• Game Programmer Job Description

    A game programmer is a person who writes the computer program needed to create a game and make it functional. Game programmers works collaboratively with game designers, game artists and others involved in a game development process to create game applications for computers, gaming consoles and cell phones.

    A game programmer should be well organized, enthusiastic, curious, patient, analytical and detail-oriented, and have the ability to sit at a computer and write programs for long periods of time. They should be fluent in several programming languages and able to self-study to teach themselves new programming skills and stay updated on new technologies.

    Pursue a career in game programming, if you have interest in computer games, especially how they function. You should be good at math, physics, and computer programming, and must possess analytical and problem solving skills.
  • What does a Game Programmer do?

    Game programmers may do some or all of the following:

    • work with game artists, game designers and others involved in a game development process
    • conceptualize the idea of the game artists and designers
    • simulate the ideas of the artists and designers
    • write programs to create the game
    • fix bugs in the game features and systems
    • play the created game to ensure its working properly
    • contribute to the overall game design and development
  • Where does a Game Programmer work?
  • Working Conditions

    Game programmers spend much of their time in front of a computer writing codes, and their job can be stressful due to the technicality involved. Their working hours may be flexible but involves long hours especially around deadlines. They work in offices and in game studios.

  • What is Required to Become a Game Programmer?

    To become a game programmer, you will need to have strong programming skills. Having a diploma or degree in software development, programming or computer science is helpful. Some game programmers start out as game testers and after a while, they advance to become game programmers.

  • Modules
  • Specializations
  • Knowledge, Skills and Attributes

    Game programmers need to have:

    • patience
    • creativity
    • accuracy
    • passion for games
    • discipline and determination
    • adaptability and versatility
    • mathematical aptitude
    • good attention to detail
    • good interpersonal skills
    • good judgment and decision making skills
    • good listening and communication skills
    • analytical and problem solving skills
    • time management and organizational skills
    • technical and programming skills
    • game testing skills
    • self-learning skills
    • the ability to visualize game concepts
    • the ability to work calmly under pressure
    • knowledge of programming languages such as C++, C# or java
    • knowledge of data structures, algorithms, and complexity analysis
    • knowledge of game development platforms such as PlayStations, Xbox or Nintendo
    • knowledge of computer systems and processes
    • knowledge and experience of game playing
    • knowledge of modeling and animation
    • knowledge of legal ownership rights such as copyrights and patents

References

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Alternative Careers
  • Computer Scientist
  • Computer Programmer
  • Software Developer
  • Web Developer
  • Game Artist
  • Game Designer
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