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The differences between video game animators and game artists can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 1-2 years to become both a video game animator and a game artist. Additionally, a game artist has an average salary of $86,932, which is higher than the $81,133 average annual salary of a video game animator.
The top three skills for a video game animator include animation, motion capture and maya. The most important skills for a game artist are animation, maya, and sketch.
| Video Game Animator | Game Artist | |
| Yearly salary | $81,133 | $86,932 |
| Hourly rate | $39.01 | $41.79 |
| Growth rate | 5% | 5% |
| Number of jobs | 2,886 | 5,040 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 80% | Bachelor's Degree, 79% |
| Average age | 40 | 40 |
| Years of experience | 2 | 2 |
This is a multimedia artist and animator with a specialty in video games. They use a combination of arts and technology to create special effects, interactive animated images, and an environment for video games. They are expected to work alongside other departments to ensure that all visual artwork meets the specifications of clients. They are responsible for researching trends in video game animation, as well as statistics and techniques. Additionally, they may have to compile briefs and reports and even present your ideas and research findings before potential investors.
This individual is tasked with just one thing, and that is to create 2D or 3D art for visual elements in video games. Their task is crucial in the process of creating games. They visualize how a game will look and ensure it comes out exactly that way. They design a few preliminary sketches and develop them according to the general style of the video game. They are required to work on components like characters, textures, vehicles, colors, lighting, objects, and environment.
Video game animators and game artists have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Video Game Animator | Game Artist | |
| Average salary | $81,133 | $86,932 |
| Salary range | Between $48,000 And $135,000 | Between $56,000 And $133,000 |
| Highest paying City | - | Las Vegas, NV |
| Highest paying state | - | Nevada |
| Best paying company | - | Amazon |
| Best paying industry | - | Start-up |
There are a few differences between a video game animator and a game artist in terms of educational background:
| Video Game Animator | Game Artist | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 80% | Bachelor's Degree, 79% |
| Most common major | Animation | Graphic Design |
| Most common college | University of Pennsylvania | University of Pennsylvania |
Here are the differences between video game animators' and game artists' demographics:
| Video Game Animator | Game Artist | |
| Average age | 40 | 40 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 81.4% Female, 18.6% | Male, 70.0% Female, 30.0% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 4.4% Unknown, 5.6% Hispanic or Latino, 14.3% Asian, 7.7% White, 67.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.6% | Black or African American, 4.3% Unknown, 5.6% Hispanic or Latino, 14.2% Asian, 7.6% White, 67.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.6% |
| LGBT Percentage | 11% | 11% |