How to Start a Career in the Gaming Industry: Professions, Universities, and Useful Resources

We present a comprehensive overview of professions, universities, courses, and useful resources that will help you become part of the gaming industry.

The process of creating and developing games involves various stages: design, programming, creating graphics and sound, testing, optimization, and release.

Game development is a multitasking and creative process that requires the participation of different specialists. Let’s tell you more about them:

Game Designer
Responsible for the game’s concept and mechanics, develops levels, characters, and the gaming experience.

Programmer
Writes code for the game, implementing game mechanics, graphics, and artificial intelligence, as well as ensuring optimization. There are many specialized roles in this field, such as:
— Graphics Programmer: works on creating and optimizing the game’s graphics engine
— AI Programmer: specializes in developing artificial intelligence for characters and NPCs
— Game Programmer: focuses on creating game mechanics.

Artist
Responsible for creating the visual style and graphical design of the game.

Tester
A game tester is responsible for checking the functionality and quality of video games, identifying bugs and defects, and ensuring the stability of the game on various platforms.

Universities in Central Asia offering Game Development courses

Kazakhstan

Kyrgyzstan

ALA-TOO, “Engineering and Informatics”

UCA, “Computer Science”

Uzbekistan

TUIT, “Multimedia Technologies”

INHA, Information and Communication Engineering

Worldwide

NYFA, Game Design

Abertay University, Game Design and Production

Buckinghamshire New University, Computer Games Development

South-Eastern Finland University, Game Design

Online courses for aspiring game developers

“Unity Game Developer” by Netology
In this course, you will learn Unity from scratch, basic syntax and structure of the C# language, and try your hand at programming. You will go through the full cycle of game development, explore the specifics of mobile development, including optimization and monetization. You will add 12 projects to your portfolio.
Duration: 13 months
Cost: 25,000 tenge per month

Introduction to Game Design: Process and Creation by LCIEducation
In this course, you will learn how to create games from scratch. You will develop a gaming experience for a target audience, evaluate the success and viability of the game, and create a prototype of the idea.
Duration: 5 weeks
Cost: Free

From Code to Creation: Mastering Game Programming by HP
In this course, you will learn how to create dynamic games, optimize their performance, integrate AI, and develop interactive features.
Duration: 4 weeks
Cost: Free

Basic 3D Animation using Blender by IITBombayX
Learn the basics of 3D animation, including keyframes, synchronization, and animation principles, using the Blender tool.
Duration: 4 weeks
Cost: Free

Video Game Writing Essentials by University of British Columbia
Get acquainted with the basics of video game creation: from the development process to the specifics of game plots.
Duration: 5 weeks
Cost: Free

Game Design and Development 2: 2D Platformer by Michigan State University
This course will help you master the basics of game design, including creating a 2D platformer using Unity and other game development tools.
Duration: 12 hours
Cost: Free

“Unity Game Developer” by GeekBrains
Learn to create games in Unity from scratch, game scenes, work with animations and visual effects. Learn to use the C# programming language, create 2D and 3D games for various platforms.
Duration: 10 months
Cost: 67,933 tenge per month

Useful YouTube channels

Game Dev Guide
Video tutorials on game development contain simple tips, life hacks, and educational programs based on professional experience in various areas of the industry.

GameDev Club
A source of useful information about creating and launching a business in the video game industry.

Game Maker's Toolkit
All content is aimed at education — video lessons, individual clips on creating specific features in games. Here you will find instructions and reviews that help create engaging games.

BiteMe Games
The channel has many educational videos on creating games from scratch on various platforms like Unity.

Useful books for game developers

The Art of Game Design, Jesse Schell
The book contains examples of game design for VR/AR, covering best practices from popular games.

Game Engine Architecture, Jason Gregory
The book thoroughly covers various technologies and methods used in AAA-scale game studios.

Game Programming Patterns, Robert Nystrom
In this book, based on AAA game development experience, you will find effective patterns that can simplify and optimize your project.

Level Up!: The Guide to Great Video Game Design, Scott Rogers
A book for those who want to create innovative video games. The author is an experienced developer of projects such as Pac Man World, Maximo, and SpongeBob Squarepants, providing clear examples, illustrations, and solutions.