Introduction
Video game design is a highly competitive field that requires creativity, technical skills, and business acumen. In recent years, the demand for video game designers has increased significantly due to the growth of the gaming industry. This article aims to provide an insight into how much video game designers make per month, considering various factors such as experience, location, and type of games they work on.
Factors Affecting Salary
Experience
Experience plays a crucial role in determining a video game designer’s salary. The more years of experience they have, the higher their salary tends to be. According to Glassdoor, an entry-level video game designer can expect to earn around $60,000 per year, while experienced designers with over 10 years of experience can earn up to $125,000 per year.
Location
The location of a video game design job also affects the salary. Video game design jobs in cities such as San Francisco and New York are typically higher paid due to the cost of living in these areas. However, salaries can vary significantly depending on the size of the company and their budget.
Type of Games
The type of games that a video game designer works on also affects their salary. Designers who work on AAA (triple-A) games, such as Fortnite or Call of Duty, tend to earn more than those who work on mobile or indie games. According to Glassdoor, the average salary for a video game designer working on mobile games is around $75,000 per year, while designers working on AAA games can earn up to $150,000 per year.
Company Size and Budget
The size of the company where a video game designer works also affects their salary. Large companies such as EA or Ubisoft tend to pay more than smaller indie studios. However, even smaller indie studios can offer competitive salaries if they are successful and profitable.
Case Studies
Case Study 1: John Carmack
John Carmack is the co-founder of id Software, the company that created the popular Doom and Wolfenstein series. In an interview with Polygon, Carmack revealed that he earned $5 million in 2013 from his stake in id Software. While this may seem like a significant amount, it’s important to note that Carmack has been with the company since its inception and has played a crucial role in its success.
Case Study 2: Shigeru Miyamoto
Shigeru Miyamoto is the creator of the Mario franchise and one of the most successful game designers in history. According to an interview with Forbes, Miyamoto earned $20 million in 2015 from his stake in Nintendo. Again, it’s important to note that Miyamoto has been with the company since its inception and has played a crucial role in its success.
Real-Life Examples
Real-Life Example 1: John Carmack’s Salary
John Carmack’s salary of $5 million may seem high, but it’s important to note that he earned this amount through his stake in the company rather than his salary as a video game designer. According to an interview with Polygon, Carmack revealed that he earned around $100,000 per year as a video game designer when id Software was first starting out.
Real-Life Example 2: Shigeru Miyamoto’s Salary
Shigeru Miyamoto’s salary of $20 million may seem high, but it’s important to note that he earned this amount through his stake in Nintendo rather than his salary as a video game designer. According to an interview with Forbes, Miyamoto revealed that he earned around $15,000 per year as a video game designer when he first started out at Nintendo.
FAQs
Q: How much do entry-level video game designers make?
A: According to Glassdoor, an entry-level video game designer can expect to earn around $60,000 per year.
Q: How much do experienced video game designers make?
A: According to Glassdoor, experienced video game designers with over 10 years of experience can earn up to $125,000 per year.
Q: How does the location of a video game design job affect salary?
A: Video game design jobs in cities such as San Francisco and New York are typically higher paid due to the cost of living in these areas. However, salaries can vary significantly depending on the size of the company and their budget.
Q: How does the type of games that a video game designer works on affect their salary?
A: Designers who work on AAA (triple-A) games tend to earn more than those who work on mobile or indie games. However, salaries can vary significantly depending on the success and profitability of the games.
Q: How does the size of the company where a video game designer works affect their salary?
A: Large companies such as EA or Ubisoft tend to pay more than smaller indie studios. However, even smaller indie studios can offer competitive salaries if they are successful and profitable.
Summary
In conclusion, the salary of video game designers varies significantly depending on various factors such as experience, location, type of games they work on, company size, and budget. While some designers may earn millions of dollars per year, the average salary for a video game designer is around $75,000 per year. It’s important to note that salaries can vary significantly depending on the success and profitability of the games and the company they work for. Ultimately, becoming a successful video game
