How to switch career to game engine/graphics programming [closed]

Question

My whole background is related to enterprise applications but I've been thinking of switching my career path from enterprise/business to something that I feel is more challenging and interesting. One of the main fields I've checked is game programming and more specifically engine or graphics programming. One of the requirements I've set is that the new domain requires at least some math/computer science knowledge and have interesting problems to research and solve (hopefully even read some white papers). Graphics programming especially seems to have lot's of that in addition to being interesting in general. I've already started studying the related mathematical background via this book and I believe my general experience in developing and releasing quality software (5+ years) will quickly translate, with the right mentorship, putting me at a level of usefulness of a mid-level game programmer at least.

How should I go about proving this to potential employers? I don't feel like creating small sample games really amounts to anything. Familiarizing myself with an engine like Unity or Unreal seems like a good approach but I'm not sure how to go about it in an engine focused way. I'd potentially like to avoid Gameplay development which is why creating games seems redundant.

I don't want to enter subfields such as server programming or any field that is web-appy but under the umbrella of a game company. I'm also looking to transition relatively quickly which is why I don't want to invest in a game company as a web app developer only to hope to be put into game domain later.

TL;DR: I'm looking for ways to enter the "sciency" side of game programming (graphics/engine programming) with a background in enterprise web apps.

Answer 1

This is a bit of a Catch-22, unfortunately.

It's mainly the larger studios who need dedicated engine and graphics programmers, building out, porting, and optimizing custom engine features or rendering pipelines.

The ready availability of flexible, full-featured, off-the-shelf engines like Unreal and Unity means that many small studios are able to get the engine support they need out of the box, or with a much less specialized path of Asset Store plug-ins or modifier scripts. They'll usually have technical artists or general programmers with engine experience, but they don't necessarily need a large staff of full-time engine or rendering programmers.

The large studios, meanwhile, are largely looking for folks with experience shipping (large) games. Especially so for engine/graphics programmers, who have a specialized and often fairly senior role. So hopping straight into a position like that could be very challenging, unless you've already been in such a position, hence the Catch-22.

Even if non-engine code is not your passion, I'd suggest that it can be an easier route into the industry. Studios of all sizes tend to need more gameplay and UI programmers, and as you've found, it's an easier skill to demo in your portfolio to give the studio confidence they're hiring the right person.

Once you're in, you can start looking for advancement paths within the organization into more specialized roles. In the meantime, you'll be building up a portfolio of finished games you've shipped with that team, which can open up doors for you elsewhere, even if advancement in your current team is limited.

This also gives you a way to start earning income in your chosen field while you continue to hone the specialized skills your dream job needs - maybe even benefiting from company-paid training and conferences - instead of having to build all those skills on your own before you can make your move.

Answer 2

You need to know what game design is. There are many different type of games...and when you know what type of game what type of audience, and many game design related topics you will have no problem with choosing the right engine...and graphics. Ex: I want to make a 2d game... I want to apeal to darksouls audience... I want networking inthe game... I want to be able to scale the game (size graphic updates etc) Mybe godot can do that? Ok I will check godot then unity