Game programmer

A game programmer is a software engineer who primarily develops computer or video games or related software (such as game development tools). Game programming has many specialized disciplines; practitioners of any may regard themselves as "game programmers". A game programmer should not be confused with a game designer; many designers are also programmers, but not all are, and it is rare for one person to serve both roles in modern professional games.

History

In the early days of video games (circa 1970s to mid-1980s), a game programmer also took on the job of a designer and artist. This was generally because the abilities of early computers were so limited that having specialized personnel for each function was unnecessary. Game concepts were generally light and games were only meant to be played for a few minutes at a time, but more importantly art content and variations in gameplay were constrained by computers' limited power.

Related Topics:
1970s - 1980s - Designer - Artist - Computer

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Later, as specialized arcade hardware and home systems became more powerful, game developers could develop deeper storylines and could include such features as physics, advanced artificial intelligence and digital sound. Contemporary games usually boast 3D graphics and full motion video designed by professional graphic artists.

Related Topics:
Arcade - Hardware - Home systems - Physics - Artificial intelligence - Digital sound - 3D graphics - Full motion video - Graphic artist

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The ability and desire to develop such in-depth games necessitated a division of labor. Thus, game programming became a separate discipline from game design and art production. Nowadays, most games are of such complexity that teams of programmers, each specializing in certain aspects of game programming, are needed to develop a professional game. Some games, such as the puzzle game Bejeweled, are simple enough to require just one fulltime programmer, but games such as this are the exception instead of the norm for commercial games.

Related Topics:
Division of labor - Game programming - Puzzle game - Bejeweled

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~