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Video Game Programmer Career Requirements
The video game industry reached $18.8 billion in 2007, up 43% from the previous year. Programmers face excellent prospects in this high-growth entertainment sector. Here's a look at the career requirements for a video game programmer.
Multiple-Player Programming Careers
Video game programmers develop the graphics, sound, and action of game software. They write the code that specifies a game's features--its physics, 3D graphics and animation, digitized sounds, strategy, artificial intelligence, and the programming of input devices such as gamepads and joysticks. Video game programmers typically specialize in one or more of these programming areas. Specialties include:- Game physics programmer
- Artificial intelligence programmer
- Graphics
- Programmer
- Sound programmer
- Gameplay programmer
- User interface (UI) programmer
- Input programmer (keyboard, mouse, etc.)
- Network programmer
Educational Requirements
In the early days of video game design, many programmers were hobbyists who learned the ropes through untold hours of practice. But the increasing sophistication of video game technology--and competition for programmer jobs--has made formal education a must. The standard qualification for a video game programmer career is a four-year bachelor of science degree in computer science or a related field. Many colleges and universities offer specialized bachelor degrees in game software development. These programs allow students to focus on relevant game development languages such as C++, C, and scripting. In addition, game development majors build portfolios and industry contacts.
Computer programmers enjoy some of the highest salaries and best job opportunities in the video game industry. Not bad for a career that doubles as a hobby.
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