What does a game developer do?
Game developers are professionals who are responsible for designing and producing video games for computers, mobile devices, or game consoles by taking the concept of video game designers and turning them into playable games. By using their background in software development and mathematics, game developers must work with teams to create visual content for a game and writing code to implement all the game's features and functionality. They are required to handle new game feature requests and make improvements to the game even after production. Game developers must also demonstrate their skills in artificial programming intelligence for non-player characters.
Game developer responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real game developer resumes:
- Set up and manage Linux servers as well as configured and maintain HTTP servers.
- Used Jenkins as the continuous integration environment to track code issues and manage tasks.
- Source control, software life cycle management, and bug tracking are managed through TFS.
- Manage continuous integration with Jenkins server instance.
- Analyze and manage the project throughout SDLC, written/review specification documents.
- Utilize dynamic HTML, CSS, and JavaScript to create website to showcase development of projects.
- Redesign and develop the encounter and shop systems to facilitate a move from Java to C++.
- Implement CSS3, DOM Api, DOJO and Ajax to create a dynamic and interactive experience.
- Work remotely with a small team to develop and publish video games to mobile and PC platforms.
- Optimize the code for camera control, animation, collision, user input, and physical movement in Unity3D.
- Used AJAX and JQuery to retrieve the data from the server without interfering the display and behavior of existing page.
- Develop android and iOs applications.
- Expand system diversity allowing localization of user interface through XML injection.
- Develop with C++ and Lua.
- Used git version control software.
Game developer skills and personality traits
We calculated that 12% of Game Developers are proficient in Unity, Game Development, and Game Engine. They’re also known for soft skills such as Troubleshooting skills, Concentration, and Analytical skills.
We break down the percentage of Game Developers that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Unity, 12%
Developed parts of an educational game in Unity aimed at teaching environmental engineers about cone-penetration-testing.
- Game Development, 8%
Led team-wide Facebook Platform game development, and played a key part in company-wide social networking integration via Facebook Connect.
- Game Engine, 7%
Programmed complicated trigonometry, programmed algorithms and game engines/frameworks.
- Unreal Engine, 5%
Volunteered as an Unreal Engine developer for an independent game project led by a former colleague.
- Android, 5%
Designed the project's path, and managed an android programmer, a graphic designer and a musician.
- IOS, 4%
Develop game in IOS mobile Applications using swift, and you can download it from App store https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/id923843224
Common skills that a game developer uses to do their job include "unity," "game development," and "game engine." You can find details on the most important game developer responsibilities below.
Analytical skills. Another skill that relates to the job responsibilities of game developers is analytical skills. This skill is critical to many everyday game developer duties, as "developers must analyze users’ needs and then design software to meet those needs." This example from a resume shows how this skill is used: "created data retrieval system using java hibernate. "
Detail oriented. For certain game developer responsibilities to be completed, the job requires competence in "detail oriented." The day-to-day duties of a game developer rely on this skill, as "developers often work on many parts of an application or system at the same time and must therefore be able to concentrate and pay attention to detail." For example, this snippet was taken directly from a resume about how this skill applies to what game developers do: "designed user interface computer game connectfour by using object-oriented programming: java and implemented on j2se base platform. "
Communication skills. A commonly-found skill in game developer job descriptions, "communication skills" is essential to what game developers do. Game developer responsibilities rely on this skill because "developers must be able to give clear instructions to others working on a project." You can also see how game developer duties rely on communication skills in this resume example: "developed rest api for client-server communications. "
Problem-solving skills. Lastly, "problem-solving skills" is an important element of what a game developer does. Game developer responsibilities require this skill because "because developers are in charge of software from beginning to end, they must be able to solve problems that arise throughout the design process." This resume example highlights how game developer duties rely on this skill: "support multiple screen resolutions for ios and android devices, while keeping the draw call less than three. "
The three companies that hire the most game developers are:
- Everi Holdings4 game developers jobs
- Arrow International Inc4 game developers jobs
- Amazon3 game developers jobs
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Compare different game developers
Game developer vs. Development team member
A development team member performs various support tasks to help complete projects according to client specifications and requirements. In the information technology industry, a development team member writes codes, creates programs, implements test systems, troubleshoots issues, performs repairs and upgrades, maintains records, and presents reports to managers. In some establishments, they may also have clerical duties such as handling calls and correspondence, preparing and processing documentation, organizing files, arranging schedules, and maintaining a transparent and open communication line with staff for an efficient workflow.
