Gameplay Programmer Job Description
Gameplay programmer
provides input into the technical design and vision through all phases of the game development cycle from pre-production through final product release.
Gameplay Programmer Duties & Responsibilities
To write an effective gameplay programmer job description, begin by listing detailed duties, responsibilities and expectations. We have included gameplay programmer job description templates that you can modify and use.
Sample responsibilities for this position include:
Drive animation state from logic state
Work with in collaboration with the Game Design and Animation teams to implement a gameplay system that particularly controls the main character
Work with an interdisciplinary agile team of artists, designers, and engineers to design, prototype, and implement new gameplay features
Work with an interdisciplinary agile team of artists, designers, and engineers to design, prototype, and implement new AI systems
Develop systems for the game that serve to bring the vision of the artists and designers to life
Participate in higher level planning with project management and Technical Directors
Bring the vision of the artists and designers to life
Design and write the code that runs and controls the game, incorporating and adapting existing technology and writing custom code as needed
Proactively identify and resolve gameplay bugs propose gameplay improvements to improve the quality of player experience
Implementing game features in areas such as game mechanics, animations, character behavior, effects, mission logic, UI, social features
Gameplay Programmer Qualifications
Qualifications for a job description may include education, certification, and experience.
Education for Gameplay Programmer
Typically a job would require a certain level of education.
Employers hiring for the gameplay programmer job most commonly would prefer for their future employee to have a relevant degree such as Bachelor's and Master's Degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Software Engineering, Mathematics, Math, Physics, Engineering, Game Development, History, Technology
Skills for Gameplay Programmer
Desired skills for gameplay programmer include:
Common algorithms
Data structures and patterns
Object oriented development
Unit Testing
Animation
Ability to apply them to problems while keeping constraints and performance in mind
Physics
Artificial intelligence to implement gameplay features
Agile
C++
Desired experience for gameplay programmer includes:
Strong knowledge of the software development environment and associated tools
Familiarity with common scheduling, task and issue tracking tools – MS Project, Jira
At least 2 years of previous leadership experience
Excellent C++ and C# skills, and experience in object-oriented design
The ideal candidate has shipped at least two video game titles
Preference given to candidates with experience in tools, builds, and/or pipelines
Gameplay Programmer Examples
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Gameplay Programmer Job Description
Job Description Example
Our company is growing rapidly and is searching for experienced candidates for the position of gameplay programmer. Please review the list of responsibilities and qualifications. While this is our ideal list, we will consider candidates that do not necessarily have all of the qualifications, but have sufficient experience and talent.
Responsibilities for gameplay programmer
- Lead the planning, design, and implementation of all features developed by the team
- Organizing work and backlog using project management/ planning tools Jira
- Managing the Human Resources aspects within your team by reoccurring performance feedback and salary review
- Contributor to the development of technology, game code systems and tools that support game design needs
- Maintain a thorough knowledge of the game’s design
- Collaborate with the production team to develop all aspects of the specified game-play experience from a technical perspective
- Provide input into the technical design and vision through all phases of the game development cycle from pre-production through final product release
- Maintain a clear understanding of personal task lists and project milestones to ensure set goals will be met from a scope, schedule or game-play perspective
- Master's Degree in Computer Science, Math, Engineering or related field, plus 1 year of programming/development experience, which must include experience in the video game industry
- Excellent engineering skills
Qualifications for gameplay programmer
- Avid gamer with a passion for creating top-quality games
- Avid gamer with a passion for quality
- A prior experience in gameplay programming is a plus
- Graduated from a University degree program or equivalent from a recognized institution
- A Bachelor’s degree in the relevant fields or equivalent industry experience
- Demonstrate technical potential, the will to learn and develop and the ability to take direction and function as part of a team
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Gameplay Programmer Job Description
Job Description Example
Our company is growing rapidly and is looking for a gameplay programmer. Please review the list of responsibilities and qualifications. While this is our ideal list, we will consider candidates that do not necessarily have all of the qualifications, but have sufficient experience and talent.
