Game development often seems like a career that is difficult to get into. It is challenging to do so, but it is not impossible. All you need are the right skills and a foot in the door, and you can have a very lucrative and successful career as a game developer. While there is no right or wrong way to get into this industry, there are a few proven ways of going about things. This article will take a look at some paths you can take to get into game development.
Get a College Degree
This is by far the most popular way of getting into game development. Even though things are changing, many development studios ask for a bachelor’s degree when you apply for a job. It does not have to be a degree in game development, but you should have some programming skills that can be transferred to game development.
You can start with a computer science degree which you can complete online if you are already working. This degree will allow you to work as a programmer or software developer before getting into game development. The numerous opportunities this degree gives you are the reason why it is the recommended choice for those who want to work with computers.
The second degree to consider is a visual effect or a game design degree. These degrees allow you to work on the visuals used in games and can open the door for you to get into game development. Even though you will not be involved in the coding of the games, you will still play an important part in getting them done.
Do remember those game development requirements are not as strict and that the degrees you can use to land a job in this industry are as diverse as the game developers who get them.
Become a Self-taught Game Developer
This is the more difficult path to follow, but it is a great option for those without a degree but who are interested in becoming game developers. With the internet being as it is, there are numerous resources you can use to learn how to develop games. Many of these resources are free, and you can even get whole courses that will teach you to develop games to a decent standard in a few months.
You will need to take the initiative and be passionate about game development to follow this path. You will also need the right tools for game development. A programming desktop with a second CPU, graphics card, and enough RAM should make learning and developing your first games a lot easier. You will also need a decent internet connection and to set some time aside every day to learn.
Build Your First Games
Once you have the skills, it is time to create your own games. Creating your first games does two things; it helps you sharpen your skills, and it gets you noticed by relevant parties. Game development companies are looking for people with initiative, and this is why developing a game is so important. They are also looking for someone with proven skills, and creating a game is the best way of demonstrating you have them.
It does not have to be a massive game because you can create smaller games for smartphones. The process of getting a game on the two main app stores is fairly straightforward. You can even start making some money with your game as you work on a second one, look for internships, or apply for jobs.
Conclusion
Game development could be a fulfilling career option for you. You just have to find a way of getting into the industry. Fortunately, there are several ways of doing so, and we have discussed the most common and the ones with the highest rate of success above.
