Game Programmer Career Description

Game Programmer Job Profile and Description:

A game programmer, referring to individuals who design and execute video games meant to run on computers, is actually software professional who develops the codes that enables a particular game to run. This is an extremely varied field and given the ever-expanding nature of video games, and their multi-layered structures, a game programmer today specialises in any one or two aspects of game design.

For example, a game programmer might specialise in graphics, or audio. Each individual begins as a junior programmer and then specialises in any one area as mentioned before. Some of the other specialisation areas in the field of game programming include artificial intelligence, physics, and so on.

Game Programmer Duties and Responsibilities:

The duties and responsibilities of a game programmer are:

• To conceptualise the game, make a document containing the codes for it, run the program, debug extensively and check and recheck till the program runs absolutely smoothly.

• To discuss, analyse and thrash out the game concept, design layout, graphics and so on. The game programmer, though specialising in one area, must participate in each stage of the development process.

Game Programmer Skills and Specifications:

The skills and specifications of a game programmer are as follows:

• To have a thorough idea of computer programming and software design.

• To be familiar with the various aspects of game programming like character edition, map, graphics and so on.

• To be intern to a game design firm for at least 2 years is a requisite imposed by many game design clients.

• Completion of one or more demo game projects.

Game Programmer Education and Qualifications:

The education and qualifications of a game programmer are as follows:

• Bachelor’s degree in Mathematics, Information Systems or Computer Science.
• C++ certification.

Game Programmer Salary:

Game programmers can earn anything between 40,000 USD to 100,000 USD depending on their role and position.

Alternative Description

Game Programmer Job Profile and Description

The Game Programmers are those professionals who create the instructions and programs required to run games. This professional works with the game development team and ensures that the developed final game comes with all the necessary features in a consistent form. The video and computer game development organizations hire these individuals for fulltime job or for part time basis.

Game Programmer Duties and Responsibilities

• Executing the creative plans which are developed by the game artists and designers in order to give the concept life.
• Making use of mathematics and requisite computer languages for writing the programs which are needed to make the games run properly.
• Completing different stages of the games and running many tests in order to ensure that the game is working properly.
• Making adequate corrections in order to make the game operate successfully.
• Designing the on the whole framework for the games and even its sound and images.
• Creating the programs that help to offer the power characters in game thereby making the characters respond to the players.
• Turning images and sound clips which are created by artists in such a way that the gaming systems get to access it.

Game Programmer Skills and Specifications

• Awareness about different types of video and computer games.
• Passionate about playing video and computer games.
• Excellent expertise in the field of programming especially in C/C++ or Java.
• Good understanding of graphics, designing etc.
• Creative bent of mind and innovative bent of mind.

Game Programmer Education and Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree in the field of computer science, engineering or programming from an accredited institution.

Diploma course in computer game development can be an added advantage.

Game Programmer Salary

According to Indeed.com in February 2010, the average salary of game programmer was of $64,000. However, their income would greatly vary depending on the nature of the game development organization they work for and the experience of the professional.