Programmer

Game programmers are software developers who take the ideas, art, and music and combine them into a software project. Programmers obviously write the code for the game, but they may also have several additional responsibilities. For instance, if an artist is designing graphics for the game, the lead programmer could be responsible for the development of a custom set of tools for the creation of the graphics. It is also his job to keep everything running smoothly and to somehow figure out a way to satisfy everyone from the producer to the artists. Unlike the stereotype portrayed on many Web sites, books, or even movies, programmers usually don’t stroll into work at noon, work for a few hours, and then leave. The truth is, they often arrive earlier and leave later than anyone on the development team.

The programmer is responsible for taking the vast number of elements and combining them to form the executable program. He decides how fast a player can run and how high the player can jump. He is responsible for accounting for everything inside the virtual world. While doing all of this, programmers often will attempt to create software that can be reusable for other projects and spend a great deal of time optimizing the code to make it as fast as possible.

Sometimes, a given project may have several programmers who specialize in one key area such as graphics, sound, or artificial intelligence (AI). The following list details the various types of programmers and what they are primarily responsible for:

Engine or Graphics Programmers: They create the software that controls how graphics and animations are stored and ultimately displayed on the screen.

AI Programmers: They create a series of rules that determine how enemies or characters will react to game situations and attempt to make them act as realistically as possible.

Sound Programmers: A sound programmer will work with the audio personnel to create a realistically sounding environment.

Tool Programmers: As was previously mentioned, programmers will often write software for artists, designers, and sound designers to use within the development studio.