How to Become a Game Developer: Career Guide, Courses, After 12th, Jobs, Salary, Scope 2023

How to Become a Game Developer: Quick Facts 

What Does a Game Developer Do

Some of the key functions and job roles that come under the purview of a Game Developer are listed below for your reference, 

1. Create and develop fresh game design concepts.
2. Transform graphic concepts into code
3. Improve and Improvise Gameplay prototypes 
4. Have frequent interactions with producers, designers, artists, and quality analysts.
5. Track the platform-specific stability of games
6. Analyze the current code and make suggestions for changes.
7. Transform games or elements from one platform to another by animating the in-game items and characters
8. Control the game's audio-visual components.
9. Design validation processes and unit tests to maintain quality.
10. Keep a record of the technical requirements
11. Fix errors and address issues as they appear

Read More: What Does a Graphic Designer do?

Steps to Become a Game Developer

Every interested candidate needs to follow some steps before choosing a course to pursue a degree or diploma. Here are some steps to follow to start a career in Game Development.

1. Make a Decision: In order to become  Game Developer one must decide from an early age of the courses that one needs to pursue. One should see their interest and scope in the field before taking the course. And there is a need to choose the courses while studying 12th so that it can help in taking the right decision.
2. Choices of Subjects: Game Development Courses needs students to have a basic knowledge about Science and Technology as the course covers a majority of chapters on computer science and technology. Hence you can take computer science and mathematics along with other subject in the higher secondary level.
3. Entrance Exam Preparation: After passing 12th with an aggregate of 60% marks one should have to qualify an entrance test for getting admission in a game development course in a good institute. Hence preparation is must to get selection for the course. Some entrance exams conducted in India are UCEED, JET, Pearl Academy Entrance Exam, NIFT Entrance Exam, MITID, DAT, WWI Entrance Exam, etc.
4. College Selection: In order to become a successful Game Designer, it is essential that one needs to choose Colleges that not only help students understand the core of the subject but also will help them get placed across top companies and organizations. Those who qualify the entrance exam have to choose a good college or institution to pursue the degree or diploma in game development or designing.
5. After Qualifying Exam: After qualifying the exam choose a good college to study to pursue your dream as a Game Developer.
6. Internship: One can opt for an internship during the last year of the course or after completing the course of Game development. Internships programs are offered by many software or game development companies to the fresher as well as experienced students.

Types of Game Developers

There is a demand for Game Developers in the job market, because the course has a vast scope and also has a good career. There are various jobs in the game development field and some of them are mentioned below.

1. Lead Programmer: Lead Programmers are usually professionals are in charge of providing technical guidance and mentorship to Software Developers and Software Engineers.
2. Graphic Designer: Graphic Designers are responsible for designing a logo for a website or any company. They have to work with their clients in order to advise them about designing font style, format, print, style, timescales, etc.
3. Tools Programmer: A tools Programmeris mainly responsible for helping others to make proper and better tools.
4. Multimedia Artist & Animators: Multimedia artists and animators are mainly associated with creating graphics and animation using computer programs and illustrations. They have to work in a team in order to create games, animation movies etc. so that they can build realistic animation and video games.
5. Audio Engineer: Audio engineer’s duty is to design an audio system to play it on the background of a game and animation movie. They have to control the sounds which are required to play and minimize those sounds which are not required.
6. Art Director: Art directors are for development of art concepts and ideas and produce that art. And also assign their employees to work on a project. They have to produce that art in a way so it can meet standard, quality, etc.

How to Become a Game Developer in India

If one is interested enough to pursue this course, they have to start earning knowledge of computers after passing 10th because it requires vast knowledge of computer programming and information technology to study game development.

• School Level Preparation: After passing 10th one should opt for computer science in science (physics, chemistry, mathematics) or equivalent to it. They should develop a keen interest in the Gaming Industry and its related fields as it will help them in the long run.

