As someone whose earliest memories are of playing on my cousin’s PS3, game development was always a career I felt worth investing time into. And as I’m now only 1.5 years away from graduation, I started thinking about it more seriously and came to the realization that Hopkins is actively creating opportunities for students like me who want to explore this career path.
This semester, I’m taking Game Engine Programming Fundamentals (EN.601.355), and I couldn’t be more excited. The course goes beyond just using existing tools; you actually build your own game engine from scratch and then create a video game using that engine. It’s the perfect opportunity to not only do something most internship/new graduate applicants have never done, but also to learn a skill some of the biggest video game companies in the world rely on to make their bestselling titles (e.g. Rockstar Games’ RAGE engine to create Grand Theft Auto titles and Bethesda’s Creation Engine to create Skyrim, Fallout 4, and Starfield).
Last semester, there was Computer Graphics and 3D Game Programming taught by Professor Simari (whom I interviewed and wrote about), which was a TEAM (group project-based) course that satisfied a course requirement for CS majors. The class focused on learning the fundamentals of game development by creating your own game using Unity. What made it even better? It was TA’d by heads of the Hopkins Game Development Society here at Hopkins, which started last year.
For CS majors who aren’t sure what they want to do after graduation, or aren’t quite convinced about game development, it offers something unique: the chance to work on projects that millions of people love, enjoy, and engage with. Being in the game development industry allows you to create projects that players around the world depend on for fun, with a sense of fulfillment in knowing that others with the same passion for games will admire your work.
And contrary to what you might think, it’s a financially viable career. The average salary for a game dev in the U.S. is around $97,000 per year, with top earners making up to $130,000 (Glassdoor). In the U.S., entry-level positions start around $75,000, but as you gain experience and specialize in high-demand areas like AI or graphics programming, your earning potential increases significantly (Qubit Labs).
Beyond the numbers, there’s something deeply satisfying about game development as a career. Creativity is essential as developers are constantly challenged with implementing new and unique ways to create captivating gameplay and worlds for others to enjoy. You’re not just writing code; you’re helping build experiences, tell stories, and solve creative problems that you’ve never solved before.
The work itself is varied and collaborative. Due to the nature of video games, the people you’ll work with will share your love and passion for all things games, bringing that sense of fun into the office (Game Industry Career Guide). You might find yourself working on AI systems one day, optimizing graphics the next, or collaborating with artists and designers to bring a character to life. It’s the kind of work where technical skills meet creative vision.
One of the best things about that is that it creates multiple career paths within gaming, each suited to different strengths and interests. Whether you’re interested in programming game engines, designing gameplay mechanics, creating AI systems, developing graphics pipelines, or even narrative design, there’s a role that fits your skills. Most positions don’t even prioritize GPA or certifications; what matters most is starting to build your portfolio and demonstrating your abilities (Circuit Stream).
Another thing I find compelling about the game development field: the gaming industry’s growing awareness of mental health has led to a more holistic approach to work-life balance, emphasizing the importance of physical well-being, mental health days, and regular breaks (Teal Modern). Game studios are increasingly recognizing that sustainable, healthy work practices lead to better games and happier developers.
What excites me most is seeing Hopkins actively support students who want to pursue game development. With online and in-person events from the college outreach programs of some of gaming’s juggernauts like Rockstar Games and Roblox aiming for Hopkins applicants, the rise of courses like Game Engine Programming Fundamentals and Computer Graphics and 3D Game Programming, combined with the establishment of the Hopkins Game Dev Society shows that with growing interest, the school is making moves to allocate more resources in helping students uncover if the industry is for them.
You might discover, as I have, that game development combines everything you love about computer science: problem-solving, creativity, technical challenges, with the satisfaction of building something that brings joy to millions of people. And Hopkins is building the infrastructure to help you explore that path with courses, community, and support. The gaming industry needs talented developers. Hopkins is preparing us to be those developers. And honestly, the growing support in joining the industry makes it all pretty exciting.
