Work

2. CHOOSE 4 JOB ROLES WITHIN THE CREATIVE
MEDIA SECTOR
• Research these roles, describe the specific sector they belong to and
the role they play within the media sector
• Describe the aim of the role, what would be a typical “Day in the Life…”
• Describe the difference types of work and contracts these jobs have
including full-time; part-time; freelance; permanent; temporary;
voluntary; casual; etc

3. JOB ROLE 1-ANIMATOR (GAMES)
Animators in the games industry are responsible for the portrayal of movement and behaviour. Most often
this is applied to give life to game characters and creatures, but sometimes animations are also
applied to other elements such as objects, scenery, vegetation and environmental effects. Specialist
software packages are used to create the animations, which are used for both automated or in game
behaviours and predefined sequences or cut scenes.
Animators must portray movement and behaviour in an efficient and effective way which makes best use
of the game engine’s technology, within the platform’s limitations. It is often necessary to restrict the
number of key frames used or the number of characters that can appear on the screen at a time.
Animators work closely with Programmers and Artists to create the best balance between smooth
seamless movement and optimised performance on the target platform.
Game production is collaborative and Animators work as part of the art department team. Using the
objects, models, and most importantly, characters created by 3D Artists, Animators define their
movements and behaviours and apply them using the animation tools and techniques provided by the
selected 3D animation software package. Game animation can be a complex combination of many
different types of movements, so the Animators must make extensive libraries of reusable animations
for each character.
They are also usually responsible for the technical processes of rigging and skinning of the characters,
which involves creating an underlying structure rather like the bones of a skeleton and attaching
appropriate body parts to each bone. This makes the animation process itself a lot more efficient. It is
full time.

4. JOB ROLE 2: QA TESTER
Quality Assurance Technicians, or Testers, perform a vital role. They test, tune, debug and suggest the
detailed refinements that ensure the quality and playability of the finished game. They play-test the
game in a systematic way, analysing the game’s performance against the designer’s intentions,
identifying problems and suggesting improvements. They test for bugs in the software, from complete
crashes to minor glitches in the programme.
They also act as the game’s first audience, reporting on its playability and identifying any aspects which
could be improved. Playing games all day for a living might sound like an ideal job, but this is in fact a
highly disciplined role. They are responsible for assuring quality in the final product and for finding all
the flaws in a game before it goes public. They look for programme bugs - spelling mistakes,
localisation problems (variations of the game are required for different territories), graphical or audio
glitches, and also any copyright issues.
QA Testers must know which issues are the most important and be able to prioritise them for fixing. They
work to deadlines and must understand production and marketing schedules. They normally use a
software quality management system to document findings. They work in teams, sometimes playing
together on a multi-player game or a team might ‘own’ part of a game. Testing involves playing a game
over and over again, testing different levels and builds (incomplete ‘development versions’ of a game,
sometimes with various features missing).
The work can be repetitive and tedious, but Testers have to test long after the novelty and fun factor may
have worn off. They must be diplomatic when communicating with other team members and accept
that they can have only limited influence over the game design. They also need to be able to anticipate
different ways the game will be played, and test accordingly. This is part time.

5. JOB ROLE 3: GAME PROGRAMMER
Game Programmers work at the heart of the game development process. They design and write the
computer code that runs and controls the game, incorporating and adapting any ready-made code
libraries and writing custom code as required. They test the code and fix bugs, and also develop
customised tools for use by other members of the development team.
Different platforms (games consoles, PCs, handhelds, mobiles, etc.) have particular programming
requirements and there are also various specialisms within programming, such as physics
programming, AI (artificial intelligence), 3D engine development, interface and control systems.
Games development is an increasingly complex process and large teams of Programmers might be
involved in creating a game, some in leadership roles, some working on just one aspect.
Programmers are employed by development studios – publisher-owned and independent. They also work
for middleware producers, an increasingly important sector providing cross-platform graphics
rendering, game physics, sound management, AI, and other specialist tools. Programmers might also
work for localisation companies which translate and re-version games for different territories.
There are many different programming roles. Job titles include: Games programmer; Tools programmer;
AI programmer; Middleware programmer. The Programmers create different 'builds' of a game,
liaising with the QA Testers to fix any bugs identified at each stage. They might also work with a
Localisation Manager to create versions of the game for different platforms and territories. This is full
time.

