| Level of studies: | master’s degree |
| Recommended high school specialisation: | Scientific or Economic |
| Employability: | Very good |
| Starting salary: | € 2,500 |
| Salary after experience: | € 3,350 |
| Mobility: | Very good |
| ROME code : | E1104 |
| FAP code : | U1Z82 |
What do they do?
Long before the teams of programmers and designers immerse themselves in a game’s development, a producer will first study the project’s feasibility. From the idea to the means used for the creation, from the target to the sales objectives, they will define all the financial elements that will be needed and the potential revenue. They can adjust the budget here and there and seek financial means elsewhere if the publisher cannot cover the cost independently. Then, when everything is completed, they make sure that the budget is respected. In addition to their financial skills, they also have an overview of production and ensure that the game’s quality is there.
Qualities and skills
You cannot become a producer overnight. It takes experience, a mastery of numbers and project management. Their role is key in the development process. Therefore, they must have essential qualities to practice their profession, such as:
- Work ethic
- Communication
- Organisation
- Outlook
- Leadership
- Stress management
In addition, a producer masters several elements, namely:
- Financial management
- Project management
- The production line of a video game
- The market
- English
The level of study required
Producing requires a certain level of study. It is impossible to become one straight after leaving school. A few years of experience will be required to acquire managerial knowledge, have a good outlook of the market, and also grasp the technical aspects. So, to have the basics in all these areas, you will need a master’s degree. The best thing to do is to do it in a video game school. This allows you to be immersed throughout the five years of education in a changing universe.
A general high school diploma with a speciality in digital and computer sciences, mathematics or engineering sciences is recommended because it is a profession that requires a sense of logic and organisation.
Courses
The courses to obtain the basics of production will focus on:
- Innovation management
- Financing innovation
- The fundamentals of business creation
- Financing a video game
- Developing and monitoring budgets
- Intellectual property law
- Management
- Digital marketing strategy
- Editorial strategies
- Mobile marketing
- Valuation and monetisation strategy
- Big data fundamentals and data management models
- Trade and e-trade marketing
Our G. Business school, located in Lyon and Paris, offers a bachelor’s degree in video games and esport management and an Entrepreneurship MBA specialising in video game project and innovation management, to see all the essential points for this profession.
From strategy to marketing, from economic models to project management methodology, from communication to financial analysis, including the financing of innovation or production.
In addition, by choosing G. Business, you will be immersed in video games throughout your course. Between meetings with professionals, support on your projects from Franck Juan (brand strategy), Jean Fox (innovation management), Véronique Palmier (financial analysis), Hannah Peters (digital marketing) and many others.
You will therefore work on concrete projects such as the design of a business, creating a business strategy, or realising a game concept.
Please note that our diplomas benefit from recognition from the rating agency EEA Eduniversal which elected them innovative diplomas of the year. Equally, they are certified under the RNCP Title, level 7
Apply for a course
We estimate that there are around 500 students in France who are enrolled in Video Game Producer training. Note that not all video game schools have a diploma in this field.
To join our MBAs, you must have a bachelor’s degree or the 1st year of a master’s degree to enter the 5th year. To get started, you will have to complete an application form directly on the school website.
Video game producer internships
We have chosen a course that leaves a great deal of room for professional immersion. Beyond masterclasses and meetings with professionals, we offer all students a series of internships during their training.
In a bachelor’s degree, the periods range from two months in the 1st and 2nd year to three months at the end of the 3rd year.
In an MBA you’ll do six months in the 4th year and a 5th year exclusively via internships and fixed-term contracts.
Internship offers are published within the school. In addition, sites such as AFJV, Seek-Team, or even Gaming jobs offer them regularly.
The salary of a producer
In France, a producer’s salary starts at around 32,000 euros per year, but it is on average 42,000 euros. On the other side of the Atlantic, the salary of a video game producer is more substantial. While the maximum salary can exceed $ 120,000, it averages $ 76,000 per year. In San Francisco, the pay scale is almost the same: from the lowest $ 54,000 to $ 113,000, at the highest.
Where can you work
In a company that develops mobile games like Voodoo, behemoths like Gameloft, Asobo or Arkane Studios; serious game publishers (Dowino), or even publishing companies (Riot Games, EA, etc.). All video game companies have a producer. On the other hand, offers are rare.
To find a job in the field, several general or specialised sites offer adverts regularly, such as:
Possible career developments
EAs they are already at the top of the ladder, a producer can progress by creating their own studio. They can also work in another universe close to video games such as cinema or animation.
The pros and cons
You have to have your head on your shoulders to be a producer. While the job is fascinating, the fact remains that you need to have real leadership ability. So this role has both advantages and disadvantages.
Disadvantages:
- Pressure
- The stress
- Work in an emergency
Advantages:
- To be able to become the director of the project
- A look at the entire production
- Know everything about video games
Is it possible to be a freelance video game producer?
Like some careers in video games, a producer is rarely a freelancer. There are rather fixed-term contracts, but it is rarer in freelance. Studios favour people who are internally at the heart of the machine, with teams and management.
Well-known video game producers
Behind every video game hides a producer, and some have reached international fame. This is the case for Eiji Aonuma, producer at Nintendo, Markus Persson who worked on Minecraft, and Shinji Hashimoto, the producer of Final Fantasy.
In summary
Video game producer in video
How can you become a video game producer?
As mentioned above, becoming a producer does not happen overnight. You need sufficient background in video games, management, financial management and technical expertise to imagine yourself in this position. You can already learn a minimum level of knowledge at school with our bachelor’s degree in video games and esport management and by further training with our MBA in Entrepreneurship, project management, and video game innovation. In five years, we give future professionals the means to take on a position of responsibility.