So You Want To Be a Video Game Programmer
Rockstar Games Logo
People are now acquiring a larger taste for becoming a part of the video game industry more than ever. While I may not have ample knowledge about every field game development, I certainly a bit about becoming a video game programmer.
Programmers hone some of the highest salaries in the video game industry. There are two reasons for this. For one, there is a shortage of software engineers (programmers) in general, so salaries are always boosted for a scarce profession. Number two, many people are not good at what they do at the job, so people with actual skill (not to insult anyone whose a programmer right now) are generally well paid. To speak a bit about the salary, you can expect to be earning upwards of $100,000 after eight years of work. This is certainly good enough to make you middle class in the society we live in today. Not only that, but programmers generally get generous bonuses, in terms of profit sharing and stock holding. However, having a good salary should not be the reason you have for becoming a programmer.
On the job, things are quite different. Going around reading interviews with many video game programmers, you can see that there is a mixed area of feelings. Some people love programming, whether for big name companies or small time companies. You are able to do what you love, program and create video games. Some studios will even allow you to give input on the creation of a game, which can certainly be exciting to those of you who want to become a part of the process. However, for big name companies such as Rockstar Games and EA, there are dire rumors going around.
Apparently, in the game industry, there is a time period known as crunch time. When there only remains a handful of months left until the release of a select video game, you are expected to begin working more than usual. Here is where the dreaded “over time” comes into play. People have spoken of literally sleeping over at the offices due to the overtime hours being so harsh. Some companies will not even pay you for working over time, which can be really stressful, especially for those of you who like to have flexible schedules or be with your family. However, this may be worth it for those of you who really feel that this is the profession that they will love and pursue for a life time.
If you are curious as to what is required for you to become a programmer, that is simple to answer. The general requirement is a degree in Computer Science or something related to it. You will require some form of college education in the technological field for you to be considered. Some of the higher up programming positions in video game development require a Masters Degree in Computer Science, and these positions are often the best paying ones. But a college education may not be the only thing that will guarantee you your job. You will need to display an interest in video games to begin with. Many programmers get their start by entering the modding scene. Websites such as ModDB allow you to create projects and acquire teammates to create a modification of an already existing game.
Programmers are treasured within the modding community, because they are rarer to come across. This serves as a great medium for you to display your efficiency and creativity, which will definitely be able to help you get your first job as well as have something in your portfolio to show.
If you are in fact interested in becoming a video game programmer, make sure that is what you want to do in life. There will be times where you will have unfavorable working hours, but if you are doing what you love, the conditions should not matter. Not only will you be able to make video games and possibly speak at conferences, but you will also be receiving decent pay.
