Computers In the Workplace | Highlighting the Game Industry

Image titled Perfect PC courtesy of iBeaver on Pinterest

The video game industry would not exist without the advancement of computers and information technology. Given my experience, there are very few jobs in the game industry that can be performed without computers. This is an industry where ideas and imagination excel from thought to realization, with computers having varying degrees of functionality.

Computer functionality in the video game industry includes:

• Developing hardware to improve games’ quality (look, feel, and sound).

• Creating programs and software that aid in game development.

• Programming game functionality, which may include:

• Character movement

• Object functionality

• Inventories

• Checkpoints

• Cutscenes

• Health and damage systems

• In-game economy

• End-game conditions

• Network Monitoring and Security which may include:

• Filtering and flagging within chat systems

• Child safety protocols

• Account SecuritySecuring personal information

• Using music creation software for soundtracks

• Creating sounds for sound effects.

• Voice implementation for character dialogues.

• Creating game art with graphic design software.

• Building assets such as buildings, vehicles, landscapes, weapons, animals, and people.

• Creating navigation systems for world mapping.

• Implementing light systems

• Implementing time states (day, night, clock system)

• Using word processors to develop game documentation.

• Using calendars and spreadsheets to schedule and track development as it unfolds.

• Using presentation software to relay concepts.

• Using email and other programs such as Zoom, Google Groups, and Skype to correspond and collaborate with teammates.

Why Is Computer Literacy So Important?

As you can see, there are quite a few functions that computers perform and amplify in the game industry, and there are probably just as many more not listed. For this reason, surely it can be seen why computer literacy is so important. While you do not have to be a savvy computer programmer, world-builder, or music producer to work in the game industry, you do have to have a good understanding of basic computing. That is to say one should be able to understand how to use a computer calendar, word processing, spreadsheets, presentation software, email, and the internet for research and online collaboration. The industry does not move without computers and computers are ever-evolving. Team collaboration plays a major role in this industry and even if your role is not the most intricate or complex, it is important that you remain digitally literate enough to keep up with the demands of your particular position.

10 Years Later…

Given the historic trends in the video game industry, the game industry may be headed for extraordinary, albeit somewhat scary things. We have seen games evolve from being developed for low-res 8-bit gaming consoles and arcade machines to being widely available on high-definition consoles, mobile phones, tablets, and computers, of course. Hardware advancements are the main reason that virtual reality (VR) has become more prevalent in the industry today. Now, piggybacking off of VR, there is a new video game style known as augmented reality or AR. Similar to VR games that make the player feel as though they are physically inside of the game environment, AR combines created game elements with real-world environments. If you have played a game like Pokémon Go, then you have a general understanding of how augmented reality works.

These are incredible advancements for the industry, however, Facebook (or Meta as I guess it is called now) having developed the Metaverse is seeking to expand the capabilities of VR and AR. They foresee a world where people can interact, learn, and develop even the most technical of skills and abilities right from the comforts of home without ever having to travel to a college campus. Think of a world where you can intern overseas without having a passport. That said, network security and regulations would need to stay in step with these technologies as we have seen what happens online when they do not. We have to ensure that our identities, personal information, and, most importantly, our children can be safe online.

Before long you will be able to sit on a virtual couch with your family and friends and enjoy your favorite sitcoms together even though you are hundreds of miles away. While I cannot say if this will be the reality within the next 10 years, technological advancements tend to enhance and improve the speed of innovation. We see how far computer and game systems have come in the game industry in the last 30 years, and I think that we will see further advancements occurring much faster throughout the years to come.