Skip to main content
Join The Community
- Join our community
11
Premium Benefits
24/7
Access Available
21K+
Active Members
Commenting
Join the discussion
Exclusive Articles Coming Soon
Member-only articles
Weekly Newsletters
Weekly gaming & entertainment news
Member Badges
Earn badges as you go
Exclusive Competitions
Members-only prize draws
Curated Deals Coming Soon
Tech and gaming deals worth grabbing
GET COMMUNITY ACCESS QUICK
For the quickest way to join, simply enter your email below and get access. We will send a confirmation and sign you up to our newsletter to keep you updated on all your gaming news.
By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.
FIND OUT ABOUT OUR MAGAZINE
Want to subscribe to the magazine? Click the button below to find out more information.
Find out more
GET Community ACCESS QUICK

Join the GamesRadar community for quick access. Enter your email below and we'll send confirmation, and sign you up to our newsletter.

By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.

Background
Welcome to GamesRADAR+ Community !
Hi ,

Your membership journey starts here.

Keep exploring and earning more as a member.

MY ACCOUNT

Badge picture
Earn your first badge
Read 1 article to unlock your first badge.
Keep earning badges
Explore ways to get more involved as a member.
Latest Games News

Latest Games News

Breaking gaming news and updates

Read Now
Latest Games Reviews

Latest Games Reviews

Expert verdicts on the newest releases

Read Now

See what you’ve unlocked.

Explore your membership benefits.

Explore
Member Exclusives

Stay Ahead with GamesRadar+

Get the biggest gaming news, reviews, and releases straight to your inbox.

