Computer games developer

As a games developer, you could work in a number of specialisms from gameplay programming to virtual reality (VR). You could:

• work with level designers and graphic artists
•  decide what a game will look like and how it will be played
•  create concept art, drawings or storyboards at the planning stage
•  use computer modelling and animation software to make characters and scenes
•  add audio and sound effects
•  write code to programme the game
•  fix problems and 'bugs' that testers have found

• design skills and knowledge
• the ability to write computer programs
• to be thorough and pay attention to detail
• analytical thinking skills
• maths knowledge
• the ability to come up with new ways of doing things
• complex problem-solving skills
• excellent verbal communication skills
• to have a thorough understanding of computer systems and applications

You can get into this job through:

• a university course
• a college course
• an apprenticeship
• working towards this role

With experience you could become a senior developer, producer or technical director.

If you have a lot of skills and experience, you could become a freelance developer, working on games for a number of different companies.