2 answers
Torrey
Student
New Orleans, Louisiana
3
Questions
Asked
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Is an game developers job hard ?
I love games so I always thought why not make them and play them. #video-games #game-design
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2 answers
Mark Kreitler
Game Developer
26
Answers
Frederick, Maryland
Updated
Mark’s Answer
It depends on what you mean by, "hard."
Are the hours long? Yes.
Does it require specialized skills? Yes.
Is it physically grueling? No (unless you count sleep deprivation).
Is it emotionally draining? No (unless you are working on games that conflict with your personal beliefs).
I agree with Ed's response that you should figure out what you are good at and study related skills. Broadly, game developers fall into one of four categories:
1) Artists: skills include pixel art, 3D modeling, animation (2D and 3D), graphic design
2) Software engineers: skills include programming, software systems design, database design, mathematics
3) Game designers: skills include writing, economics, mathematics (understanding programming helps)
4) Producers: skills include project management, scheduling, budgeting, and team management
But, mostly, if you love games, you should start making them. It doesn't matter if you program them on a computer or make them out of paper, start building something. This will help you understand what you love to do and will naturally lead you to the right skills to study for your personal interests. Also, understand that modern games -- especially video games -- aren't built by individuals. They take teams of people multiple years to complete -- at least, the AAA console and PC titles. So don't get discouraged if your games don't look and feel like Overwatch or Divinity: Original Sin.
Are the hours long? Yes.
Does it require specialized skills? Yes.
Is it physically grueling? No (unless you count sleep deprivation).
Is it emotionally draining? No (unless you are working on games that conflict with your personal beliefs).
I agree with Ed's response that you should figure out what you are good at and study related skills. Broadly, game developers fall into one of four categories:
1) Artists: skills include pixel art, 3D modeling, animation (2D and 3D), graphic design
2) Software engineers: skills include programming, software systems design, database design, mathematics
3) Game designers: skills include writing, economics, mathematics (understanding programming helps)
4) Producers: skills include project management, scheduling, budgeting, and team management
But, mostly, if you love games, you should start making them. It doesn't matter if you program them on a computer or make them out of paper, start building something. This will help you understand what you love to do and will naturally lead you to the right skills to study for your personal interests. Also, understand that modern games -- especially video games -- aren't built by individuals. They take teams of people multiple years to complete -- at least, the AAA console and PC titles. So don't get discouraged if your games don't look and feel like Overwatch or Divinity: Original Sin.
Ed Magnin
Ed Magnin is a 35+ year game industry veteran, specializing in mobile games
29
Answers
Dallas, Texas
Updated
Ed’s Answer
One word answer "Yes". Some people think it is as easy as playing games, but a lot of hard work goes into it. When I used to each game development I saw a lot of students fall by the wayside.
Now are you afraid of a little hard work. If so, pick another career. There are plenty of others that will put in the extra time to make an excellent game rather than just slapping something together that you probably wouldn't even buy yourself.
Now that being said, I've been doing it for years and am past retirement age, and am probably older than 99% of the game developers I run into. I could easily retire. I saved plenty of money, but I think it's the best job int he world, so why would I quit, when I can have fun making new games...
Hope that helps give you some perspective.
--Ed Magnin
Now are you afraid of a little hard work. If so, pick another career. There are plenty of others that will put in the extra time to make an excellent game rather than just slapping something together that you probably wouldn't even buy yourself.
Now that being said, I've been doing it for years and am past retirement age, and am probably older than 99% of the game developers I run into. I could easily retire. I saved plenty of money, but I think it's the best job int he world, so why would I quit, when I can have fun making new games...
Hope that helps give you some perspective.
--Ed Magnin