Computer games developer

Career path and progression

With experience you could become a senior developer, producer or technical director.

If you have a lot of skills and experience, you could become a freelance developer, working on games for a number of different companies.

What it takes

Skills and knowledge

You'll need:

• design skills and knowledge
• the ability to write computer code
• to be thorough and pay attention to detail
• analytical thinking skills
• maths knowledge
• the ability to come up with new ways of doing things
• complex problem-solving skills
• excellent verbal communication skills
• to have a thorough understanding of computer systems and applications

Related subjects

Most relevant

• Computer Science - Computer games developers write code to programme game mechanics, physics engines, AI behaviour, and user interfaces. They need a strong understanding of algorithms, data structures, and software architecture to build games that run smoothly across different platforms.
• Mathematics - Computer games developers use maths constantly – from trigonometry and vectors for character movement and camera angles, to probability for game mechanics and linear algebra for 3D graphics rendering. Maths underpins almost every technical aspect of how a game works.
• Physics - Computer games developers build physics engines that simulate gravity, collisions, projectile motion, and fluid dynamics to make game worlds feel realistic. Understanding how forces, energy, and motion work in the real world is essential for creating believable in-game behaviour.
• Art and Design - Computer games developers create concept art, storyboards, characters, and environments during the planning and production stages. A strong sense of colour, composition, and visual storytelling helps them design games that look appealing and communicate clearly to players.

Also relevant

• Design and Technology - Computer games developers go through iterative design processes – prototyping ideas, testing them, and refining based on feedback. Understanding how to take a concept from initial idea through to a finished, functional product is central to game development.
• Film Studies - Computer games developers draw on cinematic techniques when designing in-game experiences – thinking about camera angles, lighting, and narrative structure to create cutscenes and guide players through a story. Film Studies helps them craft more immersive and emotionally engaging gameplay.
• Music - Computer games developers add audio and sound effects to enhance atmosphere and gameplay. Understanding how music creates mood, builds tension, and responds to player actions helps them integrate sound design that makes games more immersive.
• English Language - Computer games developers write dialogue, in-game text, and narrative scripts, as well as communicating ideas clearly within development teams. Strong written communication skills help them create compelling game worlds and produce clear technical documentation.