4 answers
David
Student
Sioux City, Iowa
2
Questions
Asked
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What level of education is required for a video game programmer, and how do you feel about your career?
Hi, my name is David. I am a high school junior who is curious about video game programming. Any details about the behind-the-scenes of what you do would be awesome!
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4 answers
Dr H
Dr. H's Research
1334
Answers
Australia
Updated
Dr’s Answer
Yo David!
Alright, first off — huge respect for even thinking about video game programming while you're still in high school. That's the kind of early start that turns into legendary game dev careers one day.
Priya already dropped some solid advice,
Alright, so:
Here's the deal! game development is a wild mix of art, tech, frustration, and straight-up magic. The coolest part? Nobody really cares how you got in — they care about what you've built. Whether you have a fancy degree or you learned coding from YouTube in your pajamas — if you can make dope games, you're in.
Now, programming in games is like being the wizard behind the curtain. Artists make the game look cool, designers dream up the worlds — but you're the one who actually makes that world come alive. The secret sauce? Languages like C# for Unity or C++ for Unreal Engine. They're your magic spells, and the more you learn, the more powerful your spells get.
But here's where a lot of people get stuck — they spend months watching tutorials without ever actually building anything. Big mistake, my friend. The best way to learn game dev? Start making janky little games right now. Doesn't matter if they're buggy or look like a potato — every broken game teaches you something new.
Start with:
A little 2D platformer (think Mario but way worse)
A basic top-down shooter
Or even a text-based RPG if you're feeling fancy or creative😇
You'll Google your way through most of it — and that's totally normal. Half of being a programmer is just knowing what to Google and how many times you can hit Stack Overflow before losing your mind.
Also, don't sleep on game jams. Those are basically hackathons where everyone makes a game in like 48 hours. It's chaotic, messy, and the best learning experience ever. Plus, you'll meet other developers who can become your future game dev squad.
Here's the cheat code to making it in game development:
Passion + Stubbornness > Talent
You don't need to be a coding genius — you just need to love making games enough to keep going when everything is breaking and you're running on caffeine and bad decisions.
As for school — a degree helps, but a killer portfolio of finished games will always speak louder. If you do go the college route, look into Computer Science or Game Development programs. But honestly, half the devs out there learned everything from YouTube and trial-and-error.
If you want to get started like... today:
1. Download Unity (it's free)😏
2. Watch a beginner tutorial on YouTube (Brackeys or Code Monkey — those guys explain stuff without making your brain melt)👀
3. Make a game where a square jumps over triangles — boom, you're officially a game dev now🤪
Oh, almost forgot, and that thing about having doubts? Every game dev in the world feels like an imposter half the time. The difference is — the ones who keep going despite that are the ones who make it.
Well man, what are you waiting for? The next big indie game could literally be chilling in your brain right now.
Game dev isn't just a career — it's a whole world where you get to build worlds. How freaking cool is that? I had say it's really cool! 🤩
Now go build something weird, break stuff, fix it, and Yea duh break it again — and have a blast while you're at it.
I'm rooting for you, future game wizard! All the best! 🎮
Alright, first off — huge respect for even thinking about video game programming while you're still in high school. That's the kind of early start that turns into legendary game dev careers one day.
Priya already dropped some solid advice,
Alright, so:
Here's the deal! game development is a wild mix of art, tech, frustration, and straight-up magic. The coolest part? Nobody really cares how you got in — they care about what you've built. Whether you have a fancy degree or you learned coding from YouTube in your pajamas — if you can make dope games, you're in.
Now, programming in games is like being the wizard behind the curtain. Artists make the game look cool, designers dream up the worlds — but you're the one who actually makes that world come alive. The secret sauce? Languages like C# for Unity or C++ for Unreal Engine. They're your magic spells, and the more you learn, the more powerful your spells get.
But here's where a lot of people get stuck — they spend months watching tutorials without ever actually building anything. Big mistake, my friend. The best way to learn game dev? Start making janky little games right now. Doesn't matter if they're buggy or look like a potato — every broken game teaches you something new.
