Being a Twitch streamer might sound like the ideal job, but what are some realistic careers that gamers of all types can consider?

If you love to play video games, the typical response is that it's a passion that won't result in a job, but that is far from the truth. There are a variety of options you can look to if you're passionate about gaming, and this article has everything you need for you to figure out what may be your calling.

1. Write for Video Games

When playing your favorite game, you might not think too deeply about the writing behind it, but many jobs under the gaming umbrella involve writing. For example, in pre-production, video game writers work directly with developers to ensure that the game and its overall storyline is flowing smoothly.

Think about the script you read and every block of text you may encounter talking to an NPC (a Non-Player Character). Examine the game narrative, the player's actions and motivations, the in-depth tutorials or lore behind each character. Someone writes all these. Total War Warhammer II is a legendary example, considering every faction and lord has a unique and carefully crafted story. On the other hand, there are many casual games with surprisingly good stories.

If you want to write for video games, your main prerequisite is to be a creative writer. It would help if you were imaginative with an understanding of world-building, character development, story direction, and adding extra content such as side quests or things to push the narrative forward. These decisions are yours to make, which developers will later implement.

2. Game Design

Would you be able to envision a world that real-world players can engage in? If you're artistically gifted and think you can plan the ins and outs of a video game, then a career in game design may be an excellent path for you. However, please don't confuse a game designer with a game developer as they are different roles.

Designers create the rules, mechanisms, and concepts of a video game and ultimately aim to get into the minds of the player experience. It involves a considerable amount of creative focus, executed by those who have the skills to develop and program the game. Imagine the time it would have taken to design each World of Warcraft map. If that's too daunting, you can even create obstacles and elements in the role of a level designer.

3. Sound Design

For those dedicated musicians out there, sound design may be the job you were born for. Whether you're already an audio engineer or looking to change careers, designing the sound of a video game would be an all-around fun job. Sound designers have an essential role in brainstorming ideas to create the entire soundtrack for a game. This can include audio elements such as sound effects, voice-overs, theme songs, and background music.

Think about the sounds you hear when your Skyrim character throws a magic attack at the enemy, or every time Sonic the Hedgehog acquires a golden ring; every small detail matters. Dialogue editors, audio programmers, technical sound engineers, and audio directors may also work under this creative role. If you're interested in gaining experience, have a look at the best podcasts about audio and sound design.

4. Voice Acting

Have you always seen yourself as being a success in acting? Voice acting for a video game could be more your style. The role would include reading scripts or other kinds of material depending on the project, and the content needs to be high quality.

There might be a recording session that focuses on exertion noises such as screams, grunts, or background crowds, so you need to be open to sounding silly in front of a microphone! Upon passing the audition process, you would have the freedom to work from home or within a recording studio. Overall being confident in your voice will make this feel like a hobby more than work.

5. Virtual Reality Content Creator

This isn't the typical career you'd consider when thinking of a job that stems from gaming. The position requires multiple skills to bring to life virtual spaces, such as using computer-generated content to craft a synthetic world, 3D interactive development, and 360-degree immersive video.

For example, you could build worlds, branded content, demonstrations, virtual tours, and more. Imagine the impact you could have when launching a new company campaign. Think about advertising a theme park by giving people the chance to experience it virtually or allowing interested buyers to view their dream home remotely. If you're interested in the VR experience, look at how virtual reality is taking over immersive game experiences.

6. Games Marketing

Have you always wondered how video game posters, trailers, and overall promotional content are made? If the marketing material intrigues you more than it bothers you, maybe you're meant to be part of it. For every teaser trailer released, there's a complex series of planning behind it, and for every bold sign, you see there's a hard-working graphic designer. A game marketer can either be an assistant marketer and be given tasks such as social media management for a company or a marketing manager. The manager is ultimately in charge of the promotional campaigns.

Every video game company will need to hire a team of marketing professionals. However, if you hold a creative background in the design or media industries, you can break into this career. Even without formal experience, you can create a portfolio to show your skills.

7. User Interface Design

This is a job for someone who isn't afraid to learn the technical side of things. The controls within a video game aren't as simple as you might think because this interface needs to be well-thought-out, so games know how to play effortlessly.

The menus, levels, display, settings, navigation, and heads-up display are what players use to tweak a game to their liking, so this is a vital step. Consider the health or mana bar during a battle or the buttons you press when you want Spyro, the dragon, to jump and glide. Everything is strategically calibrated to feel easy for the user when it comes down to video games. If you feel confident in your abilities, this would be a gratifying career. Try customizing the Nintendo Switch user interface in your own time and make it better!

8. Localization

Localization translates a primary language to a range of others and helps expand a game to other countries that didn't have first-hand access. In addition, it allows a video game to be played worldwide—such as Pokémon. This job would give you the chance to put your love of languages to the test. This is also an excellent career for those who want the freedom to work freelance and in-house.

A Career in Games Is Possible

Never doubt your chances of working in the gaming industry if you're passionate about it because there will always be something to suit your skill-set. If you're also interested in making money by playing your favorite video games, you can do this as well. Video game careers aren't just black and white; they are now broader than ever before. So push forward and go for it!