Multimedia Sound Workers

Multimedia sound workers create the audio aspects of computer and video games. Their work is essential to a game's success—adding to a game's intensity and dimension and enhancing gamers' playing experiences. Ironically, though, when sound workers have done their jobs well, the sound becomes such an integral part of the video game that few players notice it as a separate, painstakingly developed game element. At the start of the video game age, the technologies available limited a game's sound to simple noises, such as a "pong" or a "beep, beep, beep." Since then sound capabilities have developed dramatically so that players can actually hear the game world they've entered through such things as surround sound, characters speaking naturally, noises in the game's environment, and full musical compositions. Sound workers also work for music publishers, film and television production companies, recording companies, dance companies, musical theater producers, and advertising agencies.

Salary Range

$25,000 to $100,000

Minimum Education Level

High School Diploma

Certification/License

None

Outlook

About as Fast as the Average

Personality Traits

Conventional

Creative

Technical

Career Ladder

Music/Audio Director, or Self Employed, or Well-Known Composer or Musician

Experienced Multimedia Sound Worker

Entry-Level Multimedia Sound Worker