Making games

A video game is a piece of entertainment software that people play on mobile phones, dedicated video game consoles, computers and TVs. Different types or genres of games cater to different tastes but can range from the simplest solitaire programme to realistic simulations of virtual worlds.

Video games are made by teams of people from all backgrounds with different roles like these:

• A games designer to create the gameplay (what players do in the game).
• A games artist/animator to create the look and feel that players see the game.
• A games programmer to create the code that makes the game play.
• A games producer to organise the team and help deliver the game to players.

Games development teams range from tiny (2-3 people combining several roles) to huge (50 or more).

All these roles use the following skills:

• Creativity – creating fun new things for players to enjoy.
• Technology – using computer software to develop the game.
• Teamwork – working with the team to find solutions to challenges.
• Analysis – assessing how to build and improve complex systems.

Games developers are often:

• Passionate – we’ve never met a developer who didn’t love to play video games
• Diverse – the strongest creative ideas come when people from different backgrounds collaborate
• Imaginative – developers create ideas for new ways to play
• Adaptable – games technology changes fast, so developers must too
• Resilient – taking feedback on their creative ideas makes developers tough and determined

Definitely! People from every background are making games today.he UK’s fastest growing creative industry is committed to welcoming more women, more people of colour, more people with disabilities and more trans people into an exciting, challenging and rewarding careers in games.

This website is designed to share events, videos, resources and advice for anyone interested in games careers, which peak during Games Careers Week but will be available all year round. Have fun exploring the site!