Making video games seems like fun, especially when you are outside the industry. Game developers derive a lot of satisfaction and a sense of accomplishment from seeing millions of people playing their games and enjoying them. However, getting into game development can seem daunting. A lot of people who would like to get into the industry do not know where to start and so this article will serve as a guide for what you need to do if you would like to be hired as a game developer.
How to Get a Job in Game Development
Level Up Your Math Skills
Programming and coding games require a lot of mathematical functions and logic to get right. You require an in-depth understanding of basic algorithms and linear algebra if you would like to get into game development. You will also need these skills to apply for a computer science degree, as this is one of the prerequisites. If you did not do well in physics, trigonometry, or calculus in high school, you can take the relevant college courses for any or all of them.
Get a Relevant Degree
While it is possible to design and develop games without a college degree, one is required if you would like to work with the biggest game development studios. Having a relevant bachelor’s degree in computer science or relevant, is one of the job requirements required by most game development studios for job positions.
Read More: Cloud Gaming On Facebook Makes Its Debut In The US
As technology is always improving and evolving, some game development studios require that candidates have a master’s degree in computer science from a reputable university, especially for those with a bachelor’s degree and who have never worked in game development. Having a master’s degree also shows that you are willing to keep learning and pushing yourself beyond the minimum required to become a game developer.
Game developers who already have a bachelor’s degree, some experience, and some completed projects have the option of earning their masters in computer science online. This degree is perfectly suited for those who are working too, as it is a fully online course that can be completed in 15 weeks.
Build Indie Games
One of the best ways to get relevant experience is to build indie games. There are so many tools available now that make it easier for developers to complete smaller games they can include in their portfolio.
One very important step in ensuring your portfolio is complete is providing the relevant material if you would like people to know about your games. This can be in the form of installable software that others can download and play. If you do not yet have complete software, you can always include screenshots of important parts of your game. If you choose to follow the latter path, ensure you include a small write-up of what your game is about. No matter the route you choose, ensure that you provide the source code for all the games you build.
Showcase Your Work
Once you have built some games and have a strong portfolio, go where other developers congregate and where you are likely to get the recognition you deserve. Many new game developers post their portfolios on discussion boards and indie developer forums.
In addition to other game developers who learn from these platforms, these are also frequented by professional game developers looking for talented newbie developers. Even where a game studio does not choose you based on the recommendation of a professional game developer, you still get to create professional connections that will come in very handy in the future.
These discussion boards and forums can also be crucial sources of feedback that you can use to improve your skills and make you a better developer, the aim is to be good enough to be recognized.
Read More: Xiaomi Unveil Black Shark 4 and Black Shark 4 Pro Gaming Smartphones
Go For Internships
To get an inside look at how gaming studios and game development work at a larger scale, you can always apply for an internship. Game development studios are always looking for interns who can work for the experience and exposure or for a small stipend. Most small or indie game development studios do not require a portfolio or extensive experience.
Because many of these studios are looking for interns to polish up some of their work, having the right coding or design skills is crucial. If you have the skills and learn well enough while on internship, your chances of getting hired by the studio. If not, you will gain crucial skills and experience that you can use in other jobs.
Apply For Entry Level Positions
Due to the level of competition in the game development industry, it might be difficult to get an entry-level job, and this is why you need a good strategy. Because a full project requires having at least 3 – 4 years of experience, try applying for jobs at indie or startup studios that develop smaller games. Once you are involved in a mobile or smaller game that garners a lot of recognition, you can leverage its success to find a job at a larger company.
Also, the contacts we discussed above are crucial in your job hunt. By having these professional connections, you put yourself in a great position to get information on job listings that may not be available anywhere else.
Become a Game Tester
If you have a hard time getting a job as a game developer, you can always apply for game testing positions. These positions do not require a lot of experience and your computer science degree gives you a lot of leverage.
However, always let your boss know you are interested in game development. Just ensure that when your boss gives you the opportunity to join a game development team working on a project that you do your best so you can be moved from the game testing position to a game development one.
Although becoming a game developer is very exciting, especially if you love games and programming, getting there requires some planning, continuous learning, knowing how to apply for the right positions at the right time, and pushing and applying for positions you feel would help your career along.
