How to Become a Game Developer

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Gaming is one of the fastest-growing industries, with more than 2.8 Billion gamers across the globe. It requires an interesting blend of technical expertise and creative skills to produce interactive video games for individuals and groups.

• Video games are a Billion-Dollar Business and have been for many years. The Global Gaming Market was valued at USD 173.70 Billion in 2021, and it is expected to reach a value of USD 314.40 Billion by 2027, registering a CAGR of 9.64% over 2022-2027.

• The Indian Gaming Industry is generating $1.5 Billion Revenue and expected to triple to over $5 billion by 2025 on the back of the ‘Mobile First’ phenomenon, despite the industry standing at 1% of the global gaming market, according to the latest BCG-Sequoia India report.

• In October 1958, Physicist William Higinbotham created what is thought to be the first video game. It was a very simple tennis game, similar to the classic 1970s video game Pong, and it was quite a hit at a Brookhaven National Laboratory open house.

• Commercial game development began in the ’70s with the advent of first-generation video game consoles and early home computers like the Apple I.

Game Development is the art of creating games and describes the design, development, and release of a game. It may involve concept generation, design, build, test and release. A game developer could be a Programmer, a Graphic Designer, a Music or Sound Designer, an Artist, or many other roles available in the industry.

Is Game Development A Good Career?

Worldwide, Game Developers are in high demand, commanding impressive salaries. Game development is an attractive career path for many, especially for those that enjoy gaming. Video game development is a great career choice if you are a skilled programmer and designer who is passionate about making video games. A career in game development and game designing can be valuable if you enjoy doing it.

In 2020, the revenue from the worldwide PC Gaming Market was estimated at almost 37 Billion U.S. dollars, while the Mobile Gaming Market generated an estimated income of over 77 Billion U.S. dollars.

Gaming is now a bigger industry than Movies and Sports combined. Revenue for gaming grew 12 percent in 2020, up to $139.9 Billion from $120.1 Billion in 2019, according to a report by market research firm SuperData.

Video games are rapidly growing in popularity with each passing decade. Working in the video game industry is one of the most rewarding careers on the planet, but it is also extremely challenging and often requires specific skills and even personalities to be successful.

You must also be prepared to work long hours into the night to make sure the game works the way it needs to. While this is a stressful environment, it is a stable career with good growth potential.

What Exactly Is Video Game Development?

Video game development is the process of developing a video game. The effort is undertaken by a developer, ranging from a single person to an international team dispersed across the globe.

And a Video Game Developer is a type of SOFTWARE DEVELOPER specializing in video game development – the process and related disciplines of creating video games. They use their storytelling abilities, creativity, and knowledge of coding languages to create cutting-edge gaming software.

A game developer can range from one person who undertakes all tasks to a large business with employee responsibilities split between individual disciplines, such as programming, design, art, testing, etc.

Most major video game companies have an extensive development team, video game publisher team, financial and marketing support, and staff that address all levels of game design, from conceptualization to the shipped finished product. Here, self-funded developers are known as independent or ‘Indie Developers’ and usually make indie games.

What Does a Video Game Developer Do?

Video game developers, also known as game developers, are responsible for designing and developing video games for PC, console, and mobile applications. Their job is to code the base engine from the ideas of the design team. They may also be involved in character design, level design, animation, and unit testing.

They use their coding knowledge, problem-solving abilities, and creativity to turn game concepts into a functional, playable game world. Depending on the company you work for and your specialization, the type of work you do as a game developer will vary.

• Develop new ideas for game design, translate the visual ideas into code and monitor game stability across platforms.

• From building the graphics, AI characteristics, and game mechanics to testing and troubleshooting works in progress, video game developers may play an essential role at just about any point in the video game creation process.

• A good developer is able to test and troubleshoot the functionality of the game they’re building. They can spot bugs, errors, or mistakes, and have the technical knowledge to fix them.

• On a daily basis you work closely with game artists, game designers, game producers, sound technicians, and game testers in order to ensure the technical coding of the game matches its creative vision.

Sometimes, Video Game Developers also act as Game Analysts. These professionals often work as part of a collaborative team at small or large studios. They work directly with designers, artists, project leaders, and managers. Great communication skills, attention to detail, advanced problem-solving skills, and coding skills are essential for this job. This profession requires a lot of creativity and a great level of thought.

