What Is a Game Developer (and How to Become One)?

Key takeaways

• A game developer is a software professional who creates the user interface, visuals, and gameplay logic mechanics that make video games playable.

• Game developer jobs include first, second, or third-party developers or independent (indie) developers.

• A video game developer typically has knowledge of Unity and Unreal Engine, programming languages like C# and C++, and video content and animation.

What a game developer actually does is develop new game design ideas, translate designs into code, test and refine gameplay, collaborate with development teams, and monitor game performance across platforms. Learn more about game developers, including what they do, their required skills, and how to become one.

If you want to start building your knowledge of game development, consider enrolling in Michigan State University's Game Design and Development with Unity Specialization. In as little as two months, you’ll have the opportunity to learn more about the game design and development process, as well as designing 2D and 3D games. Upon completion of the program, you'll have created your own original game and earned a shareable certificate to add to your resume.

What is the definition of a video game developer?

Creating a video game often involves a team of designers, artists, software developers, quality assurance testers, and production professionals. Game developers typically contribute to visual design elements, general user interface, and game logic. They take the game designers' designs, storyboards, and ideas and use them as blueprints to bring the game to life as something gamers can actually play.

Game development tasks and responsibilities

The type of work you do as a game developer will vary depending on the size of the company you work for and your specialization. At bigger game companies, you’re more likely to have a more specialized role working on a specific game element. At an indie publisher, you may have a hand in multiple processes in a game’s lifecycle. These are some of the day-to-day tasks you may perform in this role:

• Develop new ideas for game design

• Translate visual ideas into code

• Prototype, iterate, and polish gameplay

• Collaborate with designers, producers, artists, and quality analysts

• Monitor game stability across platforms

• Review existing code and recommend improvements

• Port games or elements from one system to another

Video game developer vs. video game designer

Developers and designers are two careers that work together to create video games, but they have very different day-to-day responsibilities. While a video game developer focuses on the coding and software necessary to support the game and make it work, a designer creates the visual elements or aesthetics of the game. While the two roles are different, they aren’t mutually exclusive. It’s common for game developers to work on design aspects, but it's also the other way around.

How much does a game developer make?

According to Glassdoor, game developers in the United States earn a median total compensation of $97,000 as of August 2026, which includes both base salary and additional pay, such as bonuses, commissions, or profit sharing [1]. Learn more about salary ranges and the factors that can influence your pay by checking out the article Video Game Developer Salary: Your Guide.

Video game developer jobs

In this industry, you’ll typically work in one of four types of roles: first, second, or third-party developers or independent (indie) developers. The path you choose will depend on where you are in your career, what elements of game development you’re interested in, and how much creative control you want over the final product.

Specializations

In addition to deciding what type of developer you might want to be, you might also choose to specialize. You can develop niche skills based on the type of system (console, computer, or mobile), game type (simulation, adventure, role-playing, strategy, etc.), or a specific game element (in-game systems, level design, user interface, environment, etc).

Is game development a good career?

According to Statista, the video game industry's projected market value is $745.68 billion by 2030 [2]. Given these statistics, it’s little wonder that the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects a 15 percent growth rate for game and other software developers between 2024 and 2034 [3].

Many game developers get into the industry out of a love of gaming. More than 212 million people in the United States play video games, according to the Entertainment Software Association [4]. While working in video game development can be challenging, it can also be rewarding to take part in creating something you’re passionate about (and that your potential customers are passionate about as well).

How to become a game developer

Video game development is typically seen as a highly coveted career, especially for those with an established love of video games. Let’s take a look at some of the educational recommendations and skills you can build that could make you more competitive in your job search.

Educational requirements

Many game development and publishing companies look for candidates with a bachelor’s degree in computer science or a related field. Some universities have started offering game design and interactive entertainment degrees or minors that are more specifically targeted toward the video game industry. With the Bachelor of Science in Computer Science from the University of London, for instance, you can specialize in cutting-edge topics like virtual reality, game development, or 3D graphics and animation.

