Video game producer facts for kids

A video game producer is like a project manager for a video game. They are in charge of making sure a video game gets made. They help guide the game from start to finish.

The Start of Producers in Games

Trip Hawkins started using the word "producer" for video games. He founded a company called Electronic Arts in 1982. Hawkins thought game producers could be like music producers. Music producers help create music albums.

Hawkins even brought music producers from A&M Records to teach the first video game producers. At first, some people in the game industry didn't like the term. They thought it sounded too much like Hollywood movies. But now, "video game producer" is a common and accepted job title.

The exact job of a producer can be different at various companies. It also depends on the specific team making the game. There are many different types of producer roles.

What Does a Producer Do?

A video game producer helps keep the game development on track. They make sure the team has what they need. They also help solve problems that come up. Producers work with many different people. This includes game designers, artists, and programmers. Their main goal is to make sure the game is finished on time. They also ensure it meets a certain quality level.

How Much Do Producers Earn?

Video game producers can earn a good amount of money. They are among the highest-paid people in the video game industry. On average, a video game producer earns about USD$75,000 each year.

Producers who are just starting out are called associate producers. If they have less than three years of experience, they might earn around $43,000 a year. Those with three to six years of experience earn more, about $55,700 annually. Very experienced producers are called executive producers. They can earn over $103,000 per year.