What is a game programmer?
A game programmer is a software developer who writes the code that allows games to function. Game programmers use languages like C++, C#, Python, or Java to build a game’s AI, physics, mechanics, graphics, and networking. Game programmers often specialize in a single area, becoming dedicated AI, physics, networking, gameplay, graphics, or tools programmers as their careers progress. Game programming is behind-the-scenes work that isn’t well understood by the general public, but gaming wouldn’t exist without it.
The role of a game programmer demands close cooperation with other game developers like artists, game designers, and writers to bring a game concept to life and troubleshoot issues. Game programming is a highly technical field that requires an appreciation for the creative elements of game design and a passion for creating interactive media experiences.
How to become a game programmer?
To become a game programmer, you must learn coding skills, game development concepts, mathematics for game development, and problem-solving. You can develop the skills of a game programmer by studying at university, taking online courses, participating in game jams, joining game dev communities, modding, and reverse engineering open-source games.
Becoming a game programmer starts with learning the basics of coding. C++ is widely used in gaming, while C# is used in Unity-based games. Learning Java, JavaScript, and Python allows for additional coding flexibility. Game programmers must know how algorithms and data structures optimize performance. Reverse engineering open-source games and modding help students understand how these concepts influence the way a game runs.
To become a game programmer, you must understand game engines and game development concepts. Unity (C+) is used for indie and mobile games, while Unreal Engine (C##) is used in AAA games. Godot (GDscript, C#, C++) is a free, open-source alternative to Unity and Unreal Engine that allows users to develop 2D and 3D games. A game programmer must understand game development concepts like rendering, physics, AI, game loops, input handling, and networking. Knowledge of pathfinding and collision detection algorithms is also central to a game programmer’s role.
Learning mathematics for game development is necessary to become a game programmer. Algebra, geometry, and trigonometry are important for implementing game physics, while linear algebra is required for 3D transformations. Understanding Newtonian physics helps programmers implement movement and collisions.
What are the requirements to become a game programmer?
The requirements to become a game programmer are problem-solving abilities, basic logical reasoning skills, an understanding of physics concepts, and soft skills like teamwork, communication, and creativity. Linear algebra, trigonometry, and calculus are used to implement graphics and physics while understanding physics concepts allows programmers to create realistic movement, collision detection, and game mechanics.
A degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, or Game Development helps some students become game programmers. Other programmers are self-taught, using online tutorials, boot camps, and hands-on experience to level up their skills. Demonstrating your ability to program games is the best way to get hired as a game programmer. The games you work on don’t have to be AAA products or even commercial releases. Working on personal projects, indies, game jams, and mods demonstrates your programming abilities efficiently, and these projects should be included in your portfolio.
What is the typical job description of a video game programmer?
The typical job description of a video game programmer involves working on code to implement assets and ideas and ensuring everything runs smoothly in-engine. Game programmers work on writing, testing, and debugging code. A game programmer is also responsible for implementing game mechanics, optimizing game performance, collaborating with designers and artists on assets and ideas, and implementing AI, physics, and networking.
The work of game programmers at larger studios often involves specialization into either gameplay, engine, AI, physics, graphics, network/multiplayer, tools, UI, or audio programmer roles. The complex nature of AAA games demands high levels of specialization. In indie studios, game programmers are more likely to be generalists, working on several areas of a game’s development at once.
Is it easy to find a job as a game programmer?
Yes, it’s easy to find a job as a game programmer. Game programming jobs are plentiful as there is a shortage of experienced programmers in the industry as a whole. That said, many applying for these roles lack sufficient skills, personal insights, or communication skills essential to be an effective programmer within a team. It’s easy to find a job if you’re capable. Finding a team willing to train you If you’re on the borderline is challenging.
What is the career path of a video game programmer?
The career path of a video game programmer is broken down into entry-level, mid-level, senior-level, and leadership and technical expert roles. Career paths for game programmers also follow alternative routes like working on indie games, founding indie studios, working as a consultant, or working on related media like XR or VR.
At the entry level, game programmers gain real experience on commercial projects, improve their technical skills, and build their portfolios. Titles for these early roles include Junior Game Programmer, Junior Gameplay Programmer, Junior Tools Programmer, and Junior AI Programmer. Junior game programmers work on less complex systems under the mentorship of more experienced team members.
Mid-level roles mean game programmers take on more responsibility, own the features they work on, and potentially begin to specialize in a single area of programming. Mid-level game programmers are responsible for implementing complex game mechanics and systems, optimizing performance, and debugging. In a mid-level role, a game programmer works closely with the designers and art team to refine and streamline gameplay. Some game programmers begin to specialize in areas like graphics, AI, networking, physics, or tools by the mid-level period of their career, while others remain generalists.
Senior-level roles often involve specializing in a single area of game programming. Specializing allows senior game programmers to implement larger systems and optimize more challenging elements of game engines. Senior game programmers often oversee and supervise the work of more junior members of their teams.
Leadership and technical expert roles are the most senior positions in a game programmer’s career, coming after extensive experience in the industry. Game programmers in leadership and technical expert roles manage teams of programmers while working with producers and designers to determine the project’s scope and establish achievable milestones. Leaders and technical experts oversee the code quality and establish best practices for their teams. Technical directors are also referred to as ‘principal engineers’ because they make high-level decisions about the architecture of game engines and frameworks.
What is the role of a junior game programmer?
A junior game programmer’s role is to assist in coding gameplay mechanics, systems, AI, and UI, fix bugs, and optimize performance, and work under more senior team members to gain experience while benefiting from supervision.
What is the role of a senior game programmer?
A senior game programmer’s role is to make high-level decisions, mentor the juniors on their team, and lead the projects they work on. Senior programmers work closely with game designers to make gameplay feel innovative and polished. A senior game programmer is also responsible for implementing major game systems, optimizing complex game engine elements, and working on advanced AI, rendering, physics, or networking systems. Game programmers at this level specialize in senior graphics, engine, AI, or networking programmer roles.
What is the average salary of a game programmer?
The average salary of a game programmer varies according to location. For example, according to a Glassdoor survey, an average game programmer in the USA earns $75,498 USD per year, a game programmer in China earns an average of CN¥650,000 per year, while a similar position in Australia earns an average of $75,000 AUD per year.
