To improve his programming skills and thus his job prospects, Eric Barone began developing games. What was supposed to be a side project became a hit: an RPG called Stardew Valley. Barone’s and many other success stories of solo game developers can certainly inspire you to enter this profession.
- The profession of “game developer” includes a variety of specializations.
- Self-education or studying game development makes it possible to enter the industry.
- Large game studios may also pay game developers six-figure gross annual salaries.

However, it is difficult to tell from job advertisements what everyday working life is like in a game studio. That’s why we asked game developers from the German game industry about their tasks and typical salaries.
Getting started in game development starts either with self-learning – like with Barron’s – or with a degree in game development. We explain how to get started. We highlight what qualifications interested applicants need to have to get a place in the games industry.
This was an excerpt from our Heise-Plus article “Becoming a game developer: study, work and salary”. With a Heise Plus subscription you can read and listen to the full article.
