Video games are more popular than ever, with lightning-fast consoles and lifelike graphics making them an important part of daily entertainment for millions of people all over the world. This constant growth in popularity is also leading to new and interesting job opportunities in the video game sector. Many job-seeking Canadians are looking to get involved in game development and other related jobs, making it a competitive but highly rewarding industry.
In this blog post we’ll be looking at the present and future of the video game sector in Canada, the different types of jobs you can get, and what kind of skills and experience employers are looking for.
What does the gaming industry look like in 2021?
Most people think that Canada’s video game industry is small and not very lucrative, but that couldn’t be further from the truth. The Canadian game development sector contributed $4.5 Billion to the national GDP in 2019, up a massive 20% from 2017. Sales and revenue from Canadian video games have been growing steadily for years, with 2020 seeing a 29% increase in sales compared to 2019. With video games on a continual rise in popularity, the future of the video game industry in Canada could see even more growth.
Boasting around 700 talent-filled game development studios, it’s hardly surprising that some of the world’s top video game titles come from Canada. Big hits like FIFA 20, Gears of War 5, Rainbow Six Quarantine and Borderlands 3 are just some of the popular games that you might not have known were created here. While there are jobs in the gaming industry in many different cities, 82 percent of Canadian game studios are based in Quebec, Ontario, and British Columbia.
Not only does gaming generate a lot of money, but it also employs plenty of Canadians. About 48,000 people work in the game development industry all over the country, and the average salary for workers in the video game industry in Canada was $75,900 in 2019.
Different types of video game jobs
We’ve seen how big the Canadian video game sector is, so now let’s look at some of the most common roles in the industry and see exactly what you need to land your dream job as part of a video game studio.
Video game developer
Video game developers, also known as software developers or simply game developers, make video games work the way they’re supposed to. They do this by working with designers to make a game’s graphics, movements and colours work properly. They’re highly skilled coders who make complex code that game consoles or computers can understand in order to correctly process and display a game. They also work with other members of the team to ensure all aspects of a game are connected and working together as intended.
How to become a video game developer
To become a video game developer, you may need a Bachelor’s degree in software engineering or computer science. Once you’ve completed your studies, you’ll need to learn a wide range of programming languages like C++, Java and C, and you’ll have to gain some experience building libraries and APIs. As well as hard skills, you should also develop strong soft skills including teamwork, time management and communication.
Video game developer salary
In Canada, video game developers earn between $45,000 and $97,500 a year.
Video game designer
Talented video game designers are some of the most sought-after professionals in the game development industry. Designers come up with the concepts, stories and characters in a video game. They play a key role in practically every stage of video game production and work closely with developers, programmers, audio engineers and animators to make sure the final game aligns with their initial idea.
How to become a video game designer
If you want to get a job as a game designer, you won’t necessarily need formal qualifications. A game design diploma or degree is a good place to start, but game designers often have a background in graphic design, fine art or computer science. What you will need is experience, so starting out with an entry-level job in the gaming industry is one of the best ways to get yourself on the right path to becoming a game designer.
Video game designer salary
Video game designers in Canada can earn between $48,000 and $91,500 per year.
Audio engineer
Audio engineers are a key component in the making of any successful video game. They use computers, instruments and musical equipment to create everything sound-related in video games. Audio engineers are responsible for making the voices, audio effects and even background music for games and they often work side-by-side with designers and developers to bring their projects to life.
How to become an audio engineer
While a Bachelor of Science degree or a diploma in audio engineering is a great way to get started in this field, many video game audio engineers have years of hands-on experience that are often valued more than education.
Audio engineer salary
Audio engineer salaries range from $53,500 to $82,500 in Canada.
Video game animator
The amazing visual aspects of video games are thanks to animators. Animators are a fundamental part of any video game development team, and they collaborate with developers and designers to make games look the way they should. They’re skilled artists that use specialized game animation software to create realistic character and object movement that make the gaming experience immersive and attention-grabbing.
How to become a video game animator
To get hired as a video game animator, you may need a Bachelor's degree in computer art or digital animation, as well as two or more years of experience working in an animation or game development studio. You’ll need to know all about modelling, rigging and skinning models for video games, and being an advanced Photoshop, Maya and 3ds Max user will also help you get a job.
Video game animator salary
In Canada, video game animators make between $45,000 and $86,000 per year depending on experience and skills.
Video game testers
Video game testers are responsible for games providing a smooth user experience once they go to market. They carry out quality assurance (QA) on different aspects of a game and essentially ensure games function correctly. They identify and report problems and bugs in the game so that designers, developers and audio engineers can fix them before the public gets a chance to play.
How to become a video game tester
Video game tester jobs don’t usually require formal education or a degree in a specific field, but it’s one of the most competitive jobs in the industry, so you need a lot of experience to get hired. A background in quality assurance is a great asset to have, but you should also develop a basic knowledge of game development and have a keen eye for detail. Excellent collaboration, communication and time management skills are also essential if you’re applying for a job as a video game tester.
Video game tester salary
Entry-level video game testers in Canada make between $28,500 and $30,500 a year.
The Canadian video game industry is thriving, even in the middle of a global pandemic, so now is the time to consider a career in this growing industry. Brush up on your skills, get some experience and visit our
IT job board to find your dream job in the video game sector!