Video Game Developer

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Career Profile
People who make video games or computer games are called game developers. Within the term "game developer," there are a host of other job titles, which are generally broken down by discipline or field of study: art, programming, design and writing, production (producers), audio, quality assurance (game testers), and business. The most well known of these are artist or animator, programmer or engineer (sometimes also called coder), and game designer.  Game developers are usually employed by a game development studio, which some people use interchangeably with the term "developer." Today's environment for developing video games requires specialized skills and strong teamwork. Consequently, the credit level Video game development program at Austin Community College provides three areas of specialization: Game Design, Game Art and Game & Visualization Programming.

Programmers
Game programmers are software engineers who plan and write video game software. They turn ideas, art, and music into a game that works. When designers describe an event in the game, programmers translate the idea into mathematical equations the computer understands. Game programmers control the speed and placement of art and sound.
Game programmers search for the most efficient way to write software. They need to accomplish as much as possible with the fewest possible instructions and a fast processing time. Video game software needs to be flexible as well as fast. Good programmers write code that can be changed without destroying the game. If a program is sufficiently flexible, large parts of the software can be used in other games.

Artists
Artists create graphics. During the concept stages of development, concept artists draw sketches and storyboards to illustrate and embellish the designers' ideas. Artists later create all the artwork the design document calls for, including creatures, settings, vehicles, and icons.
Video games are either two or three dimensions or a combination of both. In a 2-D game, artists draw images on paper and scan them into the computer. In a 3-D game, artists build images within the computer. Most new games have 3-D components. All game artists have to contend with the technical constraints imposed by arcade machines, consoles, and personal computers. These playback devices have limited memory and processing power. Each element of the game is competing for a piece of memory and power.
Game artists need a visual imagination. Game artists must also be able to apply basic math concepts, especially when working on 3-D games. Artists working in 3-D should know how to use modeling and animating software and should be able to teach themselves new features and techniques. Ability to communicate with programmers is another must.

Career Outlook
The Video Game industry is a fast growing, multi-billion dollar industry. Austin has emerged as one of the leaders in the country, along side Silicon Valley and Seattle.  A study on the economic impact of Austin’s entertainment software/digital media industry reports that most companies in this industry expect to double or triple their current levels of employment by 2010. 
The Bureau of Labor Statistics does not have data specific to game designers, video game artists and video game programmers but industry sources such as the Game Career Guide conducted surveys in 2007 that found that annual salaries for writers and designers with 3 years or less of experience earned around $44,574.  The same survey reveled that video game artists with 3 years or less of experience earned around $42,672.  Lastly the average salary for individuals with the job title video game programmer with 3 years or less of experience earned around $57,913.

Video Game Developer

 

Educational Programs

Today's environment for developing video games requires specialized skills and strong teamwork. Consequently, Austin Community College’s Video Game Development Institute provides three areas of specialization: Programming, Art and Design. Typically, students will take 2 years to complete one of three associate degree plans - Game Design, Game Art and Game & Visualization Programming. Many of the classes are project-based and require internships.  Most of the classes are held at the Northridge Campus, in North Austin near Braker Lane and Metric Boulevard.