The gaming industry lately has been a cruel mistress. Studios are closing down wherever you look, once again showing everyone just how volatile the entertainment business is. It’s sad for the thousands that are losing their job, but what about the ones who aren’t? Well, they’re making a bit of a killing.
A recent poll conducted on 4000 game developers worldwide gives us a closer look at some of the money that is being thrown around studios today. The annual survey aims to determine how much game developers make, both in the AAA field and independently. As you’d expect, going AAA is far more lucrative, but indie saw a lot more growth in 2013.
Breaking it down, here’s what AAA or non-independent game designers made in 2013, split up according to their roles.
- Business and management: $101,572
- Audio professionals: $95,682
- Programmers: $93,251
- Artists and animators: $74,349
- Producers: $82,286
- Game designers: $73,864
- Quality Assurance: $54,833
The men and women in suits and ties walk home with the biggest pay cheques, which shouldn’t come as a surprise. What is surprising is that programmers make more than the actual game designers. I’d would’ve expected it to be the opposite, especially since programmers are abundant nowadays.
One thing you have to consider though is how this stacks up against salaries in 2012, and that’s where it’s a little depressing. The average salary in 2013 was down 2% in comparison to 2012, so not a great position for employees when inflation takes no holiday. But, that’s what makes indie even more interesting.
Solo indies didn’t do too well in 2013, with an average annual salary of only $11,812; a drop of nearly 50% in comparison to 2012. However, indies in teams experienced insane growth, with the average developer salary of $50,833. That’s an increase of 161%, which is almost unbelievable in a one year cycle. These averages don’t take into account indies that earn below $10 000 or above $200 000 meaning there’s still a bit of extra fat on either side.
It makes the idea of becoming a game designer enticing. Although the uncertainty of the industry definitely factors into those salaries somewhere. This market is brutal day in and day out.
Last Updated: July 23, 2014
Sith JJ
July 23, 2014 at 11:17
I’m working in the wrong industry
Admiral Chief Saxon
July 23, 2014 at 11:24
Yup, QA getting the bottom end. No wonder (still, not a bad salary)
SargonTheGreatPandaOfAkkad
July 23, 2014 at 11:26
I am not usually a fan of indie games. But sometimes they work so well that it’s really awesome to see them making money. Plus I’d rather pay them than EA any day of the week. So there is SOME bias here. For instance, I’ve already logged some silly hours in Plague Inc Evolved which I picked up off the Steam sale and it’s a shit ton of fun. Creating a virus etc and decimating the world, always starting with shitty countries with very little contact with the rest of the world? Insane amounts of fun.
Admiral Chief Saxon
July 23, 2014 at 11:27
Dear [game company]
Please accept my application for QA. I’ll make sure your game is worth shipping.
I’ll settle for below average meager $50k pagage.
Oktxbye
Hammersteyn
July 23, 2014 at 11:37
I’ll join you.
Viking Of Science
July 23, 2014 at 11:46
Let’s make it a Trio…. 😛
HvR - Still dislikes Random.or
July 23, 2014 at 12:51
Living costs etc that is like earning around R220k here.
Brady miaau
July 23, 2014 at 12:53
Hmm, just a bit above average for the country. And I believe below SARS tax return level.
Admiral Chief Saxon
July 23, 2014 at 12:58
I will be working from home and NOT commuting 😛
HvR - Still dislikes Random.or
July 23, 2014 at 13:02
Working for company in states from South Africa at home?
Be prepared to become social pariah, sleeping during the day, working at night, giving 5% of your salary away in international transfer fees. Working 7 days a week during crunch time, forget about annual leave. O yes and you will also get fat.
Brady miaau
July 23, 2014 at 13:04
Wait, wait, so you get FAT just be working with Americans, not even living there? Wow, much more contagious than I thought 🙂
HvR - Still dislikes Random.or
July 23, 2014 at 13:12
LOL
Well the fat part comes from sitting at home the whole time and all the late night snacks.
The pictures I have seen of most of them actually seem in good shape but then I never worked with people in New York, LA or the deep south.
Admiral Chief Saxon
July 23, 2014 at 13:06
You need to crank up the joke detector, I think your setting is too low…
HvR - Still dislikes Random.or
July 23, 2014 at 13:13
It broke 2 gameless and sleepless week ago.
Alien Emperor Trevor
July 23, 2014 at 11:37
Did they take ClippyB into account? He’s only earning $1.
