While many industries have been hit hard by the pandemic, the video game industry is booming. The game industry earned an estimated $159 billion in 2020. As everyone quarantined, they turned to video games to stay entertained and connect with others.
Gaming is expanding as an industry, with mobile gaming seeing the most growth. Since the demand for games is growing, game companies need more developers.
So, if you love games and want to become a game developer, what can you do to get your dream job? Read on to discover how to become a video game developer.
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What Does a Game Developer Do?
A video game developer uses diverse skills to design, program, test, and troubleshoot games. They collaborate with artists, designers, and project managers to ensure the game is playable.
Essential Game Developer Skills
Since game developers are the ones who make the game functional, coding skills are essential. Knowing coding languages like C++, C#, and Java will help you build a game.
Video game design requires excellent math and physics skills to write the complicated functions that make games work. You will also need to understand how to use game engine software to build games.
Besides these hard skills, soft skills like teamwork, problem-solving, communication, and time management are vital. Game developers have to collaborate with teammates to build a great game. You also need to meet tight deadlines and stay on task.
Landing a Video Game Designer Job
Video game development jobs are highly competitive. Game companies like Gamemine are looking for innovative people that can help them bring great games to their customers. So you need to stand out to land a role.
Most video game developer jobs require a Bachelor’s degree in computer science or a similar field. Before applying, make sure to read the video game developer job description carefully to ensure you meet the company’s requirements. Pay attention to what coding language and software they use and see if it aligns with your skills.
If you don’t meet all the requirements but still think you’d be a good fit, write an outstanding cover letter that explains how you are suitable for the job. Doing an internship is another great way to get your foot in the door.
Have an Outstanding Portfolio
Before a game developer hires you, they will want to make sure you can apply those skills on your resume. Often, they will ask to see examples of your past work to get an idea of what they can expect if they hire you.
Your portfolio is a collection of your best work that illustrates your skills. You won’t have anything in your portfolio when you are just starting out. But, there are a couple of ways to get work in your portfolio.
If you are going to school for video game design, you will work on projects for your classes that make excellent pieces for your portfolio. If you are learning on your own, try creating games to add to your portfolio in your free time. Finally, apply to internships to work on games developed by game companies and add this work to your portfolio.
How to Become a Video Game Developer Made Easy
The demand for games and game developers makes this a great time to pursue your passion for gaming. Now that you understand how to become a video game developer, you are ready to get the skills you need to land a job. Be sure to create a winning portfolio and network to improve your chances.
Do you want to keep up with what’s going on in the game industry? Check out our website for the latest gaming news.