Exploring Career Options
Your Career in Video Game Development
About This Job
Pursuing a profession in video game development is a unique experience. It combines reasoning and creativity in order to translate game design concepts into computer code. Being able to develop the newest concepts using the newest game engines demands knowledge of computers, programming, and technological advancements because video games and video game technology are always evolving. Video Game Developers use the most recent game engines and their corresponding coding languages to create player mechanics, game world mechanics, and game systems. Through their diligent work and advanced knowledge, Developers give video games movement, personality, and realism. If you decide to pursue a career in Video game development, you’ll get to work with some of the most imaginative people in the entertainment business to create incredible games.
A Career in Game Developement
Key Duties
- Implementing the camera, character, and controls logic for playable game characters
- Developing core systems such as health, combat, inventories, in-game economies, etc.…
- Collaborating with game designers, artists, and producers to ensure all design ideas are being followed
- Creating technical demos, prototypes, vertical slices, and other milestone deliverables enroute to the final game
- Ensuring the game feel matches the Creative Director’s vision and, most importantly, is FUN for the players!
- Writing high quality, efficient, bug-free code under supervision
- Participating in team meetings
- Keeping up- to- date with all video game development trends, techniques, and data
Critical Skills
Soft Skills
- Able to work well independently as well as in a team
- Excellent communication
- Strong leadership skills with the ability to take initiative
- Strong analytical frame of mind
- Curiosity with a willingness to learn
- A passion for video games
- Creativity
- Detail-oriented
- Inventive
- Logical mindset
- Organizational skills
- Able to overcome challenges and conflict
- Time -management
Hard Skills
- Strong knowledge of C# and C++
- Comfortable using both Unity and Unreal game engines
- Proficient in AI, networking, gameplay programming as well as tools and engine design
- Familiarity with artist software as it pertains to efficient art pipelines
- Proven ability to work in an agile software development paradigm
Work Environment
- Regular business hours but may occasionally be expected to work evenings and weekends to meet deadlines.
- Most game developers work in big cities where video game studios and tech companies are located. In some cases, you may be required to travel to attend trade shows such as GDC, E3, PAX or Gamescon.
- Constant engagement and collaboration with internal staff from other departments, such as design, art, and production.
- A relaxed workplace that often requires you to work under pressure in order to complete tight deadlines
- Flexible work schedule
- Constant involvement in team meetings
- A creative and on-demand environment where collaboration and teamwork are essential.
Professional Certifications/Licenses
A college or university degree in Video Game Development is required.
Key courses:
Game Development, Programing Logic, Scripting for Games, Programming Fundamentals, Graphics Programming
The video game industry consistently brings in more money than Hollywood. In 2018, the global gaming market was valued at $134.9 billion, while the global box office only brought in 41.1 billion.
Toronto has 38 well known game developer studios.
Source: fact retriever
Job Search Tips - Where to Focus Your Time
- Meet with a TFS Career Services Advisor
- Volunteer at IGDA Toronto or TO Jam to gain experience and build your network
- Learn about industry contacts and topics by reading industry websites such as Game Developer, or Game Designing
- Find a mentor
- Join the International Game Developers Association find your local chapter and learn about membership benefits
- Join LinkedIn Groups and search for group members Search for industry events
- Learn about essential skills for job seekers, labour market information, employment trends, and salary data
- Resume, portfolio, and interview tips:
- Create a LinkedIn profile , learn unique tips on finding a job in the field plus optimize your profile in order to expand your network
- Watch a game programmer talk about a day in the life working from home
- Check job boards and discord servers:
The average salary of a video game coder is $59,000 a year. But a full-fledged video game developer can make an average of $66,000 to $70,000 per year.
Source: gamedesiging.org