Video game developers help transform games from a concept to a playable reality. They do this by coding visual elements, programming features, and testing iterations until a game is ready for market. If you love video games and enjoy working with computers, a career in video game development can be immensely rewarding.
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.Â
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).Â
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 . 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.Â
Earn your degree
While a degree isn’t always necessary, it can help you build the foundational technical skills necessary for success as a software developer.Â
Game developer skills
Having the right technical skills on your resume can open up opportunities for work as a game developer. Two common skills you’ll find on job listings are experience with game development engines and the ability to code (often in C# or C++).
- Unity is a cross-platform game engine that allows you to develop 2D and 3D games. Unity is particularly popular for indie and mobile games. It’s free for students and for personal use, so you can start creating games (and gaining experience) before you get hired.
- Unreal Engine, while initially developed for first-person shooters, has grown into a 3D creation platform used for games across a range of platforms. Unreal uses C++ as its programming language.
- C# (pronounced C-sharp) is a programming language frequently used for game development and mobile applications, particularly with the Unity engine.
- C++ Is a general-purpose programming language often used to develop not only games but also operating systems and applications as well.
Tips for getting a job
If you have a passion for games and enjoy blending technology and creativity, there are some steps you can take to help you get established in the gaming industry.
Start with simple games or small game behaviors.
Developing your skills right away by building games. Start with something small and basic, like creating a simple behavior or keyboard movement mechanic in C# or, and work your way toward more complex projects.
Built a portfolio.
As you develop your own games, add them to your portfolio. This shows potential employers what you’re capable of doing and can help you stand out from other candidates. Here are some options to get you started:
- Build four complete Unity game projects with the Game Design and Development with Unity 2020 Specialization from Michigan State University.
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