Also called: Game VFX Artist
Creates the explosions, magic spells, fire and smoke effects in video games.
You build a fireball spell from particles and shaders, then tweak it until it looks amazing but still runs smoothly on a phone. You work with designers so a big hit feels powerful.
Approximate: anchored on Bureau of Labor Statistics data for a broader job group.
Bachelor's degree (4-year), about 4 years after high school. Bachelor's in game art or animation, or a strong self-built portfolio.
Ways in: 4-year college, Self-taught, 2-year college. Training cost: $15k – $60k.
Majors to look at: Game Art, Animation, Digital Media.
Growing about average (about 2% over 10 years). Tracks special effects artists and animators.
Medium risk for 10 years. AI generates textures and effect ideas, but timing explosions and spells to gameplay stays artistic craft.
Classes: Art, Physics, Digital media.
Official data: O*NET occupation 27-1014.
Career Universe is an early version. Pay, training and AI-risk figures are estimates to start your own research, not verified facts. The research was written with AI research assistants, checked by validation scripts and spot-checked by hand. Check anything important with schools, employers and official sources. How the numbers work.