I used to program video games for a living. It's not all unicorns and sunshine. Just because the cubicles have cool drawings of video game characters all over

I used to program video games for a living. It's not all unicorns and sunshine. Just because the cubicles have cool drawings of video game characters all over them and you have an Xbox in the lounge doesn't mean that work is going to be more satisfying. In video games hours are longer and wages are lower because so many people want to live the dream. I make approximately 4 times more money in cash at my new career in a startup. And that doesn't count equity. The place I work is doing well so my equity is worth significantly more than that (but it was a lottery ticket so just consider the cash component). On top of that, the product I work on improves the lives of people more tangibly than entertainment does. I still love video games and hang out with my friends from that industry ... but all the ones with families are trying to get out of the industry just like I did. It's a shit career unless you are at one of the top companies like Blizzard, Riot, etc.