How to Become a Video Game Developer

Game developers design the core features that bring a video game to life. If you have a passion for video games, excellent problem-solving skills, enough creativity, and a deep thinking mindset, you may be interested in how to become a game developer.

While there are many ways to get a job in the gaming industry, you can position yourself for exciting game developer careers in various ways. This article offers advice on pursuing a video game developer career and walks you through some steps you can take to get there. Let’s Go.

1. Pursue Game Development Related Courses

If you search for open jobs in the game industry, you might be disappointed to see that most postings seem to require a college degree. But in fact, many game jobs — from testing to art to production — Actually Do Not Require a Degree.

Many careers related to video game design require each candidate to obtain at least a Bachelor’s Degree in a related field, such as Computer Science, Computer Graphics, Software Engineering, Animation & Computer Graphics, Digital Filmmaking & Animation Creation or Game Designing. Most game development job openings list a bachelor’s degree in computer science or software engineering as the minimum qualification. However, hiring managers prefer candidates with advanced certifications that demonstrate foundational knowledge in a particular domain.

2. Learn Computer Programming Languages

Behind every video game is the code that is running it. Programming languages are integral to software development and are responsible for how we experience and interact with gaming platforms.

For game development in particular, it would be helpful to learn JavaScript, Java, C#, C++, or even Python. But, Game Developers must be proficient in C++ programming (one of the top game-developing languages, especially because it’s such a popular, flexible solution) and other languages like C#, Java, and JavaScriptfor a better understanding of game development. You can choose any other programming language also. You can practice coding and create some simple mobile games before you venture out into the world of studio games.

3. Create Game Projects and Build Your Portfolio

The portfolio is an online collection of work that should showcase multiple projects in which you played a significant role and include detailed information on your development process. Regardless of whether you want to be a freelancer or work in a studio or indie group, an essential step towards that career begins with a strong portfolio.

Your game development experience and portfolio are crucial factors in determining if you get a position with a video game studio. One of the best ways to get practical experience, build your portfolio, and attract the attention of large game studios is to design and develop your video games.

So, create a game prototype that showcases your capabilities in coding, programming, design, production, and visual arts. As you develop your own games, add them to your portfolio, it will demonstrate your abilities and technical skills and your passion for video game development. This will be very helpful for your career prospects.

4. Master Your Technical Skills

If you have advanced skills and a very well-polished portfolio, you may be able to get a job at once with a major game studio, like SONY, NINTENDO, TENCENT, ACTIVISION BLIZZARD, EPIC GAMES, and so on. As with many industries, effective networking can help you find opportunities you might not otherwise know about.

You need to keep practicing and you need to keep updating yourself with gaming updates and new technologies. You should have the knowledge of some tools and technologies that are being used in industries. To excel as a game developer in the modern-day work environment, you also need to have superior Analytical and Communication Skills.

5. Do Some Internships

Internships are the best opportunity for students to get hands-on industry experience and exposure and that’s the reason it opens a lot of job opportunities. A lot of companies offer internships for students who want to work on industry projects.

In today’s ultra-competitive job market, internships have become the new normal. An internship can help shape your career trajectory, expand your professional network and build your resume. Depending on your area of focus, internships give you the chance to shadow a mentor and work on your programming and communication skills.

6. Apply For Jobs

Getting started in the video game industry can be challenging for new entrants. You can find entry-level positions at game studios of all sizes. When you apply, make sure your portfolio is strong and you explicitly show any previous work experience. It should clearly demonstrate your career progression and the experience that fits the role you’re trying to land.

If you have done all the above things, then it’s time to start looking for job opportunities. It is easier to advance in your career once you have gained the necessary work experience and have a more extensive game development portfolio.

Salary of a Video Game Developer

Video Game Developer Salary in India ranges between ₹ 1.8 Lakhs to ₹ 17.9 Lakhs with an average annual salary of ₹ 4.5 Lakhs. Salary estimates are based on 197 salaries received from Game Developers.

According to the BLS govt, computer programmers, including game developers, make a median annual wage of $89,190 in the United States. However, your actual salary may vary depending on several factors, such as your skills, experience, and location.

Hopefully, this article will provide enough information on ‘How to Become a Game Developer’ and help you to choose the right career option for you. THANK YOU & don’t forget to share with your friends who need it.