Short Summary
Find out how to become a game developer after 12th and the degrees one needs to pursue, and learn about programming languages as well as game engines such as Unity and Unreal Engine.
Discover the potential careers you can have in this booming field along with salaries, important skills, and more at Takshashila University.
Introduction: Pursue Game Development as a Career Option After 12th
If you want to know how to become a game developer after 12th, here’s some great news for you, as you have many paths to choose from today. Gaming has become one of the most promising entertainment industries around the world, offering promising career options to all those students who want to make their mark in this sector.
Whether it’s mobile gaming, computer gaming, VR, or even console gaming, there is enormous demand for game developers across the globe. If you’re weighing this against other tech career paths, our guide on ———- covers a closely related comparison.
According to Statista’s Video Games Market Insights, global gaming revenues are projected to reach approximately $363 billion USD (equivalent to roughly £280 billion GBP) by 2027.
Even in India, millions of people are actively playing games. There are more than 568 million gamers in India.
Source: IBEF
So, if you love coding, story-making, animation, graphics, and technology, then game development is surely going to be your dream career path.
What Does a Game Developer Do?
The job of a game developer involves creating games for computer, console, mobile, and online platforms.
Some of their responsibilities are gameplay programming, coding, graphic design, software testing, and enhancing player experience.
People like game designers, programmers, animators, sound engineers, user interface/user experience designers and testers like to collaborate with game developers.
For example, depending on their position, a game developer can specialise in areas like:
- Gameplay programming
- Artificial intelligence
- Graphics programming
- Mobile game development
- Virtual reality (VR)
- Augmented reality (AR)
Why Go for a Game Development Career?
Game development is no longer seen as a hobby. It has emerged as a respected technology-based career option.
Key Reasons to Choose Game Development
Growth of Industry Demand: The gaming industry is booming all around the world. Careers in mobile gaming, esports, AR, and VR technologies are growing in number each year.
Good Salary Packages: Qualified game developers earn decent salaries in India and other countries. Experienced candidates employed by international game development studios get good salary packages.
Innovative and Technically Involved Profession: The field of game development involves technical knowledge along with creative skills. Students are able to combine all these in one course.
Global Job Offers: Global game development studios hire candidates all around the world. Hence, professionals can get jobs either at remote locations or in other countries.
Freelance Game Developer or Indie Games: Several developers create their own games and upload them online on different platforms such as Steam, Google Play Store, and App Store.
How to Become a Game Developer After 12th
It is common for students to want to know how to become a game developer once they have completed their schooling. This involves choosing an appropriate course, acquiring technical knowledge, and gaining practical experience.
Step 1: Choose an Apt Stream After the 10th
While one could become a game developer regardless of which stream they choose after the 10th standard, science with mathematics and computer science could be more appropriate.
The choice of commerce or arts after 10th does not rule one out of game development. Students may pursue game development by enrolling in relevant courses at the university level.
Step 2: Choose an Apt Course of Study
After completing Class 12, one should enrol in relevant courses for game development, software engineering, animation, or computer science.
These preferred courses of study are:
- B.Tech Computer Science
- BCA (Bachelor of Computer Applications)
- BSc Game Design & Development
- BSc Animation & Multimedia
- Bachelor’s in Artificial Intelligence & Gaming Technologies
One is expected to gain technical skills and practical knowledge by pursuing such degrees.
Step 3: Learn Programming Languages
One requires knowledge of programming languages in the game development process.
Languages commonly used in game development include:
- C++
- C#
- Java
- Python
- JavaScript
There are several game engines that involve basic coding knowledge to develop game mechanics, such as Unity and Unreal Engine.
Step 4: Understand Game Engines
Game engines are basically software packages that facilitate the making of games. Popular game engines include Unity, Unreal Engine, Godot, and CryEngine. Unity alone accounts for over 70% of mobile games.
Source: RetroStyle Games
Step 5: Build a Portfolio
An impressive portfolio will be necessary for internships and jobs. This should include:
- Mini games
- Mobile game development projects
- 3D environments
- Interactive applications
- Projects with AI gaming
A portfolio shows the level of creativity and technical skill of the individual.
Step 6: Get Experience through Internships
Internships give students insight into how the industry operates and also allow them to gain hands-on experience. Through internships, students learn:
- Collaboration with others
- How to debug
- Project management
- UX designing
- Software testing
Industry exposure helps students build professional networks.
Step 7: Keeping Up-to-Date with the Evolution of the Gaming Industry
As technology advances fast in the gaming industry, there is always something new coming up.
