If you’re looking to begin a career in game development, here are several useful tips that can help you achieve your goal. Things to consider are the type of education and degrees you need and the types of programming languages you should be familiar with, along with how to get your foot in the doorway.
If you think you have what it takes to take the mobile gaming world to the next level, you could be one of the most successful game developers in the world. Everyone has to start somewhere, and don’t forget that even the people who have developed hit titles, such as Pokemon Go, Genshin Impact, Stardew Valley, and Hearthstone, all started at the bottom of the ladder early on in their game development careers.
Things to consider
Before you enter into a career in video game development, you first need to ask yourself what kind of field you would prefer to enter. In other words, do you consider yourself more of a programmer or an artist? Do you want to develop simple browser games or more complex downloadable games? Once you have sussed this out, you can then start to focus more on this area. You should also try and find out exactly which programming languages are required for the particular field that you enter.
Becoming a video game developer will not happen overnight. It can take years to gain all the necessary qualifications and experience, so make sure that it’s something that you really want to get into. Also, it can get costly if you start taking out student loans to fund yourself at college/university, so make sure that it’s not just a passing fad.
You don’t want to quit halfway through and be left with a mountain of unnecessary debt. However, some of you may want to get into game development either as a form of second income or just as a hobby, which is also possible. There are many avenues to explore. Also, remember to start with smaller projects rather than taking on mammoth tasks that you are likely to struggle with. You can gradually work your way up to the more demanding projects over time.
It’s such a competitive industry, and you can’t just jump in at the deep end, so be prepared to start in a junior position, no matter how old you are. This means that some of you in your forties may be taking instructions from someone half your age. If you can’t handle this, then perhaps the video game development industry isn’t for you.
What kind of games can be developed?
There are lots of different games that can be developed, and some of the main categories are casual games, strategy games, MMO games (massively multiplayer online), RPG and ARPG games (role-playing games), arcade games, puzzle games, party games, and digital card games. You also have MOBA (multiplayer online battle arena/battle royale games), FPS (first-person shooter) games, sports games, simulation games, and so much more. Take time to consider which type of game you would most like to produce. Remember to choose a field that YOU want to get into and not what everyone else tells you to get into.
More tips for beginning a career in game development
Some of the other things to consider before beginning a career in game development are simple things, such as ‘can you work well within a team?’ The big games out there today, such as Fortnite, Elden Ring, GTA 5, Horizon: Forbidden West, LEGO Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare, and Final Fantasy VII, weren’t developed by individuals. Instead, they were made by entire teams of people working side by side, so working well with others is extremely important.
Are you creative? Being creative is also extremely important, and coming up with innovative new ideas will also help you climb to the top. If you’re talented in game development, then it’s a field you should consider entering, so don’t worry so much if you haven’t got a decent education behind you. If you can learn quickly and listen to instructions, then you could be a valuable asset to any team, no matter what kind of background you may have.
