What Is a Game Developer? How to Become One, Salary, Skills.

Game developers use software engineering and technical expertise to create interactive entertainment experiences. This role is one of the driving forces behind the multi-billion dollar gaming industry. Here’s what to know about a game developer’s salary, needed skills and how to become one.

What Is a Game Developer?

Game developers help to program video game structures and mechanics from concept to final product. A game developer’s work can vary from large AAA gaming studio projects to small self-published indie game development projects. 

What Do Game Developers Do?

Game developers write code, employ design tools and implement artificial intelligence (AI) and/or VR/AR technology to create interactive virtual environments, characters and storylines for a video game. 

Game Developer Responsibilities

• Code with computer programming languages to direct game visuals, objects and mechanics.
• Utilize game engines to test gameplay and combine art and coding assets.
• Leverage AI and machine learning mechanics to build immersive gameplay environments.
• Collaborate with varied teams and enterprise stakeholders.

Day-to-Day Responsibilities of Game Developers

• Use languages like C++ to program internal game rules and specific object functions.
• Use tools in game engines like Unity to prototype file workflows and controller input systems. 
• Program AI algorithms to dictate the behavior of a game area or a non-playable character.
• Communicate product needs between artists, programmers and other game designers.

Types of Game Developers

• First-party game developer: develops games exclusively for a platform or console and is owned under the platform’s company.
• Second-party game developer: develops games exclusively for a platform or console, but is not fully owned under the platform’s company.
• Third-party game developer: develops games for self-publish or for any company under commission.
• Indie game developer: develops games independently or under a small team and is not owned by a single company.

Game Developers Within a Company

Game developers are usually part of a designated game development, game design or production team within a company. They frequently collaborate with game artists, game designers, gameplay programmers, QA analysts and testers, UI designers and UX designers to accomplish their work.

Importance of Game Developers

Game developers translate designers’ game concepts into playable code, ensuring that a creative idea reacts and responds properly when played on a gaming device. Game developers may also act as a bridge between the areas of art and technology on a development team.

What Skills Are Needed to Be a Game Developer?

Qualifications to Be a Game Developer

• Applicable internship or on-the-job experience in full-cycle game development.
• Ability to build systems on game engine technologies.
• Ability to create, debug and modify relevant code.
• Proficiency in C, C++, C#, and/or Java as well as software engineering principles.
• Working knowledge of quality assurance (QA) and user performance analysis tools.

Game Developer Prerequisites

• Bachelor’s degree in computer science, game development, mathematics, software engineering or a similar field.

Game Developer Hard Skills

• 2D and/or 3D rendering and animation knowledge.
• AI technology and tools.
• Computer programming languages (C, C#, C++, HTML5, Java, JavaScript, Lua, Python)
• Full-stack development knowledge.
• Game engine technology (CryEngine, GameMaker, Unity, Unreal Engine).
• Gaming hardware knowledge.
• QA and user performance analysis tools.
• VR/AR technical knowledge.

Game Developer Soft Skills

• Critical thinking.
• Problem-solving.
• Teamwork and collaboration.
• Verbal and written communication.

Tools and Programs Game Developers Use

• C
• C#
• C++
• CryEngine
• GameMaker
• HTML5
• Java
• JavaScript
• Lua
• Python
• Unity
• Unreal Engine 

How to Become a Game Developer

Game Developer Education and Experience

Game developer candidates are often expected to have a bachelor’s degree in computer science, game development, mathematics, software engineering or a similar field. 

Candidates will need to obtain applicable experience through an internship, on-the-job training and/or work experience. Knowledge in the areas of programming languages (C, C#, C++, Java, JavaScript), software engineering, full-cycle game development, AI, rendering and animation tools as well as effective communication are also recommended.

Game Developer Certificates and Courses

• All About Gaming Industry Careers & Game Design Fundamentals
• C++ Fundamentals: Game Programming for Beginners
• Complete C# Unity Game Developer 3D
• The 21 Best Coding Bootcamps
• Unreal Engine 5 C++ Developer: Learn C++ & Make Video Games 

Game Developer Career Path

After experience as a game developer, professionals can move into a senior game developer role. From this point, professionals may progress into management and leadership roles like game development team lead, principal game developer or director of game development.

Game Developer Salary and Job Outlook

Game developers are in-demand, with U.S. employment for software developers and similar roles projected to increase 25 percent by 2031. 

The full compensation package for a game developer depends on a variety of factors, including but not limited to the candidate’s experience and geographic location. See below for detailed information on the average game developer salary.