Highest-paying jobs for gamers in Singapore
If your screen time reports state that you spend the majority of your time besting foes, or levelling up your virtual persona, chances are, you’re a gamer. Ah, if only you could do this for a living. Well, it turns out you can. Here are some of the highest-paying jobs for gamers in Singapore where you can turn your passion into a profession.
You might ask “gaming industry got money meh?” Yes. In fact, reports state that the video game industry now makes more money than other entertainment industries, including the movie and music industries combined. And we’re talking cold, hard cash, not gold coins or imaginary loot.
So, we checked out listings on job search engines like Indeed and Glassdoor for local openings and salary ranges. Take a look at the various roles and companies where you can look to advance your career in the gaming industry.
1. Gameplay Programmer or Developer – Up to $13,000/month
Image credit: DigiPen (Singapore)
Sometimes a game comes along and reinvents an entire genre. Insomniac Games blew everyone away with their Spider-Man franchise, maximising the PS5’s new hardware; while studios like Rockstar Games constantly deliver winning titles on different platforms like Grand Theft Auto and Red Dead Redemption.
As a Gameplay Programmer or Developer, you’ll be developing software, as well as collaborating with designers and artists to bring your visions to life. One of the telltale signs that game programming is a possible career path for you is if you enjoy subjects like math and physics, or like solving technical problems with out-of-the-box thinking skills.
Possible companies to look at:
- Ubisoft
- Unity
- Mixed Realms
- Century Games
- Riot Games
- Koei Tecmo
- Bandai Namco
2. Game Designer – Up to $10,000/month
‘It Takes Two’ took home Game of the Year in 2021 despite being only the 2nd game published by its developers.
Image credit: Electronic Arts
Remember that feeling of accomplishment having bested the final virtual boss? Well, someone designed the game so you would feel that way long after the credits rolled across your screen. Those peeps are Game Designers.
Game Designers oversee games through their entire lifecycle, incorporating core game mechanics that decide how players progress through the games. You’ll have to engage your creativity to build memorable experiences for players and add features that will keep them coming back for more.
Image credit: Dota 2
If you need inspiration, just look to IceFrog, who designed his own multiplayer online battle arena game mode on Warcraft III at the age of 25. And today, we have Dota 2 and an entire genre of games inspired by his creation. So, dream big.
Possible companies to look at:
- Virtuous
- Riot Games
- HoYoverse
- Refract Technologies
- Gravity Game Hub
- Huawei
- Game Reign
3. Game Engineer – Up to $7,000/month
If you fiddle with your settings a lot to get the best visuals, you might have a career in Game Engineering.
Image adapted from: Ubisoft via YouTube
A huge part of the experience when gaming is how it looks and feels. If you can’t stand low FPS or badly rendered assets then perhaps you could try gunning for a job as a Game Engineer. These folks work behind the scenes with programmers and developers to design virtual worlds for players to get lost in.
The Unity offices in Singapore.
Image credit: Unity
A background in computer science is integral to game creation, and you have to be proficient in languages like C++, C#, and Python. If you’re a fresh poly grad, consider taking up a computer science degree programme to get the necessary skills.
Possible companies to look at:
- Ubisoft
- Unity
- Bandai Namco
- Riot Games
- Tencent
- HoYoverse
4. Professional Esports Athlete or Streamer – Up to $5,000/month
Singapore team finishing in the top 16 at the FIFA eNations World Cup 2023 (left) and a 2023 League of Legends World Championship winner (right).
Image adapted from: @kunfps, @lolesports via Instagram
Times have truly changed. Back in June 2023, Singapore hosted the first-ever Olympic Esports Week which saw over 100 gamers competing on games like Just Dance, Gran Turismo 7, and Fortnite. Aside from Olympic gold, silver, or bronze, there are plenty of other trophies and titles that every gamer dreams of winning.
So, if you’ve got mad skills, you could gun to become a Professional Esports Athlete. But fair warning, you have to be very, very, very good to stand out in this billion-dollar industry. On the off chance you don’t make it as a professional gamer, you could always choose the path of a Streamer, playing games for the entertainment of others.
5. UX Designer – Up to $6,000/month
UX Designers create interfaces that add to the overall gaming experience.
Image credit: DigiPen (Singapore)
UX Designers live and breathe creativity, design, and innovation. The role refers to user experience and these are the people who craft interfaces and levels for many of the games you play. If games were complex, top-of-the-line machines, a UX Designer would write the instruction manual and design the buttons you press.
Image credit: Hearthstone
You aim for high fidelity and ease of access as a UX Designer, with the hope that your work encourages players to keep coming back for more. Plus, your skills will be transferable to other products and services. For example, you’ll be able to design interfaces for apps, websites, and even machines. So, if you have an eye for designs in games, this might be the job for you.
