Games are fun. So, it’s no wonder that one of the first video games that were created was done to bring a fun and interesting element into a science exhibition.
We are talking about “Tennis for Two”, invented by William Higinbotham with the help of two of his colleagues in 1958.
Since then, game development has gone through several generations of changes to become what it is today.
This Blog covers every aspect related to this field including game developer salary. Happy reading!
What is a Game Developer
India’s gaming industry has evolved drastically and is a lucrative field filled with exciting opportunities for the tech-savvy.
The term “Game Developer” can apply to a company that produces and deploys games. It can also be a person who uses their software knowledge to convert a game designer’s idea into a viable product.
To enter and work in this field, strong technical abilities are a must. Knowledge of development platforms and coding languages is necessary.
The first thing would be to get the right education to acquire these capabilities. Follow that up with creating a portfolio of work samples.
What is the average game developer salary in India per month ?
As with any other industry, the salary range for game developers in India differs based on skills and experience.
According to Salary Explorer, a game developer’s salary ranges between 14600 and 43,000 INR. The average monthly salary is around 28,000 INR.
These are, of course, indicators but can be considered standard. When it comes to factors that influence salary, the education level, and domain expertise are a couple of factors that have a bearing.
Universities and other educational institutes offer courses in game development. Types of courses can start from short-term certifications to a Master’s degree.
Formal education offers an edge over self-learning as the courses are comprehensive and might include an internship phase that involves working on projects that will help in portfolio development.
The other factor influencing salary is expertise, which is gained over a period of time and through working on a variety of projects.
Video Game Developer Responsibilities
Although a game developer’s role leans more towards the technical aspects of game development, they also do other things.
Developing a game is a joint effort between designers, programmers or developers, artists, and sound engineers.
Typical job specifications include-
- Participate in the idea generation for games. While generally, game designers are distinct from developers, there may be instances where an overlap exists
- Review design specifications as it sets the stage and gives direction
- Write code to bring the ideas and designs to life
- Manage the AI and graphics elements of the game
- Spot and address improvements. This can involve reviewing code and implanting fixes to resolve the issue
- Interact with other actors in the development cycle as necessary. Communication among the team members is essential for project success
Since there are several components to the development phase, tasks are distributed as submodules among the developers.
This can be based on the complexity of the project and the size of the company that is developing the game.
Indie games, which is the short form for independent video games, are usually created by individuals or small teams.
Here, there is no backing from a big publisher and therefore the individuals will have to perform multiple roles among themselves.
Game Developer requirements/Skills
A combination of technical and people skills is required for game developers. Skills that need to be acquired will vary based on specializations.
The areas of specialization could be becoming an expert in a particular platform or system, for e.g. mobile game development.
It could also be gaining specific expertise in the type of games or individual elements of the development process.
To be a successful game developer, some core skills needed are -
- Solid knowledge of game development engines and proficiency in programming is key as these are the basis on which games are built
- Working knowledge of game development life-cycle
- Analytical thinking and problem-solving skills are needed. Being able to analyze information, and come up with creative solutions is a plus and makes life easy
- Ability to collaborate and work with different teams. This will include sound communication skills too
- Planning and time management. Tight deadlines, unforeseen problems, etc. can all be managed well with good planning and efficient time management
For new entrants to this field, acquiring these skills can happen through internships which gives practical exposure and learning.
It can also come by being a part of projects in an entry-level capacity with a company. Trying your hand at creating something on your own using low code platforms is also another possibility.
Conclusion
An overview of what game developers do, the skills they need to fulfill their responsibilities, and prospects in this field have been covered so far which goes to show how developers are at the core of video game creation.
Game development is a creative and rewarding field for anyone with a passion for games and the right IT skills.
In the Indian context, the gaming industry was slow to gain popularity but has made up for that in no time.
Especially during the pandemic, game downloads and players went up by a large number as it is one of the best ways to unwind and do so with family and friends.
Playing games has been a part of humankind’s routine for ages and turning a passion for games into a career option makes for a great combination.
Today, game development is seen as a great field for creative pursuits that are equally rewarding from a monetary standpoint.
FAQs
1. What is the average Game Developer Salary in India ?
The monthly salary range for a game developer in India can be between 14k to 40k+ dependent on the experience and skills.
The salary for freelancers will be different as they are paid on an hourly basis. Payment rates again are different, the parameters for which remain more or less the same as salaried individuals.
2. what is the salary of game developer in India ?
The annual starting salary, at a base level, can begin from 1.7 to 1.9 lakhs depending on employer location, role specifications, etc.
This is for freshers or less experienced developers and may not include the bonus component. Attracting the attention of good companies increases the chances of starting off on a higher salary.
3. Does Game Developer earn good money?
As they gain experience and add to their project and skills range, game developers do earn good money.
The organization where developers work, their location, success in their role, etc.
determine earnings. Continually upgrading your skills and value addition to projects they participate in is therefore vital.
4. Is Game Developer a good career?
If you are creative and have a flair for programming, this is certainly a good career choice.
The industry is expected to reach 4 billion USD by 2026.
It gives you plenty of options to choose from to demonstrate your skills. This consequently increases both the number of opportunities and the earning potential.