can we have numbers on what retail managers and staff should be earning in the games industry

Peanuts!!!!!!

This kind of article is infuriating and I believe mis-representative, not allowing for size of developer nor geographic positioning, it causes massive unrest amongst the staff and is generally unhelpful.

The grinning assassins of the recruitment world are rightly going to spout this rubbish, whilst trying to lure your staff.

Being at the sharp end of the the games industry I would advise candidates to ignore this hype and apply to the companies you wish to work for direct, we always give preference to direct application so come on folks use your initiative and remember that 25% recuitment fee could be in your pay packet and not theirs.

A salary does not tell all,

In example: you can earn a lot in Tokyo and still, not be able to afford better than a small room and a bicycle

Me = Phsyics grad.. going into the industry.
wadge = 16K for junior designer.. even though I do art and code.. and its in an expensive area!
People wonder why the Physics people don't go into the games industry ¬_¬ I could start on 24K working for Aldi!! 26K for BAE systems or working at NASA. Its onlt cause its my dream job that Im taking it... but its a riduculas squeese considering that theres my partner that will have to find a new job too in the area and we both have to relocate.. and the student loan hits hard after 15K. Lucky my parents, though arn't rich.. really want to help out with the first months rent and deposit.. where on earth will I find 1.5K when Im already 1.4K into my overdraft ¬_¬

Physics grad, I'm the CEO of a UK developer. Starting salaries are as they are because it remains an attractive industry to join. Supply and demand. I'd set higher salaries if the right candidates weren't coming through.

And at the risk of being patronising, most companies will be looking for a proficiency in spelling.

What about the lowest of the low? Testers. What would be the most they could EVER make? Right now for me it's 30k American (****...). I know they are an important part of the industry, at least thats what they tell me before they lock me in a closet at the end of the day.

Physics grad, if you're joining as a designer, I'm not sure how much use your physics is going to be - I can't see it having any impact on your salary. Also you say you do art and code, but I'm sure the company already has artists and coders to that, so again I see no reason for it to be factored in to salary.
Entry level in the industry often seems to pay quite poorly, but it always will do whilst someone is there accepting the offer!

There is something deeply wrong in an industry when the people that make the product earn considerably less than the people that sell and market it.

Shout out to QA staff also. Often forgotten but vital.

Thanks. All I'm saying is that I should be able to make double or more what I'm making, eventually. And I would love to see Marketing put in as many hours as QA

Physics grad: Talk to your bank about a graduate loan - the moment you've got a job offer in writing, they know you'll have money coming in so can realistically pay it off later. You should be able to get an unsecured loan to cover your moving costs, though your parents will certainly give you a better interest rate!

Hope it all works out for you - the whole development side is underpaid, but money isn't everything.

What is this false hype around Tokyo and its high living costs?
I am a producer, I live in Tokyo and have a good salary.
But I don't need twice the salary of a producer in UK or US to live here.
I know London, Paris and even Milan can be as expensive, or even more expensive than Tokyo.

Besides, you don't need a huge car or a 2 storey cottage here.
A bicycle and an apartment is all you need here. Trust me.

Just to say that you can't just compare salaries like that. Every country has its own lifestyles, tax rates and standards.

The point is, are these salaries competitive when compared to other jobs in the UK requiring similar levels of expertise, experience and education?

Well done to MCV for doing this research, and making this data public. Developers in the UK are paid less then in the US, and there is a culture of 'salary secrecy' here that can undermine trust. We need to be more open about salaries - greater visibility.

I was reading the included "feature", where it clames theres no physics and math grads going into the industry.. just wished to point out why :P

I've read the above comments with interest - especially as I'm one of the owners o***ames industry specialist Recruitment Agency. Presumably this makes me one of the "grinning assassins of the recruitment world"!!!

It's not great to hear companies speaking about agencies like this. But I appreciate everybody is entitled to an opinion. Hopefully the information and testimonials etc on our website - www.aswift.com may offer a slightly different view. Many companies value the services of a recruitment agency and without them many developers would not be able to build the teams and get their games made.

Similarly, many candidates get a great service from agencies and without them may struggle to get that first break into a great industry.

Re: Wages - £16K does sound low for a graduate entry level role but I'd also agree with other comments that maybe Design isn't making the best use of your skills/education? I know we've placed appropximately 50 graduates into games programming roles this year and the starting salary is typically £20K.

I'd also agree that the salary survey information can be misleading and have to say that the information in MCV did not come from us. Clients constantly as me "What will I have to pay for X type of candidate?" - and I can always give a range but it really depends on many factors that the survey cannot account for.


I

time for a strike! There should seriously be profit sharing for successful games, this is abhorrent and injust.

Well this is depressing, As a Level Designer I don't earn what a Junior Designer does.. :(

Well this is depressing, As a Level Designer I don't earn what a Junior Designer does.. :(

There should be a specific trade union for the games industry. Because Development houses REALLY get a bargain at the expense of the staff. Not only do you get low wages, but you also get tons of overtime.