Game Community Manager
What is a game community manager?
A game community manager is someone who manages and engages with the community of players for a particular video game.
What does a game community manager do?
Usually, a game community manager does the following:
- Manages and moderates online forums, social media channels, and other community platforms for the game.
- Interacts with players, answering their questions, and providing support.
- Organizes and runs in-game events, competitions, and tournaments to keep the community active and engaged.
- Collects feedback and suggestions from players and communicates them to the development team.
- Acts as a liaison between the players and the development team, relaying important information and updates.
- Monitors and responds to player reviews and feedback on platforms such as Steam, App Store, and Google Play.
- Analyzes community trends and data to identify areas of improvement or new features to implement.
What does the day-to-day life of a game community manager look like?
A game community manager usually works regular office hours, typically between 9am and 5pm. However, they may need to work evenings or weekends during important game events or responding to urgent player issues.
A typical day for a game community manager may include:
- Checking and responding to player messages, comments, and inquiries on various platforms.
- Monitoring and moderating the game's online forums for any rule violations or inappropriate content.
- Planning and creating engaging social media posts to keep the community updated and excited.
- Collaborating with the development team to prepare and launch in-game events or updates.
- Analyzing community metrics to track engagement and identify areas for improvement.
Where does a game community manager work?
Game community managers can work for game development studios, game publishers, or specialized community management agencies. They can work remotely or be based in an office, depending on the company's structure and policies.
In the United Kingdom, there are numerous game development studios and publishers based in locations such as London, Edinburgh, and Brighton. However, with the rise of remote work, game community managers can work for companies located anywhere in the world.
What tools/software/hardware does a game community manager use? (Don't mention those not relevant to the job)
A game community manager uses a variety of tools including:
- Social media management platforms like Hootsuite and Sprout Social to schedule and monitor posts.
- Community platforms like Discord, Reddit, and official game forums to engage with players.
- Analytics tools such as Google Analytics and social media insights to track community metrics.
What do I need to become a game community manager?
There are several paths to becoming a game community manager, including:
- Bachelor's degree: While not always required, a degree in marketing, communications, or a related field can be beneficial.
- Experience in community management: Gaining experience as a moderator or community manager for smaller communities or volunteering for game events can help develop relevant skills.
- Passion for gaming: Having a deep understanding and passion for the gaming industry and various game genres is important to connect with players effectively.
What career paths are available?
There are several career paths available to you as a game community manager, including:
- Senior Community Manager: With experience and demonstrated leadership skills, you can progress to a senior role overseeing a team of community managers and implementing community strategies.
- Marketing Manager: Transitioning to a marketing role within a game development studio or publisher, leveraging the community management experience and knowledge gained.
- Brand Manager: Utilizing the understanding of player perception and community dynamics to shape and manage the brand presence of a game or game company.
What jobs are similar to a game community manager? (Include those with transferable skills that a game community manager usually has)
- Social Media Manager: Focusing on managing and engaging with a brand's social media audience.
- Customer Support Specialist: Providing assistance and resolving issues for customers or players.
- Event Coordinator: Organizing and managing events, both online and offline, to promote a product or engage a community.
What made you want to become a game community manager?
How did you get your first game community manager job?
What was the one thing that surprised you the most about being a game community manager?
Are you a game community manager? We want you to share your experiences with those looking to start or change their careers as a Game Community Manager. If you're interested, contact us at mail@calumchilds.com.