A video game producer will manage employees creating video games, play an executive role during each development phase, and ensure the quality and timeliness of the teams working on the project. Your role will be more business focused than creative. You'll handle the budget and ensure production runs on schedule. For most games, the producer does not have a large role but does have some influence on the development of the video game design. While not a game designer, the producer has to weave the wishes of the publisher or upper management into the design. They usually seek the assistance of the game designer in this effort.
Producers often find a publisher for the game, control the money and negotiate the contracts with people coming on board to help with development (suppliers). In larger companies, they hand over the day-to-day management of the game to a project manager. In smaller companies, they do the project management themselves.
As a Games Producer, you'll need:
a good knowledge of, and enthusiasm for, computer games. Play lots of games!
to understand the technical side of computer games development. ...
to have made your own computer games. ...
to get some work experience in the world of business, learning how businesses function.
Skills needed:
Marketing: understand who a game is for and create a game they will want to play
Project management:understand how a game is made and know what needs to happen when
Knowledge of rights and licensing: be aware of law and able to negotiate
Knowledge of games industry: have an in-depth understanding of its different stores, platforms and games and direction
Budget handling: be able to handle a significant budget and work within it