Pros and cons of the game development profession

Let’s start with what is both a plus and a minus. Often, a game developer is faced with the need to create a technology that has never existed before (for example, so that the player can do something completely unique). On the one hand, it is almost impossible to say exactly how long it will take and whether it will work at all, but on the other hand, it is a cutting-edge experience for the player. It turns out that the developer becomes a pioneer, creating something that no one has ever done before.

Among the disadvantages of the profession, overtime is the first thing to note. They can arise for various reasons, and then the developer has to find and maintain a life-work balance in order not to burn out and remain productive. Of course, any overwork has a negative impact on the project and its participants, but sometimes it is simply a vital necessity, especially during the game release period.

The game development industry is growing very rapidly – faster than other related industries. New technologies appear at lightning speed, and you have to work hard to keep your technical knowledge up to date. And to improve your skills, you have to spend even more time on self-education.

Compared to the salaries in the enterprise projects segment (creation of business/production management information systems), the salary of a game developer is on average lower. But this is rather due to the rather low threshold for entering the profession, and with the improvement of the developer’s skills and level, this difference decreases.

But this profession certainly has a lot of advantages, which is why we love it!

First of all, in addition to creating games, you can also play them, testing what you have made at the same time. And it’s fun!

You can also literally show others your work. Not every developer can boast of this. Even apps are often released for a specific audience (let’s say, for doctors), and in this case, it’s hard to explain the coolness of your work to other people. With games, it’s much easier: everyone knows what they are and can find a game for themselves even without being an active player.

Until recently, almost no one taught the craft of game development on a global scale. Now, there are plenty of courses and resources with video tutorials that can answer many questions of a novice developer in great detail and give him the opportunity to try his hand at it.

Another important advantage is having fun while developing. Each game is different, and there is not as much routine as in software development. Here you can create a unique world, solve unique problems, and develop as a versatile specialist.