The global games market revenue is forecasted to reach $222.6 billion in 2024 with a compound annual growth rate of 5.6%, according to a May 2022 report by Newzoo. As the popularity of games as a mainstream form of entertainment skyrockets, the game development scene has become a multi-billion dollar industry that continues to be one of the fastest-growing industries in the world. As the industry rapidly expands, job opportunities in the video game industry from the entry-level to senior management do so as well.

The video game industry is vast and wide and offers a large variety of career paths for those interested to explore a long-term career here. While some may be concerned about facing barriers such as job experience, there are several jobs in the video game industry that require minimal experience and are available to fresh graduates from college and university. Here’s a look at some of the entry-level jobs the video game industry has to offer for those looking for a fresh start or a career switch.

Entry-level Jobs in the Video Game Industry

1. Quality Assurance (QA) Tester / Video Game Testers

Virtuos Quality Assurance Team in Xi'an, China

QA Testers, also known as video game testers, are in charge of testing gameplay from a technical standpoint. They are also one of the most popular entry-level jobs in the video game industry! Before developers can release a new game, the QA team is required to play through the entire game multiple times and submit detailed bug reports. QA Testing is a great entry-level job that provides flexible career paths within the video game industry, opening doors to game development, graphic design, or further advancement in the QA engineering route.

2. Video Game Programmer

Virtuos Video Game Programmer jobs

In a nutshell, a game programmer writes the code and software that makes the video game playable. They work closely with departments including game design, art, and production to translate ideas and concepts into a fully functioning game. If you’re interested in becoming an entry-level game programmer, a Bachelor’s degree in computer science, computer engineering, or a related field is highly preferable, but certification courses and professional training may go a long way as well.

3. Game Artist

game artist jobs at virtuos

Jobs in the video game industry for artists range from character to environment specialties and they work with other departments to deliver artwork in the agreed project style. While a degree in art is not essential, many junior artists in the industry possess a relevant degree or certification in subjects including game art, interactive media, or game modeling. Having a strong portfolio will definitely help to boost your chances of getting an interview.

4. Animator

Animators are responsible for researching, designing, and developing animations for video games using the images created by artists. They focus on making realistic, life-like characters and settings to create an immersive experience for players. While entry-level animator jobs in the video game industry may not require a degree, it is helpful for applicants to be skilled with various types of animation software (e.g., Autodesk Maya) and by having a strong storytelling and narrative sense. Check out our job opening for an entry-level animator here.

5. Producer

As the unsung heroes of the industry, producers act as the project manager of a video game project, working alongside all the departments throughout the entire production process. They are responsible for managing tasks, schedules, budgets, and deadlines. To explore a career in video game production, new entrants can consider starting out as a production assistant or associate producer. To boost your portfolio, project management certifications such as Scrum and Jira can be very helpful.

6. Software Engineer

software engineer roles in game development

A software engineer working with video games create, design, maintain, develop and test software products and networks, and are focused on the functionality and performance of the game’s software and network as a whole. While an entry-level software engineering job in the video game industry does not require prior working experience, applicants with relevant degrees in computer science and engineering are usually preferred. Read about how our software engineer at Black Shamrock – A Virtuos Studio made a career switch from academia to game development here.

7. Sound Designer

sound designer (aka audio engineer)

Sometimes called audio engineers, sound designers in game development are responsible for creating, editing and compiling high-quality audio assets including sound effects, background score and voice-overs. As an entry-level position in the video game industry, most employers are looking out for applicants with a degree in audio engineering or a related field. Personal projects are a great way for individuals to showcase their expertise and stand out as an applicant.

8. Video Game Designer

image of women game designers at work

Video game designers are involved in the creation of the concept, story, characters and rules of a video game, and possess technical and creative skills to build engaging, entertaining, functional and unique experiences. While prior industry experience is usually preferred, some employers may also consider entry-level candidates who are able to showcase creativity, problem-solving skills, time management skills, and a technological background. Learn more about our junior game designer positions here.

9. Sales Representative

Sales representatives in game development help the company bring in business by identifying and contacting prospective clients, answering inquiries and pitching contracts. Video game sales representatives should possess strong knowledge of the video game industry. Entry-level sales jobs generally do not require prior working experience, although internship experience and a relevant degree in sales, marketing or communication with interest in the industry usually helps.

10. Game Writer

writing jobs in the game industry

Video game writers develop a game’s story, script, character descriptions, tutorials, and the player’s actions in the gameplay. Game writers are involved in every aspect of video game production, from storyboarding in the conception stage to editing in post-production. While some companies may prefer to hire video game writers with degrees related to creative writing or scriptwriting, applicants with strong portfolios in literary journals or digital publications could also be considered.

11. Community Manager

a puzzle piece

Community managers act as a bridge between the game’s developers and their player base and are responsible for attending events, writing announcements and newsletters, organizing and managing projects, and analyzing public feedback. While some employers may look for applicants with a degree in communications and marketing, it is important for the candidate to be familiar with the company’s games and prove their ability to manage a community of people well.

12. Management Trainee

Management trainee roles in most companies are targeted at fresh graduates that have little to zero work experience. At Virtuos, our management trainees undergo a carefully-curated graduate program where they’ll experience working in a variety of roles ranging from production, marketing, to finance over two to three years to better understand how our company operates.

Explore a Career in the Video Game Industry with Entry-level Jobs

At Virtuos, we highly welcome entry-level applicants for a wide range of junior roles from art, QA testing, software engineering to production and business development. With structured training, progression opportunities and competitive compensation, our employees have grown with us over the years to become part of our senior management today. With over 2,000 completed projects and counting, we are expanding our team to create even more breathtaking adventures for players everywhere. Join us on our journey to make games better, together.