I want to be a video game developer...How much would I make?

I could start my own little company, or I could work for a major video game company, like Ubisoft, or work for Nintendo or Microsoft or Sony too. But how much $$$$ would I make say...a year? or a month?

I want to be a video game developer...How much would I make?
It all depends on how good you are.


Have you programmed before? Are you good?


Many people say they want to be a game programmer, but don't realize the work involved, it's not as easy as many people may think.





EDIT:


(As I said in the email...)


If you get a full-time position, then you can expect at least $50,000 or $60,000 a year.


The longer you do it, the higher you'll get in the company where you work, and you'll get raises that go with that, putting you up around $80,000 or maybe (if you're lucky) even $120,000. It really depends on where you end up.





Starting your own company, on the other hand, requires money to start up, and you don't have a guarantee of success, because small brands don't usually do as well as the big names.
Reply:If you had your own company, wouldn't the money you made be dependent on how successful the game is? Running your own company has the most risks and the most potential for making money. Otherwise, if you work for a company the pay is spelled out in the contract.





How well thought out is your plan? Do you have the skills to develop games? I live in Silicon Valley and there are colleges that teach the skills to make games. My son was interested so we looked into it.





Starting a company takes alot of money.
Reply:From what I have learned at Computer Science Seminars at college, your average game developer (if you can get into that) makes $50,000 - $70,000 (business and advertising is where the money is at when it comes to video games actually). I've posted some links.