When graduates in the US land jobs in the industry as game software developers, a paycheck worth between US$44,000 (entry-level) to US$120,000 (senior-level) per year awaits them.

The intermediate software developer salary in Canada saw the highest percentage change in year over year compensation, according to HR Tech Group’s 2021 Tech Salary Survey. A fresh new hire commands a higher software developer salary than their incumbents too. The national average salary for a computer game developer in Europe is 45,100 euros per year. In the Asian region, graduates can expect to earn an average of 40,800 Singaporean dollars in Singapore, 258,335 Chinese yuan in China and 500,000 rupees in India.

An industry on the up

Game software developers have been providing entertainment for both children and adults for decades. They’ve come a long way since the early days of computer games and the original Nintendo and Atari consoles. New technologies like 5G, cloud and virtual reality will usher in a new phase of innovation, while new business models like support for in-game micropayments are already changing the economics of gaming.

Analysts predict that the gaming business will earn more than US$260 billion in revenue by 2025, up from $US155 billion in 2020. It’s understandable that businesses want a piece of the pie.

The industry has shown no signs of stopping. Outlandish adventures, sports simulations, historical recreations — the video game industry offers a wide range of experiences, limited only by the imagination of game software developers. According to a study, certain video games can improve communication, adaptability and resourcefulness among university students, suggesting that video games might have a role to play in higher education.

The first step to commanding a high software developer salary

Students or employees who want to upskill or reskill in this area can enrol for degrees in software development. Through these courses, students will explore new technologies including 3D graphics; animation, game mechanics; user interface designing for games; gaming software development; the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and interactive design.

Programmes include the use of artificial intelligence in real-time strategy, race and first-person games as well as educational games. You’ll also learn the computer science that underpins programming, such as requirements analysis and design and network communications.

This course offers you specialist skills for a career in this dynamic field. You’ll graduate with a portfolio that showcases your work, ready to impress potential employers.

Students studying in the US can apply to receive up to 12 months of part-time Optional Practical Training (OPT) employment authorisation before completing their academic studies and/or after completing their academic studies.  Those who are pursuing degrees within certain fields in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM), may be eligible for a 24-month STEM OPT extension.

The news came as Microsoft and other video game industry heavyweights prepare to show off coming titles at an annual Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3) being held virtually beginning Saturday due to the pandemic. The chief executive Satya Nadella said in introducing the plan

“As a company, Microsoft is all-in on gaming three billion consumers look to gaming for entertainment, community, creation, as well as a real sense of achievement, and our ambition is to empower each of them, wherever they play.”

Microsoft has been playing on the strength of its Xbox unit as it vies with Luna and Stadia cloud gaming services run, respectively, by Amazon and Google.

The Xbox team is working with TV makers to embed software that will let video games typically enjoyed on its consoles be played directly from the cloud, requiring only hand-held controllers, according to Microsoft. The technology giant also announced it is building devices that will plug into any television screen or computer monitor to stream Xbox gameplay without any consoles.

In the coming weeks, cloud gaming with Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscriptions will be possible through internet browsers Chrome, Edge and Safari, according to Microsoft. Phil Spencer, Xbox unit head, said:

“There’s still a place for consoles and PCs and frankly, there always will be, but through the cloud, we will be able to deliver a robust gaming experience to anyone connected to the internet.”

And with the cloud, gaming players can participate fully in the same Xbox experience as people on local hardware. Xbox Game Pass had some 18 million subscribers worldwide at the end of last year, according to figures released by Nadella. Video gameplay has surged during the pandemic, as people turned more than ever to the internet for entertainment.

Overall consumer spending on video gaming in the United States totalled just shy of $15 billion in the first quarter of this year, up 30% from the same period in 2020, according to industry tracker NPD Group.

Microsoft will stream an Xbox and Bethesda Games Showcase on Sunday, featuring games from around the world.