| So you'd like to become a computer game | | | | and to keep themselves updated with the latest |
| programmer. If you want to be a computer game | | | | trends. |
| programmer or a video game programmer, now is | | | | Pay or Salary |
| the best time to venture into the industry. The | | | | The pay scale for a game programmer can be |
| industry is hungry for new talent that can bring a lot | | | | anywhere between US$40,000 to US$125,000 a |
| of new ideas and perspectives on the table, what | | | | year, averaging US$70,000 annually. |
| with the accelerating development in computer | | | | Getting Started |
| technology and with the success of previous | | | | To be a successful computer game or video game |
| best-selling games like Half Life, MYST, The SIMS and | | | | programmer, you will need to be well-versed in |
| Starcraft leaving consumers hungry for more. The | | | | various programming languages and methods. You will |
| computer gaming industry is as competitive and as | | | | also need an exceptional understanding of how |
| challenging as it has never been before. | | | | gaming engines are built. Being a regular programmer |
| The challenge and the excitement of being a | | | | first before elevating yourself to the level of |
| computer game programmer or a video game | | | | computer games will help a lot because it will let you |
| programmer has attracted many people into thinking | | | | hone the skills that you need. |
| of building their careers in that direction. If you are | | | | A college degree is not really required to land you a |
| one of them, you should ask yourself first if you | | | | job as a computer game or a video game |
| have what it takes to survive in the industry and if | | | | programmer as long as you possess the necessary |
| you are willing to put out the hard work needed to | | | | skills in plenty. However, with the tight competition |
| build up the skills that you lack. | | | | nowadays, holders of a degree in computer |
| Areas of Computer and Video Game Development | | | | technology, animation, design and in related fields |
| First consideration, programming is not the only | | | | have an edge on those armed with only high school |
| function in video game development. There are video | | | | diploma. |
| game designers, artists, animators, producers and | | | | But beyond the skill, you will need to learn to be able |
| testers too. Before diving into the programming area, | | | | to work as a team. Teamwork is a must in the |
| make sure that this is the aspect of game | | | | computer gaming industry because it takes a team |
| development you are interested in. | | | | to develop a highly complex game that sells. With |
| Job Description | | | | teamwork come exemplary communication skills, |
| A computer game or a video game programmer is | | | | initiative and the capability to complete tasks with |
| generally responsible for generating computer code | | | | minimal supervision. |
| that is supposed to make the game function | | | | In order to land a good job as a computer game or |
| smoothly. A typical job for a computer game or a | | | | video game programmer, the best way to start is to |
| video game programmer has him or her working with | | | | get into internship programs at gaming companies. |
| a team for ten to 12 hours in a day, with workdays | | | | Another good way is to attend job fairs and to leave |
| sometimes stretching to a whole week. Most of that | | | | your resume in headhunter websites specializing in |
| time is spent writing code and checking for possible | | | | careers in computer technology. Or, if you have a |
| bugs. Pressure can be intense. A lot of times, | | | | specific company in mind, visit their website and see |
| computer game or video game programmers are also | | | | if they have openings, or simply email them your |
| found playing games, usually their competitors | | | | resume with a great cover letter. |
| products, not for fun but to sniff out competition | | | | |