Degree Myths Debunked: Games development

It’s easy to understand why many students get excited about pursuing a game development degree. After all, the gaming world is filled with endless possibilities.

“F1 2022” allows you to experience the thrill of being in Formula 1 machinery. “Horizon Forbidden West” places you in an open world populated by dangerous, animalistic machines. “Ghostwire: Tokyo” equips you with various psychic and paranormal abilities to defeat the ghosts and spirits haunting Tokyo.

Behind these brilliant games are individuals that understand the fundamentals of game development. A games development degree encompasses more than just playing games — you’ll learn how to design, develop and release a game.

Curious to know more about studying for a game development degree? Consider debunking these five myths before you begin your education in games development:

Shinji Mikami, Director at Tango Gameworks, revels ‘Ghostwire Tokyo’ during the Bethesda E3 Showcase at The Shrine Auditorium on June 09, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. Source: Christian Petersen /Getty Images North America/ Getty Images/AFP

Degree Myths Debunked: Games development

Myth 1: It is hard to get a job with a game development degree

Not necessarily! The availability of jobs may vary depending on where you’re based. Game Industry Career Guide notes that some of the top countries for game development studios in the world include the US, England, Canada and Japan, to name a few.

Data also shows that the video games industry experienced a boom during the pandemic and continues to grow. According to PwC’s Global Entertainment and Media Outlook 2022-26, that expansion is expected to make the global gaming industry worth 321 billion US dollars by 2026.

A game development degree is also versatile. Graduates can expect to pursue various careers within the industry, such as a 3D artist, video game developer, game level designer, character development and environment development artist, audio engineer, among others.

Myth 2: You can’t study video games development

Many universities offer degrees in the field. 

A Game Development BA (Hons) from Falmouth University introduces you to all the skills and disciplines in game development before taking on one of six specialisms: Art, Audio, Design, Production, Programming and Writing.

Staffordshire University’s BSc (Hons) in Computer Games Design starts with learning programming fundamentals using C++ for engine creation. You’ll generate concepts and develop your gameplay prototype through visual scripting, C# and C++. As you progress, you’ll work on collaborative group projects, design and develop a full indie game title and work as a senior or lead member of a development team.

While a BA focuses on art, audio and design, a BSc emphasises the design and animation of games with the fundamentals of strategy, creativity, advanced technical skills and code languages.

Myth 3: Most game development students are introverts

A former video game architecture and development student debunks this myth in his YouTube video. While some gamers might be introverts, developing a game is a group effort that involves effective communication to account for all the deliverables of a video game.

“Video games development is a huge team-based effort,” he explains. “Indie companies or smaller studios might consist of one or just a few people, but you’ll be working and communicating with a large team of people, and that is what the study prepares you for.”

He adds: “At this point, I already developed a few games where I had to interact with a big team of people for an extended period. Not being to communicate, express yourself and give opinions is going to make the study difficult — if not impossible — for you to finish.”

Myth 4: You have to be a gamer to study video games

Being a gamer might not necessarily be advantageous in studying game development. However, being passionate about gaming will undoubtedly help you in your academic journey since game development requires plenty of creativity.

By mastering the basics of augment reality and virtual reality, you’ll be able to transfer these skills, expertise and knowledge into the healthcare field. Source: Mario Tama/Getty Images North America/Getty Images/AFP

Myth 5: Game development skills are only applicable to the gaming industry

Studying game development teaches you skills that are transferable to other industries. Unity 3D and Unreal engines are used in the film, automotive, architecture, engineering and construction industries.

Mastering the basics of augmented and virtual reality is another way to transfer your skills to industries like healthcare, sports and education.