{"id":120208,"date":"2017-08-27T15:00:21","date_gmt":"2017-08-27T13:00:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/mygaming.co.za\/news\/?p=120208"},"modified":"2017-08-25T14:46:08","modified_gmt":"2017-08-25T12:46:08","slug":"how-to-become-a-game-developer-in-south-africa","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/mygaming.co.za\/news\/features\/120208-how-to-become-a-game-developer-in-south-africa","title":{"rendered":"How to become a game developer in South Africa"},"content":{"rendered":"

There are a number of ways to enter the game development industry in South Africa, including getting a relevant university degree.<\/p>\n

This is according to Nicolas Bischoff, one half of independent game developer\u00a0The Brotherhood<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n

The Brotherhood released the successful point-and-click science-fiction horror adventure game STASIS, and its free tie-in Cayne.<\/p>\n

It is currently working on a post-apocalyptic adventure game called\u00a0Beautiful Desolation<\/strong><\/a>, which was Kickstarted this year.<\/p>\n

\u201cGame development, like film, is a largely faceted industry. There is a massive scope for career entry points,\u201d said Bischoff.<\/p>\n

\u201cA typical studio will have several major roles that need to be filled in order to produce an end product.\u201d<\/p>\n

These include game studio manager, director, and producers, as well as programmers, artists, sound and music producers, and people in marketing and promotions.<\/p>\n

Programming roles can be further subdivided into engine developers, game developers, and research and development.<\/p>\n

The art department can consist of 2D, 3D, user interface, and concept artists.<\/p>\n

When it comes to programming, Bischoff recommended doing a BSc in Computer Science or similar degree, and combining it with self-study in game development.<\/p>\n

\u201cWith this combo, you cannot go wrong in getting a job anywhere in the world,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

For your high school subject selection, Bischoff recommended English, mathematics, all computer courses your school might offer, and art.<\/p>\n

Bischoff said that as a programmer, getting as much mathematical understanding as possible was important.<\/p>\n

\u201cAlgebra and vector math are the most important, but game development touches on trigonometry, geometry, and calculus.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIf you intend to work at a AAA studio overseas, then you would need a very good grounding in mathematics. I wasn\u2019t particularly brilliant at school maths, but I had a good grasp of the concepts that I now use daily.\u201d<\/p>\n

From an artist\u2019s perspective, his brother, Christopher Bischoff, joked he has only needed to know how to work a basic calculator.<\/p>\n

Pros and cons<\/h3>\n

Bischoff said being a game developer has the following positive aspects:<\/p>\n