Technology

How to become a Game Developer

From no experience: every step, how long it takes, and the credential it earns.

Time to get there

1–3 years

Typical pay

$75k–$115k

Starting from

No experience

Pay is an estimate of typical US entry-level pay for this role and varies by state, employer and shift. The timeline assumes you are starting from no experience and includes any licence or programme legally required — not just course length.

The route

1. 1

   4–8 months

   Learn an engine

   Unity with C# or Unreal with C++. Pick one and go deep.

   Course that covers thisA Gentle Introduction To JavaScript For Absolute BeginnersUdemy · around $19.99 →
2. 2

   6–12 months

   Finish and ship small games

   Three finished small games beat one unfinished ambitious one, every time.

3. 3

   6–12 months

   Specialise

   Gameplay, graphics, tools or engine. Generalists struggle to get past the first screen.

4. 4

   1–2 years

   Go in with realistic expectations

   Said plainly: games pay less than general software for longer hours. Choose it because you want it.

5. ✓

   Destination

   Game Developer

   Browse jobs now →

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