Stop playing games, start making them...

The people who love to play computer games most are the ones making them. Can you think of a better career?

Games developers spend their days perfecting titles like Grand Theft Auto, Gran Turismo, Call of Duty, Pro Evolution Soccer… and loving it.

If you too can’t bring yourself to put down the controls and give your thumbs a rest, why don’t you consider doing it for a living?

The computer and video game industry is worth around £14.5 billion and the UK plays a major part in this, employing over 20,000 people alone. Entry-level salaries start at £18,000 – higher than the average graduate salary. And there’s always demand for testers, programmers, audio engineers, game designers and animators among other possibilities.

Lisa Corbett, a Recruitment Consultant for Graduate Programmers, said: “As games developers move on to the next generation of console systems like Xbox 360 and Playstation 3, team sizes are increasing and there is a greater demand for staff. Bright graduates with a passion for games can help fill these gaps and here at Aardvark Swift we are keen to help new talent break into the industry.”

To attract the right people into this area, the Engineering and Technology Board (ETB) is launching the biggest science, engineering and technology careers and lifestyle portal in the UK this Spring.

scenta, at www.scenta.co.uk/games , is aimed at young people aged 16–30, at the initial stages of making choices that will influence their future careers. It is designed to raise awareness of the exciting, cutting-edge industries open to people with science, engineering and technology skills.

The site hosts content on more than 115 organisations and the games channel has links to 35 leading companies. It also features people working in real jobs right now and carries one of the most comprehensive technology and engineering jobs section in the UK.

Dermot Watson, Managing Editor said

“The nature of engineering in the UK has moved faster than people’s perceptions, and now includes cutting-edge jobs in computer games and software engineering. We wanted to promote a relevant and accurate image of it, and to show people how they can play a part.

“The scenta site works on two levels. It has a careers centre focusing on the variety of technology occupations and another built around specific interests. These ‘channels’, including games, are designed to encourage people to explore careers in these areas.

“The scenta games channel provides news, features, career information, competitions, games cheats and jobs.”