Fortnite. Call of Duty. Super Mario. Stardew Valley. Pong. What do they have in common? Well, aside from all being popular games, they were all created by video game developers. Developers combine creativity and tech skills to bring these sword-swinging, sniper-aiming, cart-driving, turnip-farming and ‘hitting a block across a screen with a slightly longer block’ games we all love to our consoles. But if you want to create games, not just play them, how do you become a video game developer? Hold that joystick; we’re going to break it down.

What does a video game developer do?

Let’s start by taking a look at what the job involves. The clue is in the name: game developers are the people who conceive and then bring to life digital worlds and interactive experiences across different platforms and devices. They work with multidisciplinary teams – typically including artists, designers, writers and audio engineers – to devise games and then translate those creative visions into functional gameplay mechanics.

Game developers write the code to make the features, mechanics and functionalities of games work. They make things happen on screen. Whether that’s defeating the end-level boss or crashing your car into a giant mushroom. This involves using programming languages and game engines. If you pursue a career as a video game developer, you’ll leverage these technologies to build game systems, user interfaces, artificial intelligence behaviours and networking functionalities. All while ensuring the gamely is smooth and responsive.

Moreover, video game developers are involved in the game design process. They help shape the overall gameplay experience and user interactions. This could mean creating level layouts to map the way a game world unfolds. Designing the puzzles and challenges a player has to navigate. Making sure the game is difficult enough but not impossible to keep gamers entertained. And constantly reiterating designs based on feedback from across the team. With something as nuanced and expansive as a video game, there’s a lot of tweaking!

What do game developers use to program

So, let’s get into the bytes and binary. Game developers utilise a variety of programming tools and languages. The foundations are usually built in C++, C# and Java. These drive the game’s core mechanics, gameplay features and overall functionality.

In addition to programming languages, game developers rely heavily on integrated development environments (IDEs) and game engines. IDEs such as Visual Studio, JetBrains Rider, and Eclipse provide powerful tools for writing, debugging and optimising code. Game engines like Unity, Unreal Engine, and Godot offer tools alike rendering engines, physics engines, audio systems and asset pipelines. Think of them as giving you some pre-made blocks of code for certain game functions, so you don’t have to start from scratch every time.

You might also use graphics libraries like OpenGL and DirectX to create visuals, audio middleware such as FMOD and Wwise to build audio elements into games, and game development frameworks like SDL and SFML to simplify cross-platform development, ensuring compatibility across different devices and operating systems.

What skills do game developers need?

Okay, so we’ve covered the technical skills you need to ace it as a game developer. What other aptitudes are essential? The soft skills that will put you in the driving seat (gaming chair?) of your career.

Well, firstly, no surprises – creativity. Coming up with new ideas, compelling characters, cutting-edge game-play and new experiences for players is at the heart of the role.

Next up, problem-solving. There are always going to be curveballs and glitches along the way when it comes to video game development. Being able to identify and resolve issues and so optimise the game-playing experience is key.

And communication and collaboration skills. Game development is a collective endeavour, and strong interpersonal skills make for productive teamwork.

Where do game developers work?

There are three primary places (or player modes, if you like): large companies, indie studios and freelance.

In larger game development studios, you’ll collaborate with teams all in the same space, a space specifically designed for game creation. These large studios are often kitted out with high-performance computers, specialised software and gaming consoles for testing.

Indie game developers often work in smaller, more flexible environments. Go down this route and chances are that you’ll work in a smaller studio, from home or a mix of both. Indie studios often design things like apps; games that don’t require specific platform code and equipment to play, as you’d get in the large studios. Working for smaller outfit is also likely to give you the chance to wear more than just your game developer hat; you might also get involved with design and marketing, for instance.

Freelance game developers have the flexibility to work remotely and take on projects from various clients, including game development studios, startups, and businesses seeking gamification solutions, as in marketing materials. Go freelance and you might work from a home office, co-working spaces, or wherever you have access to the necessary tools and resources. Working as a freelance game developer offers you independence and the opportunity to work on diverse projects, perhaps even for international clients. However, remember that it does require self-discipline, time management skills and the ability to market yourself effectively.

So, how do you become a video game developer?

The most common path to entering this field is studying an undergraduate degree like Charles Sturt’s Bachelor of Computer Science. You’ll gain a wide range of programming skills and foundational knowledge across mathematics, systems analysis and data structures. Plus, you can choose electives that fit your career goals – like game development. Easy as.

Besides your studies, build a strong portfolio to showcase your abilities. It could include work on personal projects, participation in game development competitions, or contributions to open-source game projects.

Plus, put yourself out there. Networking within the gaming industry is crucial for aspiring game deveolopers. Attending industry events, joining game development communities, and connecting with professionals through online platforms can give you valuable insights, mentorship opportunities and even potential job leads. And if you can score an internship or entry-level position at a game development studio, you’ll get some sweet hands-on experience too.

Ready to power up your career in game development?

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