Image
Build a career in Computer Games Technology
This career guide is designed to help University of Portsmouth students and recent graduates explore job options, key employers, and entry routes into the Computer Games Technology sector.
This sector has great scope for artistic creativity and expression, but whilst previously technological constraints would have required a large team to produce a high-quality games product, there is now potential for a lone individual or small team to launch and promote a project to a worldwide audience.
The opportunities available to you as a computer games technology graduate are varied. Roles can range from game developer to animator, from lead programmer to DevOps engineer. You can even consider setting up your own games related company.
In this guide
Potential Job Roles
There are a wide range of positions in the computer games sector. Prospects.ac.uk has a useful list of job profiles each containing relevant information about key responsibilities, skill requirements, starting salaries, entry requirements and career prospects with links to major employers and current graduate vacancies. Some roles include:
Types of job in the sector
- Game Design & Development - defines how a game works, its core features and how it plays, guiding the wider development team
- Game Programming - writes and maintains the code that runs the game, including debugging and fixing issues
- DevOps/Network Engineering - builds and manages online systems, supports development teams and solves technical issues using web services
- Audio Engineering - creates music, sound effects and voice audio to bring the game to life
- Art & Modelling - produces visual elements such as characters, environments, animations and UI, from concept through to final assets
- Testing/Quality Assurance (QA) - tests, debugs, and refines the game to ensure quality and playability
Gaining Experience
Many potential employers look for transferable skills, such as communication, problem-solving, teamwork and the ability to learn and take on board feedback. Required software skills will vary depending on the area chosen, but can include C++, Python, Maxscript and HTML. Artists may also need experience with Max, Photoshop and Illustrator.
Recruits to the industry will likely start in a more generalist role, making varied skills essential. Embracing additional opportunities beyond your course will help you to stand out from the crowd and provide working examples to support your graduate applications.
Creating a portfolio and social media presence
You must create a portfolio when applying for artistic roles. You can also produce a working demo when applying for programming roles. By building a comprehensive portfolio showcasing your products/ideas you provide employers with an insight into your talent and creativity as an individual.
Having a strong social media presence is also a good idea for this industry, to help you share work such as design concepts, animations or games clips to employers and a wider audience. Consider using platforms like Steam and Itch.io to help you self-publish your games and provide examples for your portfolio, but ensure you review any legal requirements before you proceed with this.
Types of opportunities
Below are examples of the different ways you can gain experience whilst you study:
Placements will give you a long-term look at an organisation, and help you to build contacts and experience.
On some degrees, work placements are part of the programme, whilst on others you can choose to complete a placement as one of your modules. To learn more about completing a placement year, you can contact the Placement Team in Careers & Employability.
Learn more about taking a placement
Many students from the Faculty of Creative and Cultural Arts choose to take a Self-Employed Placement. This allows you to work for yourself during your placement year and receive support from the University's Student Startup Team. You will have access to funding opportunities, networking events and workshops.
Internships are usually for a fixed period and give you more hands-on experience. Many employers will treat interns in the same way as full-time employees, so when future job roles ask for 'at least one year's experience' you can include an internship in this type of experience.
Within the games industry competition for internship positions is fierce and it will be essential to stand out as a candidate. Therefore, it's important to consider the following:
- How many games have you made yourself?
- Have you entered competitions or taken part in game jams?
- Have you learnt to do any programming and/or art?
- How have you showcased your games and other creations on online sites or forums?
- Have you covered a broad range of game genres in the content you’ve created?
It is worth considering the voluntary sector for work experience. Voluntary work with community art initiatives can be valuable. Seize any opportunity to get involved in local community projects to help you develop your work experience. Our Volunteering Bank provides local opportunities to undertake alongside your studies.
