Since the first gaming consoles were released in the 1970s, video games have become a common form of recreation. Many gamers spend several long sessions playing video games each week.
That gaming industry generated less than $53 billion in 2012 but is expected to generate more than $138 billion in 2021. The industry’s popularity fuels the need for skilled experts to work in gaming. For gaming enthusiasts, pursuing a career in network engineering in the gaming industry could be the perfect way to combine personal interests with a lucrative career. Let’s look at how to get started as a network engineer, what these network experts do, and what type of equipment you’ll work with if you enter this profession.
You can launch your network engineering career with professional certifications.
Complete your net plus certification through online studies to launch your information technology (IT) career. Courses cover networking, network communications, IP addressing and subnetting, core networking, securing and supporting the network, and ethernet, cables, and media. Students need an internet connection and computer to complete the program. Your computer must have a PDF viewer and an Intel Pentium 4 2.53 GHz processor, although an Intel Pentium 4 3.0 GHz is recommended.
The course also covers exam preparation, ensuring students have the knowledge needed to take their certification exam. Graduates are familiar with computer networks, the equipment needed for a network setup, network security, and industry standards.
One of the advantages of an online CompTIA Network+ program is that it’s self-paced. You can move through the program at your own speed, ensuring you have a solid grasp of the information provided. Once you pass your exam, you’ll have internationally recognized industry certification equipping you to work with computer networks.
What do network engineers in the gaming industry do?
Network engineers, also known as network architects, develop networks suited to the video games offered by gaming companies. They use equipment to configure the gaming network, ensuring gamers enjoy a superb gaming experience.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that computer network architects earned median annual incomes of $116,780 in 2020 and should see job opportunities increase by five percent between 2019 and 2029. Computer network architects use their skills to set up local area networks (LANs) and wide-area networks (WANs). They also create Intranets. They may work with small systems and connect computers in a handful of offices or connect multiple users from around the world via cloud computing systems.
Although it’s common for computer network architects to have a bachelor’s degree in computer science or information systems, you can prepare for a career in this field with industry certifications and practical experience by working as a computer support specialist. The BLS reports computer support specialists earned median salaries of $55,510 per year in 2020 and should see job prospects increase by eight percent between 2019 and 2029.
What kind of gaming equipment will you work with?
Network architects may use cable or cloud-based technology to connect the best gaming computers available today. Leading gaming computers include the Alienware Aurora Ryzen Edition R11, Corsair One a100, Dell G5, MSI MEG Trident X, and HP Omen Obelisk gaming desktops. Leading gaming computers have the hardware required to play the latest games without technical issues.
Superior gaming computers must have a powerful central processing unit (CPU). The CPU makes calculations and distributes directions, ensuring the computer responds correctly. Powerful processors available today include the AMD Ryzen 5 5600–5950X, AMD Ryzen 9 3900X – 3950X, or 9th Gen Intel Core i3 10-series – i7 10-series CPUs.
Leading graphics processing units (GPUs) creates visual images. Powerful GPUs ensure smooth gameplay because the gaming laptop or desktop can refresh the images without hiccups affecting the image quality. Great gaming PCs may be equipped with the Nvidia GTX 1650 Super–RTX 3090, NVIDIA GeForce RTX RTX 2080 Super – 2080 Ti, or NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650 – RTX 2070 Super GPUs.
Gaming network architects can launch their careers by earning professional certification. These network experts use their skills and knowledge to connect computer systems, ensuring gamers enjoy an optimal performance during gameplay.
