How to Be PC Video Gamer - Job Description, Skills, and Interview Questions

Apr 9, 2023 / 5 Minutes Read / By Albert

How to Become

Professional Organizations

FAQ

Links

The rise of PC video gaming has had a significant effect on the video game industry. With the introduction of online gaming, more people than ever before were able to connect and play games with each other from around the world. This led to the growth of competitive gaming, with tournaments and prizes becoming commonplace.

Furthermore, the emergence of streaming services such as Twitch and YouTube Gaming meant that players could showcase their skills to a global audience, inspiring others to improve and become the best. This created a cycle of continuous improvement that has led to the development of more sophisticated and immersive gaming experiences for all players, regardless of their skill level.

Steps How to Become

Acquire the necessary equipment. To begin PC gaming, you'll need a gaming PC, a monitor, and a gaming controller. If you don't already own them, you'll need to purchase them or build a custom gaming PC.
Download or buy the desired video game. You can download video games from the internet, or purchase physical copies from stores. It's important to read reviews and check compatibility before downloading or buying a game.
Install the game on your PC. After purchasing or downloading the game, you'll need to install it on your PC. Depending on the game, this may require an installation disc or digital key.
Configure your settings and controls. Once the game is installed, you'll need to configure the graphic settings, audio settings, and control settings. This will ensure the game looks and sounds how you want it to and that you can control your character properly.
Start playing. After configuring the settings and controls, you're ready to start playing your game. Enjoy!

To become skilled and competent at PC video gaming, players must invest a significant amount of time and effort. This investment begins with a basic understanding of the game's mechanics and rules. Once a player has mastered the basics, they can then focus on honing their skills by practicing and playing regularly.

As they become more experienced, they can increase the difficulty of their games and explore new strategies. In addition, gamers must stay up-to-date with the latest patches and updates, as well as keep an eye out for new gaming titles and genres. Finally, players should seek advice and tips from more experienced players, so that they can learn from their mistakes and develop better strategies.

With dedication and hard work, gamers can become skilled and competent PC video gamers.

You may want to check Professional Video Game Streamer, Competitive Video Gamer, and Online Gaming Programmer for alternative.

Job Description

Video Game Designer: Responsible for creating and designing video game concepts, from initial ideas to the finished product.
Video Game Programmer: Develops code for video games and modifies existing code to create new features, functions, and levels.
Video Game Artist: Creates the look and feel of a game by creating artwork, animation, and other visual elements.
Video Game Tester: Tests a game for bugs, glitches, and other issues before it is released to the public.
Video Game Producer: Manages the development team and oversees production of the game.
Video Game Quality Assurance Analyst: Analyzes and reports gameplay feedback to improve the games quality and user experience.
Video Game Public Relations Manager: Promotes the game and its features through various media outlets.

Skills and Competencies to Have

Knowledge of different gaming platforms and gaming hardware.
Excellent technical and troubleshooting skills.
Ability to analyze and diagnose PC gaming system problems.
Ability to research and implement gaming-specific software updates.
Understanding of game-specific features and functionality.
Good communication and customer service skills.
Knowledge of computer networking and related technologies.
Knowledge of Internet safety and security procedures.
Ability to set up gaming systems, peripherals, and other accessories.
Understanding of gaming industry trends and technology advancements.

Having the ability to think strategically is one of the most important skills for a PC Video Gamer. Being able to think ahead and plan out strategies can give a PC Video Gamer an edge over their opponents. Knowing when to make the right moves and how to anticipate the moves of others can make all the difference in a game.

A PC Video Gamer should also be familiar with the rules and regulations of the particular game they are playing, as well as the general gaming etiquette, to ensure that they dont get into any trouble. having good problem-solving and multitasking skills can be beneficial, as they can help a PC Video Gamer quickly and efficiently process information and make decisions. Furthermore, having the patience to practice certain techniques and strategies until they are perfected will also give a PC Video Gamer an advantage.

Lastly, having a good network of friends who are also gamers can also be very helpful, as they can provide valuable feedback and advice. All of these skills, when combined, can make a PC Video Gamer highly successful and competitive.

PC Gamer, Mobile Gaming Developer, and Gaming Events Coordinator are related jobs you may like.

Frequent Interview Questions

What experience do you have in PC video gaming?
What is your favorite video game and why?
How do you stay up to date on the latest gaming technology?
What strategies do you use to win at PC video games?
What challenges have you faced while playing PC video games?
Describe a time when you worked with a team to complete a game mission.
How do you handle setbacks while playing PC video games?
What techniques do you use to troubleshoot game issues?
What is your experience with game modding?
How do you handle competing with other players for high scores?

Common Tools in Industry

Game Development Software. Software used to create and/or modify video games (eg: Unity, Unreal Engine).
Video Capture Software. Programs used to capture and record gameplay footage (eg: Bandicam, OBS Studio).
Video Editing Software. Programs used to edit and improve recorded videos (eg: Adobe Premiere Pro, Final Cut Pro).
Streaming Software. Applications used to stream live gameplay sessions (eg: Streamlabs, XSplit).
Debugging Software. Tools used to identify and fix errors in games (eg: Visual Studio, Cheat Engine).
Emulation Software. Programs that enable the user to play old-school games on newer hardware (eg: Dolphin, RetroArch).
Modding Tools. Applications used to modify game assets and data (eg: Nexus Mod Manager, Wrye Bash).
Voice Chat Software. Programs used for communication between gamers (eg: Discord, TeamSpeak).

Professional Organizations to Know

Entertainment Software Association (ESA)
International Game Developers Association (IGDA)
Professional Esports Association (PEA)
Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences (AIAS)
International Game Developers Association-Online (IGDA-Online)
International Mobile Gaming Awards (IMGA)
International Game Technology Association (IGTA)
International Game Network (IGN)
Video Game Industry Association (VGIA)
British Academy of Film and Television Arts Games Awards (BAFTA Games Awards)

We also have Gaming Software Programmer, Gaming Video Editor, and Gaming Software Engineer jobs reports.

Common Important Terms

Game Genre. A category of video game based on its gameplay, such as action, adventure, sports, simulation, and strategy.
Platform. The hardware system a video game is released for, such as PC, console, or mobile device.
Controller. The device used to interact with the game, such as a gamepad, joystick, or keyboard.
Developer. The company or individual responsible for creating the game.
Publisher. The company responsible for distributing and marketing the game.
Modding. The process of modifying a game to create custom content, such as maps, levels, or characters.
Cheats. Hidden codes or commands used to gain an advantage in a game.
Glitches. An unintended bug or issue that affects gameplay.
Emulators. Software that allows gamers to play classic games on modern platforms.
Multiplayer. Games that allow two or more players to compete or cooperate over the internet or local networks.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the most popular PC video game?

According to the Steam hardware survey, the most popular PC video game is currently Counter-Strike: Global Offensive, with over 11 million monthly active players.

What are the system requirements for Counter-Strike: Global Offensive?

The minimum system requirements for Counter-Strike: Global Offensive are an Intel Core 2 Duo E6600 or AMD Phenom X3 8750 processor, 4 GB RAM, and an Intel HD Graphics 4000 or Nvidia GeForce 8600 GT graphics card.