Explore

Sign Out
GamesRadar+ GamesRadar+
US EditionUS CA EditionCanada UK EditionUK AU EditionAustralia
Sign in
  • View Profile
  • Sign out
  • Games
    • Game Insights
      • Games News
      • Games Features
      • Games Reviews
      • Games Guides
      • Big in 2026
      • The Big Preview
      • On The Radar
      • Indie Spotlight
      • Future Games Show
      • Golden Joystick Awards
    • Genres
      • Action Games
      • RPGs
      • Action RPGs
      • Adventure Games
      • Third Person Shooters
      • FPS Games
    • Platforms
      • PS5
      • Xbox Series X
      • PC
      • Nintendo Switch
      • Nintendo Switch 2
      • Tabletop Gaming
    • Franchises
      • Grand Theft Auto
      • Pokemon
      • Assassin's Creed
      • Monster Hunter
      • Fortnite
      • Cyberpunk
      • Red Dead
      • The Elder Scrolls
      • The Sims
  • Entertainment
    • TV Shows
      • TV News
      • TV Reviews
      • Anime Shows
      • Sci-Fi Shows
      • Superhero Shows
      • Animated Shows
      • Marvel TV Shows
      • Star Wars TV Shows
      • DC TV Shows
    • Movies
      • Movie News
      • Movie Reviews
      • Big Screen Spotlight
      • Superhero Movies
      • Action Movies
      • Anime Movies
      • Sci-Fi Movies
      • Horror Movies
      • Marvel Movies
      • DC Movies
    • Streaming
      • Apple TV Plus
      • Disney Plus
      • Netflix
      • HBO
      • Amazon Prime Video
      • Hulu
    • Comics
      • Marvel Comics
      • DC Comics
    • Toys & Collectibles
    • Lego
    • Dungeons and Dragons
    • Merch
  • Hardware
    • Insights
      • Hardware News
      • Hardware Reviews
      • Hardware Features
    • Computing
      • Desktop PCs
      • Laptops
      • Handhelds
    • Peripherals
      • Headsets & Headphones
      • TVs & Monitors
      • Gaming Mice
      • Gaming Keyboards
      • Gaming Chairs
      • Speakers & Audio
    • Accessories & Tech
      • Gaming Controllers
      • Tech
      • SSDs & Hard Drives
      • VR
      • Accessories
      • Retro
  • Deals
    • Game Deals
    • Tech Deals
    • TV Deals
    • Buying Guides
  • Video
  • Newsletters
    • Quizzes
    • About Us
    • How to pitch to us
    • How we score
    • Newsarama
    • Retro Gamer
    • Total Film
  • home
  • Games
    • View Games
      • Games News
      • Games Features
      • Games Reviews
      • Games Guides
      • Big in 2026
      • The Big Preview
      • On The Radar
      • Indie Spotlight
      • Future Games Show
      • Golden Joystick Awards
      • Action Games
      • RPGs
      • Action RPGs
      • Adventure Games
      • Third Person Shooters
      • FPS Games
    • Platforms
      • View Platforms
      • PS5
      • Xbox Series X
      • PC
      • Nintendo Switch
      • Nintendo Switch 2
      • Tabletop Gaming
      • Grand Theft Auto
      • Pokemon
      • Assassin's Creed
      • Monster Hunter
      • Fortnite
      • Cyberpunk
      • Red Dead
      • The Elder Scrolls
      • The Sims
  • Entertainment
    • View Entertainment
    • TV Shows
      • View TV Shows
      • TV News
      • TV Reviews
      • Anime Shows
      • Sci-Fi Shows
      • Superhero Shows
      • Animated Shows
      • Marvel TV Shows
      • Star Wars TV Shows
      • DC TV Shows
    • Movies
      • View Movies
      • Movie News
      • Movie Reviews
      • Big Screen Spotlight
      • Superhero Movies
      • Action Movies
      • Anime Movies
      • Sci-Fi Movies
      • Horror Movies
      • Marvel Movies
      • DC Movies
    • Streaming
      • View Streaming
      • Apple TV Plus
      • Disney Plus
      • Netflix
      • HBO
      • Amazon Prime Video
      • Hulu
    • Comics
      • View Comics
      • Marvel Comics
      • DC Comics
    • Toys & Collectibles
    • Lego
    • Dungeons and Dragons
    • Merch
  • Hardware
    • View Hardware
      • Hardware News
      • Hardware Reviews
      • Hardware Features
      • Desktop PCs
      • Laptops
      • Handhelds
    • Peripherals
      • View Peripherals
      • Headsets & Headphones
      • TVs & Monitors
      • Gaming Mice
      • Gaming Keyboards
      • Gaming Chairs
      • Speakers & Audio
      • Gaming Controllers
      • Tech
      • SSDs & Hard Drives
      • VR
      • Accessories
      • Retro
  • Deals
    • View Deals
    • Game Deals
    • Tech Deals
    • TV Deals
    • Buying Guides
  • Video
  • Newsletters
    • Quizzes
    • About Us
    • How to pitch to us
    • How we score
    • Newsarama
    • Retro Gamer
    • Total Film
Trending
  • Pokemon Winds and Waves
  • New Games for 2026
  • Submit your game clips
  • GDC
Don't miss these
Oblivion Remastered
The Elder Scrolls This Oblivion Remastered mod adds actual jobs to Bethesda's revamped RPG, in case you're not already sick of working IRL
Tom, recently saved from drowning, looks groggily up at Jerry in a Tom and Jerry cartoon
Games Shigeru Miyamoto said Tom and Jerry's cartoon reality was "vital fuel" for Nintendo's early games
In Hitman World of Assassination, Agent 47 sits at the departure gate in an airport during the loading screen
Roguelike Games After weeks spent locked into Hitman's Freelancer mode, I realize there's one vital thing 007 First Light needs to learn
Donald Duck: Goin' Quackers / Quack Attack promotional screenshots
Platforming Games Disney's forgotten Donald Duck PS2 game is harder than any FromSoftware title I've ever played
Arc Raiders character using welding torch in thick glasses
Third Person Shooters Arc Raiders martyr spends "2 months and 300 hours" on awful achievement only 14 other people have managed to secure
Arc Raiders automaton medical vendor Lance
RPGs Arc Raiders and The Alters would have been my GOTY picks, until I discovered the depressing thing they have in common
Bully
Games "Bully was chaotic from the day I started": Inside the making of Rockstar's 'GTA in boarding school'
Dead Space
Games "We want you to feel like it's the game you remember playing": System Shock and Dead Space devs on the art of the remake
GTA 6
Games Open world games are some of the most popular in 2025, but as GTA 6 looms, it's about to get competitive
James holds the Alice stuffie in concept art by Jean Walter
Adventure Games Alice Madness Returns creator American McGee is making a spiritual successor, and he's not worried about EA
Destroy All Humans!
Games "Instead of being 80% UFO and 20% on foot, we flipped it": How Destroy All Humans' sci-fi action oddity conquered all
UFO 50
Games "There's always a loose end, trailing off into the distance": Inside the mind of a Metroidvania creator
Indiana Jones and the Great Circle screenshot showing Indiana looking out pensively, with GamesRadar+'s Best of 2025 logo in the top right-hand corner
Adventure Games "Stay true to your gut": Indiana Jones and the Great Circle dev on making a successful adventure for such an iconic hero
Mass Effect 2 - Garrus
Adventure Games The 25 best video game stories of all-time
Resident Evil Requiem On the Radar screenshot of a zombie biting a fire poker with an orange overlay
Resident Evil Resident Evil Requiem is my new favorite Saw movie thanks to one of the most upsetting survival horror levels in history
  1. Games
  2. Action

