DO YOU KNOW ABOUT GAME DEVELOPMENT ?
What is a video game developer?
Game developers typically play a role in several elements of game development, including visuals, artificial intelligence, user interface, and game logic.
Tasks and responsibilities
The type of work you do as a game developer will vary depending on the size of the company you work for and your specialization. At bigger game companies, you’re more likely to have a more specialized role working on a specific element of the game. At an indie publisher, you may have a hand in multiple processes in a game’s lifecycle. These are some of the day-to-day tasks you may perform in this role:
Develop new ideas for game design
Translate visual ideas into code
Prototype, iterate, and polish gameplay
Collaborate with designers, producers, artists, and quality analysts
Monitor game stability across platforms
Review existing code and recommend improvements
Port games or elements from one system to another
Types of game developers
In this industry, you’ll typically work in one of four types of roles: first, second, or third-party developers, or independent (indie) developers. What path you choose to pursue will depend on where you are in your career, what elements of game development you’re interested in, and how much creative control you want over the final product.
| Type | Role | Examples | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Game Developer | Develops games internally for a single platform or console | Naughty Dog (Sony), Retro Studios (Nintendo), Obsidian Entertainment (Xbox Game Studios) | ||
| Second-party developer | Develops games exclusively for a console (but is not fully owned by the platform or console) | Game Freak (develops Pokémon for Nintendo but is not fully owned by Nintendo) | ||
| Third-party developer | Develops and publishes their own games or develops games for other game publishers | Ubisoft, Electronic Arts, Activision Blizzard | ||
| Indie developer | Develops mostly self-funded indie games as an individual or small group | Eric Barone, Thelka |
Specializations
In addition to deciding what type of developer you might want to be, you might also choose to specialize. You can develop niche skills based on the type of system (console, computer, or mobile), game type (simulation, adventure, role-playing, strategy, etc.), or a specific game element (in-game systems, level design, user interface, environment, etc).
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Is game development a good career?
Many game developers get into the industry out of a love of gaming. More than 215 million people in the United States play video games, according to the Entertainment Software Association, making it a leading form of entertainment [1]. While working in video game development can be challenging, it can also be rewarding to take part in creating something you’re passionate about (and that your potential customers are passionate about as well).
Game developer salary
According to the 2021 Developer Satisfaction Survey, conducted by the International Game Developers Association (IGDA), 63 percent of fully employed developers reported earning more than $50,000 per year [2]. Job site Glassdoor reports an even higher figure—$74,838 average base pay—for game developers in the US (as of October 2022).
Job outlook
The video game industry has historically been fast growing and will likely continue along that trajectory, according to IGDA [2]. As gaming continues to drive innovation, job opportunities could expand in areas like virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) gaming, artificial intelligence (AI), and esports.
How to become a game developer
Video game development is typically seen as a highly coveted career, especially for those with an established love of video games. Let’s take a look at some of the educational recommendations and skills you can build that could make you more competitive in your job search.
Educational requirements
Many game development and publishing companies look for candidates with a bachelor’s degree in computer science or related field. Some universities have started offering degrees or minors in game design and interactive entertainment that are more specifically targeted toward the video game industry. With the Bachelor of Science in Computer Science from the University of London, for instance, you can specialize in cutting-edge topics like virtual reality, games development, or 3D graphics and animation.
Learn C++ and Unreal while developing larger console applications with the C++ Programming for Unreal Game Development Specialization from the University of Colorado.
Start out as a QA tester.
Quality assurance (QA) testers systematically test games for any flaws or bugs. This entry-level role can be a good way to gain experience (and get established) in the gaming industry.
Attend game industry events.
As with many industries, effective networking can help you find opportunities you might not otherwise know about. Attend game industry events where you can meet other developers and game development studios. One particularly good option that welcomes career seekers is the Game Development Conference (GDC).
Other video game careers
Many different elements (and people) go into making a video game. If you’re interested in creating games, consider these roles as well. Note that some may fall under the umbrella of game development.
Game artists create the 2D and 3D images used to render graphics within a game.
Animators use specialized software to make characters, settings, props, and other objects come to life.
Writers create in-game scripts and dialogs, as well as write marketing materials and technical documentation for a game.
Audio engineers edit and mix soundtracks for games that might include background music, voice-over recordings, and sound effects.
Producers serve as project managers, overseeing the production process from conception to completion.
Video game designers conceptualize game characters, settings, storyline, and gameplay, then work with developers and game programmers to translate these ideas into code.
Game testers identify bugs in a game and report these findings to developers.
