According to the trend-spotting company Exploding Topics, the gaming market has a current valuation of $282 billion, and there are approximately 3.32 billion active video gamers worldwide. This represents a growth of more than 1 billion in just the past eight years, and it’s not slowing down.
Interestingly, software company Perforce reports that talent acquisition is the most difficult challenge facing game development teams. Previously, the leading challenge had been securing funding. This mismatch between supply and demand for game developers presents a great opportunity for software developers interested in game development.
With the online Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Software Engineering program from St. Cloud State University that provides training in game development, graduates will be ready to take on the challenges of working in this dynamic field.
The Skills Needed to Become a Game Developer
There are several different opportunities for game developers, depending on the type of publisher. Informally, an AAA (Triple-A) classification refers to the major or mid-sized game publishers with a big budget who usually have their own in-house teams of developers working strictly for them. Some developers build games exclusively for a specific platform or console, but not for a single company. Third-party and indie game developers can work for any company or may just create games independently.
Game developers on production teams usually collaborate with game artists, designers, programmers, quality assurance teams and UI/UX designers. In simple terms, the game developer translates a designer’s concept into playable code. They are the technology behind the artistry.
BuiltIn lists the qualifications to be a game developer as follows:
- Applicable internship or on-the-job experience in full-cycle game development
- Ability to build systems on game engine technologies
- Ability to create, debug and modify relevant code
- Proficiency in C, C++, C# and Java, as well as software engineering principles
- Working knowledge of quality assurance (QA) and user performance analysis tools
In addition to having “soft skills” like critical thinking, problem-solving, teamwork and good communication, the “hard skills” needed include 2D/3D rendering and animation, the ability to use AI tools and proficiency in programming languages (C, C#, C++, HTML5, Java, JavaScript, Lua, Python).
Popular game engine technologies to learn are CryEngine, GameMaker, Unity or Unreal Engine. Knowledge of the various gaming hardware platforms is essential. Some game developers also need VR/AR technical knowledge. Full-stack development skills are necessary to work on both the frontend (user-facing) and backend (database and logic) components. Knowledge of QA and user performance analysis tools is also desirable.
What Is the Game Development Process?
The software review company G2 describes seven stages of game development. As with every type of software development, the primary structural steps include planning, pre-production, production, testing, pre-launch, launch and post-production.
The planning stage happens before designers and developers begin their work. This stage determines the type of game, the key features, characters, setting, target audience and platform the game will need. Pre-production is where all the teams brainstorm on the game’s scope and how it will fit together. Writers, artists, designer, developers and all the department leads participate in pre-planning. The magic happens in production, where teams spend most of their time, effort and budget. It’s also the most challenging stage of development.
Once built, every feature and mechanic of the game needs testing. This is where quality control comes in. Based on the results of stress tests and “fun factor” tests, developers will be tweaking and iterating to get the game ready for pre-launch. Most game publishers use the pre-launch phase to release a beta version of the game. This often includes a hype video, a preview reveal at a gaming convention, or sending a beta version to well-known online gaming personalities to share a livestream of their beta test with their audiences.
Launching the game occurs after all the bugs have been found and fixed. At this stage, developers can add finishing touches. However, the final stage is post-launch, where professionals detect and fix minor bugs and consider player feedback. Software patches or updates are routinely released after the formal launch.
How Can Working Professionals Learn the Basics of Game Development?
St. Cloud State University offers a fully online program for students to obtain a B.S. Software Engineering degree. In addition to gaining expertise to develop all types of quality software, students gain skills like 3D simulation and visualization, agile development and human-computer interaction. This program is designed for working professionals and will equip graduates with the skills to explore a variety of software careers.
Learn more about St. Cloud University’s online Bachelor of Science in Software Engineering program.