While a degree isn’t always necessary, it can help you build the foundational technical skills necessary for success as a software developer.

Game developer skills

Having the right technical skills on your resume can open up opportunities for work as a game developer. Two common skills you’ll find on job listings are experience with game development engines and the ability to code (often in C# or C++).

• Unity: A cross-platform game engine that allows you to develop 2D and 3D games. Unity is particularly popular for indie and mobile games. It’s free for students and for personal use, so you can start creating games (and gaining experience) before you get hired.

• Unreal Engine: Initially developed for first-person shooters, Unreal has grown into a 3D creation platform used for games across a range of platforms. Unreal uses C++ as its programming language.

• C# (pronounced C-sharp): This programming language is frequently used for game development and mobile applications, particularly with the Unity engine.

• C++: This general-purpose programming language is often used to develop not only games but also operating systems and applications.

• Video content and animation: Zippia reports that 48.4 percent of game designers add “video content” as a skill on their resumes, and animation appears on 30 percent of resumes [5].

Game development portfolio

As you develop your own games, add them to your portfolio. This shows potential employers what you’re capable of doing and can help set you apart from other candidates. Gaining experience as a game developer can help your resume stand out from other potential applicants. Internships and entry-level programmer experience are good places to start, but you can also work on independent projects or contribute to open-source projects to round out your portfolio. Contributing to projects independently or with an open-source team can effectively hone your programming skills and showcase your talent to potential employers.

Explore: Game developer tools

If you're interested in working in game development, you'll need to know how to use certain software and tools. Common examples of tools used by game developers include:

Game engines: Unity, Unreal Engine, and Godot

Programming languages: C++, C#, and Python

Art and design: Blender, Adobe Creative Cloud, and ZBrush

Audio tools: FMOD and Audacity

Tips for getting a game development job

If you have a passion for games and enjoy blending technology and creativity, there are some steps you can take to help you get established in the gaming industry. While you’re still building skills, you could become a play tester to help debug code. Quality assurance (QA) testers systematically test games for any flaws or bugs. This entry-level role can be a good way to gain experience (and get established) in the gaming industry. As you learn, you could also become a junior or associate-level developer.

Start with simple games or small game behaviors

Start developing your skills right away by building games. Start with something small and basic, like creating a simple behavior or keyboard movement mechanic in C#, and work your way toward more complex projects.

Attend game industry events

As with many industries, effective networking can help you find opportunities you might not otherwise know about. Attend game industry events where you can meet other developers and learn about various game development studios. One particularly good option that welcomes career seekers is the Game Development Conference (GDC).

Read more: What Is Networking? How to Grow Your Network

How long does it take to become a game developer?

There’s more than one path toward a career in video games. The amount of time it takes you to get that first developer job will depend on several factors, including your current programming skills, game development experience, and education level. While there will always be something new to learn in the world of game development, it’s possible to build proficiency in tools like Unity or C# in as little as a few months.‎

Other video game careers

Many different elements (and people) go into making a video game. If you’re interested in creating games, consider these roles as well. Note that some may fall under the umbrella of game development.

• Game artists create the 2D and 3D images used to render graphics within a game.

• Animators use specialized software to make characters, settings, props, and other objects come to life.

• Writers create in-game scripts and dialogs, as well as write marketing materials and technical documentation for a game.

• Audio engineers edit and mix soundtracks for games that might include background music, voice-over recordings, and sound effects.

• Producers serve as project managers, overseeing the production process from conception to completion.

• Video game designers conceptualize game characters, settings, storylines, and gameplay, then work with developers and game programmers to translate these ideas into code.

• Game testers identify bugs in a game and report these findings to developers.

Take the next step in your career with our free resources

Explore career paths, assess your skills, and connect with resume guidance while browsing our Career Resources Hub. Or if you want to learn more about game development, check out these free resources:

• Watch on YouTube: Designing Fun: A Game Developer’s Breakdown

• Read our Career Chat issue: How to Become a Game Developer

• Hear from a peer: Meet the Video Game Designer Who’s Leveling Up with AI

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