What Does A Game Producer Do (including Their Typical Day at Work)

Stan T.Career, Overview

Salary, Job Description, How To Become One, and Quiz

Game Producers

Game Producers are responsible for the overall development of video game projects. They are involved in every step, from hiring Designers and Artists to managing the production schedule and budget.

Salary
$79400
Education
Bachelor's degree
Personality
Interest Match


What does it take to produce a video game? Creating a video game may involve dozens to hundreds of Programmers, Designers, and Artists. A single project may also include a multi-million-dollar budget and extensive marketing campaigns.

Someone needs to bring the team together, manage all the moving parts, and keep the project on track. In most cases, that someone is the Game Producer. Game Producers often have a wide range of duties and responsibilities, but the role varies at each video game development company and publisher.

Here is a closer look at what Game Producers do and how to become one.

What they do

Game Producers are responsible for the overall development of video game projects. They are involved in every step, from hiring Designers and Artists to managing the production schedule and budget.

Negotiate Contracts and Licensing Deals

Game Producers may directly negotiate contracts when selecting staff for a video game development project. Internal Game Producers who work for game development companies may need to negotiate with publishers to secure funding for the game.

The direction of the game, the budget, and the timeframe for completion are a few of the details that the Game Producer needs to work out with the publisher. Game Producers are often responsible for negotiating licensing deals as well.

Collaborate on the Initial Plans for Projects

The Game Producer works closely with the Lead Designer and Lead Artist to outline the initial plans for the video game. They outline the plot, scenarios, and characters.

The early development of a game may start before the Game Producer secures funding for the project. If the Game Producer is employed by the developer, they collaborate on the initial plans before pitching the idea to publishers. External Game Producers work for the publisher and collaborate on projects before finding a developer that can handle the project.

Maintain Schedules and Budgets

Game Producers may need to maintain schedules and budgets to ensure that the project stays on track. However, not all Game Producers remain in charge of the day-to-day development of the video game.

Game Producers employed by publishers or large developers may hand over these responsibilities to a Project Manager. At smaller game studios, the Game Producer remains involved in the daily management of the game.

Act as a Liaison Between Staff and Stakeholders

The Game Producer is often the liaison between development staff and stakeholders. They keep stakeholders updated on the progress of the game, including any delays or setbacks that may impact the launch date or potential profits.

The stakeholders are often the publishers of the game. Publishers often provide the Game Producer with notes and critiques to pass on to the development team.

Arrange and Oversee Quality Assurance and Beta Testing

Game Producers ensure that a video game is ready for launch using several types of testing, starting with quality assurance testing. Quality assurance testing involves hiring QA testers to play the game and search for glitches. The Programmers then attempt to fix the glitches before the product is released.

Beta testing is occasionally used to test a game with real users before launch. A select group of players play the game from their homes and submit feedback to the developers.

Oversee Multiple Projects

External Game Producers who work for game publishers may work on multiple projects at one time. Producers who work on several projects simultaneously tend to have less of a hands-on role. They focus more on keeping stakeholders updated and coordinating with Line Producers.

What is the job like

Bulkhead Interactive

To give you a little background, I ran my own video game studio for 4 years and in that time won multiple awards such as the UK Games Fund, Creative Englands CE50 and was BAFTA nominated! Since then, I have branched out into becoming a Producer for my current workplace whilst also running my own … Read More


StoryByte Studio

My name is Rosemary and I am a Game Producer and Writer. As a game producer, I am responsible for the overall success of our game Shadow’s Edge. This means that I oversee pretty much every part of the game. From funding to setting the budget to hiring people and managing the team. I get … Read More


Pros

You May Get to Develop a Hit Video Game

Game Producers bring video game projects to life, giving you the chance to be directly involved in developing a hit video game.

You Get to Help Foster New Talent

Game Producers are often involved in the hiring process, allowing you to select and nurture the next generations of video game developers.

Your Job Requires Creativity

Video game development is a great creative outlet for those who enjoy creating unique and original content.

The Challenges Can Be Rewarding

Game Producers frequently need to address challenges, which can make this job intellectually stimulating and rewarding.

Cons

You Will Work Long Hours

Working as a Game Producer involves long hours, especially toward the end of the development process.

You May Need to Compromise on Your Vision

Game Producers occasionally need to remove features or ideas based on feedback from stakeholders, which can be disappointing.

Where they work

Video Game Publishers
Video Game Developers
Software Development Companies
Advertising and Marketing


Most Game Producers are external producers and employed by the video game publisher that is producing the game. Internal producers are hired by video game developers instead of the publisher.

Game Producers may also work for software development companies that dabble in game development. Some Game Producers seek work outside the video game industry, working for the advertising and marketing industries.

How to become one

Step 1: Study Computers, Programming, and Video Games

Game Producers need an understanding of computers, programming, and how video games are made. High school students start exploring these topics at school or through independent research.

Step 2: Earn a Bachelor’s Degree

A Bachelor’s Degree is considered the minimum educational requirement for this profession. Video Game Producers often major in Game Design, Computer Science, or Business.

Step 3: Learn How to Use Video Game Development Tools

Aspiring Game Producers should understand how to use the tools used in video game development. Students who do not major in Game Design or a related degree should take courses to learn how to use video game development engines, such as Unreal Engine 4 (UE4) and Unity. Useful programming languages include Java, C, and C++.

Step 4: Find an Entry-Level Job in the Video Game Industry

Game Producer is a position that requires years of experience in smaller roles. Get an entry-level job in the video game industry to gain the necessary experience. Many Game Producers start as Quality Assurance Testers.

Step 5: Seek Promotions and Jobs with More Responsibilities

Continue to seek promotions and senior positions. Project Manager is a common path to becoming a Game Producer.

Should you become one

Best personality type for this career

The Leader

People with this personality likes to start and work on projects. They also like leading people and making many decisions.

You can read more about these career personality types here.

Video Game Producers are often methodical, as they need to develop complex projects that involve many stages and skilled workers. Game Producers also tend to be curious and imaginative, which are useful traits for developing creative video games.

Successful Game Producers are also typically extroverts and natural leaders, as this job often involves leading and managing others. Empathy is a useful trait for Game Producers, as it helps them connect with their team.

Take this quiz to see if this is the right career for you.

FAQ

What tools should Game Producers know?

Most Producers start out with websites like Trello and Hack N Plan and then move onto bigger things such as JIRA, Asana, or other similar websites. Honestly, though it is truly dependent on what you are trying to achieve. Hack N Plan is great for small teams with small fast goals whereas JIRA is way … Read More

Answered by:
Zach Cundall
Game Producer


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