The complete list of gaming jobs
Many people want to work in gaming, an industry that revolves around many of our favourite pastime in video games, but it can be hard to know where to start. Though we’ve already put together the ultimate guide for getting a job in gaming, as well as getting a job in esports for those who love competition, there are so many different avenues to consider.
Both gaming and esports consist of much more than simply those who make games and those that play them, and the options for a potential career in these areas are growing all the time as the sectors themselves do. If you’ve a passion for gaming but don’t know exactly where you could fit into the industry, this list will show you the many facets of the industry to help you get going.
Game programming
A lot goes into bringing a game to life from storyboards and rough plans, to ensuring the in-game physics work as planned and the product is up to scratch graphically. Here, you make the magic happen!
AI
Engine
Gameplay
Graphics
Network
Physics
Tools
UI
Game design
Creating the design and wonderful aesthetics for a game is a multi-faceted job. There’s a lot that goes into creating the bundles of joy (or horror, if you’re into that thing) we play on a daily basis.
Direction
Economy
Interaction
Level
Narrative
Quest
Systems
UI
UX
World
Game art
Combine technology with creativity by working in game art, bringing concepts and environments to life. Be an important part of the game-making process!
Environment
Model
Technical
Texture
UI
UX
Game animation
Often a complicated job, getting into game animation may not always be easy but it’s definitely satisfying when you perfect what you’re working on!
Cinematics
Generalist
Motion Capture
Particle
Programmer
Technical
Game audio
Audio is often the unsung hero in the umbrella of game design. You may not realize just how pivotal audio can be to the gaming experience, but imagine how unsatisfying it would be if the iconic “Overkill” voice line was removed from Halo!
Composition
Design
Direction
Engineering
Programmer
QA
Voice
Game quality assurance
If you’re good at finding glitches, bugs, and irregularities in games then look no further, you’ve likely found the department you’ve always been looking for.
Analysis
Automation
Certification
Compatibility
Compliance
Engineering
Interrupt
Lead
Localization
Performance
Platform
SDET
Submission
Testing
Game production
The main stage of game development, production is where you bring an exciting project to life. There are plenty of roles here to pursue!
Executive
Live Operations
Project Management
Prototyping
Publishing
Release Management
Storyboarding
Studio Management
Marketing
It’s one thing to build a game, event, or product and an entirely other thing to promote it. Marketing is a vast department filled up with plenty of interesting activities and roles.
Brand
Content
Digital
Ecommerce
Influencer
Public Relations
Product
User Acquisition
Social Media
Competition
The world of esports goes far beyond competing as a player. It needs a bunch of dedicated people to help the players compete at their highest level, remain fair and honest, and be the best option for their team or organization.
Admin
Analyst
Coach
Manager
Nutritionist
Physical Trainer
Player
Psychologist
Referee
Scout
Talent
Events need broadcast talent to tie everything together, as well as educating and entertaining viewers; streamers and creators have proven pivotal to keeping eyeballs on a game. It’s not for everyone, but becoming talent or a creator puts you centre-stage!
Agent
Analyst
Caster
Content Creator
Host
Interviewer
Streamer
Education
Want to play a major part in educating the next wave of heroes who help bring video games and esports to life? Here’s your chance.
Program Development
Teaching
Legal
In an industry full of IP, trademarks, and rights, the impact those who work in legal have cannot be understated.
Compliance
Counsel
Employment
Licensing
Merger & Acquisition
Data
Working with data may not be for everybody, but if it interests you then you’ll be pleased to know there are plenty of opportunities here.
Administration
Analysis
Engineering
Science
Commercial
Often working hand-in-hand with marketing, the commercial department plays a pivotal role in making projects successful! It has to be built, then it has to be sold.
Account Management
Ad Operations
Business Development
B2B
B2C
Game Monetization
Partnerships
Revenue Strategist
Research
Researchers help provide context to the past, present, and future of gaming, from providing a better understanding on the demographics in gaming to projecting where the industry is going in the years to come.
Academic
Consumer
Market
UX
Content
Content is not only used to enrich the gaming experience, it keeps us all entertained outside of the server. From featuring on-camera to bringing footage together and wrapping it up in a pretty bow, content is pivotal in this industry.
Cinematography
Game Capture
Graphic Design
Motion Graphic Design
Post-Production
Video Editing
Human resources
Toby Flenderson, the human resources manager in The Office, didn’t get the respect he deserved. Keeping employees happy, safe, and surrounded by other hard-working staff members is a tall task but we thank you, HR heroes!
Business Partner
Compensation & Benefits
Diversity & Inclusion
Employer Branding
Health & Safety
Training & Development
Recruiter
Finance
It may not be the most glamorous of professions, but finance is the lifeblood of gaming. Without those in accounting and analysis, a lot of our most important and exciting businesses may not be here today.
Accounting
Analysis
Auditing
Payroll
Procurement
Tax
Software & web
Whether you're developing, designing, or testing software applications, engineering is a highly responsible and key facet of gaming. It often pays pretty darn well too, which is always nice!
App
Backend
Full-stack
Frontend
Web Designer
Web Developer
Administrative
- Administrative Support
- Executive Assistant
- Facilities Support
- Front of House
- Office
Management
- Creative Director
- Department
- Operations
- Product
- Program
- Project
- Strategy
IT
IT isn't unique to gaming and esports, but considering every aspect of our industry is built upon technology then the industry needs you engineers, support heroes, and technological aficionados!
DevOps
Networking
Security Engineering
System Administration
Tech Support
Media
Media highlights all of the happenings in gaming and esports, both good and bad, putting a spotlight on many of the industry’s victories and helping to keep bad actors to account. They document the past and look to the future, serving an important role in the rise and safeguarding of the sector.
Editor
Journalist
Photographer
Videographer
Customer service
Customers (us gamers, that is) are imperative to the games industry. Without gamers, there’d simply be no point in companies building games. Customer support staff help keep gamers happy, which could well be one of the most thankless but paramount jobs out there!
Customer Support
Developer Support
Technical Support
Broadcast
The difference between a good event and an amazing event can sometimes be down to the production quality. It’s not always easy, but working in broadcasting is a pivotal role in helping events live up to their full potential.
Camera
DOP
Supervisor
Director
Operator
Engineer
Assistant
- Floor Manager
- Graphics
- In-game Observer
- Lighting
- Producer
- Scriptwriting
- Sound Engineering
- Stream Engineering
- Replays
Events
From game reveals to award shows to esports events with thousands of ecstatic spectators in a packed-out arena, events drive a lot of the hype in this industry. There are plenty of different roles that need to be filled to pull off these highly technical affairs.
AV
Audio
Lighting
Set / Stage Design
Electrics
- Hospitality
- In-game Observer
- Licensing
- Logistics
- Player Manager
- Talent Manager
Now you know exactly what it takes to keep both gaming and esports going on the back-end. It’s a vast industry that requires knowledge and experience from a myriad of places to keep it going and growing. Now, get choosing and work towards your dream job!
