Haven Entertainment Studios Inc was acquired by Sony last year in March 2022. The Montreal-based studio brings with it a team of top-tier game developers with more than a decade of experience developing some of the world’s most popular and beloved Gaming franchises. With the advent of new tech integrations like cloud and AR/VR, the time has never been more opportune for anyone to think about a career in gaming. With the right skillsets and a deep understanding of human psychology or narrative, anyone can make it in the industry. The biggest problem, though, is the lack of talent.

According to a recent report by Entertainment Software Association, women account for 48% of global gamers. The total number of gamers in the world stands at 3.24 billion, which is just under 50% of the global population. According to recent data, the total market value of the global gaming industry stood at $198 billion in 2021 and is projected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 8.9% from 2022-2027. The global gaming market is still dominated by major players such as Sony, Nintendo and Microsoft. However, India has some gaming unicorns such as Gaming 24×7 & Mobile Premier League.

From a career point of view, there are many career opportunities in the gaming industry. There are writers to game designers, animators to programmers, engineers to testers, UI & UX designers, and even analysts, marketing and sales professionals. For a game to come to life and grab the hearts of millions of people, a wide range of skills need to work in harmony with each other. Foundational programming languages like C#, Java, Javascript, and HTML play a vital role in accelerating the game development process while minimizing the impact on the end user.

One may be tempted to ask, “What can a cloud administrator do for the gaming industry?” However, given the ever-evolving role of cloud technology in providing access to billions of gamers around the globe, a certification in Azure, AWS, or GCP Cloud Administration can open the door to a lucrative career in gaming for a professional. Furthermore, a certification in Full Stack Development can prepare an individual to pursue a career in game development. Additionally, a Data Analytics program can position an individual as an analyst in a gaming company.

Qualifications in new technologies such as AR/VR and integration of cloud functionality are crucial for building a robust backend infrastructure that supports multiplayer online games. It is no secret that the current educational system in India is not up-to-date with the industry standards and young professionals require further training to develop the necessary skills and self-assurance to meet the demands of the industry. The importance of skills training organisations has never been higher. With industry professionals from different fields creating targeted programs that train professionals in the right functional and behavioural competencies, gaming companies have access to a pool of talent that is driving unprecedented growth.

A combination of high-bandwidth internet access, more powerful hardware, and advances in AR and VR have contributed to the industry’s consistent growth since 2020 when a record number of gamers jumped on the gaming bandwagon.

Regardless of their position in the market, gaming companies are continuing to consolidate their position by buying up smaller players and concentrating their efforts on innovation and enhancing consoles and gaming experiences in general. According to the Invest India agency, the online gaming industry generated revenue of Rs. 1.2 bn in 2021 and India is the country with the highest growth in New Paying Users in online gaming.

In the 90s and early 2000s, you would have played games like Minesweeper, Tetris, Pacman, or Mario. In the late 2000s and early 2010s, smartphones were becoming more and more popular in developing economies such as China and India, and games like Angry Birds, Temple Run, and Desktop Defender were all the rage. In recent years, Multiplayer Role-Playing Games (MMORPG) like Call of Duty – Warzone, Fortnite, or sandbox games like Minecraft have attracted thousands of players who are willing to spend hundreds of dollars on the levels of customization offered by these games. Animal Crossing was highly praised for its social simulation and its ability to help people manage conditions such as anxiety. We can say that the gaming industry is much more than just a game!

Credit: The Times Of India

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