Computer games developer
Computer game developers create video games for phones, tablets, PCs and consoles.
Also known as: Computer games designer, video games designer
- Starter salary£27,000 a year
- Experienced£71,000 a year
- Typical hours30 to 45 a week
What you'll do
As a games developer, you could work in a number of specialisms from gameplay programming to virtual reality (VR). You could:
- work with level designers and graphic artists
- decide what a game will look like and how it will be played
- create concept art, drawings or storyboards at the planning stage
- use computer modelling and animation software to make characters and scenes
- add audio and sound effects
- write code to programme the game
- fix problems and 'bugs' that testers have found
Working environment
You could work in a creative studio or in an office.
Skills and knowledge you'll need
You'll need:
- design skills and knowledge
- the ability to write computer code
- to be thorough and pay attention to detail
- analytical thinking skills
- maths knowledge
- the ability to come up with new ways of doing things
- complex problem-solving skills
- excellent verbal communication skills
- to have a thorough understanding of computer systems and applications
How to become a computer games developer
You can get into this job through:
- a university course
- a college course
- an apprenticeship
- working towards this role
University
You could do a foundation degree or degree in:
- computer games design
- computer games development
- computer science
- interactive media
- mathematics
If you'd like a job that includes game design as well as programming, you could do a foundation degree or degree in a subject like animation or graphic design.
You may have an advantage when you look for work if you do a degree that includes a work placement.
Entry requirements
You'll usually need:
- at least 1 A level, or equivalent, for a foundation degree
- 2 to 3 A levels, or equivalent, for a degree
College
You could do a college course before moving on to a higher level qualification. It may help you to get a trainee position with a development company.
Courses include:
- computing
- creative media and games development
- T Level in Digital Software Development
Entry requirements
Entry requirements for these courses vary.
Apprenticeship
You could apply to do a Higher Apprenticeship to get into this career, such as:
- Software Developer Level 4
- Junior VFX Artist or Assistant Technical Director Level 4
- Game Programmer Level 7 - postgraduate level
Work
You could start with a company as a games tester if you play a lot of games.
You'll usually need a computing qualification or some relevant work experience. Employers will also be interested in your talent and creative ideas.
Foundation apprenticeship
You may be able to start in a junior or assistant developer role by doing a Software and Data Level 2 Foundation Apprenticeship.
You can apply for a foundation apprenticeship if you're aged 16 to 21.
If you're aged 22 to 24, you can apply if you:
- have an education, health and care (EHC) plan
- are in care or have been in care
- are in prison or have been in prison
Entry requirements
You'll usually need:
- no specific qualifications or experience to apply for a foundation apprenticeship
- 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) and A levels, or equivalent, for a higher or degree apprenticeship
Career path and progression
With experience you could become a senior developer, producer or technical director.
If you have a lot of skills and experience, you could become a freelance developer, working on games for a number of different companies.
Career tips
You can create a portfolio of work or online demo to highlight your skills to potential employers.
You can get information on how to start creating your own games from Into Games .
You can also search for games companies and educational institutions , offering courses in digital gaming, on the UK Interactive Entertainment (UKIE) games map.
Guides for this industry
Related roles
- Job roleSoftware developer
- Job roleComputer games tester
- Job roleAnimator
- Job roleWeb developer
- Job roleWeb designer
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