| Most want to earn a living doing something they | | | | careers where self-employment or freelancing is |
| know and love. Video game design is a career | | | | possible. Freelance and contract designers typically |
| choice that appeals to many avid video game | | | | command even higher per-hour rates than |
| players. Designing video game graphics isn't all fun | | | | full-time employees; although this is in part to |
| and games, though. Video game design is a real | | | | make up for the loss of benefits and the need to |
| career with real benefits, such as the six listed | | | | spend time marketing oneself, there is also a |
| below. | | | | greater potential to work more hours and, |
| 1: Challenge your creativity. Most of those in the | | | | therefore, earn an even higher salary than your |
| industry will agree that one of the best parts of | | | | full-time counterparts can boast. |
| video game design is the opportunity to challenge | | | | 4: Know your job is secure. Like any industry, |
| your creativity. Like any other form of art, | | | | video game design has its ups and downs. |
| designing video games keeps your creative mind | | | | However, game designers have a certain amount |
| active. Whether you are planning the game's | | | | of added job security, due to the immense and |
| story line, graphics, characters, or all of the above. | | | | growing popularity of the video game industry. For |
| 2: Enjoy a casual work environment. When people | | | | example, consider Xbox's smash hit Halo 3, which |
| are asked what they value in a job, a casual work | | | | made more than 300 million in the first week |
| environment often ranks quite high on the list. | | | | after its release. |
| People don't want to feel stressed by a | | | | The video game industry has come a long way |
| conservative workplace while they are trying to | | | | from its early days of the Atari and Nintendo. |
| work, especially if the job generates plenty of | | | | New and more powerful systems are constantly |
| stress of its own accord. | | | | being developed, and increasingly more individual |
| Luckily, careers in video game design typically | | | | games are released every year. As a result the |
| boast casual work environments. Video game | | | | video game companies are always on the lookout |
| people are relaxed and fun loving, rather than | | | | for the bright new talents in the field. |
| uptight and traditional. This is definitely a good | | | | 5: Brag to your friends. We'd be lying if we didn't |
| thing, for both employee and boss: Not only do | | | | admit that this is a major benefit of designing |
| people tend to be more productive and successful | | | | video games. There is nothing cooler than being |
| when they can relax and let their creative juices | | | | able to point to game on the shelf at the store |
| flow, they also find that their entire quality of life | | | | and say that you worked on that game. You'll |
| improves. | | | | never worry again about the question regarding |
| 3: Get paid for your work. Don't listen to all of | | | | what you do for a living. |
| those party-poopers who insist that you need to | | | | 6: Getting paid to do what you love. No matter |
| decide on a real job while you pursue video game | | | | what the other benefits, almost nothing compares |
| design as your hobby. Video game designers | | | | to the soul-deep pleasure of getting paid well to |
| actually get paid rather well. For instance, the | | | | do what you love every day. |
| average entry-level designer earns a yearly salary | | | | Working in video game design obviously has its |
| of about 43,000, while more experienced | | | | benefits. The pay is good, the work environment |
| designers average about 70,000 a year. Also, | | | | and the likeability factor of the job even better. If |
| full-time designers enjoy the usual benefits, such | | | | you love to play video games and have a |
| as health insurance, 401K, and other | | | | creative personality, then a career in video game |
| employer-sponsored programs. | | | | design would be a great choice. |
| Alternatively, video game design is one of those | | | | |