- Training Video Game
From the earliest days of video games to modern triple-A games with huge budgets such as GTA VI, the design of these worlds has always depended on the technical mastery of programming languages by video game developers. These people, whether working solo on independent projects or for major international studios, are essential to the creation of immersive, fluid, high-quality video games. These are essential criteria if we are to reach an increasingly demanding public with ever-higher standards. So how do you get into this job, what skills do you need, and what training do you need? That's what we'd like you to find out in this guide.
Tasks and roles of the game developer
As a game developer, you will be responsible for developing the skeleton of the video game, its architecture and its mechanics. This is a crucial role, because it is on this basis that the artistic and creative teams will be able to develop a unique and distinctive universe. As the game’s architect, you will also be the guarantor of its integrity, and you will have the role of managing your team to guarantee this quality from the beginning to the end of the project, but also beyond that through its maintenance. It’s a job that requires a wide range of skills, as well as solid management and team management abilities.
Skills and qualities needed to be a game developer
To carry out this crucial mission successfully, the video game developer must have a solid set of skills, and be creative, rigorous and organised, but also flexible and capable of reacting to unforeseen circumstances.
As one of the linchpins of the project, they will need to be able to accompany the game throughout its entire life cycle, from development to market launch, not forgetting production and post-production. Often, the game developer will also be required to support the game after its release, which means listening to the teams and players.
Flexibility, rigour and the ability to listen are therefore essential qualities for a game developer, who must be both an outstanding technician and an inspiring colleague (or manager) who is at ease giving and receiving feedback. If the game developer is in charge of the project himself, it goes without saying that he must also have excellent communication skills, so that he can pitch his project to publishers.
Tools and software used by the game developer
As project managers, game developers are expected to have a comprehensive understanding of the tools that make up the video game production chain. Although in-depth expertise in each area is not necessarily required, they must be able to grasp how the main relevant programming languages work and use them, such as C++, often associated with the Unreal Engine game engine, or C#, which is crucial for using the Unity game engine.
3D modelling and animation tools (such as Blender, Maya or 3ds Max) used to create visual assets such as characters and environments are also part of the tools that game developers must be able to master.
Game developers who are familiar with project management and tracking software also have a definite advantage. Knowledge of tools such as Notion, often used for centralised documentation (wikis) and the team’s knowledge base, or Trello (and other similar tools such as Jira or Asana), popular for its task management via Kanban-type boards, will enable them to keep a precise overview of the progress of production.
This control will make it much easier to identify and anticipate potential obstacles or bottlenecks in development, and will enable the game developer to create the smoothest possible workflow.
Which vat should you choose?
There are several routes you can take to train in the video game industry. For example, you could opt for a baccalauréat in NSI (digital and computer sciences), which will give you the technical knowledge you need to start your training with confidence. A scientific or mathematically-oriented baccalauréat is also a good option for those who want to go into programming. Finally, a baccalaureate specialising in graphic arts or visual communications can also be an interesting gateway to the video games sector, combining artistic and technical skills. Whatever the case, your passion will remain the key.
Training and qualifications to become a game developer
Training in the video game industry is essential for anyone wishing to become a game developer. This profession requires a solid theoretical and practical background, as well as a well-stocked portfolio if you are to gain access to the most promising jobs. To build up this expertise, high-quality higher education not only gives you a degree with high added value, but also develops your mastery of the tools and software used by the video games industry. An essential asset when it comes to recruitment.
What does a game developer earn?
Average entry-level salary
Depending on the studio or project you start your career on, the average salary for a game developer starting out in France is between €30,000 and €36,000 gross per year. Of course, this amount will vary according to the size of the project you are working on, but also according to the size and location of the studio you are joining.
Average experienced salary
With experience, game developers can quickly see their annual salary rise. Senior developers can earn between €50,000 and €60,000 gross per year, or even more if their expertise has landed them a job on a AAA game or in a very large creative studio.
Once again, this salary will vary greatly depending on the country, city and environment in which you work.
Career opportunities
Once they have their degree, some game developers go straight to work for a big studio, while others prefer smaller structures to give free rein to their creativity and develop unique experiences. Some also go on to set up their own studio, working in partnership with established professionals or creating their own structure on graduation.
With sufficient experience, game developers can also become project managers for larger video game design projects. They will then be required to manage larger teams and coordinate separate departments.
Sectors and companies that recruit
As you will no doubt have noticed, video games are becoming an increasingly important part of our society. A game developer who is not afraid of a challenge will be spoilt for choice when it comes to working in video game design studios, marketing agencies or the advertising sector as a whole. In addition to these sectors, the education sector (think of Duolingo, for example) now relies heavily on video games to facilitate learning. Finally, video games can also be found in many areas of industry, both for educational purposes and for internal communication. So many options open to you, and a great way to build a solid portfolio quickly.
Which school should you choose to become a game developer?
With its 4-year course available on the Bordeaux, Montpellier, Nantes, Rennes and Toulouse campuses, ESMA is an excellent choice for those wishing to embark on a career as a video game developer. The course is comprehensive, combining theory and practice, as well as the creation of numerous contacts, and culminates in the production of a complete video game. It’s a chance for budding developers to put their experience to the test by designing a real video game from A to Z, and a great creative and collaborative opportunity.
