The video game industry is rapidly expanding, making it more difficult to get skilled personnel for your projects. As a result, finding the right platform to help you swiftly find, evaluate, and hire game developers is critical. Finding talent doesn’t have to be tough. Toptal, for example, makes it easier to hire world-class game developers by pairing you with excellent candidates.

This technology eliminates the need to search for, background check, and interview freelancers. Because of their stringent screening process, Toptal only accepts 3% of candidates. Contractors are ready to begin as soon as you authorize them, and a no-risk trial period guarantees your entire satisfaction.

You can also employ game developers using Craigslist or social media sites. If you have the time and prefer to do all of the work yourself, these may be your best option. However, finding a quality individual is likely to take longer.

Standard job sites such as Upwork, Fiverr, and Hired are also viable options for hiring game developers. Your results may vary depending on how much you want to invest in premium services. Furthermore, in order to identify the perfect person, you must often read evaluations and profiles and conduct interviews, which might lengthen the hiring process.

What Is a Game Developer?

A game developer is an individual or team who designs and builds video games. They work on the whole appearance, feel, and gameplay of a video game, including programming, design, audio production, and graphic development. They typically have experience in software engineering and computer graphics, as well as proficiency in programming languages such as C++, Lua, HTML5, and others. Game developers frequently specialize in specific types of games, but they can create any form of gaming product.

Top game developers may work with various experts to create their products. Character designers, coders, storywriters, and animators are a few of the roles to fill for creating a complete gaming experience.

When you hire game programmers with a high level of expertise, you can streamline the process and ensure the smooth functioning of overall game mechanics. Experienced developers also often have access to high-end hardware and software tools that would otherwise be unavailable to amateurs.

Programmers often specialize in particular programming languages that serve different hardware and software requirements. A few of the top languages are:

• C++
• Java
• HTML5
• Python
• Lua

A more accomplished coder may have worked in C++. Newer developers are likely to be familiar with Lua, which is ideal for simple mobile games. If you require an iOS game, you’ll probably need a programmer who knows Swift.

According to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics, the growth rate for software developers outpaces that of other occupations and even many other technical fields. The rise in employment is just over 25%.

This reality makes it difficult to vet and hire talent. Fortunately, matching services can identify suitable workers in as little as a few days.

What Is Game Development?

Game development is the process of designing, programming, and producing a video game. Turning an exciting idea into a playable experience requires a complex understanding of game design principles, computer programming techniques, and artistic talent.

The power and impact of gaming are visible in its global market size, which nearly hit $200 billion recently. The release of a highly anticipated game can even outperform large Hollywood blockbuster movies. Video game companies like Sony, Microsoft, and Nintendo are household brands with products that touch all ages.

Another feature of gaming is the potential to boost brand recognition, educate, or simply earn more money. Worldwide brands such as Adidas, Gucci, and Louis Vuitton collaborate with game developers to create events that draw more eyes to their labels.

Another example is the Sargiato Foundation, which decided to create a campaign to draw attention to the plight of homeless animals. The program led to the purchase of over 300 pounds of food for needy creatures.

Companies are aggressively seeking the best talent, with firms hiring software engineers, project managers, and other professionals to create the best gaming experiences possible.

Where to Hire Game Developers

There are multiple ways of finding and hiring talented game developers:

• Game development communities — TIGSource, IndieDB, and Develteam can be a starting point where to look for game developers;
• Online freelance networks like Upwork and TopTal;
• Online hiring platforms like YouTeam offer more advanced sourcing options for offshore developers. YouTeam can help you source and hire game developers in 48 hours or less, and have them up and running in a week.

1. Toptal

Toptal is a matching service that was created with a key focus on tech talent. However, over the years, the company has expanded its expertise and pool of professionals to include some of the best game programmers for hire.

If you want someone who can get started with the project immediately and does a fantastic job at it, picking someone from Toptal would be your best bet. That’s because Toptal has expert freelancers and programmers who have been thoroughly vetted for their professionalism and expertise.

According to Toptal, only 3% of applicants (including game developers and designers) make it through their battery of technical tests and their comprehensive vetting process. You also have the option to have a special project manager from Toptal help you put together a development team.

Key points:

• Enjoy a risk-free trial for up to 5 days.
• Completed over 60,000 projects for 25K+ satisfied clients.
• Trustpilot rating of 4.8 out of 5.

2. Gun.io

Some of the world’s top brands such as Cisco, NBC, and Tesla to small and medium-sized businesses, all turn to Gun.io to hire game developers. The platform does most of the hiring work for you wherein they find, vet, and offer some of the best talent.