How to Become Game Developer after 12th

After 12th you have to study for a diploma or certificate course in game developing and designing. You can also study a Bachelor of Science in game designing and developing.

• UG Preparation: After completing 12th, aspiring students have to sit for entrance exams conducted by different IIT and other institutes. UG course is for a 3 to 4 year duration. Because if one wants to pursue an engineering degree in game development, they have to study the course for 4 year and if someone wants to pursue the degree under science stream, they have to study the course for 3 years.
• PGPreparation: To pursue a game development course at PG level, firstly one should have to qualify the PG level entrance test. Students can also opt for specialisation in Game Development or any related field.

Game Development Courses

There are vaerious Undergraduate and Postgraduate courses that can be followed in order to become a Game Developer. Mentioned below are some of the top courses and degrees that can be pursued in order to become a Game Developer.

BSc Multimedia Animation and Graphics 

BSc Multimedia Animation and Graphics is a 3 year degree course, which focuses on graphic designing, creative animation making and game developing topics. Students study computer graphics, storyboarding, computer languages, gaming technology, etc.

Admission Process 

The admission process for the BSc Multimedia courses is merit-based. Some institutes also conduct an entrance test to intake students.

• The candidates who want to pursue a BSc Multimedia degree will have to fill the application form.
• Few Game Design institutes and colleges may also conduct an admission test.
• The admission test is basically meant to test the designing skills and innovativeness of the candidates in the field of Gaming Industry.

Entrance Exams 

Below given is a list of Entrance Exams conducted for BSc Multimedia Animation and Graphic course in India.

BTech in Computer Science

BTech Computer Science is for 4 years which focuses on the study of Calculus, Algorithms, Computer Architecture, etc. It provides a basic knowledge related to Computer Science .

Admission Process 

Admission into BTech Computer Science courses is on the basis of merit and through entrance examinations. Institutes release cut off lists on the basis of merit based admissions.

• The entrance examinations accepted for BTech Computer Science are TNEA, CUCET etc.
• Some Institutes also conduct a counseling round after qualifying the entrance exam round by the students.

Entrance Exam

BDes Animation 

BDes Animation is a 3 year UG course involving components such as visual arts, drawing and storytelling employed in creation of animation work. It explores advanced skills in communication through animation between words and images.

Admission Process 

Admission to the BDes course can be obtained through a relevant national/ institute- level entrance examination.

• Candidates need to apply for the colleges offering BDes Animation And submit all the required documents on the official website.
• They can also appear for the exams to be eligible to get admission in the top colleges.

Entrance Exams 

MSc in Animation

MSc Animation is a 2 year PG degree course designed to teach students the advanced skills of creating drawings or models into an illusion of movement or motion.

Admission Process 

• The admission to this course is done on the basis of marks scored at the UG level.
• Candidates need to apply for the admission process online or offline as per the institutes rules and regulation.
• They need to submit all the required documents and wait for the result.

MTech Computer Science

MTech Computer Science is a 2 year PG course covering all aspects of technicality related to programming and software development. There is an option for specialization like Cloud Computing, Data Analytics, Artificial Intelligence and Database Management Techniques.

Admission Process 

• They need to apply for the given entrance exam after satisfying the eligibility condition of the students.
• The institute will declare the result and release their cut off and they can also have merit based admission on the basis of the marks obtained in the Bachelor's Degree.
• Similarly after the verification of required documents and a personal interview session candidates will be given admission.

Entrance Exam 

How to Become a Game Developer Abroad

If you want to go abroad to pursue your dream, you have to gain more experience in this field. Only after getting experience in this field, can you go abroad. There is high demand for Game Developers in the US, Canada, UK or other foreign countries.

How to Become a Game Developer in US 

To Become a Game Developer in the USA, you need to have a bachelor degree in game development, designing, animation etc. And other than earning a degree, build a portfolio to become a Game Developer.