If video game jobs were true to life

Features
By David Meikleham published 8 February 2011

Being employed ain't a box of chocolates, it's a toilet full of shit

When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works.

  • Facebook
  • X
  • Pinterest
  • Flipboard
  • Email
Share this article
Join the conversation
Follow us
Add us as a preferred source on Google
Get the GamesRadar+ Newsletter

Weekly digests, tales from the communities you love, and more


By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.

You are now subscribed

Your newsletter sign-up was successful


Want to add more newsletters?

GamesRadar+

Every Friday

GamesRadar+

Your weekly update on everything you could ever want to know about the games you already love, games we know you're going to love in the near future, and tales from the communities that surround them.

GTA 6 O'clock

Every Thursday

GTA 6 O'clock

Our special GTA 6 newsletter, with breaking news, insider info, and rumor analysis from the award-winning GTA 6 O'clock experts.

Knowledge

Every Friday

Knowledge

From the creators of Edge: A weekly videogame industry newsletter with analysis from expert writers, guidance from professionals, and insight into what's on the horizon.

The Setup

Every Thursday

The Setup

Hardware nerds unite, sign up to our free tech newsletter for a weekly digest of the hottest new tech, the latest gadgets on the test bench, and much more.

Switch 2 Spotlight

Every Wednesday

Switch 2 Spotlight

Sign up to our new Switch 2 newsletter, where we bring you the latest talking points on Nintendo's new console each week, bring you up to date on the news, and recommend what games to play.

The Watchlist

Every Saturday

The Watchlist

Subscribe for a weekly digest of the movie and TV news that matters, direct to your inbox. From first-look trailers, interviews, reviews and explainers, we've got you covered.

SFX

Once a month

SFX

Get sneak previews, exclusive competitions and details of special events each month!


Join the club

Get full access to premium articles, exclusive features and a growing list of member rewards.


An account already exists for this email address, please log in.
Subscribe to our newsletter

“Is that your professionor pleasure?” Well, when it comes to jobs in games, it’s usually both. Y’see, your average gaming hero’s nine-to-five is a never-ending stream of employed excitement. Acrobatic plumbers who frolic in magical fantasy kingdoms. Archaeologists with pornstar bodies who can dual wield pistolslike everyone’s favourite slaphead assassin. And suspiciously buff scientists who routinely save the human race with nothing but a crowbar. They all enjoy incredible careers we mere mortals could only dream of. Of course, if their jobs were a little more true to life, Mario would probably do himself in when he faced his first backed-up toilet…

The cop

The video game version: An unstoppable badass, this Johnny Law Enforcer of the digital realm is a virtual renegade who dispatches criminals by the dozen…usually while pirouetting through the air in Matrix-shaming fashion.