Examples of computer support/design roles that the Volunteering Team have previously advertised and recruited for include:
- IT Support Development Volunteer with The Repair Cafe
- Website Maintenance and Update Volunteer with the Conservation Trust
- STEM Ambassador with STEM Learning
It’s a good idea to participate in game jams and enter competitions where you can, in order to showcase your skills, build up your portfolio and expand your network. As well as looking out for potential opportunities in your faculty, check out the following sites for details of further competitions and game jams:
- The Game Design World Championships - a free, global competition for games developers
- Tranzfuser™ which is an innovative talent development programme developed by UK Games Talent, working with a host of regional contributors and funded by the UK Government.
- Online game jams via itch.io
- Indie Game Jams
Where to find opportunities
Some key platforms for finding work experience in all sectors include MyCareer, HigherIn, Bright Network and Targetjobs.
For specific game-related opportunities, check out the below sites:
- Games Industry Jobs
- The British Interactive Media Association (BIMA)
- Creative Pool
- Grads In Games although Grads In Games is currently on hiatus (as of September 2024), they still post details of relevant internships on their LinkedIn page
Finding a Graduate Job
We recommend starting your search using our online jobs board, MyCareer. You can also find general online job boards and advice through our Graduate Jobs page.
Job Boards for the Games Industry
Self-employment and freelancing
Project-based work is common in this sector, with many roles offered on a freelance or fixed-term basis. You may choose to become self-employed, or start up your own games studio.
If you're considering freelancing or launching a business, the Student Startup team can support you with tailored resources, advice and guidance, throughout your studies and for up to five years after graduation.
Visit the Student Startup page
Recruitment Consultants
There are several recruitment agencies that help to match graduates to roles in this sector, including:
- Aardvark Swift – A recruitment consultancy matching individuals to opportunities linked to video games, online and mobile entertainment
- Datascope Recruitment – Recruitment consultancy for the games, online and mobile technology industries – based in central London with services covering roles such as programming, art, design, development, sales, marketing and PR
- Amiqus – A specialist games recruitment agency connecting skilled candidates to the right studios in the gaming industry and enabling individuals to create networks
Are you looking for a role in Hampshire? Our Graduate Recruitment Consultancy can help!
If you're in the final year of your degree, you can register for support from our Graduate Recruitment Consultancy. They work with over 3,000 employers in the local area to place our students into fantastic graduate careers.
Speculative applications
Speculative applications involve sending a CV and cover letter to an employer to ask if they have any vacancies, even if the company is not currently advertising for a role. They're a great way to access "hidden jobs" that go unadvertised.
Submitting a speculative application shows your interest in a specific company and your willingness to go above and beyond to develop your skills and understanding of the industry.
Resources for speculative approaches
The below resources will help you to build your network in the industry, and provide potential opportunities to help you proactively approach employers as part of a speculative application.
Keep up-to-date
As part of your job-hunting strategy, you will need to keep up to date with developments in the industry. Below are some key resources to help you research opportunities available. The knowledge gained through your research will help you to target your applications and prepare for interviews.
- The Independent Game Developer's Association (TIGA) - TIGA have produced a comprehensive guide on getting into the games industry, with expert tips on CVs, portfolios and interviews, emerging roles in the industry and insider tips on breaking into the field. Click the link to fill out your details to request the guide from the TIGA website.
- ScreenSkills is the industry body which supports skills and training for people and businesses working in the creative industries. The site offers further information about the games industry, how to get into the games industry, useful links, and specific job role profiles.
- Creative UK champions talented individuals and their ideas working within creative sectors, including the games industry. The site showcases and promotes different projects and offers news and stories relevant to those interested in or working in the industry.
- Game Developer - leading resource for games developers, has daily news features, community blogs and job listings
- 3D World - website which features news, features and tutorials, particularly related to VFX
Explore more from Careers & Employability
Portfolio guide
Our advice on creating a strong portfolio that will help you stand out from the crowd.
Creative and alternative CVs
Learn how to use alternative CV formats to help you stand out from the crowd in creative industries.
Building work experience
Get hands-on industry experience and showcase your knowledge before you graduate!
Graduate job search guide
Learn about the types of roles you will encounter, and how to search for roles.
Enable University alerts
Turn on notifications for critical updates like closures, safety alerts, and urgent service disruptions.