Work Environment
Game Producers typically work in the following Career Sectors:
Videos on the Web
- Game Producer- from: Youtube Search
Most commonly reported Work Activities
- Coordinating the Work and Activities of Others Getting members of a group to work together to accomplish tasks.
- Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
- Getting Information Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
- Organising, Planning, and Prioritising Work Developing specific goals and plans to prioritise, organise, and accomplish your work.
- Interacting With Computers Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
- Scheduling Work and Activities Scheduling events, programs, and activities, as well as the work of others.
- Developing and Building Teams Encouraging and building mutual trust, respect, and cooperation among team members.
- Monitoring and Controlling Resources Monitoring and controlling resources and overseeing the spending of money.
- Making Decisions and Solving Problems Analysing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
- Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.
The Work
Creating a modern video game is no small feat. Each one is a unique project which involves contributions from many disciplines, including artists, programmers, designers, business people, and marketers.
A game isn’t ready until the team has succeeded in “finding the fun”! This is very difficult to plan for.
Producers work as the project managers for games, working in a challenging inter-disciplinary environment to ensure games can be shipped on time. Games often have a “pre-production” phase where the scope of the project is established, followed by a “production” phase where the plan is executed.
In some companies, especially larger ones, 10% or more of the staff might be producers. There can also be specialised producers, such as an art producer who manages art production tasks.
Many game studios struggle with project management, and this can often lead to a culture of “crunch” where staff are asked to work for long hours. In the right culture, a good producer can protect their staff from extended “crunch”, and ensure the team gets a rest after busy periods.
Work tasks...
- Communicate with key stakeholders to plan and review a game’s scope, schedule, resources, and budget.
- Create and maintain a production plan which accommodates the budget, available staff, partnerships, and ambitions of the company.
- Be assigned a team, check in regularly to understand where they’re at, and step in to mediate and offer solutions to problems where they arise.
- Anticipate issues which could delay or prevent work being done, and working with the team to minimise risks.
Most commonly reported Work Tasks
- Manage project execution to ensure adherence to budget, schedule, and scope.
- Confer with project personnel to identify and resolve problems.
- Monitor or track project milestones and deliverables.
- Submit project deliverables, ensuring adherence to quality standards.
- Assess current or future customer needs and priorities by communicating directly with customers, conducting surveys, or other methods.
- Initiate, review, or approve modifications to project plans.
- Schedule and facilitate meetings related to information technology projects.
- Direct or coordinate activities of project personnel.
- Develop implementation plans that include analyses such as cost-benefit or return on investment (ROI).
- Identify need for initial or supplemental project resources.
Qualities - Game Producer
First and foremost, all producers need to be good listeners. Things rarely go according to plan, and being able to listen for the early signs of problems, or understanding why certain team members are having difficulty, is essential towards finding solutions.
Of course, attention to detail and the ability to plan and manage tasks and budgets is a key skill. It’s also important to show adaptability when there are delays or changes to funding and staff availability.
Interests - Game Producer
This occupation is typically suited for people with the following Career Interests:
Enterprising
Enterprising people like situations that involve using resources for personal or corporate economic gain. Such people may have an opportunistic frame of mind, and are drawn to commerce, trade and making deals. Some pursue sales and marketing occupations. Many will eventually end up owning their own business, or in management roles in larger organisations. They tend to be very goal-oriented and work best when focused on a target. Some have an entrepreneurial inclination.
Administrative
Administrative people are interested in work that offers security and a sense of being part of a larger process. They may be at their most productive under supervisors who give clear guidelines and while performing routine tasks in a methodical and reliable way.
They tend to enjoy clerical and most forms of office work, where they perform essential administrative duties. They often form the backbone of large and small organisations alike. They may enjoy being in charge of office filing systems, and using computers and other office equipment to keep things running smoothly. They usually like routine work hours and prefer comfortable indoor workplaces.
Social
The Social person's interests focus on interacting with the people in their environment. In all cases, the Social person enjoys the personal contact with other people in preference to the impersonal dealings with things, data and ideas found in other groups.
Many will seek out positions where there is direct contact with the public in some advisory role, whether a receptionist or a counsellor. Social people are motivated by an interest in different types of people and like diversity in their work environments. Many are drawn towards careers in the caring professions and social welfare area, whilst others prefer teaching and other 'informing' roles.
Entry - Game Producer
There are many ways to become a producer!
One is to become qualified in project management, which will provide many important skills. From there, it will be important to learn about each of the roles within a game studio and how they work, to develop trust with the team that their assigned tasks will be realistic.
Alternatively, someone might have a passion for delivering a great product, and sees that the best way they can help is mediating between other roles and helping things run smoother.
This can cause them to transition from another role in the games industry, such as a Community Manager, Quality Assurance tester, Esport Coach, or Game Designer. From there, they may choose to upskill in project management.
Further info...
Last Updated: January, 2023
Pay & Salary - Game Producer
Salary Range (thousands per year)* €35k - €93k
Salries vary based on employer, location, role, duties, and experience. Salary can be sessional based on project work.
Data Source(s):
Blake & Filip/ Indeed/ Payscale
Last Updated: July, 2024
* The lower figures typically reflect starting salaries. Higher salaries are awarded to those with greater experience and responsibility. Positions in Dublin sometimes command higher salaries.
View Salary information from Indeed.ie
Note: data not aways available
Labour Market Updates - Game Producer
This information has been derived from the Solas National Skills Bulletin (2023).
The annual average employment growth rate for this occupation over the five-year period was strong, with employment levels growing annually since 2018. Those employed were primarily male (70%), working full-time (97%) and the share of non-Irish citizens at 19% was in line with the national average.
The number of employment permits issued grew from 359 in 2021 to 974 in 2022; although the majority were for the ICT sector, they also spanned a range of other sectors, with roles including IT project/program manager and technical lead. Vacancies for IT project managers were identified in the Recruitment Agency Survey and by employers (Spotlight on Skills and Skills for Growth) as being difficult to fill. While demand may be slowing, shortages persist for this occupation.
Useful Contacts - Game Producer
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Imirt Irish Game Makers
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Ardan
- Cluain Mhuire Wellpark Road, Galway City, Ireland, H91 WP9K
- 091 770 748
- [email protected]
- Click Here
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Animation Ireland
- The Association of Animation Producers in Ireland Ltd, 14 – 16 Lord Edward Street, Dublin 2, D02 YC63
- Click Here
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Ireland ESports
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Animation Skillnet
- Animation Skillnet Office Furthr, Suite 34 GEC, Taylor’s Lane Dublin 8
- 087 2487391
- [email protected]
- Click Here
