Marcelo bellucci
04/06/2021 11:11
Clarín.com
Technology
Updated 04/06/2021 11:11
In Argentina there is a prosperous video game industry that is in full expansion and opens up new opportunities for young talent.
The figures from the Digital 2021 report only corroborate this trend:
75% of cell phone carriers adopted video games as one of their favorite hobbies.
Locally,
there are nearly 25 million casual gamers
- on a base of 33.1 million phones, according to
statista
data
- that are increasingly generating jobs for a dynamic sector that will soon reach a value of 72 billion. dollars globally.
For those who dream of practicing this digital activity, different experts in the field
list the skills required and the knowledge that is needed
to be part of this world.
To develop a video game, different technical profiles are needed in collaboration.
“The growth of the industry caused
the appearance of more jobs and new professionals
, thus giving more opportunities to those who want to dedicate themselves to this trade.
In this sense, being creative and decisive are some of the required experiences.
In addition, perseverance, a collaborative attitude and active learning are the bases to obtain a position ”, says Valeria Colombo, head of engineering at Etermax.
In Game To Work, ManpowerGroup research reveals that 43% of employers are looking for professionals with skills that go beyond the technical.
That is,
that they handle social skills such as collaboration, communication and the potential to see beyond
.
“Video games bring a generation with a different air.
It is that most gamers
have the skills most demanded by companies, such as teamwork, decision-making
, critical thinking, effective feedback or leadership ”, warns Colombo.
The requirements
In addition to programming, soft skills such as collaboration, communication, and leadership are required.
Beyond the tools used and the methods used to animate the characters,
different technical profiles intervene in the production of a video game
.
“The number of programmers on a work team far exceeds the number of designers and artists.
That is why there are more job opportunities for programming
.
VFX or Technical Artist, is also a profile that is often sought.
The demand is not high, but the supply is very low.
In Argentina, there are not many trained personnel in this area ”, explains Carlos Martínez, director of the Da Vinci School.
The salaries?
Although it depends a lot according to the company and the function,
an average worker of a national startup receives about 100,000 pesos per month
.
Most receive target prizes depending on how successful the game is, which makes a substantial difference at the end of the month.
One of the great myths in circulation legitimizes that, while computer or console games require years of production, cell phone titles are simpler but also more addictive.
Mobile games are the most profitable in the industry.
Photo: Juano Tesone
“The process is similar for the two platforms.
It all begins with the gestation of an idea that is shaped, designed, planned and produced
.
Once this stage is finished, it goes through a series of tests to ensure its correct operation before going on the market.
In both cases, it is a multidisciplinary process that involves professionals in various areas, from programming, graphic design, animation, sound, music, among others, ”says Colombo.
Some developers specialize
in genres like RPG, FPS, arcade, or simulation
.
Others focus on adapting titles from one language to another, such as Japanese to English.
Now, what does it take to start programming?
“
No prior knowledge is necessary, other than the approved secondary.
All the contents are provided in the classes by the live teachers.
In addition, there are computers and different rooms (VR, chroma, audio, motion capture) fully accessible.
So a PC is not necessary to complete the degree, ”says Martínez.
The Etermax team, one of the most important locally, authors of the Trivia Crack saga.
For more than 30 years that video games have been part of the entertainment culture
and their evolution is such, today they have the ability to compete with the best film productions.
“The race lasts 3 years.
Once finished, the student –Matínez comments-
can enter the workplace as a general
video game
programmer
, 3D modeler or junior content / level designer ”.
Regarding investment, a study by Newzoo showed that of the 6.8 billion dollars that gaming generated in Latin America in 2020,
46% comes from the mobile market,
while only 28% corresponds to console and 26% to PC.
Most games are financed by third-party advertising.Photo Juano Tesone
The question for many is
how a mobile game is financed, taking into account that most of them are free
and with some exceptions, they have a fidelity peak of two weeks until their effect is diluted.
“Yes, all of our games are free to play, that is, users do not pay to download or use them.
To make it possible to offer a free service, other brands display advertising in our games, ”reveals Colombo.
Additionally,
there are several application monetization models
that companies can combine to make a profit.
“The best known
is the premium, which is buying the game to access it.
Freemium involves playing for free up to a level and paying to unlock or pay an extra subscription to have a better experience.
The free to play are freely accessible and are monetized through advertising or acquisition of products within the game, ”says Colombo.
SL
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