https://padlet.com/seanmux2003/tv2sfhs6b2he An insight into this profession by Sean Muxart. en-us 2017-08-14 12:47:33 UTC 2025-05-11 20:41:43 UTC hello@padlet.com seanmux2003 https://padlet.com/seanmux2003/tv2sfhs6b2he/wish/180911345 A video game programmer is the guy that makes the video game a video game. They program everything from the physics to the user interface to the networking to the graphics and much, much more.]]> 2017-08-14 12:49:00 UTC https://padlet.com/seanmux2003/tv2sfhs6b2he/wish/180911345 seanmux2003 https://padlet.com/seanmux2003/tv2sfhs6b2he/wish/180911851 Most video game programmers have a bachelor's degree in computer science or computer engineering. A perfect in-state college to earn this degree would be Georgia Tech.]]> 2017-08-14 12:53:12 UTC https://padlet.com/seanmux2003/tv2sfhs6b2he/wish/180911851 seanmux2003 https://padlet.com/seanmux2003/tv2sfhs6b2he/wish/180912470 Tuition will cost about $10000 a year, $9000 a year for the room fees, and another $10000 if you were to pay all the other fees included. Multiply by 4, and you get a whopping price at about $116,000 for your whole tenure at Georgia Tech.]]> 2017-08-14 12:58:43 UTC https://padlet.com/seanmux2003/tv2sfhs6b2he/wish/180912470 seanmux2003 https://padlet.com/seanmux2003/tv2sfhs6b2he/wish/180912783 The following are the different level positions of a video game programmer.]]> 2017-08-14 13:02:01 UTC https://padlet.com/seanmux2003/tv2sfhs6b2he/wish/180912783 seanmux2003 https://padlet.com/seanmux2003/tv2sfhs6b2he/wish/180912961 Before you even get an entry-level position, it is strongly advised to build a portfolio showcasing your skills in programming and programming languages like C++. This can range from small games to complex algorithms. This is due to the rather small amount of job openings every year and a very competitive market.

After you get accepted into a game development studio, you'll be making anywhere from 35k - 45k a year. Some great skills that will help for your whole career is a great communication ability, teamwork skills, and creativity.]]> 2017-08-14 13:03:37 UTC https://padlet.com/seanmux2003/tv2sfhs6b2he/wish/180912961 seanmux2003 https://padlet.com/seanmux2003/tv2sfhs6b2he/wish/180914505 In order to advance to a median-level position, you must work on 3 - 4 projects, which will translate to about 2 or 3 years worth of experience. There you might get promoted to Lead Programmer, who is in charge of tasking and monitoring entry level video game programmers.

When you are a median level programmer, you'll be making anywhere from 60k - 85k a year.]]> 2017-08-14 13:15:34 UTC https://padlet.com/seanmux2003/tv2sfhs6b2he/wish/180914505 seanmux2003 https://padlet.com/seanmux2003/tv2sfhs6b2he/wish/180914529 In order to advance to the the advanced-level position, you must work on about 6+ projects, which will probably translate to about 5+ years of experience. In this stage, programmers hardly stay programmers and become either executive producers or start their own studio. Executive producers monitor and give tasks to all programmers, designers and artists in the studio. He/she makes sure that the vision of the game is executed correctly and evaluates if the communication between all developers is there or not. If not, he/she makes it work, often smoothing out roadblocks between programmers, designers, and artists.

When you are in the advanced stages, you'll be making 100k+ a year.]]> 2017-08-14 13:15:44 UTC https://padlet.com/seanmux2003/tv2sfhs6b2he/wish/180914529 seanmux2003 https://padlet.com/seanmux2003/tv2sfhs6b2he/wish/181000176 -  You get free copies of the games you make. If not, there are big discounts on the game.
- If you love games, this job will serve as form of entertainment.
- There can be a lot of independence at the workplace, depending on the studio you work for.
- "Modding" (making modifications to games) can be much easier when you know the code.
- Traditional dress codes and office spaces usually do not appear in this field.]]> 2017-08-14 23:31:39 UTC https://padlet.com/seanmux2003/tv2sfhs6b2he/wish/181000176 seanmux2003 https://padlet.com/seanmux2003/tv2sfhs6b2he/wish/181000343 - Most game developers work on weekends to fulfill deadlines or to get ahead of the workload.
- Crunch time, or periods where workdays can exceed 12+ hours, can put a toll on your health and well-being.
- If your game flops financially or doesn't get a good reception, you are at risk of getting laid off or your whole studio going bankrupt.]]> 2017-08-14 23:34:32 UTC https://padlet.com/seanmux2003/tv2sfhs6b2he/wish/181000343