You may like
  • Oblivion Remastered This Oblivion Remastered mod adds actual jobs to Bethesda's revamped RPG, in case you're not already sick of working IRL
  • Tom, recently saved from drowning, looks groggily up at Jerry in a Tom and Jerry cartoon Shigeru Miyamoto said Tom and Jerry's cartoon reality was "vital fuel" for Nintendo's early games
  • In Hitman World of Assassination, Agent 47 sits at the departure gate in an airport during the loading screen After weeks spent locked into Hitman's Freelancer mode, I realize there's one vital thing 007 First Light needs to learn

The reality: If an individual like Max Payne existed in our job market, he’d most likely be a bureaucratic crony who couldn’t give you a fine for spitting gum on the street without doing four hours of paperwork.

The archaeologist

The video game version: Normally a stunning supermodel type with incredible athletic skills, mastery of dozens of languages and a cup size that just won’t quit. Said beauty also enjoys shooting endangered species in the face.

Sign up to the GamesRadar+ Newsletter

Weekly digests, tales from the communities you love, and more

By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.

The reality: Ms. Croft would most likely be taking part in pain-stakingly slow excavations if she did her job in the real world. Still, shovelling dirt is definitely as exciting as swan-diving from the top of a 200 foot waterfall, yeah?

The thief

You may like
  • Oblivion Remastered This Oblivion Remastered mod adds actual jobs to Bethesda's revamped RPG, in case you're not already sick of working IRL
  • Tom, recently saved from drowning, looks groggily up at Jerry in a Tom and Jerry cartoon Shigeru Miyamoto said Tom and Jerry's cartoon reality was "vital fuel" for Nintendo's early games
  • In Hitman World of Assassination, Agent 47 sits at the departure gate in an airport during the loading screen After weeks spent locked into Hitman's Freelancer mode, I realize there's one vital thing 007 First Light needs to learn

The video game version: Asupreme criminal, this opportunistic mastermind can fleece a bank vault of its cash by simplycasting a shifty look in its direction. Can usually be foundfiring high-powered explosives while sporting thousand dollar Armani suits.

The reality: We don’t care how many cops Mr. Bellic mercilessly mows down while fleeing the law; eventually his Balkan behind is going to get pinched (eh, in the arrested sense). And when that happens, Niko can kiss goodbye to those sports cars and hello to a 25 year stretch with an inmate who enjoys the fine art of incarcerated spooning.

The soldier

The video game version: Someone get Webster’s on the phone, because the definition of ‘hard-ass’ has just been redefined. Typical recruits in this position are fearless one man armies with state-of-the-art technology at their disposal. Can normally win any war singlehandedly merely by pressing triangle.

The reality: A faceless grunt who'd most likely have the life-expectancy of a dragonfly if they were ever introduced to a warzone. Ifconflict was not imminent, Mr. Ghost Recon would probably spend the majority of his time polishing rows of boots and weeping at the hands of his drill sergeant's name calling.

The cook

The video game version: A relentlessly bright, cheery individual who holds down a career by making an endless supply of adorable cartoon grub.

The reality: You can have all the culinary skills in the world, but unless you’ve got the hardened disposition to survive in the cutthroat, pressure cooker environment of a professional kitchen, you’re screwed. That’s why we think Cooking Mama would probably end up flipping burgers at McDonalds.

And yes, apparently former German striker Rudi Völler has hit hard times.

  • 1
  • 2

Current page: Page 1

Next Page Page 2
TOPICS
Microsoft Sony
CATEGORIES
PC Gaming Nintendo PlayStation Xbox Platforms
PRODUCTS
Tomb Raider Half-Life 2 Alan Wake Grand Theft Auto IV Heavy Rain Cooking Mama Super Mario Galaxy 2 Tekken 3 Max Payne
David Meikleham
David Meikleham
Social Links Navigation
Google AMP Stories Editor

David has worked for Future under many guises, including for GamesRadar+ and the Official Xbox Magazine. He is currently the Google Stories Editor for GamesRadar and PC Gamer, which sees him making daily video Stories content for both websites. David also regularly writes features, guides, and reviews for both brands too. 

