time on Dec 21 2010, 9:42 am by Lanthanide.

It really depends on circumstances. Some programmers get paid a lot if they are fast and very good at what they do, but for a lot of gaming companies, programmers are seen as easily replaceable commodities. For example thousands of people might want to program at Blizzard, so if one isn't cutting it, they can replace that person with someone else and probably pay a lower wage. Like any field, you are paid based on your worth and overall contribution.

What Devlin has said is true of most art and programming fields, I have seen. Then again, a lot of people are seen that way because unemployment rates are in the company's favor.

Also, I think we should expect a worldwide trend in lower pay.

Won't help you at all unless you intend on modding with the UDK or something similar. There is nothing in, for example, a Blizzard game that will remotely prepare you for actual game development.

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The few courses I've had that were related to computer or programming itself, I have shown myself to be way above the average of the rest of the class, I am confident I could do a very good job in this field. Not to mention also that I have a "good" background in terms of Maths and Physics, and that I am usually someone extremely devoted to projects in general, and I am also very organized when it comes to computers (but not for the rest of my life ). Oh, and I'm someone who's social and smiles a lot... can't hurt when doing an interview! I am also the kind of guy that likes to touch a lot of spheres, so I'll most likely be very helpful for the projects in general, getting interested in every aspect of the game. And I'm pretty sure you've all seen I'm this kind of guy that isn't afraid to propose ideas, even if they suck.
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I have a contact at Ubisoft... really shouldn't be that hard to get in if he's still there once I finish my studies.

Oh, and lol @ EA Spouse. With 14 millions, I'd be able to live happily for the rest of my life.

It depends on how good you are. My father probably makes around ~$200,000 a year, but he actually programs and manages large projects. He got his education in electrical engineering, so that's a possible start-off point (thinking of switching to it too). Otherwise, just major in computer science somewhere. I'd forget about programming games, because you likely lose some pay for doing something related to games. Basically, everyone wants to do it because everyone loves games, so there's more competition and the companies can afford to pay less (and writing a physics engine is likely much less fun than you think it is anyway).

If you're not actually really good at it, don't expect much. Many programming jobs can be outsourced, so, yes, the bottom rung will probably earn less and less as time goes on and programming shifts further to India, China, Russia and eastern europe. Then again, this is true for most technical jobs.

payne>

I've been told numerous times by multiple folks I know who work into the industry that the best way to break into something like this is to first go in as QA. While this is not an immediate programming job, it does allow you to mingle with experienced staff and learn stuff along the way. If possible, I'd look into some kind of temporary QA job for a while and get a look at how companies work and the kind of workload that would be expected of you. This experience would far outweigh anything anyone here can tell you or any amount of modding could teach you.

You'll get a job for sure if you graduate from DigiPen.

Also, yeah, programmers make a lot of money. I think that statistic is about right.

http://www.gamecareerguide.com/news/27938/2009_game_developer_salary_survey_.php

Stop plugging Digipen everywhere. Payne is Canadian, it doesn't apply.

And, yeah, based on Cecil's link, the average wage fell 4%. Again, I advise not going for game development. Every programmer in their early 20's wants to do something related to games.

Post has been edited 1 time(s), last time on Dec 21 2010, 7:34 pm by Centreri.

It was a class action suit. That 14 million is split between many people, probably hundreds at least, as well as the lawyers.

Also, using QA to get into development? Really doesn't happen in reality. Here's an excerpt from the wikipedia article on game testing:
"Some testers use the job as a stepping stone in the game industry.[15][3] QA résumés, which display non-technical skill sets, tend towards management, then to marketing or production.[citation needed] Applicants for programming, art, or design positions need to demonstrate technical skills in these areas.[18]"

If you read interviews from various developers and producers etc, whenever they are asked about people wanting to get into the industry they always answer by saying "work on a mod".

Shit. Get some friends, get an idea, learn some skills and make your own god-damn game. Boom. Done. Or go work for Blizzard and be their bitch, as you spend the rest of your days designing god-awful features for Diablo 3.

Well, they're lying to you, or they're talking in a different context. For some games, like the Source engine and Unreal 3, you can mod and get into the industry because you're working with actual development tools. That is not the case with most games, though. So I suppose it depends on your context.

As for as the QA thing, that's just what people I know told me. Does it work? Well, one guy's doing level design for Diablo 3 right now and he started as a temporary QA. I don't know how easy or reproducable that is, but it worked out for him. At the very least, working as a QA allows you to work alongside programmers and artists, and understand how their positions are handled and managed, before throwing yourself into them totally blind.

Post has been edited 1 time(s), last time on Dec 21 2010, 9:52 pm by IskatuMesk.

I know a lot of people who started at Blizzard in QA and have since moved up to awesome positions. The drawback is that you have to move to Irvine to do that job, and as it isn't a guarantee that you'll move up, that's quite a move for a temporary position.

If you ask most company evangelists what they look for in candidates, its a deep or personal interest in the type of work the company does, not just the right education. I've known people who have landed jobs or gotten into colleges based on work they did on other games (red alert 2 modding mostly). Its not one or the other, its both. Companies appreciate knowledge and drive.

I hate to be the one that perpetuates the stereotype, but nowadays it seems like who you know is more important than what degree you have. If you know someone at Ubisoft, that will be more leverage for you than a programming degree.

I think the only thing Blizzard wants from you is your soul.

Ok, maybe more people get into development via QA than I expected. But it doesn't really change my point at all: mod-making is something you can do without having to be hired by a company somewhere. Working on a mod, even if it's for a 3D game on the source engine, will make you much more desirable to a company like Blizzard compared to someone who hasn't worked on a mod at all, because it shows you have commitment as well as drive and interest in game programming. Basically it's like applying for any other job: those with job experience will pull ahead of those who don't, and when it comes to programming (of any type) it is quite possible to build up your own amateur experience without being paid for it.

Similarly I expect the people in QA who go through to development jobs have other factors in their background too, such as university degrees or side-projects and portfolios (for artists and such). I very much doubt that someone without a degree or other experience could get a QA job and expect to be hired as a developer.

Nowadays? It's always been true, and in every field Definitely a great start is if you go to any kind of notable university is to see if your alumni network can hook you up with an interview or two. Good universities tend to have alumni in lots of places, and they are usually happy to help.

Programming is a very lucrative job field in general, but to echo what everyone else said, every kid between 14 and 20 who plays tons of video games has dreams of becoming a game programmer. In the gaming industry in specific, programmers are less in demand than in the world at large, but as with anywhere, you just need to distinguish yourself by a unique personality, intellect, or the right connections.