Gameplay programmer

The responsibilities of a gameplay programmer

Teamwork, creativity, initiative, logic, work ethic, autonomy, sense of analysis, these are in a few words the qualities required to be a gameplay programmer (which can be learned by following a bachelor’s degree in video game development). Beyond their IT skills, a studio will also look for a person that can adapt to a team already in place.

They are also required to:

• Develop gameplay tools
• Code existing or new systems
• Understand game engines (Unreal Engine, Unity 3D)
• Examine the computer needs of the game
• Implement the rules defined by a game designer (integration of interfaces, sounds, music and sound effects)
• Ensure that the program works
• Correct any errors or problems
• Improve the game engine

The skills of a gameplay programmer

It is a technical profession, so naturally, you have to apply tools and knowledge in IT development.  Their skills then come down to:

• Programming languages ​​and design patterns (actor model, mvc, mvvm, etc.)
• Development tools
• HMI management
• Project management and its constraints
• The technical translation of a game designer’s needs

Below is an example of an engine interface that you will need to know if you become a gameplay programmer.

Qualities

They are numerous. You have to know how to work in a team and therefore demonstrate communication. In addition, the profession requires having:

• A sense of creativity
• Logic
• A spirit of initiative
• A good work ethic
• A sense of autonomy
• A spirit of analysis

Studies needed to become a gameplay programmer

A high school diploma with a scientific or mathematical speciality, or even a professional high school diploma in computer science, is essential to follow specialised education in video games. It will therefore be necessary to be comfortable with computers and mathematics. To make yourself more employable, leaving with a bachelor’s degree or master’s degree level is strongly recommended by choosing an appropriate video game developer training.

Internships

Internships are the first experiences that familiarise you with the world of programming and video games. With this in mind, we have chosen to offer periods of two to more than six months of internships during the five years of training. The last year of an MSc takes place via an alternating rhythm of fixed-term contracts and internships.

To find an internship, we regularly publish offers within the school. We also advise you to search for announcements published on specialised sites.

Their salary

The salary of a gameplay programmer starts at around 35,000 euros gross per year. But this can quickly increase over the years and depending on the company. It can reach 50,000 euros or even more than 60,000 euros. Abroad, the salary is at 63,000 dollars on average as in San Francisco. The same goes for Montreal.

Opportunities for the profession of gameplay programmer

A gameplay programmer can progress and acquire skills from year to year and from project to project that will make the difference for the rest of their career, even more so if they are interested in and master new technologies such as AI. Thus, it will be possible for them to progress towards jobs with more responsibilities such as a lead gameplay programmer. They can also become a specialised programmer or a game designer.

Where can you work?

They are not necessarily present in all video game development studios. A gameplay programmer is found more in well-established companies such as Quantic Dream, Ubisoft, Eko Software, Midgar Studio.

Advantages and disadvantages

What are the pros and cons of working as a gameplay programmer? See here:

Benefits:

• Attractive salary
• Possess a range of sought-after skills
• Freelance activity

Disadvantages:

• Need to be constantly updated on technological innovations
• Flexibility in terms of hours
• Demonstrate availability

Devenir freelance = il manque la traduction en anglais

Il est tout à fait possible d’exercer ce métier de manière indépendante. Nombreux programmeurs gameplay ont fait ce choix. Généralement, ils optent pour ce statut après avoir été salariés d’un ou plusieurs studios. L’envie de liberté, de travailler de chez soi, de choisir ses projets, d’être son propre patron reviennent souvent en boucle. Toutefois, devenir freelance demande de s’assurer d’un minimum de rigueur, d’organisation et d’implication. Après avoir créé son entreprise, il faudra chercher ses premiers clients et l’aventure peut démarrer.

In summary

How can you become a video game gameplay programmer?

Son influence se ressent directement sur la qualité et le confort du jeu que le joueur aura dans ses mains. Le programmeur gameplay est donc la personne en charge de concevoir l’expérience utilisateur. C’est pourquoi devenir programmeur gameplay jeu vidéo demande de posséder des compétences techniques fondamentales. Avoir une appétence pour l’informatique et les mathématiques est conseillé, ainsi qu’un sens développé de la créativité. De niveau Bac, le parcours passe par une formation en Bachelor Développeur informatique option jeu vidéo à l’école G. Tech. En trois ans, elle permet d’acquérir toutes les bases et connaissances dans le développement d’un jeu vidéo. Ensuite, il est possible d’intégrer le MSc en Programmation jeu vidéo.

Their influence is felt directly in the quality and comfort of the game that the player will have in their hands. The gameplay programmer is, therefore, the person in charge of designing the user experience. This is why becoming a video game gameplay programmer requires fundamental technical skills, and an appetite for computers and mathematics is recommended and a developed sense of creativity. After a high school diploma, you can do a bachelor’s degree in Computer Development with a video game specialisation at the G. Tech school. It allows you to acquire all the bases and knowledge in developing a video game in three years. Then, it is possible to join the MSc in Video Game Programming.

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