“You can make an amazing game, but you can’t make a success. Your players make the success.”
Irme Jele
Nowadays, work on a computer game resembles work on a film production, which involves teams of specialized people responsible for programming, creating graphics, animation, sounds, tests, and distribution. So, there is a lot to choose from in this industry. Everyone will find an area where he/she will feel good at.
Is Game Developing hard?
For computer game enthusiasts who, apart from the plot, appreciate the quality of graphic design, fluent service, or expansion of threads, working as a game developer may turn out to be a dream come true. Creating your own programs, from simple 2D games to complex 3D projects requires, of course, the knowledge of appropriate programming languages, multimedia libraries, and later also extensive game engines.
The production of games is a rewarding activity. It focuses on providing the world with the breathing space that people need so much these days, but it is also extremely challenging and often requires specific skills and even personalities to be successful.
Not every programmer will be interested in game development. The work itself is demanding and the working hours are long. The competition is tough, so you need to be excellent at your job. Above all, some people think that game development is not a real job for grown-ups.
How do I become Game Developer in Australia?
Have you ever wondered how to start programming computer games? Every programmer at the beginning of his career built all his programming skills from scratch. How can a novice developer who is interested in programming games begin his adventure?
- To start you need self-discipline and a good mentor.
- Understand the basics of the game dev world.
- First you must learn how to programme. Good knowledge of one of the following programming languages is sufficient: Java, JavaScript, C, C#, C++, PHP, or Python.
- Have a great knowledge of mathematics.
- Get a Bachelor’s Degree and higher technical education, obtained in an IT or similar field.
- Get a qualification in digital and interactive games, computer games design, animation, or digital media technologies.
- Do one or two courses or free tutorials online, create the first working game. Get to know the Unity and C# engine first through tutorials and courses.
- Build a Portfolio. Working on your own project will teach you how to deal with mistakes, how to find solutions for them on the Internet, how to turn an idea into a mechanic and gameplay – and above all, it will teach you how to program games! You will also learn how to use engine and target equipment documentation.
- Follow current programming trends and standards and the computer game market.
- Seek first an apprenticeship or internship already at the target position.
- Find an Entry Level Position as a Game Programmer. The engine and programming basics will spread your wings the fastest by getting to the programming team.
- Advance to Become a Software Developer.
- Make connections with the same interests like e.g. on Facebook groups, LinkedIn find online conferences, webinars and meetings.
What is the role of a game designer?
It is somebody between a writer, artist and programmer. If you have aesthetic abilities and like creating a frontend then specialize in UI programming and game design (mechanics, space, goals, rules, and components). You don’t need to have faultless drawing abilities; however, designers often sketch out characters and other visual images prior to implementing them in game. As a game designer you will be the creative force in the process of making the game, creating the components, the rules and storyline, characters, stories, settings of the game design leading from the invention of a general concept to the development of full and detailed technical documentation allowing for the implementation of the game. You will be using computer programming languages to write the required code. You may also manage project teams and test early versions of the games.
Video game designers typically have a bachelor’s degree in game design, computer engineering, or computer science. It takes four to five years to graduate in that field.
Game Programming Courses in Australia:
The Best Bachelor of Game Programming Courses in Australia:
- The Bachelor of Games Software Design and Production, Murdoch University, Perth
- Bachelor of Science (Games Technology), Murdoch University, Perth
- Bachelor of Computer Science (Simulation and Serious Games), Flinders University
- The Bachelor of Information Technology (Games and Graphics Programming), RMIT University, Melbourne
- The Bachelor of Software Engineering (Game Programming), Media Design School at Torrens University Australia
- The Bachelor of Science in Games Development course at the University of Technology in Sydney
- The Bachelor of Computer Science – Bachelor of Science programme offered by the University of Wollongong
- The Bachelor of Computer Science (Games Development) from the Swinburne University of Technology
- Bachelor of Games Design and Development, Macquarie University
The Best Master of Game Programming Courses in Australia:
- Technology, University of Technology Sydney
- Information Technology Studies, University of Technology Sydney
- Internetworking, University of Technology Sydney
- Information Technology, University of Technology Sydney
- Machine Learning and Computer Vision, Australian National University, Canberra
- Computing (Advanced), Australian National University, Canberra
- Enterprise Systems and Business Analytics, Federation University Australia
- Information Technology (Computer Networks), La Trobe University, Melbourne,
- Software and the Web, University of Southern Queensland, Toowoomba
- Applied Cybernetics, Australian National University, Canberra
- Post-Graduate Qualifying Program – IT, Edith Cowan College, Joondalup
- Computer Science, University of Queensland, Brisbane
- Postgraduate Enabling Program – IT, La Trobe College Australia
- Computing, University of Southern Queensland, Toowoomba
- Information Technology, RMIT University, Melbourne
- Computer Science, University of Queensland, Brisbane
- Information Technology – Software Design and Development, Charles Sturt University Study Centres
Diplomas:
- 10702NAT Advanced Diploma of Professional Game Development (Game Programming)
- ICT50215 Diploma of Digital and Interactive Games
- ICT40915 Certificate IV in Digital and Interactive Games
Is game development a good career In Australia?
The video game market is developing very dynamically in Australia. “According to the survey undertaken for the Interactive Games & Entertainment Association (IGEA), the Australian game development industry generated $143.5 million in the 2018-2019 financial year, drawing the majority of its revenues from exports while creating significant opportunities for skilled jobs locally”.
The development of this industry is driven by the gaming community itself. It is estimated that their number in the world has already exceeded 2 billion. Thus, playing games has escaped stereotype that is the only niche for teenagers to and has become part of popular entertainment culture for adults as well. The interest in games is constantly growing and demand more game developers as well. The game industry is a very absorbent labour market because it is relatively young. Australia offers a very decent educational level of Game Development. Game design and development is offered by many universities and other institutions as a course. This gives an advantage in the international labour market.
How Much Do Game Developers Earn In Australia?
The average salary for Game Makers is between A$76,600 up to A$130.000 per year in Australia. Salaries are different depending on job speciality, location, and experience. The computer games market is still not saturated, so there will be plenty of work for new professionals soon.
There are some of the jobs and salaries in the game dev in Australia:
- Game Programmer AU$79 500 per year
- Game Designer AU$90 000 per year
- Game Developer AU$70 000 per year
- Senior Software Engineer AU$128 000 per year
- Video Game Designer AU$76 600 per year
Other popular jobs in the gaming industry in Austarlia:
- Audio Engineer
- Games Animator
- Games Artist
- Interpreters and Translators
- Game Play Tester
- Professional Gamer