Start with:
A little 2D platformer (think Mario but way worse)
A basic top-down shooter
Or even a text-based RPG if you're feeling fancy or creative😇
You'll Google your way through most of it — and that's totally normal. Half of being a programmer is just knowing what to Google and how many times you can hit Stack Overflow before losing your mind.
Also, don't sleep on game jams. Those are basically hackathons where everyone makes a game in like 48 hours. It's chaotic, messy, and the best learning experience ever. Plus, you'll meet other developers who can become your future game dev squad.
Here's the cheat code to making it in game development:
Passion + Stubbornness > Talent
You don't need to be a coding genius — you just need to love making games enough to keep going when everything is breaking and you're running on caffeine and bad decisions.
As for school — a degree helps, but a killer portfolio of finished games will always speak louder. If you do go the college route, look into Computer Science or Game Development programs. But honestly, half the devs out there learned everything from YouTube and trial-and-error.
If you want to get started like... today:
1. Download Unity (it's free)😏
2. Watch a beginner tutorial on YouTube (Brackeys or Code Monkey — those guys explain stuff without making your brain melt)👀
3. Make a game where a square jumps over triangles — boom, you're officially a game dev now🤪
Oh, almost forgot, and that thing about having doubts? Every game dev in the world feels like an imposter half the time. The difference is — the ones who keep going despite that are the ones who make it.
Well man, what are you waiting for? The next big indie game could literally be chilling in your brain right now.
Game dev isn't just a career — it's a whole world where you get to build worlds. How freaking cool is that? I had say it's really cool! 🤩
Now go build something weird, break stuff, fix it, and Yea duh break it again — and have a blast while you're at it.
I'm rooting for you, future game wizard! All the best! 🎮
Thanks for the advice.
Jamie
PRIYA G
Full stack developer
2
Answers
Atlanta, Georgia
Updated
PRIYA’s Answer
As a video game programmer, many people have a bachelor's degree in computer science, software engineering, or something similar. But that's not the only way to get into the field. Some programmers learn on their own, attend coding boot camps, or build a strong portfolio with game projects. The important thing is to know programming languages like C++, C#, Java, or Python, and to have experience with game engines like Unity or Unreal.
Learn Programming – Game development relies a lot on programming, especially languages like C++, C#, and Python. Start by learning the basics of data structures, algorithms, and object-oriented programming (OOP). These are important for writing good game code.
Use Game Engines – Get practical experience with Unity (C#) and Unreal Engine (C++).
Build Projects – Begin with simple projects like a 2D platformer or a basic puzzle game. As you get better, try more complex projects. Real experience is important—employers often value a strong portfolio more than just a degree.
Learn Math & Physics – Important for movement, collisions, and AI in games.
Join Game Jams & Open Source – Joining game jams (like Global Game Jam) or helping with open-source projects can give you experience and help you meet other developers.
Create a Portfolio – Show your work on GitHub or a personal website. Join online communities like Reddit (r/gamedev), Discord groups, or LinkedIn to connect with people in the industry.
Consider a Degree/Certifications – While a CS/Game Dev degree can help, it’s not required. Certifications in Unity or Unreal Engine can also be beneficial.
Apply for Internships & Entry-Level Roles – Start as a junior developer and grow from there.
💡 Tip: Passion + Persistence = Success in Game Development! 🚀
Learn Programming – Game development relies a lot on programming, especially languages like C++, C#, and Python. Start by learning the basics of data structures, algorithms, and object-oriented programming (OOP). These are important for writing good game code.
Use Game Engines – Get practical experience with Unity (C#) and Unreal Engine (C++).
Build Projects – Begin with simple projects like a 2D platformer or a basic puzzle game. As you get better, try more complex projects. Real experience is important—employers often value a strong portfolio more than just a degree.
Learn Math & Physics – Important for movement, collisions, and AI in games.
Join Game Jams & Open Source – Joining game jams (like Global Game Jam) or helping with open-source projects can give you experience and help you meet other developers.
