Last updated on Jun 29, 2024

Here's how you can overcome the challenges of being a self-employed game programmer.

Embarking on a journey as a self-employed game programmer can be an exciting venture, filled with the promise of creative freedom and the allure of crafting your own success. However, it's not without its hurdles. From managing your workload to staying up-to-date with industry trends, the challenges can seem daunting. Yet, with the right strategies and mindset, you can navigate these obstacles and thrive in the gaming industry. Let's explore how you can leverage your skills and passion to overcome the inherent challenges of being a self-employed game programmer and steer your career towards success.

1 Build Skills

As a self-employed game programmer, your skill set is your most valuable asset. To stay competitive, you must constantly refine and expand your abilities. This means not only mastering programming languages like C++ and Python but also keeping abreast of the latest game engines such as Unity or Unreal Engine. Diversifying your skills to include areas like artificial intelligence or virtual reality can also open up new opportunities and set you apart from the competition.

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Hailey Rojas

✨ Wizard of Engagement ✨ @ Indie Game Academy | Project Manager | Looking to uplift the voices of Game Devs, one post at a time | #OpenToNetwork 😄
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I cannot stress this enough: THERE ARE A TON OF FREE/COST EFFECTIVE RESOURCES TO BUILD YOUR SKILLS!!! YouTube First and Foremost. I absolutely love Brackeys. Discord secondly, as voices like Amir Satvat have a public community dedicated to mentoring others. ❤️ I'd also plug Coursera, a subscription based model which can certify you in an area you wanna learn. One final cost effective method I'd recommend is Indie Game Academy, where they teach sessions live similar to a University setting, offer certificates, but for quite literally a 100th of the cost. Hope this helps!!! :)

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Alex Van Dromme

Helping creatives improve their marketing • Writer | Direct Marketer | GameDev • Join 1,000+ getting daily tips on my email list
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Create, create, create. Don't stop creating new projects, testing out new features, and, most importantly, having fun while figuring out the limits of your capabilities (and then focusing on moving past them). Volume is the answer here. Nobody got better at doing something by spending ages trying to get something perfect—you don't even know what perfect looks like. Everyone improves by relentlessly putting out tons of volume. Improving ever so slightly with every step.

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Frederico Moreira

PhD in Theoretical and Computational Physics - Master In Quantum information theory and numerical methods
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As a self-employed game programmer, your skill set is your most valuable asset. To stay competitive, you must constantly refine and expand your abilities. This means not only mastering programming languages like C++ and Python but also keeping abreast of the latest game engines such as Unity or Unreal Engine. Diversifying your skills to include areas like artificial intelligence or virtual reality can also open up new opportunities and set you apart from the competition.

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Michal Rahamim Maor

🌟 LinkedIn Top Voice | 🎮 Co-Founder & COO @ Liberty Pixel | 💼 $1M Raised | 🏢 Recruiting Talent
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You can always look for open source games to learn from. Reverse engineering an actual game will help you understand code better.

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2 Manage Time

Time management is critical when you're your own boss. Without a structured schedule, projects can overrun, and deadlines may slip. Use tools like digital calendars to plan your day effectively, setting aside blocks of time for coding, learning, and administrative tasks. Remember, taking regular breaks is important too; it can boost productivity and help maintain a healthy work-life balance.

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3 Network Smartly

Networking is a powerful tool for self-employed game programmers. It's not just about attending industry events; it's also about engaging with online communities and forums where fellow developers and potential clients gather. Share your knowledge, ask for advice, and be open to collaboration. Building a strong professional network can lead to new projects, partnerships, and valuable insights into industry trends.

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4 Market Yourself

Marketing is essential to attract clients and make a name for yourself in the gaming industry. Create a compelling portfolio showcasing your best work and highlight any unique skills or experiences. Utilize social media platforms to share your projects and engage with your audience. A well-crafted personal brand can help you stand out and capture the attention of potential clients or employers.

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Alex Van Dromme

Helping creatives improve their marketing • Writer | Direct Marketer | GameDev • Join 1,000+ getting daily tips on my email list
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The best thing you can do to market yourself in the current age is to build an audience. A social media audience (LI, IG, X, YouTube) is good. An email list even better. Build this audience by showcasing what you're up to, teaching people what you know, sharing insights about your work, and simply being entertaining by continually talking about your passion (other people will feel the authenticity if that passion and they'll want to hear more from you.) As with anything. The hardest and most time-consuming part is the start. Once you've done this for a short while you won't even have to think about it anymore.

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5 Financial Planning

Financial stability can be unpredictable when you're self-employed. It's crucial to manage your finances wisely by setting up a budget, saving for taxes, and keeping track of expenses. Consider diversifying your income streams by taking on different types of projects or offering consulting services. This can help cushion against dry spells and ensure a steady income.

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6 Stay Inspired

Staying motivated and inspired is key to your long-term success as a self-employed game programmer. Set personal goals, work on projects that excite you, and don't be afraid to step outside your comfort zone to try new things. Keep an eye on industry trends and successful games to fuel your creativity and drive innovation in your own work.

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Michal Rahamim Maor

🌟 LinkedIn Top Voice | 🎮 Co-Founder & COO @ Liberty Pixel | 💼 $1M Raised | 🏢 Recruiting Talent
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Check the latest "soft launches" on pockergamer biz to understand which games are now going trendy. Go for something you can do within a few months. Don't look at AAA games unless you're well funded.

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7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?

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Here's how you can overcome the challenges of being a self-employed game programmer.

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

1 Build Skills

2 Manage Time

3 Network Smartly

4 Market Yourself

5 Financial Planning

6 Stay Inspired

7 Here’s what else to consider

Gaming Industry

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Here's how you can overcome the challenges of being a self-employed game programmer.

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

1 Build Skills

2 Manage Time

3 Network Smartly

4 Market Yourself

5 Financial Planning

6 Stay Inspired

7 Here’s what else to consider

Gaming Industry

Rate this article

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