Every game fan dreams of having a career in computer game design. What could be more fun and exciting for a fan of computer games than getting paid to design their own computer games?

Since I am a certified computer game addict, I am also guilty of occasionally fantasizing about having a career in the computer game design industry.

The computer game design industry is huge, so there are plenty of opportunities for those who want a job in this field. The downside is that getting a job in this industry is extremely difficult and requires complete knowledge of programming languages.

Earning a computer science degree is a good first step, but in itself is no easy task. I have seven childhood friends who studied computer science in college, and only one of them made it. It’s a grueling major filled with tedious programming exercises and advanced math classes.

If you like programming and can tolerate the tedium that comes with it, then computer game design might be something for you to do. Having a genuine love for computer games can also motivate you.

My childhood friend, who finished his degree in computer science, currently works at a computer game design company and is absolutely in love with his work. However, he shared with me that he did not live up to his expectations.

Modern computer games are huge programs that can take a few years to complete. In its early years, the computer game design industry only needed a few people to design computer games. These days, computer game companies have multiple production teams made up of up to a hundred people working simultaneously on different aspects of a particular game.

If you manage to become a capable programmer, you can find countless opportunities in the computer game industry. Experienced programmers who have worked on several popular computer games can command a large salary and have great influence over the direction of a game.

If you’re not a fan of programming, you can still find other jobs in the computer game design industry. While programmers have an advantage, employers are also looking for good writers and artists. Writers and graphic designers are also needed to complete a good computer game, but they can’t expect to earn as much as an experienced programmer.