6. JOB ROLE 4:LEVEL EDITOR
The Level Editor defines and creates interactive architecture for a segment of a game, including the
landscape, buildings and objects. They must be true to the overall design specification, using the
characters and story elements defined by the Game Designer, but they often have considerable
freedom to vary the specific look and feel of the level for which they are responsible. They define the
environment, general layout of the spaces within the level, and lighting, textures, and forms.
The define the characters and objects involved, whether they are player-controlled or non-player
characters, and any specific behaviours associated with the characters and objects. They also
develop the gameplay for the level, which includes the challenges that the characters face and the
actions they must take to overcome them. The architecture helps to define those challenges by
presenting obstacles, places to hide, tests of skill, and other elements to explore and interact with.
The setting and atmosphere devised by the Level Editor can also give the player clues about different
ways of progressing though the level and the game as a whole. The Level Editor first sketches ideas
on paper or using 2D drawing software. They have to imagine the playing experience, putting
themselves in the position of the player, mapping out all the possibilities.
The ideas are then worked out in 3D and tested in the game engine, which produces further ideas. In
consultation with the Programmers and Artists, the Level Editor draws up a detailed inventory of level
‘assets’ (all the objects and programming requirements needed to make the level run in the game in
its final form).
Every asset can impact on the game’s performance and the Level Editor must understand the technical
constraints to which the team is working, e.g. there may be a limit on the number and complexity of
objects that can be displayed on screen at any one time. This is full time

7. GAINING EMPLOYMENT IN THE MEDIA SECTOR
• Describe how you would hope to gain employment within this role e.g.
education, training, work experience and volunteering
• Describe possible career paths within the industry e.g. where might you
be in a years’ time, five years’ time or 10 years’ time.

8. GAINING EMPLOYMENT THROUGH EDUCATION
Game animators often have a bachelor's degree, but employers also hire artists
without a formal educational background who are creative and proficient in the
required software. However an artist with a high school diploma, experience and
technical skills can also obtain a position in video game animation.
QA testing is generally considered an entry-level position in the game industry. Most
companies do not require a college degree to be hired as a game tester. But if you
do get a degree, then you have a much better chance of moving into higher-paying
jobs in QA, or moving into other areas of game development like art, design or
programming.
Game programmers: Typically, employers look for candidates with a bachelor's degree
in information systems or a similar field. A strong background in math and science,
as well as an understanding of gaming, can help make a game programmer
successful.
There is no specific qualification to become a level editor. However, a degree in the
designing, software development or engineering is preferred. The level editor must
be aware and familiar with 3D modelling packages and fluency in programming is
vital.

9. GAINING EMPLOYMENT THROUGH TRAINING
Games animator- Most of your training would be on the job, learning from more experienced
animators. You will also need to keep up to date with developments in the animation
industry throughout your career. Your employer may organise some training courses for
you, or you may be responsible for your own training and development. You can take
short courses in various animation software packages and techniques at several film
schools, universities and private training companies.
QA tester- You will mainly develop your skills on the job, although your employer may train
you to use their bug reporting software and design test plans. You could increase your
skills by gaining Professional Certification in Software Testing (formerly known as ISEB)
through The Chartered Institute for IT.

10. GAINING EMPLOYMENT THROUGH WORK
EXPERIENCE AND VOLUNTEERING
You may be able to get experience of working in the animation industry through a
Creative Skillset Film Craft and Technical Trainee Placement Scheme. The
scheme is designed to help people who have some industry experience or
training to find trainee placements on UK feature films. With experience and
advanced skills, you can progress from junior roles to animator, lead animator
and animation director.