How to Become a Game Developer?
8 min read
We associate game developers, or game programmers, with a high salary, flexible working hours, remote work, and many hours in front of the computer. In some cases, all of this is true. But the reality of becoming a video game developer can be complicated. Behind the scenes of a developer's career, there is a lot of hard work, constant learning, practical experience, and patience. So, if you ask yourself: "How to become a game developer?" the answer is there are many ways.
In this article, we share some tips to help you start your video game development career and find a game developer job. You will read:
Who is a Game Developer?
Game developers create games for platforms like PCs, mobile devices, and consoles. They transform the game dev team's ideas into a playable game while creating efficient, clean codes. Developers also take care of the technical side of the game's development and must have a lot of patience - it's helpful while they solve problems and work on bugs.
What skills do I need to be a Game Developer?
Game development consists of many elements. The basics of computer science and IT skills in the gaming industry are not enough. As a video game developer, you need to take care of the game design, audio, program management, marketing, and other tasks. If you have a degree in computer science, you will probably still need to learn programming languages for games and start working with a game engine.
Game Designers vs Game Developers; What is the difference?
If you want to start your career in game development, you have to know there is not only one possible career path. The industry includes many jobs like game designers, 3D or 2D artists, or programmers. Game designers focus on finding ideas for unique gameplay, plot, and characters in games. They are responsible for researching and following gaming trends, while game developers use their programming skills to develop games and bring designers' ideas to life.
If you wonder which job would suit you better, you should ask yourself whether you prefer to take care of the creative or technical side of game development. Both sides have to work cooperatively and understand each other but choosing one career path helps you get proper education and learn the skills you need.
How do I start a career as a Game Developer?
Okay, you want to develop your own game but don't know how to begin. As we said, there are many ways to become a game developer.
These days you do not need a degree in computer science if you want to start your career as a video game developer. You can gain essential knowledge and learn programming languages without a university.
First, to develop video games, you must choose what tools and programming languages you need to learn. And by tools, I mean choosing a game engine.
What is a game engine?
A game engine is a software used to create and develop video games. Game developers use game engines to build the framework of the game - making a game from scratch without the help of a game engine would take longer and be much more difficult.
How to choose a game engine?
Choosing a game engine can be challenging at first because you have various tools to choose from. Here you can find one of the best game engines:
Unity is one of the best-known software engines, and its default programming language is C#. Video game developers created many popular titles and indie games using Unity because it works perfectly for almost any type of game. The good information is that Unity is free to use, but if you want access to the professional edition, you need to pay a monthly fee.
Unreal engine is a free-of-charge software engine that uses C++ programming language and Blueprints, and that is essential information for beginners. You can make your own game without writing a line code thanks to Blueprints Visual Scripting System.
Godot might be perfect for your projects if you make your video game for the first time. It's easier for game developers to learn Godot than Unity if they are at the beginning of their journey in the gaming industry. Godot supports a few programming languages for making video games, including C++, C#, and the integrated language GDScript, which is very similar to Python.
Choose one, watch some tutorials and try to build something simple. But remember, typically, it takes a few months to level up your skills if you are a beginner.
It's worth knowing that a lot of AAA game studios create their own game engines they work with. As Unity and Unreal are known as a standard in gamedev, they both have their flaws. Sometimes it's better to work with a less universal and more specialized engine meeting specifically your needs.
What programming language to choose?
If you have already chosen a game engine, you must learn to code. You have to select a programming language you need to know. We name a few of them that you could be expected to know in your future career as a game developer:
Python is good for beginners and easy to learn for non-programmers. Also, if you know Python, it becomes easier to work with GDScript in Godot because they are very similar.
C++ is the most popular programming language in the gaming industry and is used in various software engines. It allows developers to create games on multiple platforms.
Java is a very beginner-friendly language and has the support of the open-source most powerful 3D engine. The most popular games made in Java are Minecraft and Asphalt 6.
C# is the default language for Unity 3D. It is a very clear and organized programming language and allows video game developers to work on many applications. That is why knowing C# provides you with a successful career path in many companies.
Choosing the right one for you mostly depends on which game engine you want to work with. For example, if you use Unity, you need to learn C#, or if you use Unreal, you need C++.
How to learn to code?
You researched programming languages, chose the one you want to learn, and you're ready to start your career as a game developer. Still, at the same time you're overwhelmed by the amount of information on the Internet.
If you ask yourself: "How do I learn to code?" we are here to help you.
If you are a complete beginner in the world of game development:
If you don't want to spend much money on education, you can search for free coding courses on platforms like edX.org, Skillshare, or Codecademy. It helps you get the basic knowledge of code writing.
The whole process of learning how to code can become really entertaining. You can learn programming with the help of your digital devices. Download apps like CodinGame or CSS Diner to get some basic skills.
If you want to feel like you already were a game developer, start doing your projects. Watch tutorials on platforms like YouTube, try to focus on the details, get creative and start developing your own game.
If you want to get a more practical experience:
Spending money on paid courses can be a very efficient way of motivating yourself to learn. You can decide if you prefer to learn online or level up your skills by joining classes in person.
It is the best option if you are sure about working in the gaming industry and have time for new responsibilities like doing homework or engaging in group projects. University can help you find internships in game development studios or IT companies. You can also join a student union and learn programming with other members.
Summary
The game developer's career path is not the same for everyone. We all have different experiences. It can be a long journey until you become a member of the game development team, so teach yourself how to enjoy the process. Try to create a plan to measure your progress, and don't give up after a few tries. Once you master the basics, it will become easier and funnier.
What would you like to achieve. Our experts will answer on your all questions.
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