Responsibilities for gameplay programmer
- Strong C++ coding ability
- A background in games development and multiple shipped titles
- Team leadership experience, both with people and projects
- Creating base gameplay system and tools for the designers to extend
- Ensuring that game technologies are well designed, and optimal in terms of CPU and memory consumption
- Working on a AAA title using the Snowdrop technology
- Visualization of logic objects
- Sync logic objects with visual and audible objects
- Determine visibility/ audibility of objects (culling)
- Attaching objects to bones
Qualifications for gameplay programmer
- Proficiency with C++ and experience in object-oriented design and implementation
- Experience architecting and/or implementing A.I., character control, path finding, multiplayer, or other gameplay-related systems
- The ideal candidate has shipped at least one video game title
- 2 or more years experience in game programming
- Experience with assembler (MIPS, VU Code), scripting languages (Perl, Python, Lua, Ruby) and interpreted languages (Java)
- Knowledge of terms, compression formats and audio middleware
3
Gameplay Programmer Job Description
Job Description Example
Our innovative and growing company is looking for a gameplay programmer. Please review the list of responsibilities and qualifications. While this is our ideal list, we will consider candidates that do not necessarily have all of the qualifications, but have sufficient experience and talent.
Responsibilities for gameplay programmer
- Working with scene graphs
- Additional responsibilities will be assigned as needed
- Quickly prototype new gameplays
- Analyze and estimate the time, cost the impact of the proposed functions
- Maintain ambition through every stage of a project
- Debug and optimize code as much at the lower levels than at the higher levels to guarantee consistence of the technical quality performance
- Train and guide the junior programmers
- Be a positive contributor for the achievement of the project and team objectives
- Shipped PC or console game titles
- Experience working on core online gameplay systems
Qualifications for gameplay programmer
- Minimum of 3-5+ years’ C++ software programming experience, ideally in the video game industry, or equivalent
- Strong knowledge of C++, and solid understanding of meta programming techniques
- Good grasp of game AI, pathfinding
- Good knowledge of 3D math
- Experience with architecting and debugging of large robust systems
- Creative, focused, result-oriented, self-motivated, resourceful problem-solver
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Gameplay Programmer Job Description
Job Description Example
Our company is growing rapidly and is looking to fill the role of gameplay programmer. Please review the list of responsibilities and qualifications. While this is our ideal list, we will consider candidates that do not necessarily have all of the qualifications, but have sufficient experience and talent.
Responsibilities for gameplay programmer
- Be responsible for the design and implementation of systems and tools to support game needs (animation, locomotion, navigation, combat AND NETWORKING)
- Recent bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, related discipline, or relevant work experience
- A special interest in gameplay
- Work closely with the Game Design team and make sure that the design of various features is complete and realistic
- Implement, test and document the technical aspects of features for a AAA game
- Own game features from start to finish
- Identify, offer feedback/solutions, and iterate on existing game design shortcomings
- Clearly communicate updates and concerns to their manager
- Analyze and correct bugs identified by people from other crafts, the quality control team or you and your peers
- In conjunction with other engineers, designers, artists and testers
Qualifications for gameplay programmer
- Familiarity with game-related 3D mathematical concepts
- You will be able to reference a “signature” gameplay feature they have owned in a AAA or otherwise notable video game
- Experience shipping at least two video game titles
- Experience in tools, builds, and/or pipelines is preferred
- Ability to work with a large amount of code inside a large team
- Knowledge of current games and the ability to reverse engineer features when needed
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Gameplay Programmer Job Description
Job Description Example
Our company is looking to fill the role of gameplay programmer. We appreciate you taking the time to review the list of qualifications and to apply for the position. If you don’t fill all of the qualifications, you may still be considered depending on your level of experience.
Responsibilities for gameplay programmer
- Be part of Rare’s culture
- Deliver features to the level of quality expected of a world class game developer
- Implement gameplay features within an established framework
- Develop, document, test and maintain code and features in collaboration with other programmers and designers
- Implement gameplay-related functionality such as input handling, AI and NPC behaviors, camera movement and other game mechanics
- Work with team members to iterate and refine existing code
- Develop and optimize cutting edge game code on PC and next-generation consoles
- Implement code using primarily C# (although C++/C may be used)
- Proactively and methodically improve quality and efficiency of code throughout development
- Mentor team members when required
Qualifications for gameplay programmer
- Design abilities is considered a plus
- Experience working in a 3D rendering environment or 3D game engine
- Control of 3D mathematics
- MUST HAVE at least 3+ years of OOP C/C++ development experience within the PC and/or Console gaming industry
- Have a solid understanding of Linear Mathematics, Advanced Quadratic Geometry, Algorithms
- Should have portfolio samples of your own work that demonstrates the quality of programming and your passion for maximizing user experience