What Is a Game Developer (and How to Become One)? | Coursera

Learn how to launch a career in video game development.
A game developer is a software professional who creates the user interface, visuals, and gameplay logic mechanics that make video games playable.
Game developer jobs include first, second, or third-party developers or independent (indie) developers.
A video game developer typically has knowledge of Unity and Unreal Engine, programming languages like C# and C++, and video content and animation.
What a game developer actually does is develop new game design ideas, translate designs into code, test and refine gameplay, collaborate with development teams, and monitor game performance across platforms. Learn more about game developers, including what they do, their required skills, and how to become one.
If you want to start building your knowledge of game development, consider enrolling in Michigan State University's Game Design and Development with Unity Specialization. In as little as two months, you’ll have the opportunity to learn more about the game design and development process, as well as designing 2D and 3D games. Upon completion of the program, you'll have created your own original game and earned a shareable certificate to add to your resume.
Creating a video game often involves a team of designers, artists, software developers, quality assurance testers, and production professionals. Game developers typically contribute to visual design elements, general user interface, and game logic. They take the game designers' designs, storyboards, and ideas and use them as blueprints to bring the game to life as something gamers can actually play.
The type of work you do as a game developer will vary depending on the size of the company you work for and your specialization. At bigger game companies, you’re more likely to have a more specialized role working on a specific game element. At an indie publisher, you may have a hand in multiple processes in a game’s lifecycle. These are some of the day-to-day tasks you may perform in this role:
Develop new ideas for game design
Translate visual ideas into code
Prototype, iterate, and polish gameplay
Collaborate with designers, producers, artists, and quality analysts
Monitor game stability across platforms
Review existing code and recommend improvements
Port games or elements from one system to another
Developers and designers are two careers that work together to create video games, but they have very different day-to-day responsibilities. While a video game developer focuses on the coding and software necessary to support the game and make it work, a designer creates the visual elements or aesthetics of the game. While the two roles are different, they aren’t mutually exclusive. It’s common for game developers to work on design aspects, but it's also the other way around.
According to Glassdoor, game developers in the United States earn a median total compensation of $97,000 as of August 2026, which includes both base salary and additional pay, such as bonuses, commissions, or profit sharing [1]. Learn more about salary ranges and the factors that can influence your pay by checking out the article Video Game Developer Salary: Your Guide.
In this industry, you’ll typically work in one of four types of roles: first, second, or third-party developers or independent (indie) developers. The path you choose will depend on where you are in your career, what elements of game development you’re interested in, and how much creative control you want over the final product.
In addition to deciding what type of developer you might want to be, you might also choose to specialize. You can develop niche skills based on the type of system (console, computer, or mobile), game type (simulation, adventure, role-playing, strategy, etc.), or a specific game element (in-game systems, level design, user interface, environment, etc).
According to Statista, the video game industry's projected market value is $745.68 billion by 2030 [2]. Given these statistics, it’s little wonder that the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects a 15 percent growth rate for game and other software developers between 2024 and 2034 [3].
Many game developers get into the industry out of a love of gaming. More than 212 million people in the United States play video games, according to the Entertainment Software Association [4]. While working in video game development can be challenging, it can also be rewarding to take part in creating something you’re passionate about (and that your potential customers are passionate about as well).
Video game development is typically seen as a highly coveted career, especially for those with an established love of video games. Let’s take a look at some of the educational recommendations and skills you can build that could make you more competitive in your job search.
Many game development and publishing companies look for candidates with a bachelor’s degree in computer science or a related field. Some universities have started offering game design and interactive entertainment degrees or minors that are more specifically targeted toward the video game industry. With the Bachelor of Science in Computer Science from the University of London, for instance, you can specialize in cutting-edge topics like virtual reality, game development, or 3D graphics and animation.
While a degree isn’t always necessary, it can help you build the foundational technical skills necessary for success as a software developer.
Having the right technical skills on your resume can open up opportunities for work as a game developer. Two common skills you’ll find on job listings are experience with game development engines and the ability to code (often in C# or C++).
Unity: A cross-platform game engine that allows you to develop 2D and 3D games. Unity is particularly popular for indie and mobile games. It’s free for students and for personal use, so you can start creating games (and gaining experience) before you get hired.