Computer games developer

As a computer games developer, you will produce games for PCs, games consoles, the internet and phones. Usually, you would be working within a team of developers, working on one particular aspect of the game.

Also known as:

• Games programmer

Work activities

Your job will be to turn the ideas of the creative staff into a playable game for laptops, PCs, games consoles, the internet and mobile phones. You’ll most likely be working as a member of a team, which is normally made up of:

• Designers.
• Testers.
• Graphic artists.
• Programmers.

Your team will be led by a product manager. You will provide the programming expertise to turn the storyboards and ideas of the designers, writers and other production team members, into the finished game. You will probably be responsible for programming just one aspect of the game – maybe a particular movement, or character. You will combine your work with that of other developers, to create the finished game.

Once the coding is complete, you will have to test the application to make sure that it works correctly and there are no faults. This can prove a time-consuming process, though most programming applications include special software tools to help. In larger companies, the testing will often be done by specialist testers.

Personal qualities and skills

As a computer games programmer/developer, you’ll need:

• A good knowledge of, and enthusiasm for, computer games.
• Advanced programming skills
• Mathematical ability in order to program the movement of three-dimensional objects.
• A logical, methodical approach to your work.
• Good problem-solving abilities. You will have to find ways to solve complicated programming challenges.

You will also need to be:

• A good teamworker.
• Able to work under pressure to meet deadlines.
• Prepared to keep up to date with developments in platforms, software and programming languages/tools.
• Patient and painstaking, as developing a new game from scratch is a long and demanding process.

Technical skills are highly important in this industry. However, employers have also highlighted the future need for the following non-technical skills:

• Teamworking skills.
• Good communication skills.
• Business skills.

Pay and opportunities

Salaries for games developers vary depending on the range of their responsibilities, and the size and type of company they work for. Pay starts at around £25,000 per year, rising to £70,000 with experience.

Your salary might include performance-related pay, profit share or company bonuses.

You would usually work 30-40 hours a week, Monday to Friday. However, late finishes and some weekend work are often required, especially as deadlines approach.

Around one half of all computer games companies are based in London. However, significant computer games industry hubs are growing in the following places:

• Brighton.
• Cambridge.
• Cardiff.
• Dundee.
• Edinburgh.
• Guildford and Aldershot.
• Liverpool.
• Manchester.
• Oxford.
• Sheffield and Rotherham.
• Warwick and Stratford-upon-Avon.

Opportunities occur for experienced programmers/developers to become self-employed.

Where are vacancies advertised?

Vacancies are advertised in specialist magazines/websites such as mcvuk.com, on IT job boards and employers’ websites, in national newspapers, and on the Government’s Find a Job service.

Entry routes and training

You'll usually need an IT qualification or work experience to get a job in this industry. Employers will be interested in your talent and creativity. You could choose to go onto university to study a relevant subject such as computer science. At university you will learn some of the skills, techniques and technologies, that employers need.

Alternatively, you could do a level 7 degree apprenticeship in the role of game programmer. This way, you’ll learn on the job within a structured programme and work towards a relevant degree, studying on block or day release.

Experienced developers might become team leaders and then programming or product managers.

Qualifications

For entry to a degree course in a relevant subject, the usual requirement is:

• Two to three A-levels.
• GCSEs at grades 9-4 in two to three other subjects.
• English and maths at GCSE.

You might need maths and/or another numerate science subject (for example, Physics) at A level for some courses.

Alternatives to A levels include:

• Edexcel (BTEC) level 3 National qualifications
• International Baccalaureate (IN) diploma.

However, course requirements vary so check prospectuses carefully.

It might also be possible to enter this work without formal qualifications, if you have relevant programming skills.

Adult opportunities

Age limits: It is illegal for any organisation to set age limits for entry to employment, education or training, unless they can show there is a real need to have these limits.

If you are a graduate with a non-relevant degree, taking a one-year IT postgraduate conversion course will improve your chances. If you don’t have the qualifications needed to enter your chosen degree or HND course, a college or university Access course, for example, Access to IT/ Computing, could be the way in. These courses are designed for people who have not followed the usual routes into higher education. No formal qualifications are usually needed, but you should check this with individual colleges.

Another option would be an HNC in computing on a part-time basis, either evening and/or daytime. Alternatively, taking short intensive courses in specific computing languages with private accredited IT training providers can help you to develop the portfolio of technical skills needed by employers. Such courses can be taken on a flexible, evening, weekend or day part-time basis.

Many educational institutions offer specific qualifications on a distance/online learning basis.

Related careers

• Computer games designer
• Computer games writer
• Software developer
• Software tester
• Web designer