Game Developers build interactive entertainment — gameplay systems, engine work, multiplayer infrastructure, AI behaviour, rendering. The role spans engine programmers (C++ at AAA studios) and gameplay programmers (Unity C# or Unreal Blueprints / C++). Studios range from indie (~10 people) to AAA (~1000+).
Salary by Experience Level
Junior
$70,000 – $100,000
per year
Mid-Level
$105,000 – $160,000
per year
Senior
$165,000 – $250,000
per year
Required Skills
C++ (Unreal) or C# (Unity)Unreal Engine 5 or Unity 6Math (linear algebra, quaternions)Graphics fundamentals (rendering pipeline, shaders)Multiplayer networking (replication, rollback netcode)Profiling and optimisationSource control with large binaries (Perforce, Plastic SCM)AI behaviour systems (behaviour trees, GOAP)