Rince&pop
July 23, 2014 at 11:37
He’s married, more like 10c 😛
Sith JJ
July 23, 2014 at 11:38
After “tax”
Alien Emperor Trevor
July 23, 2014 at 11:44
What kind of tax? Can’t be a sin tax because they’re married.
Rince&pop
July 23, 2014 at 11:45
Fun tax?
Hammersteyn
July 23, 2014 at 11:48
Asshole tax
Alien Emperor Trevor
July 23, 2014 at 11:49
Married AND fun? HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!
Rince&pop
July 23, 2014 at 12:17
I know 😉 tehehehe
Hammersteyn
July 23, 2014 at 11:37
Q&A please. I play the crap out of anything even COD.
Sir Rants A Lot Llew
July 23, 2014 at 11:56
Quality Assurance? Hahahahaha. Bull
Gerhard Davids
July 23, 2014 at 12:08
That list looks right to me, although I am surprised that audio is that high.
The main thing to understand is that while programmers are abundant, game programmers not so much. It’s a massive paradigm shift from enterprise- or web development.
DrKiller
July 23, 2014 at 12:17
Nou is ek nie meer lus vir die lewe nie…
Brady miaau
July 23, 2014 at 12:37
Yeah, comparing salaries is never a good idea. Makes for depressing reading, a lot of the time.
Brady miaau
July 23, 2014 at 12:35
Programmers are abundant.
Good programmers are not. Trust me. There are plenty of programmers who can follow a spec to the T and create something out of that. Some people are very happy to do that. I have no problem with that.
There are fewer who can think about it, add value and be innovative.
sort like the old stories of a Golem. Sorry to be mean, but it is true and right and proper.
HvR - Still dislikes Random.or
July 23, 2014 at 12:50
Jip
Also these are top end salaries.
$93k will be very experienced software engineers designing game engines, junior software developers will earn in the $60k to $70k with code writers coding specced out designs going for around $40k
Brady miaau
July 23, 2014 at 12:52
Indeed, correct.
I expected you to comment, we are in similar industries I believe.
I must start hiring again, next two or three months. Yay. Interview, get MD to like, hire. Just like that. Need experience and the right type.
HvR - Still dislikes Random.or
July 23, 2014 at 12:55
The company I work for are struggling to find qualified people; dozens of posts open for more than a year. I know Amazon in Cape Town is in a similar position they are constantly interviewing people.
Brady miaau
July 23, 2014 at 12:58
Same boat. And the really good people know they are really scarce and ask (and receive) a rate that makes you sweat. And they WANT to work contract.
Umar
August 5, 2014 at 22:19
And this came at a time when I’m up late working. This was truly sent from the gods above! I must say, while I’m not completely crazy about Destiny, this soundtrack is utterly superb…Wow, The Last Array and Sepiks Prime seriously blew me away!
Mark Treloar
August 5, 2014 at 22:44
apparently someone found a Steam listing for Destiny for March 2015
Umar
August 5, 2014 at 22:49
So … here some of my favs, seeing as I’m alone on the internet now staying up late
Y’s 7 : Innocent Primeval Breaker
Fire Emblem Awakening : Id(Purpose)
Fire Emblem Awakening: Conquest(Ablaze)
Nier : Emil Sacrifice (By the way this song makes me cry i mean…It makes me want my USN bottle)
Metal Gear Solid : Old Snake
Chrono Cross : Time’s Scar
And my all time favorite…..
Final Fantasy 8 : Julia
Kensei Seraph
August 6, 2014 at 07:53
Looks like I have some new music to add to my Music bookmarks folder.
Thanks for sharing.
Umar
August 5, 2014 at 22:58
How could I forget to post the cheesiest JRPG song ever
Final Fantasy 8 : Eyes on me
Prolific
August 5, 2014 at 23:57
This is pretty awesome. Best soundtrack for a game, in my opinion, is Total Annihilation. Was released on CD’s (remember those?) so worked on my hifi – loved that game.
Hammersteyn
August 6, 2014 at 07:47
Awesome thanks Zoe!
Kensei Seraph
August 6, 2014 at 07:52
Thanks for the music.
I generally don’t pay much attention to the background music when I’m playing but I consider the soundtrack to be an important part of any collector’s edition.
Most of the Final Fantasy games have amazing soundtracks.
Hammersteyn
August 6, 2014 at 07:58
Doom, Borderlands and Journey has great music if I had to think quickly
Mark Treloar
August 6, 2014 at 09:50
Full Throttle
Blah BLah
August 6, 2014 at 11:56
Such Epicness, reminds me of the Beta ……sob!