A video programmer, also known as a game software engineer or a video game programmer, is a person who creates video games for entertainment or education. A video programmer is primarily responsible for writing the code that runs the game and directs the likely outcomes of play, though there are usually several layers to this position. They’re also responsible for scripting auxiliary components like development tools and computer-assisted software in order to establish the game’s platform and interface capability, as well as its architecture. In most cases, a group of programmers collaborates on the creation of a single video game. Many video programmers, on the other hand, specialize in a specific area of development.
For example, a video programmer may devote their entire career to working on a video game’s sound engine, which may include writing scripts to project 3D positional sound, also known as surround sound. Developing code to drive specific sounds and variations in sound to reflect the attributes of certain characters in the game and the actions they perform, as well as to indicate the level of play or goal completion, is the challenge for this role.
A video programmer, on the other hand, might be tasked with creating the game’s graphics. The programmer may be asked to create two-dimensional (2D) or three-dimensional (3D) graphics, depending on the device for which the game is being developed, with the former being reserved for handheld games, PDAs, and cell phones. In the latter case, the video programmer might specialize in writing code for advanced 3D graphic effects like pixel and vortex shading, which uses sharp contrast and color hues to create a realistic 3D appearance.
Some video programmers specialize in animation, which entails creating a set of predictable physics laws that may or may not resemble those found in nature. This aspect of game development is attributed to the creation of a physics engine, which defines how certain characters and objects will move in a given environment and how they will behave when that environment is altered due to a game event.
A video programmer, as one might expect, must be both creative and able to draw from a variety of disciplines, including mathematics and physics. Most programmers, in fact, are experts in a variety of these fields, including linear algebra, software engineering, and artificial intelligence technology. A bachelor’s degree in computer science, as well as a strong background in physics and math, is usually required for those wishing to work as video game programmers.