Game Developer
Introduction - Game development is the process of creating a game for consoles, PC, arcades, tablets, mobile phones and other platforms. This has been one of the best and highest paying job in the world. A single game would take years before it is launched and millions of dollars are spent along the process. This job entails everyone “to create your own engine” (Whithall 1).
Job Description
Duties
Establishing the game concept according to genre or type of game.
Developing games scripts and storyboards.
Developing visual effects and 2D or 3D animation software.
Recording and applying audio features to the game.
Handling the process of programming languages
Quality test
These are the primary duties of a game developer including working with other developers in order to disseminate all information about the game to be developed.
Pay Scale
Game developers can earn as much $9.58 to $68.38 according to their experience and workload. The annual salary ranges from &36,000 to $96,000.
Working Conditions
Game developers can seek jobs from big video game companies that produce most of the games for all platforms like Atari, Capcom, Square Enix, Double Helix Games, and so much more. There are also the ones called indie game developers who are capable of developing games on their own without the resources of a video game company.
Game developers working hours are very flexible because it depends on the progress of the game. Some games takes years of development while some may takes weeks like mini games for mobile phones. Developers have no official schedule for going to work; the important thing is to maintain the progress of the game upon its completion.
Educational Requirements
Skills
A game developers need to have the basic skills like game developing, game developer software’s, and programming using programming languages and game engines. A developer should also have creativity with visual effects and animation software.
Education
A degree for Computer Science may take 3 to 4 years in college. This field of study has different majors for example math, information technology, engineering, science, technology etc. Some developers enhance their knowledge through self study and experience that gave birth to indie game developers.
Outlook - The industry is active since video gaming is very popular worldwide. However, video game companies only hire effective developers who are able to work independently or work well with a group.
QnA – Interview an individual who has a wide experience with game development and computer science.
Works Cited
Whithall, Richard. The Indie Game Developer Handbook. Burlington: Focal Press, 2015. Print.
