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A growing games industry exists in Australia, with the sector contributing $226.5million in revenue in 2021, which was a 22% increase on the previous year. Want in on the action? Read on.
Globally the gaming industry is worth $240 billion and predicted to reach $294 billion by 2024. Within Australia, 83% of gaming revenue is coming from overseas and now the Australian government is finally recognising the massive growth of the sector. Support on both federal and state levels is on offer in the form of tax incentives (the Digital Games Tax Offset or DGTO came into effect in 2022).
Attracting employees with the right specialised skills is reported as being one of the difficulties faced by Australian gaming development studios. The global demand for experienced staff demonstrates that if you’re keen to get into the industry, now’s the time to strike.
What is a video game developer?
Game developers bring video game designer’s ideas to life by developing the code which creates the audio and visuals that make it a playable game. Video games exist across a number of platforms such as game consoles (we’re looking at you XBox, Playstation and Nintendo), mobile phones, PCs and different web browsers.
Are game developers in demand in Australia?
Recognised as a strong contributor to the national economy, the projected job growth for game developers over the next five years is tipped to be 25%.
With a projected industry growth of 7% annually and a shortage of skilled workers to meet the increase, it’s safe to say that game developers are in demand.
How much does a video game developer make?
The average Australian salary for game developers hits roughly the $100k mark, with entry-level positions likely paying less. However, with plenty of opportunities available, you may find yourself climbing the ranks faster than in other industries.
Keep in mind that if you specialise in certain aspects of gaming, you could command a higher salary.
Skills needed to be a game developer
It goes without saying that having a true passion for video games really is paramount if you want to be a game developer. In addition to your love for all things gaming, the following skills and attributes are also needed in your kit:
- Proficiency in programming languages (C# and C++ for example)
- An analytical mindset
- Creative thinking
- Great at working solo and as a part of a team
- Be across the latest gaming trends
Do your homework
If you’re interested in working in the gaming industry, it pays to know about the companies in the field. Scan through game developer job listings to see who is who and learn about which services they offer. You can also read through the job descriptions to gain an understanding of the skills and experience required to join their ranks.
If there’s a studio you’re particularly interested in, check their website directly to see if they’re hiring and the skills they require. You can also ask about work experience or internship opportunities to get your foot in the door, which can be a great way to network while you gain a relevant qualification.
How to become a game developer
It’s a wise idea to have some training under your belt to become a game developer, in software engineering ideally, as a proficiency in relevant programming languages is required.
Some developers are self-taught, but it can be a much longer road to get up to speed, particularly when you consider that you might be up against people with computer science qualifications when applying for positions in game development companies.
At Academy Xi, we offer industry-approved training via an intensive approach, so you can get yourself out there into the game development workforce sooner rather than later, instead of sinking four years into a university degree.
Our tech training options will give you the foundations required enter into the world of gaming, whether you want to upskill, or become a full-stack developer:
- Software Engineering: Transform (full-time)
- Software Engineering: Transform (part-time)
- Front End Web Development: Transform (part-time)
- Front End Web Development: Elevate (part-time)
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Skills and responsibilities of a game developer
In addition to writing code, a working day for a game developer often includes using application program interfaces (APIs) to develop their work across different software, analysing video game designer’s concepts and design specifications, as well as programming the artificial intelligence (AI) for non-player characters and the terrain of the game.
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