#I technically also have a course diploma in Java but like I never used it outside uni

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Welcome to SAE – Programmers Wanted!

The profession of game programmer is not only versatile and challenging, it’s also constantly changing. The education at SAE Institute prepares you perfectly for this journey.

The German games industry has changed dramatically over the last ten years. In addition to developers of classic PC and console games, studios for browser and mobile games have radically stirred up the market. Today, they provide by far the most jobs within the German games industry.

The increasing professionalization of the studios has also led to fundamental changes in the work of the programmers. Not only must they have knowledge in programming languages; they also have to be familiar with game engines, version control and project management tools.

“Hence, the job of a programmer consists of much more than developing and implementing algorithms.”

Through the practical work at various projects, the students can familiarize themselves with the tools and techniques of game development and programming.

Apart from the classic computer science education, there are a number of colleges and universities in Germany, which prepare you very well for working in the games industry. The choice is huge – so it’s worth taking a closer look at the various facilities – but more on that later. With our »Games Programming Diploma«, here at SAE Institute we focus on an education with the most practical orientation possible and on preparing our students for a quick career take-off.

What can you expect from studying »Games Programming«?

Imagine a milking stool. It’s got three legs. The education to become a games programmer and the associated requirements have a similar structure. The first »leg« is programming languages. In this part, you get to know various programming languages and learn which one best fits your project. C++, C#, Java or a different one? C++ and C# are the most common programming languages in the games industry, but it’s hard to say which one is the better choice. It’s really secondary which language you learn; what’s more important are the concepts and approaches. How is a program structured? How can I create my code efficiently and with as little maintenance as possible? How can I bring the many different sub-systems together? The language itself is only the means to implement this and is largely dependent on the second leg: the game engine.

In the open »Edit Area« at SAE Institute Bochum, students of all departments can share their experience

30 years ago, games were mostly redesigned and programmed from scratch. Due to the constant development of the hardware and the large number of platforms like PC, consoles, smartphones, etc., this is hardly possible today. That’s why most game developers – both AAA studios and indies – use game engines, either developed by the studios themselves or internationally established versions. Working with such engines is therefore an essential part of the education. We mostly work with Unity and thus C# since that one is widespread in Germany. But since especially the big studios work mostly with their own engines, we will also provide insight into Unreal Engine and C++, not only about working with the editor, but also about its tools and how to get the assets into the engine and how to use them.

Andreas Hauber, head of the Game Art department at SAE Institute Cologne explains the VR concept using the HTC Vive.

The third leg of the »milking stool« stands for the team. No team, no game! In addition to programmers, you need artists, game and sound designers, project managers, and many more. Working in a team also holds a lot of risks though, which you have to be prepared for. The education is therefore mainly about working on a lot of projects. That way, you get familiar with version control such as SVN or Git and project management tools. Learning how to work with deadlines is important, too. Arranging yourself with your teammates as well as working together on the same code base and project structure are particularly important experiences to make since that’s what it’s all about in your later career.

But of course, the program will also cover topics like mathematics and physics or gameplay mechanics. But what you have to understand most as a game programmer is how engines work »under the hood«. It’s not about writing your own engine, but more about knowing the procedures and pipelines in order to be able to optimize your own projects. How does a game loop work? What are game states? How can I change the look of my game? All in all, there is a lot to learn, and the education to become a games programmer is not the right thing for everyone.

What do you need to consider when choosing your education?

Those who fight their way through the many different education choices in Germany are faced with all sorts of options: Game Design, Art, Programming, and much more. Not every study program includes the education to become a games programmer. Sometimes it’s rather a course in game design with a little bit of programming; sometimes the education is more technical, where you mostly learn how to write your own engine. Of course, there are also pure programming courses, but again you have the choice between various educational institutes. But which program is the right one for you? If you want to design games, you should obviously look for Game Design classes. If you’d rather create characters and animations, an Art education is your type of choice. And all those who have strong analytical capacities and are good at thinking in abstract ways, should become programmers. But please bear in mind that not all programming courses are the same. If you’re particularly interested in game engines and would like to know how they work in detail, you should look for computer science programs at universities. But if you prefer to program games and have a thing for the application and the implementation of game mechanics, you may want to look for respective colleges or private institutes like SAE Institute.

In the student lounges, students can take a break from work and free their minds.

It’s worth getting a personal impression of the college or university before deciding on a study program. Taking advantage of an »open house day« or talking to a student advisor might be helpful to get a first look. Getting in touch directly with the students is useful and usually no problem. Apart from the fees, the place of study might also play an important role for your choice, and of course also the question whether the course content suits you. How theoretical or practical do you want your education to be? Is any prior knowledge required? In our institute, for example, you don’t have to have any previous knowledge about the development of games. But it’s absolutely necessary that you like math, are ready to solve problems and don’t shy away if something isn’t working the way it should, but that you’re able to thoroughly analyze the problem and fix it. Of course, this doesn’t mean that students with prior knowledge aren’t welcome. Quite the contrary – these students can tackle more advanced topics sooner.

Can you specialize in something?

The education makes you familiar with various areas of game programming. As a future programmer, it’s important to be able to quickly familiarize yourself with new topics and to get a good overview of all relevant areas. That way, you not only gain an edge over your competitors, but you can also find out which areas suit you best.

But why specialize in a subject? Aren’t allrounders everybody’s darling? This question can be answered with yes and now. Especially smaller studios favor generalists, but there’s been some specializations there as well. Larger teams, on the other hand, look for talent in specialized work areas such as artificial intelligence. That’s why you should already find out your preferences during your education and pursue them after your graduation. A specialization doesn’t necessarily have to take place on certain mechanics or technical levels, you can also specialize on an academic level. At SAE Institute, for example, the diploma can be extended by a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree. For the Bachelor, you mainly earn expertise in business, marketing as well as time and project management. But technical specialization and programming, too, are on the agenda. As the highest academic education, you can earn the Master’s degree at SAE Institute. The Bachelor and Master are offered in cooperation with Middlesex University in London.

What comes after the education?

When one education is over, the next one begins, and just as in any other profession, the rule is: never stop learning!

Trial and Error: The developed games need to be tested, like this VR project using the HTC Vive.

You always have to stay on top of the game and learn about innovations and trends in programming languages and game engines, but also about new processes and techniques. It’s already recommendable during the education to regularly take part in conferences and events as well as visiting relevant portals and websites. They not only benefit your education, but also the networking and exchange. Again and again, people meet new business partners or their future employer that way. At SAE Institute, we offer additional support in the form of »Industry Relations & Career Coaches« (IRCCs). An IRCC supports the students already during their studies, getting an idea of the strengths and weaknesses, interests and preferences of every single student. They give advice on applications and establish industry contacts. You may also get discounts on conferences and special lectures by industry veterans. And the job prospects? Don’t be fooled if game developers cut jobs or become bankrupt. The number of jobs in the German games industry has doubled in the past ten years, and as a game programmer you’re still very sought-after – outside the games industry, too, by the way.

No matter what kind of education you will go for, no matter what institute you will choose, and no matter whether you’re a noob or a pro: The most important thing is to complete as many projects as possible. It’s not about having commercial success after their release, but about completing projects and further developing your expertise. Show the employers that that’s what you want to do and that you can’t wait to join their team. Because remember: Programmers wanted – desperately!

About the Author:

David Hackbarth is Head Lecturer at SAE Institute Berlin

David is a freelance game programmer and also a lecturer at SAE Institute. He’s been an active part of the games industry since 2009, having worked on a large number of projects from PC to mobile to consoles.

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