You’ve probably heard that software engineering and game development are two of the hottest jobs in the tech industry. But what exactly do these roles entail? And how do they differ? If you’re considering a career in either field, it’s important to know the answer to these questions. Here are nine ways software engineers and game developers differ, according to the tech experts at Revature reviews.
Salary:
The median salary for a software engineer is $103,560 per year, while the median salary for a game developer is $75,270 per year. So if you’re looking to make top dollar, software engineering is the way to go.
Education Requirements:
To become a software engineer, you typically need at least a bachelor’s degree in computer science or a related field. For game developers, on the other hand, there is no one-size-fits-all educational path. While some employers may require a bachelor’s degree, others may be more interested in your portfolio of work.
Job Outlook:
The job outlook for software engineers is extremely positive, with the Bureau of Labor Statistics projecting a 21 percent growth between 2018 and 2028. For game developers, the job outlook is also positive but not quite as rosy, with the BLS projecting 8 percent growth during the same time period.
Day-to-Day Responsibilities:
Software engineers typically work on teams of developers to create and maintain complex computer systems or applications. Game developers, on the other hand, often work independently or in small teams to design and develop video games.
Skills Required:
As a software engineer, you need strong analytical and problem-solving skills, as well as experience with programming languages and tools like Java, Python, and Git. Game developers must also have strong problem-solving skills, but they also need artistic vision and creativity to bring their video game designs to life.
Work Environment:
Software engineers typically work in offices or research laboratories. Game developers may also work in offices, but they may also spend time working from home or another location outside of a traditional office setting.
Necessary Experience:
To become a software engineer, you typically need several years of experience working with programming languages and tools like Java, Python, and Git. For game developers, the amount of necessary experience can vary depending on the size of the company you want to work for; some may be willing to hire entry-level employees without any prior experience in the field.
Career Progression:
As a software engineer, you can often move up into management positions or switch to related fields like data science or cybersecurity. For game developers, career progression typically involves becoming a lead designer or producer on larger projects or starting your own independent game development studio.
Role Specialization:
As a software engineer, you may specialize in areas like front-end development or back-end development; alternatively, you may choose to become a full-stack developer who is proficient in both front-end and back-end development technologies. Game developers may also specialize in specific areas like the level design or character creation; alternatively, they may opt to become generalists who are proficient in multiple aspects of game development.
Closing Thoughts
Software engineering and game development are two of the most popular jobs in tech—but what exactly do these roles entail? And how do they differ? If you’re interested in pursuing either field, it’s important to know the answer to these questions so that you can make an informed decision about which career path is right for you. Thanks for reading!