Educational Requirement 

• Like India, there is also a need for a UG degree or PG degree in Game Development or Designing from a recognized institute or university.
• To become a Game Developer in the US, one must have to complete a bachelor degree in video game development and design.

Other Requirement 

• Good proficiency in English
• Aptitude for drawing
• Creative thinking
• Good knowledge of American culture
• Knowledge of different expressions which to be used in games plot

Top Colleges in USA 

Courses Available 

• Advanced Diploma in Game Programming
• B Tech in Game Development and Designing
• BSc in Animation Game Design and Development
• MSc in Game Development and Designing

How to Become a Game Developer in UK 

One must have the ability to become a Game Developer in the UK. You need to do higher study for several years in order to make your career in game development.

Educational requirement

• You should have a higher degree like, degree or HND (higher national diploma)
• And also need to have 5 GCSEs grade C (general certificate of secondary education) or above than that with Maths, English, any science subject, computer knowledge along with 2 A levels

Other Requirement

• You should have basic skills of game designing and development
• Skills of drawing
• Basic knowledge of European culture
• Knowledge of plot setting

Top Colleges in UK 

Courses Available

• MA Video Game Development
• BSc in Game Design
• MA in Digital Games Theory and Design
• M. Des in Games Design and Development
• MSc Video Game Development

How to Become a Game Developer in Australia

If you want to make your career as Game Developer in Australia, you need to be a qualified digital game maker.

Educational Requirement 

• You have to pursue a degree in game designing and development
• Then gain experience from different field and build your own portfolio of work
• Earn a certificate in digital game designing and development, such as Diploma of Digital and Interactive Games (ICT0215), Certificate IV in Digital and Interactive Game (ICT40915) etc.

Other Requirement

• You must knowledge on game designing and development
• And also knowledge on computer programming etc.

Top Colleges in Australia 

Courses Available 

• BSc Computer Science in game and mobile development
• Bachelor of game designing and development
• Bachelor of games and interactive environments in animation
• Bachelor of information technology in game development
• Bachelor of information technology in game and entertainment design

Benefits of Becoming a Game Developer

Game Development is one of the richest jobs in this century if one can make their game hit worldwide. Game Developers can be millionaires within weeks or months if they can promote and make their works popular amongst the game lover. Here are some benefits you can get as a Game Developer in India and also abroad.

1. Good Salary Package: The one who is interested enough to make or build a game can earn a good amount of salary in this area. Most youths are nowadays interested in building their own game and earning money from it. Students choose this course after 12th and hence they prepare for it after passing 10th.
2. Job Security: Generally one cannot stay in this field because of lack of experience and market. It needs much experience to secure their position in a game development career. You need to be attentive and also need to do work for hours to develop your own game and popularize it in the market.
3. Positive Impact of the Career: Game Developers help the youth to be fit and also improve their visuospatial cognition. It impacts on the creative and analytical skill of a developer and also of those who play the games.
4. Higher Studies: Students choose to go for higher studies after completing their under-graduate level degree and diploma. And hence there is a good scope for those to study further in this course with specialization.
5. Unique Experience: To be a Game Developer is a unique experience for the aspiring candidates. And is also a dream job for many students. Game Developers can experience new techniques or new challenges every day while making a game. They need to develop and design plots to play the game, and in some games they need to make stories also to make it more interesting for the player.
6. Own Company: Game Developers can own a company and can recruit many fresher as well as experienced candidates for their team. It can popularize their game in the market and can make good money from it. In the companies, you can find it more friendly environment to build your own game

Skills Required to Become a Game Developer

Some of the necessary skill sets that are required to become a Game Developer are tabulated below for your reference,

Salary of a Game Developer

Salary of a Game Developer varies in different work environments and according to job profiles. Game development companies pay around INR 3 to 7 lakh to their employees for building and designing games. The salary package will increase according to experience in the field.

Average Annual Salary

Specialization Wise Salary 

Experience Wise Salary