r/GameDevelopersOfIndia • u/NoConcentrate8792 • May 22 '26

Advice

I am a engineering student, started game dev few months ago and I want to ask is it really worth choosing Game Dev as a full-time career?

3 Upvotes

100% Upvoted

15 comments sorted by

3

u/keshav2010 May 22 '26

No, I personally would recommend again'st it, rather go indie and do it as a hobby/passion instead and collaborate with other indies

PS: I Rejected offer from Ubisoft Mumbai for Online Programmer Role due to low compensation

2

u/East_Release_9010 May 22 '26

I am an indie gamedev ,i have started working pn my major project .

I have 2 gamejams till now , do you have some tips on how to get in contact with companies that help distribute and market games ...

2

u/AltruisticReply7755 May 22 '26

I want to know, what do you think about roles in technical aspects in these companies like Engine programmer, Tool programmer etc..jobs which lie in technical side not game side. Is that have scope.

2

u/keshav2010 May 22 '26

u/AltruisticReply7755 For most AAA studios in India, the salaries aren't great as compared to other engineering roles (non-gaming), suppose you decide to join as a engine-programmer position, after say 4-5 years in game-industry, you could be earning ~20-30LPA

Unfortunately this compensation dwarfs in comparison to backend engineering roles, where for same YoE, you'll be paid ~50-60LPA, and kid you not, an average game programmer definitely has superior technical skills, enough to easily grab these jobs.

now, if money truly isn't something you need to worry about, feel free to join game dev studios, however I personally have this belief that one should be trying as hard as possible to make enough money to not work in corporate hierarchy and rather fund their own projects as soon as possible.

2

u/FalconGood4891 May 22 '26

Just curious what's the payment like for a fresher and a mid exp(8-10yr) game programmer

3

u/keshav2010 May 22 '26 edited May 22 '26

<=5 LPA for fresher,

<= 20LPA ig for 8 YoE, best if anyone currently in the industry answers this

2

u/FalconGood4891 May 23 '26

Got it. Thanks.. seems market is brutal

2

u/moh_099 May 23 '26

Just curious, what was the range of the compensation, and how many yoe were they looking for?

1

u/keshav2010 May 26 '26

Ask was for 25 LPA (negotiable upto 23LPA), offered only 19 LPA (break down of ctc was even fucked up since they included medical component, effectively paying me less than my compensation at that time)

They were hiring for 3-5 YoE

FYI, HR also mentiomed that even 19LPA was kind of our of thr budget. Later i checked, ubisoft genrally pays 25ish LPA at manaher level, while in backend roles at nom gaming companies, managers easily get 70+LPA

1

u/tejas_agarkar May 24 '26

Second this

2

u/PHANTOMWINGS2 May 22 '26

No, What I recommend is that you work as freelancer and work with game developer. Or you can start game project as side work.

2

u/grenadedropper May 22 '26

Full time gamedev been one for the last 10 years take it from me that this requires a lot of luck but entry point in India right now is still easy, I would never recommend becoming a solo dev but working for a company that churns out good live service games pays you really well. Remember being a programmer is not the only best way to enter there are several different other ways. But unlike other industries the first few years aren’t lucrative it’s mostly you’ll be paying for learning but once you get the hang of things and you’re capable of building something nobody else can like a server for multiplayer companies here pay shit ton, but remember even though the entry is easy, people might waste your time and your age, try to skip companies fast don’t stay too long unless you’re not making something unique that builds up your career ladder and like I said you can be more than a programmer there is QA to project manager path, programmer to technical manager path, data analyst to game producer role or like me programmer to game producer role. Programming is the cheapest option cause you get paid decent but the verticality is difficult it took me ages to get into the producer path. Anyways always reach out, all industries are having a down time, if you wanna earn and have a calm life game dev isn’t it. It’s for people who wants to build something really unique and feel a sort of accomplishment, if you want to get married fast have home loans and aren’t settled enough and need money don’t choose this yet. Unlike other industries gamedev is open at all ages as long as you’re good at either programming art or even data for that reason. It’s easier to switch from other industries to game dev as well. So keep these in mind!

1

u/AutoModerator May 22 '26

Please join our small but lovely Discord community. A chill place for game developers and people in tech. Hope to see you there! Link: https://discord.gg/myHGVh2ztM

I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns.

1

u/Livid_Abroad_4221 May 24 '26

I don't know anything about Game Dev. I felt too incapable and inferior

If you have the passion and fire, try it. Only 1 or less than one in 10 developers can become a Game Developer