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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.

See game developer jobs open now

The route

  1. 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. Finish and ship small games

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

  3. Specialise

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

  4. 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

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