Students should study more about virtual reality, augmented reality, metaverse games, cloud gaming, game AI, and blockchain games to stay professionally up-to-date.
Possible Careers for Game Developers
There are a variety of possible career paths one could pursue within the realm of game development.
- Game developer: A person who codes the games.
- Game designer: Designs the components of the gameplay.
- Mobile game developer: Develops games using iOS and Android software platforms.
- Augmented and virtual reality game developer: Develops immersive gaming experiences using AR & VR technologies.
- UI/UX designer: Works on the aesthetics of games along with their usability.
- Quality assurance tester: Tests and checks games before release.
Salary Structure of a Game Developer in India
The salary of a game developer depends on skills, experience, geographical location, and the organisation one works for.
Salary Package Estimates:
- Beginners: ₹3 Lakhs per annum to ₹6 Lakhs per annum
- Mid-Level Professionals: ₹8 lakhs per annum to ₹15 Lakhs per annum
- Experienced Developers: ₹20 lakhs per annum and beyond
Salaries offered by international gaming companies may be much higher. As per industry reports, growth of the Indian gaming industry at over 20% CAGR is expected in the coming years.
Source: IBEF
Challenges in Game Development Careers
Although game development is indeed very fun and interesting, students must also be aware of some challenges in this field.
Some common challenges are:
- Constant need for learning
- Long-term development process
- Highly competitive market
- Project time constraints
- Complex technical issues
But with hard work, determination, and passion, students can build very prosperous careers in the future ahead.
Future Scope of Game Development
The future of gaming is certainly going to be highly dependent on technology. Areas include:
- AI Gaming
- VR and AR Gaming
- Metaverse Gaming
- Education Gaming
- Blockchain and NFT Gaming
- Cloud Gaming
And with technological advancements, the demand for skilled game developers will keep growing around the world.
Why Select Takshashila University for Studying Game Development?
Choosing a university is another major step that will determine whether you have a promising career in this direction or not.
At Takshashila University, we provide career-orientated courses which will help you in your future tech profession.
We keep our curriculum updated in line with current market requirements and offer practice-orientated education using assignments and laboratory work.
We also have qualified teachers and lecturers, strong links to industry, and opportunities for internships, with a focus on artificial intelligence, programming, and knowledge of advanced technologies.
Explore our School of Computational Engineering for course structure and specialisations on offer. We try to provide students with all the necessary technical skills alongside creativity to build prosperous careers in the gaming and technology sectors.
To Wrap Up: Be a Game Developer After Completing Your 12th
It is worth mentioning that there are plenty of prospects awaiting those who like creative writing and programming. Information about how to become a game developer after 12th could be very helpful while planning your way to the top.
With further advances expected in the gaming industry, there will still be high demand for qualified individuals within global job markets. Students who start early have plenty of career options within game development. Have questions about eligibility, fees, or admissions? Contact our admissions team or follow us on @takshashilauniv for campus updates and student stories.
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FAQs About how to Become a Game Developer
Q1: What should be chosen to become a game developer after 12th?
Courses such as B.Tech in any relevant stream, BCA, and B.Sc. Game Designing and Animation can be opted for after 12th.
Q2: Can art students become game developers?
Yes, art students can select courses such as game designing and animation to build a career in game development.
Q3: Do you have to code to become a game developer?
Yes, coding forms an important component of being a game developer.
Q4: What is the best programming language for game development?
Among the programming languages used in the gaming world are C++, C# and Python.
Q5: What is the salary of a game developer in India?
The salary range of a fresh game developer is typically ₹3 LPA to ₹6 LPA, rising significantly with experience and specialisation.
Q6: Is game development a good career choice in India?
Yes, because of the immense growth of the gaming industry in India and the numerous opportunities that arise from it.
Q7: Which game engine is best for a beginner?
The Unity game engine is recommended for beginners because of its simplicity and popularity.
Q8: Can one become a game developer without attending college or university?
One can become a game developer without a degree, but attending an institution of learning generally helps one succeed better in the field.
Q9: What skills does one need to become a game developer?
Among others, some of the skills required are programming, creativity, problem-solving, and game engine skills.
Q10: Is industry-oriented learning offered at Takshashila University?
Yes, we focus on industry-aligned learning and training throughout our programmes.
Q11: How long does it take to become a game developer after 12th?
It typically takes 3-4 years through a relevant degree such as B.Tech, BCA, or a specialised game design programme, though building a strong portfolio alongside your studies can help you start freelancing or applying for internships even earlier.
