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Computer games developer

Computer game developers create video games for phones, tablets, PCs and consoles.

Annual Salary

£27,000 to £71,000

Average UK salary in 2023 was £34,963
(source Office for National Statistics)

Working hours

30 to 45 a week

You could work: evenings / weekends; occasionally

4.3%
Future employment

There will be 4.3% more Computer games developer jobs in 2029.

Day to day tasks

As a games developer, you could work in a number of specialisms from gameplay programming to virtual reality (VR). You could:

  • work with level designers and graphic artists
  • decide what a game will look like and how it will be played
  • create concept art, drawings or storyboards at the planning stage
  • use computer modelling and animation software to make characters and scenes
  • add audio and sound effects
  • write code to programme the game
  • fix problems and 'bugs' that testers have found

Working environment

You could work in a creative studio or in an office.

You can get into this job through:

  • a university course
  • a college course
  • an apprenticeship
  • working towards this role
University

You could do a foundation degree or degree in:

  • computer games design
  • computer games development
  • computer science
  • interactive media
  • mathematics

If you'd like a job that includes game design as well as programming, you could do a foundation degree or degree in a subject like animation or graphic design.

You may have an advantage when you look for work if you do a degree that includes a work placement.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

  • at least 1 A level, or equivalent, for a foundation degree
  • 2 to 3 A levels, or equivalent, for a degree
For more information
  • equivalent entry requirements|https://www.gov.uk/what-different-qualification-levels-mean/list-of-qualification-levels
  • student finance for fees and living costs|https://www.gov.uk/student-finance
  • university courses and entry requirements|https://www.ucas.com/
College

You could do a college course before moving on to a higher level qualification. It may help you to get a trainee position with a development company.

Courses include:

  • computing
  • creative media and games development
  • T Level in Digital Production, Design and Development

Apprenticeship

You could apply to do a Higher Apprenticeship to get into this role, such as:

  • Software Developer Level 4
  • Junior VFX Artist or Assistant Technical Director Level 4
  • Game Programmer Level 7

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

  • 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) and A levels, or equivalent, for a higher or degree apprenticeship
For more information
  • equivalent entry requirements|https://www.gov.uk/what-different-qualification-levels-mean/list-of-qualification-levels
  • higher and degree apprenticeships|https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/higher-and-degree-apprenticeships
  • guide to apprenticeships|https://www.gov.uk/apprenticeships-guide
Work

You could start with a company as a games tester if you play a lot of games.

You'll usually need a computing qualification or some relevant work experience. Employers will also be interested in your talent and creative ideas.

More information

Career tips

You can create a portfolio of work or online demo to highlight your skills to potential employers.

You can get information on how to start creating your own games from Into Games.

Further information

You can get more advice about working in games development from ScreenSkills and Into Games.

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With experience you could become a senior developer, producer or technical director.

If you have a lot of skills and experience, you could become a freelance developer, working on games for a number of different companies.

Video stories related to this job

Skills required and how your skills match up

What skills are required?

You'll need:

  • design skills and knowledge
  • the ability to write computer programs
  • to be thorough and pay attention to detail
  • analytical thinking skills
  • maths knowledge
  • the ability to come up with new ways of doing things
  • complex problem-solving skills
  • excellent verbal communication skills
  • to have a thorough understanding of computer systems and applications
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