Read more
Oblivion Remastered
The Elder Scrolls This Oblivion Remastered mod adds actual jobs to Bethesda's revamped RPG, in case you're not already sick of working IRL
 
 
Tom, recently saved from drowning, looks groggily up at Jerry in a Tom and Jerry cartoon
Games Shigeru Miyamoto said Tom and Jerry's cartoon reality was "vital fuel" for Nintendo's early games
 
 
In Hitman World of Assassination, Agent 47 sits at the departure gate in an airport during the loading screen
Roguelike Games After weeks spent locked into Hitman's Freelancer mode, I realize there's one vital thing 007 First Light needs to learn
 
 
Donald Duck: Goin' Quackers / Quack Attack promotional screenshots
Platforming Games Disney's forgotten Donald Duck PS2 game is harder than any FromSoftware title I've ever played
 
 
Arc Raiders character using welding torch in thick glasses
Third Person Shooters Arc Raiders martyr spends "2 months and 300 hours" on awful achievement only 14 other people have managed to secure
 
 
Arc Raiders automaton medical vendor Lance
RPGs Arc Raiders and The Alters would have been my GOTY picks, until I discovered the depressing thing they have in common
 
 
Latest in Action
The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild
The Legend of Zelda Breath of the Wild star didn't know what game she was trying for, nor that it was the title role
 
 
GTA 6 Lucia
Grand Theft Auto Crimson Desert could challenge GTA 6 for Game of the Year, claims GTA 5 dev – but only if Rockstar "drop the ball"
 
 
Lara Croft holding two guns while smiling during the teaser for Tomb Raider: Catalyst.
Tomb Raider Crystal Dynamics is still "fully committed" to Tomb Raider despite going through its 4th set of layoffs in under a year
 
 
Sam Porter Bridges flexes for the camera in Death Stranding 2
Action Games Hideo Kojima says a Hawaiian proverb led to the new Death Stranding 2 trailer, because of course
 
 
GTA 6 characters from trailer 2
Grand Theft Auto GTA 6 prankster comes clean after response to viral 'leak' was "way bigger than I expected"
 
 
GTA 6
Grand Theft Auto Take-Two CEO, who can’t imagine anyone over the age of 17 being uninterested in GTA 6
 
 
Latest in Features
Mina the Hollower key art cropped to just show Mina
Action RPGs I already know Mina the Hollower is going to ruin my life
 
 
Peter Parker as Man-Spider in Spider-Man: The Animated Series
Marvel Movies Is the Spider-Man: Brand New Day trailer hiding Peter Parker's transformation into Man-Spider? The comics explained
 
 
The Future of Starfield
RPGs Bethesda's Tim Lamb on the biggest changes coming to Starfield, the PS5 release, and why all those load screens are necessary
 
 
Shadow of the Road screenshot showing a humanoid bird-like figure hovering over a molten battlefield with wings outstretched
RPGs A "small team with a lot of big ideas" is making a Final Fantasy Tactics-inspired RPG set in steampunk Japan
 
 
Tom Holland as Spider-Man in Spider-Man: Brand New Day
Marvel Movies Spider-Man: Brand New Day and Dune 3's frustrating trailer rollouts cannot become the new normal
 
 
Peter Parker dying in Mary Jane Watson's arms
Marvel Movies The story of Spider-Man: Brand New Day may tie back to the comic that kills off Peter Parker
 
 
LATEST ARTICLES
  1. Donkey Kong punching through rocks in Donkey Kong Bananza with Pauline on his shoulder
    1
    Donkey Kong Bananza programmer suggests using the Switch 2 platformer as destructive meditation
  2. 2
    Invincible season 4 and Wicked: For Good lead our list of the 6 best new shows and movies to watch this weekend
  3. 3
    I already know Mina the Hollower is going to ruin my life
  4. 4
    Mysterious "new IP" from CD Projekt Red is now in early pre-development stages
  5. 5
    Marathon's Cryo Archive is a weekends-only "raid-style" PvPvE map: "So please, do scream"

GamesRadar+ is part of Future US Inc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Visit our corporate site.

Add as a preferred source on Google Add as a preferred source on Google
  • Terms and conditions
  • Contact Future's experts
  • Privacy policy
  • Cookies policy
  • Accessibility statement
  • Careers
  • About us
  • Advertise with us
  • Review guidelines
  • Write for us
  • Accessibility Statement

© Future US, Inc. Full 7th Floor, 130 West 42nd Street, New York, NY 10036.

Please login or signup to comment

Please wait...