What is a Video Game Developer?

If you're passionate about video games, you might consider becoming a game developer. These professionals build games from the ground up for PC, consoles, mobile, and VR. Games require a wide variety of team members including programmers, artists, designers, and producers.

Let's take an inside look into the video game industry and the types of developers needed to make a game.

Types of Game Developers

Many job titles may use "game developer" to refer specifically to programmers or software engineers. For the purpose of this discussion, "game developer" will encompass all roles involved in the game-creation process.

Designers

Game designers, also called level designers, are responsible for architecting gameplay, sequences, and encounters that keep the player moving through the game. A team typically has one game designer, who envisions the big picture, and multiple level designers who help implement that vision in every beat of the game.

Typical responsibilities of a level designer:

• Develop game mechanics, balance, and user experience
• Orchestrate level layout, enemy/event encounters, and player skill progression
• Prototype level layouts and interactive elements to create the desired player experience
• Iterate levels through testing and feedback

Programmers

Also called software engineers, these members are responsible for developing the software to create video games. At smaller companies, a programmer may have a variety of tasks including coding and testing while at a larger company, they may have a more specified role.

Typical responsibilities of a game programmer:

• Assemble platforms and engines that power the games
• Write code for custom software to support game requirements
• Produce prototypes in early stages of production
• Fix bugs and optimize code 

Artists

Artists create the stunning visuals of games and include a wide variety of roles, just scratching the surface with concept, props, environment, character, lighting, and effects. Artists may work in 2D, 3D, or both, depending on the style of the game.

Typical responsibilities of a game artist:

• Work with designers to realize the vision of the game
• Build 2D/3D assets according to concept and within technical limitations
• Apply textures, lighting, and special effects
• Animate characters, creatures, and machines
• Design promotional materials for marketing and launch

Producers

Game producers map out how the team will make it to launch with all the pieces of the game finished on time. Producers have a thorough understanding of each phase of development and applies strategies to carry the team from Point A to Point B.

Typical responsibilities of a game producer:

• Create and track schedules, tasks, and goals
• Identify and address risks that may block the team from reaching their goals
• Communicate the project status and needs to superiors
• Ensure the final product aligns with the project vision

Conclusion

Building a game involves a lot of different moving parts, and a lot of different roles are needed to create those parts and put them together. We've just scratched the surface with the four main areas of programming, design, art, and production, and I'll be providing a deeper dive into each one in the next posts.