While similarities exist, there are also some differences between game developers and development team member. For instance, game developer responsibilities require skills such as "c #," "unity," "game development," and "game engine." Whereas a development team member is skilled in "pet," "customer service," "wine," and "web application." This is part of what separates the two careers.
Development team members tend to make the most money working in the finance industry, where they earn an average salary of $43,213. In contrast, game developers make the biggest average salary, $93,318, in the finance industry.On average, development team members reach similar levels of education than game developers. Development team members are 5.0% more likely to earn a Master's Degree and 1.5% more likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Game developer vs. Mobile applications developer
A mobile application developer is responsible for designing programming applications for mobile devices according to clients' specifications and business demands. Mobile application developers must have excellent knowledge of the technology industry, as well as computer system commands to develop efficient scripts and smooth navigation of operating systems. They analyze the clients' needs and recommend application solutions within their budget limitations and timeframe. A mobile application developer identifies inconsistencies and glitches with the output before submission to ensure its stability and optimal performance.
Each career also uses different skills, according to real game developer resumes. While game developer responsibilities can utilize skills like "unity," "game development," "game engine," and "unreal engine," mobile applications developers use skills like "mobile development," "react native," "git," and "application development."
Mobile applications developers may earn a higher salary than game developers, but mobile applications developers earn the most pay in the pharmaceutical industry with an average salary of $107,574. On the other hand, game developers receive higher pay in the finance industry, where they earn an average salary of $93,318.In general, mobile applications developers achieve higher levels of education than game developers. They're 13.1% more likely to obtain a Master's Degree while being 1.5% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.What technology do you think will become more important and prevalent for game developers in the next 3-5 years?
Perry Kivolowitz
Chair, Computer Science Department; Professor of Practice in Computer Science, Carthage College
Game developer vs. Developer/consultant
A developer/consultant is responsible for developing system databases and applications, depending on the business' needs and clients' specifications. Developers/consultants design their services to manage optimal performance and maximize productivity for timely submission of projects, ensuring client satisfaction and loyalty. They also handle clients' inquiries and concerns, informing them about necessary adjustments to improve strategic procedures and processes. A developer/consultant must have excellent communication and analytical skills, as well as extensive experience with the technology industry.
Some important key differences between the two careers include a few of the skills necessary to fulfill the responsibilities of each. Some examples from game developer resumes include skills like "c #," "unity," "game development," and "game engine," whereas a developer/consultant is more likely to list skills in "project management," "hr," "microservices," and "jquery. "
Developer/consultants earn the best pay in the technology industry, where they command an average salary of $101,340. Game developers earn the highest pay from the finance industry, with an average salary of $93,318.developer/consultants typically earn higher educational levels compared to game developers. Specifically, they're 10.7% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 2.8% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Game developer vs. Business objects developer
Even though a few skill sets overlap between game developers and business objects developers, there are some differences that are important to note. For one, a game developer might have more use for skills like "c #," "unity," "game development," and "game engine." Meanwhile, some responsibilities of business objects developers require skills like "business objects," "web intelligence," "dashboards," and "objects universes. "
Business objects developers enjoy the best pay in the health care industry, with an average salary of $98,303. For comparison, game developers earn the highest salary in the finance industry.In general, business objects developers hold higher degree levels compared to game developers. Business objects developers are 15.9% more likely to earn their Master's Degree and 0.4% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Types of game developer
Updated January 8, 2025