Possible companies to look at:
- Blizzard
- Garena
- ByteDance
- Singtel
- MINDEF
- Shopee
- Unity
- Mighty Bear Games
6. Senior Game Artist – Up to $6,500/month
Image credit: DigiPen (Singapore)
When you think of iconic video game characters, a few might spring to mind – Mario and his signature overalls, or a speedy hedgehog that sports an uncommon shade of blue. Someone must have cooked up these beloved characters in their head and manifested them into reality, right? The answer: Character Artists.
Must be surreal watching characters you created now played by Hollywood actors IRL.
Image adapted from: Naughty Dog, HBO.com
If you spend way too much time designing character avatars or are drawn towards the aesthetics of a game, chances are that you appreciate good graphical details and animations. Make no mistake, the work involved in computer graphics creation is demanding, but the payoff is definitely worth it.
Imagine seeing something you dreamt up, sketched, or animated realised in playable form for millions of gamers. Leonardo da Vinci had the Mona Lisa, Taylor Swift has her chart-toppers but you could have a hand in creating the next Pikachu or Master Chief.
Possible companies to look at:
- Ubisoft
- Tencent
- Wonderlab
- Bandai Namco
- Koei Tecmo
7. Data Scientist or Analyst – Up to $8,000/month
Big updates are often backed by datasets indicating what players want or need to keep playing.
These days, everything is tied to an algorithm of some kind. Games are no exception to this rule and that’s where Data Scientists come in. Their roles vary from analysing player behaviour for the purpose of improving the gaming experience to seeking out statistics and trends to increase profitability.
It’s an in-demand profession, with all sorts of industries trying to use data to benefit their businesses. So if gaming is your passion, and sense-making is one of your strong suits, game companies need someone with your skillset to stay ahead of the curve.
Possible companies to look at:
- ByteDance
- Affyn
- Tencent
- HoYoverse
- Razer
- Apple
8. Esports Shoutcaster – Up to $106/hour
Eugene “ABSTRACT” Eu in his element, analyzing teamfights, and professional tactics.
Image credit: @suchabstract via Instagram
There are two sides to any sport: The players, and the fans. An Esports Shoutcaster connects the two sides by providing play-by-play analysis to keep viewers informed and engaged.
Esports Shoutcasters are to gaming what commentators are to sports; it’s dynamic and painstakingly tough to do. At the pace games are played at, you might have to spit out words so fast you could moonlight as a rapper. And if you know multiple languages, you could even be part of international leagues.
While we’ve seen positions at around $3,000/month listed locally, some US companies also hire remote shoutcasters at a pay of USD$80/hour (~S$106/hour) while you work from home.
Possible companies to look at:
- Riot Games
- Cybersports & Online Gaming Association
- One Championship
9. Product Manager – Up to $8,000/month
Image credit: Riot Games
If you haven’t already realised, a lot goes into making the video games we know and love. To bring all the roles together, studios and developers have Product Managers who map out milestones for development teams to reach. They also oversee the game’s progress through all its stages.
Even after the game goes live, Product Managers need to analyse player data to spot trends and behaviours for teams to adapt their software to. With loot boxes, micro-transactions, and player health starting to become more of a concern, your job scope may also entail maintaining the ethical integrity of a game.
Possible companies to look at:
- 2K Games
- Garena
- Solidleisure Solutions Inc.
- Riot Games
- Ubisoft
Education & skills you need to get a high-paying job as a gamer
Unless you’re godlike with a controller or keyboard, getting into the gaming industry might seem like a tough ask. But if you truly love video games and their many facets, you’re gonna need to brush up on your programming and design skills before you begin looking up some of these companies. Think of it like preparing for a big boss battle, or gearing up for a new dungeon.
Image credit: DigiPen (Singapore)
DigiPen Institute of Technology Singapore offers various degree programs to prepare you for a career in the gaming industry and beyond.
Choose from several Computer Science degrees in software and game development. In these courses, you’ll learn computer programming, custom engine development, real-time simulations, and interactive design amongst various other skills.
DigiPen (Singapore)’s Engineering degree in mechatronics systems will equip you with skills in mechanical, electrical, and computer engineering. The multidisciplinary programme will enable you to become a full-fledged Systems Engineer who is familiar with both hardware and software engineering – a versatile trait that has applications in almost any industry, not just gaming.
Before you battle in the field of professional art production, DigiPen (Singapore)’s Art and Design degrees in UX/UI design, game design, digital art, and animation enable aspiring creators to see their visions realised in digital form.
The Overseas Immersion Programme is compulsory for all of DigiPen (SIngapore)’s undergrads.
Image credit: DigiPen Institute of Technology Singapore Facebook
It’s not all just about theory and tutorials at DigiPen (Singapore) either; their curriculum includes collaborations with budding artists, game developers, and designers as well as real-world studio visits. The curriculum even includes an Overseas Immersion Programme to study abroad for one trimester at DigiPen’s international campuses in Spain or the US.
Want to get a high-earning job in gaming? Now you know where to start.
Check out the courses offered by DigiPen (Singapore)
This post was brought to you by DigiPen (Singapore).
Cover image adapted from: MCCY KAYA, Dota 2
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