Career Outlook

With $17 billion in annual sales in the U.S., the video game industry is a fast-paced, entrepreneurial business, where innovation and collaboration drive success. Employers are looking for more than technical skill or artistic flair; above all else, they seek outstanding, team-oriented problem solvers.

The job market in this field is competitive, and as with any creative industry, finding a great job takes a strong portfolio, industry contacts, and perseverance. WPI’s nationally ranked Interactive Media & Game Development (IMGD) program includes a strong academic foundation to develop the critical thinking skills that employers seek, and our well-connected faculty provide an insider’s perspective to students. With our emphasis on project-based learning, students can build a killer portfolio to show prospective employers.

Roles and Salaries

The roles involved in developing interactive games include the following:

According to the Game Developer magazine 2011 salary survey, average entry-level salaries (3 or fewer years of experience) were $46,000 for game designers, artists, and animators; $51,000 for producers; and $55,000 for programmers.

In addition to entertainment-oriented games, opportunities are emerging in "serious games" – games that serve a purpose other than entertainment – with educational, military, business, public policy, and healthcare applications.

Employers of WPI IMGD Graduates

Graduates of WPI's IMGD program are employed across business, government, industry, and academia. Among the organizations employing WPI alumni: