How to become a game developer
Wahooooo!
If you think coin slots, flashing lights, and the scent of stale pizza when you hear “video games” or have fond memories of late-night LAN parties, you probably hail from a generation when gaming was still a relatively new and niche industry. But just as sprites grew into polygons, so too has the gaming industry expanded its reach. Today, video games are the world's largest entertainment industry, raking in more than $200 billion annually— or more than the film and music industries combined.?
That’s why this week, we’re spotlighting the people behind the pixels: the video game developers who craft the games we love to play. From bitesize mobile games to expansive AAA releases and genre-defying indies, the video game industry has something for everyone. So, maybe it shouldn’t be too surprising that a recent study from the Entertainment Software Association (ESA) found that 190.6 million Americans not only play video games but also spent $57.2 billion on them in 2023.?
Key to the rise of video games are game developers, who can be well-compensated for their work. A report from the International Game Developers Association (IGDA), for instance, found that most surveyed developers say they earn more than $50k a year, with some even earning as much as $150k a year (22%).??
It’s an exciting time for video games. Press down to learn more about this impactful career.?
Want a quick career breakdown? Check out the video below for a 60-second speed run of this exciting career.?
??What is a video game developer?
Video games don’t just fall from the sky like loot drops. Instead, they’re painstakingly crafted by teams of professionals who use their expertise to design and build them for gamers to enjoy. While video game development refers to the overall process of creating a video game, video game developers are usually the people responsible for its technical aspects, including programming it, designing its mechanics, and running performance tests.?
A video game developer’s daily tasks vary widely depending on where they work. While those working at larger studios are likely to perform highly specialized tasks, those working for indie developers often have a hand in many different parts of a game’s development cycle.? Some of the tasks that a video game developer might perform include:?
A video game developer might also hone a specialized skill set based on a gaming system (mobile, console, or computer) or game elements like level design, user interface (UI) , or in-game systems. Some even focus on certain game genres, such as role-playing, simulation, or strategy games.
???How to become a video game developer
Much like an open-world game, there isn’t one path toward a career in game development.?
That said, it’s common for video game developers to possess a bachelor’s degree in computer science or a related field. According to the IGDA report, 80% of surveyed developers had a degree or diploma from “a college, vocational school, or university.”?
Today, some institutions offer minors in game design or interactive entertainment that can prepare you for a career in the industry. The University of London’s BSc in Computer Science offers specializations in game development and virtual reality (VR) , which can help prepare you for a career as a game developer.???
The most common skills a game developer needs are an understanding of game development engines, particularly Unity and Unreal Engine, and coding in popular programming languages like C# and C++.?
?? Power up your game dev skills
As a wise man once said, “It’s dangerous to go alone!” So, consider taking one of these courses to help you on your own video game development journey:?
Okay, that’s game over for this week’s issue. Before you log off, let us know what skills you’ve built while gaming that you’ve used at work! See you next time.??
Have a career question you’d like us to answer next? Share it below. And, as always, we welcome YOUR advice and experience in the comments.
Aspiring Software Engineer | Year 13 at Coundon Court School | Studying Comp Sci, Maths and Physics
3 天前I'm happy that game developers are being recognised! I hope to be able to make brilliant games in the future just like them. I'd say I've developed teamwork and communication skills through playing games with my friends which has been valuable.
??? Programming in C/JAVA || GCP, MongoDB , Elastic || ?? Content Writing || ???? Chemistry + Computer= FUN || ?? Differential Equations || ?? ??Musical Science
3 天前I wanted to share my disappointing experience with a recent X giveaway hosted by Coursera. After seeing the post, I followed the instructions and shared my address via DM, expecting to receive the promised gift. However, there has been no update or communication since. This has left me with several concerns: 1?? Lack of Clarity: There were no terms and conditions mentioned in the giveaway, leaving participants unsure of the process or criteria for receiving the gift. 2?? Privacy Concerns: I shared my address in good faith, trusting Coursera to honor its giveaway. But with no response or acknowledgment, I'm left questioning how my personal details are being handled. 3?? Unfulfilled Expectations: It seems Coursera might not be sending gifts to all participants who provided their details, which contradicts the impression their post gave. As a loyal Coursera learner, I expected better communication and transparency. I hope Coursera addresses these concerns and ensures better handling of giveaways and participant data in the future. Tweet link: https://x.com/coursera/status/1846943521024233807
??? Programming in C/JAVA || GCP, MongoDB , Elastic || ?? Content Writing || ???? Chemistry + Computer= FUN || ?? Differential Equations || ?? ??Musical Science
3 天前Coursera I am writing to follow up on the promised Google Cloud swag reward for completing the "Getting Started with Google Workspace" specialization on Coursera. Despite successfully completing all nine courses in the specialization, I have not received any communication or updates regarding the rewards. Google Cloud As a long-time learner on Coursera, I have always appreciated the quality of your courses and the learning opportunities provided. However, I am deeply disappointed with the lack of attention to this matter. Moreover, the absence of live chat or direct support channels makes it even more frustrating to resolve such issues. My Concern: The email promoting this specialization clearly stated that completing it would provide an opportunity to win exciting Google Cloud swag (screenshot attached). Despite completing all courses, I have not received any updates. This has left me feeling overlooked as a loyal learner who has trusted Coursera for years. Could you please provide clarity on this matter and process the promised reward manually if necessary? If there are additional steps I need to take, kindly let me know.
Agriculturist | Entrepreneur | Photographer
3 天前Does any prior set of knowledge need for learning those game development course.
Marketing Project Coordinator | Content Strategy | Project manager | Bilingual English-Portuguese | First-Gen Immigrant | Empowering Jobseekers
3 天前Great question! Problem-solving and teamwork are two skills I’ve picked up from gaming that translate so well to the workplace! ??