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Useful experience for game developers includes:

• creating board or online games
• writing computer code to create games, software or websites
• art or design work
• experience recording or editing film
• playing computer and video games.

Game developers may do some or all of the following:

• create games, plots and characters
• produce storyboards, character biographies, storylines and features
• write detailed design documentation to explain how the game should look and function
• write computer code 
• source and add additional graphics, sound effects and digital images
• animate characters and other content
• create test versions, and identify and correct any errors.

Most game developers specialise in a particular aspect of game design. 

Game developer job opportunities increasing rapidly

For those with experience, chances of getting a job as a game developer are good due to:

• the size of the games industry in New Zealand, which is worth $100 million a year in export revenue 
• rapid growth in games development
• lack of skilled game developers in New Zealand – in 2017, 42% of games studios reported that skill shortages were limiting their growth
• forecasted international growth in demand for games including virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) games, which incorporate online and real-world environments
• the rapid growth of e-sports (playing competitive professional video games in teams online, and in person at large venues).

Strong demand puts game developers on skill shortage list

About 600 game developers worked in New Zealand in 2017, but this isn't enough to meet demand. Game programmers, artists and designers are the most in demand.

As a result, a number of game developer-related jobs appear on Immigration New Zealand's long-term skill shortage list. This means the government is actively encouraging skilled game developers in these categories from overseas to work in New Zealand.

Game developer-related jobs on the long-term skill shortage list include:

• multimedia specialist
• software engineer
• software tester
• developer programmer
• software and applications programmer NEC.

Specialist qualifications, a portfolio and networking improve job chances

Your chances of getting a game developer job as a new graduate are best if you have a specialist game development qualification, as competition is high. 

The New Zealand Games Development Association (NZGDA) recommends you:

• investigate tertiary courses and how many of their graduates work in the industry
• build up a portfolio with paid or voluntary work
• check the NZGDA website for job vacancies
• network by attending the New Zealand Game Developers Conference, game developer meetups and Play by Play.

• Play by Play website - international games festival in New Zealand

Types of employers varied

New Zealand has about 30 game development companies, with staff numbers ranging from fewer than five, to 100 or more.

About one third of game development employees are game programmers, 28% are game artists, and 10% are game designers. 

Game developers may be employed on a fixed-term contract or permanently. Some game developers are self-employed. 

Engineering New Zealand

(04) 473 9444 - hello@engineeringnz.org - www.engineeringnz.org

IT Professionals

0800 252 255 - info@itp.nz - www.itp.nz

New Zealand Game Developers Association (NZGDA)

info@nzgda.com - https://nzgda.com

NZ Tech

09 4750204 - info@nztech.org.nz - www.nztech.org.nz

Game developers may progress to set up their own game development or software business, or move into management roles.

Game developers usually work in one of three areas – game programming, game art design or game design. Within these areas, they may specialise in a particular aspect.

Game programmers may specialise in:

• tools programming – building special sub-programs within a game engine, to help it run better or faster
• game play programming – developing a game's strategy, logic, mechanics, and feel
• artificial intelligence (AI) programming – making game characters learn logically and behave like humans

Game art designers may specialise in:

• 2D and 3D art and animation – creating the illusion of movement and depth of vision
• art direction – giving overall direction for the visual style and mood of the game

Game designers may specialise in:

• creating the content, rules and way players interact with a game

 Game developers may also specialise in:

• digital sound – using computer software to create the game sounds and music
• physics programming – ensuring game elements and characters follow real-life rules of physics
• visual effects – adding special effects like explosions or fires
• testing – playing games to make sure they work properly, or testing the software
• studio management – overseeing staff and other resources to ensure games are delivered on time and to budget
• production and development – a management role, making sure tasks are completed, negotiating contracts, hiring staff, and controlling finances.

Game developers need to be:

• creative and artistic
• methodical and accurate
• patient and adaptable
• able to work well under pressure
• good at analysis
• skilled in planning, organising and problem solving
• good at oral and written communication.