The so-called “jobs of the future” are increasingly more of a concern than a relief for people around the world. However, gaming offers many possibilities outside of just designing or programming a game.

It is common for many people when they meet an employee of a video game development studio or a console manufacturer to believe that only programmers, designers or engineers can work in this industry. These jobs are part of the “jobs of the future”, a concept to refer to jobs at the service of technology and its evolution over the coming years.

However, we must not lose sight of the fact that there are many other professions that can be used at Rockstar Games, Electronic Arts or Activision-Blizzard, three of the most important companies in the development of titles. Not counting companies that are dedicated to the development of hardware and online services.

This market is growing by leaps and bounds and increasingly requires more specialists in sound, copyright, communication, social networks and everything that is necessary to make the business move. These are five professions that can find a place in video games and esports.

• Videogame designer

Plan and lay out the way a game will look and play. Despite being the second most popular job in this industry, it is not the person who programs, but it is necessary that you have basic concepts in graphics engines so that you can know exactly how a character moves and the visual aspect of the interface and levels.

Additionally, he writes and develops the story that will guide the video game. He may also be in charge of the scripts, as happens in a film or a series. Translators who adapt a menu or dialogue into their language within the game may also have a place here.

• Software programmer

It is perhaps the most popular job in the world of video games. Their presence is essential to ensure the functioning of the titles. The gameplay, graphics, tools and system must be developed correctly on the platforms on which the delivery is published.

Everything that the designer wrote, the programmer converts into code that in virtuality are the instructions and patterns that the elements within a delivery follow. Finally, they are the ones who make a game possible and materialize everything that the designer once imagined.

• Game tester

He is the person in charge of quality control of the beta versions of video games. He has to be very aware of all the large or small visual details that a gamer could notice.

Although it may seem like an easy job, the person who works on this needs to be a very meticulous and observant man or woman because it depends on his or her work that a title goes on sale in its best possible version.

Early identification of technical and graphical errors can save the studio millions of dollars, thereby reducing the number of updates necessary to correct post-publication errors. Finally, it may be necessary to speak more than one language to detect translation errors.

• Sound engineer

He is the person in charge of sonically contextualizing the actions and situations that occur in a video game. In addition to his work with foreign or original music that builds the soundtrack, he must take care of the sound effects that provide important information at specific moments.

Although the engineer is not the one who records the voice-overs and the translation of the narrations, he must closely monitor that the quality of these works is up to par with the rest of the sound component of the game.

• Marketing department

Although it is not an obligation, a publicist or communicator who wants to work in the video game industry must have knowledge of the business model. What, how, when and where to sell a title are questions that must be answered before launching it on the market.

It is not only about selling a delivery to those most interested, but also choosing the channels through which it will be promoted and carrying the message according to the nature and genre of the video game.

A good marketing strategy can ensure the sale of millions of copies around the world.