Create a Portfolio – Show your work on GitHub or a personal website. Join online communities like Reddit (r/gamedev), Discord groups, or LinkedIn to connect with people in the industry.
Consider a Degree/Certifications – While a CS/Game Dev degree can help, it’s not required. Certifications in Unity or Unreal Engine can also be beneficial.
Apply for Internships & Entry-Level Roles – Start as a junior developer and grow from there.
💡 Tip: Passion + Persistence = Success in Game Development! 🚀
Hammad Riaz
Game Artist
1
Answer
Lahore, Punjab, Pakistan
Updated
Hammad’s Answer
Hello David,
Gonna keep it concise. Regarding your question about level of education required for Game Development/ Programming, To be able to program a game, One needs to be able to understand about some core programming concepts such as OOP (Object Oriented Programming), DS (Data Structure) etc and some basic knowledge about the game editor on which you will make a game like Unreal, Unity etc. and should understand different programming languages such as C, C#, C++ .
I as someone who did Bachelors in Computer Science before starting my career as an Indie Game Developer, (One who can create games without the need of big teams). In BSCS, I learnt about basics of programming and all the concepts for programming in any field like Game Development, Web Development, App Development, Assembly Language ( Dont know why i learnt that), Networking and much more, By doing BSCS, I had a much more wider range of Career choices. So according to me the level of education required to be able to start as a game Developer, BSCS is good enough. (Dont know about Masters, They might teach you much more advance techniques of programming concepts). But for me BSCS was good and from this point on Experience took control, With time you learn advance techniques and concepts.
An advice from me, When you are able to understand the core programming concepts and languages, I advice you to get an internship during your education so that when you enter the field, you dont waste your time learning some basics of game programming,
I wish you luck in your future endeavors.
Gonna keep it concise. Regarding your question about level of education required for Game Development/ Programming, To be able to program a game, One needs to be able to understand about some core programming concepts such as OOP (Object Oriented Programming), DS (Data Structure) etc and some basic knowledge about the game editor on which you will make a game like Unreal, Unity etc. and should understand different programming languages such as C, C#, C++ .
I as someone who did Bachelors in Computer Science before starting my career as an Indie Game Developer, (One who can create games without the need of big teams). In BSCS, I learnt about basics of programming and all the concepts for programming in any field like Game Development, Web Development, App Development, Assembly Language ( Dont know why i learnt that), Networking and much more, By doing BSCS, I had a much more wider range of Career choices. So according to me the level of education required to be able to start as a game Developer, BSCS is good enough. (Dont know about Masters, They might teach you much more advance techniques of programming concepts). But for me BSCS was good and from this point on Experience took control, With time you learn advance techniques and concepts.
An advice from me, When you are able to understand the core programming concepts and languages, I advice you to get an internship during your education so that when you enter the field, you dont waste your time learning some basics of game programming,
I wish you luck in your future endeavors.
Greg Eckermann
design
2
Answers
La Grange, Texas
Updated
Greg’s Answer
Choose a game engine you like and get familiar with it. Play games from different times in gaming history. Try both the best and worst games to learn what works and what doesn't. Start with small projects and make several simple games to understand the basics. Think of Programming like a puzzle! Do not think of it like learning a speaking language it's more like a bunch of switches you connect to wires.
Now, about getting a job!
A degree isn't crucial in this field. What matters is showing your work and proving you can create games. First, develop skills to demonstrate your ability to potential employers. Second, communication is key! Talk to other developers and people in the industry to increase your chances of getting in. Success in entertainment often relies on connections. I've seen this firsthand. Always stay positive in conversations and steer clear of social media drama!
Now, about getting a job!
A degree isn't crucial in this field. What matters is showing your work and proving you can create games. First, develop skills to demonstrate your ability to potential employers. Second, communication is key! Talk to other developers and people in the industry to increase your chances of getting in. Success in entertainment often relies on connections. I've seen this firsthand. Always stay positive in conversations and steer clear of social media drama!