How To Be A Gameplay Programmer

Codemasters’s Anna Ljungberg discusses the key skills needed for her role in programming with Develop’s Aaron Lee. You can read the full interview over on Develop here

Every working day this month, as part of our New Year, New Job 2014 special, Develop brings you a game industry professional to explain what their job involves and key advice to help you follow in their footsteps.

Anna Ljungberg, an experienced gameplay programmer at Codemasters, describes what it takes to become part of a programming team, governing the science that makes racing games fun.

What is your job role?

I’m part of the gameplay programming team on one of our racing titles. I’m mainly responsible for the extensive camera system that underpins all of the cinematic and driving cameras. But I get stuck into all game-related tasks as required, such as game mode logic, results and rewards.

How would someone become a gameplay programmer?

Obviously, learn to program and how games work. Then you need to show that you can do it for a living, which is where qualifications and experience helps. One option is to demonstrate your abilities by writing something in your spare time to show how interested and committed you are to making games.

What qualifications and/or experience do you need?

Usually you need an undergraduate degree in a games-related course or similar, like Computer Science or Mathematics. I graduated with a degree in Games AI. Industry experience is not required, but you will have to demonstrate your abilities in other ways, such as your own demos and other things you have been involved in.

For the full interview head over to Develop and if are interested in joining Codemasters as a programmer (and for all available positions) be sure to visit our careers section of the blog.

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