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More info
- This role requires creativity and imagination, a logical approach to problem-solving, and excellent IT skills
- With experience, progress to a senior developer, producer or technical director role
- You could be based in an office or a studio, depending on your role
Computer games developers are involved in the creation and production of games for personal computers, games consoles, social/online games, arcade games, tablets, mobile phones and other handheld devices. The making of a game from concept to finished product can take years and involve teams of professionals.
DAY-TO-DAY DUTIES
- Deciding what a game should look like and how it should be played
- Coming up with your own original ideas or working from an existing concept
- Creating the game's visual characters, objects and scenery
- Producing concept art and drawings (storyboards) at the planning stage
- Bringing the characters, objects and scenery to life with computer modelling and animation software
- Creating the code to make the game work
- Testing and debugging code
- Adding sound effects and music
DAY-TO-DAY ENVIRONMENT
Your working hours can vary. In many jobs you'll work standard office hours, with some unsocial hours (such as evenings and weekends) and overtime to meet deadlines. You could be based in an office or a studio, depending on your role and you'll spend most of your time sitting at a computer. Working from home may be an option. Many companies offer bonuses and share schemes for successfully completing projects.
You'll report to a producer or project manager, who oversees the whole process and makes sure that the game is completed on time.
You'll need
This role is ideal for game lovers with creativity and imagination, a logical approach to problem-solving, and excellent IT skills.
You'll usually need a foundation degree or degree in computer games technology, computer games development, computer science, interactive media, or mathematics. A degree with a work placement could give you an advantage.
You could also do a college course, which may lead to more advanced qualifications or a higher apprenticeship. Courses include an A level in Computing, T level in Digital Production, Design and Development, and a Higher National Diploma in Creative Media Production or Games Development.
Another route you could take is an advanced or higher apprenticeship in creative and digital media or games programming, or a software developer or junior 2D artist higher apprenticeship.
Employers will be interested in your knowledge of software and the computer games market and will want to see proof of your talent and creativity, as well as formal qualifications. You could create a portfolio of work or online demo to highlight your skills to potential employers.
You could start as a quality assurance (QA) tester if you have plenty of experience of game playing. You'll usually need an IT qualification or work experience. Employers will be interested in your talent and creativity. You may also find it helps to have A levels or a diploma in relevant subjects like computing or media production.
CAREER PROSPECTS
With experience, you could progress to a senior developer, producer or technical director role.