Whether you’re looking for someone to develop a video game or someone to do mobile game development for Android and iOS, Gun.io can help. The team primarily operates in the US which makes collaboration across time zones easy and manageable.

A game app developer for hire on Gun.io has to go through seven stages of assessment to ensure that they have the required skills, talent, and technical know-how to deliver top-quality projects.

Key points:

• Gun.io typically provides a list of skilled developers within five days.
• Senior tech experts assess and vet developers.
• Gun.io matches you with global talent from its headquarters in Nashville, TN.

3. Hired

Similar to most other freelance marketplaces, Hired also properly vets the game developers before accepting them on its platform. Additionally, Hired also offers a few more assessments to ensure that you find the best programmers and freelancers for your project.

You can use their pipeline to hire game developers by creating a company profile and searching through a large candidate pool using their own search algorithm. Pick the experts you like, interview them, and get started.

The only caveat here is that this whole process can take up to 25 days and if you’re building a development team then it could potentially take longer.

Key points:

• Get a dedicated account manager and unlimited job posts with an annual subscription.
• Hired has an optional talent-matching service for faster results.
• Candidate profiles include individual skill assessment scores.

4. Gigster

As a platform, Gigster helps businesses to grow and innovate by giving them qualified game developers who can handle projects of all kinds. From augmented reality to creating 3D games, the experts on the platform are qualified to handle it all.

There’s a simple process on Gigster to hire game developers wherein you explain your project and requirements to them and the platform will put together a team for you. The company also offers advanced tools for better productivity, a shared development environment with advanced analytics, and the technology needed to build a world-class game.

Key points:

• Gigster provides a custom proposal based on your project needs.
• Hiring options include single developers and fully managed teams.
• Gigster vetting accepts only 1% of applicants to ensure quality.

5. Fiverr Pro

Fiverr Pro takes the regular Fiverr platform a notch up. Every game designer on this platform is thoroughly vetted and verified to ensure you get the best of the lot. Only freelancers and programmers with the highest ratings and feedback scores make it to the Pro platform.

The only difference between Fiverr and Fiverr Pro is on the latter, game developers and designers study the details of your project and reach out to you. Unlike Toptal and Gigster, this isn’t a matching service. Therefore, to ensure you’re getting the right talent, it’s vital that you write a detailed project description.

Key points:

• The FP Business Success Team provides guidance and assistance.
• Vetting considers high-quality deliveries, customer satisfaction, and technical and communication skills.
• Select your own developers or ask for talent-matching services.

How Much Does it Cost to Hire a Game Developer?

Here are the hourly rates for game developers according to data collected on the YouTeam platform:

	Minimal Rate	Maximal Rate	Average Rate
Junior Unity Developer	$32	$32	$32
Middle Unity Developer	$35	$58	$38
Senior Unity Developer	$30	$87	$47
Junior VR Developer	$32	$32	$32
Middle VR Developer	$38	$58	$46
Senior VR Developer	$45	$58	$51
Junior C++ Developer	$30	$50	$34
Middle C++ Developer	$30	$77	$43
Senior C++ Developer	$45	$240	$55

Staff augmentation may be a good alternative for the in-house hiring model. Also, you don’t have additional hiring costs, or you don’t spend time on vetting partners if you decide to outsource.

This profession is so appealing that training is now available in the halls of higher education. The top designers easily earn more than six figures each year, including bonuses. The average salary is $101,000, however, individual earnings range significantly above and below that level.

Developers’ typical remuneration is determined by their education and experience level. Game programmers earn similar wages, starting at $44,000 and rising to more than $120,000 for senior team leaders.

This statistic does not imply that corporations must constantly pay high wages to hire. For example, Gameplay Developer proposes hourly fees of $20 to $30. This range places workers between $44,000 and $60,000 per year.

You can avoid hiring someone who is overqualified for a position by separating the abilities and attributes you need for the project. Freelancing provides an opportunity for capable newbies who require more experience before they can fetch high wages.

Which Country is Best for Game Developers?

Let’s delve into this and go through the best countries where you can study abroad in video game design & multimedia, the top universities, and the finest programs.

The United Kingdom (UK)

Known for its rich cultural heritage, the United Kingdom has positioned itself as a hub for creative industries, including video game design. London, in particular, is a melting pot of creativity and innovation, with a thriving gaming community and numerous game development studios.

There are 20+ universities in the UK that offer programs in this field. From 35+ programs, you can select your favorite bachelor’s degree program or a master’s degree program. The UK is definitely a country to consider when studying abroad, especially because you can get a post-graduate work visa in the UK.

The United States (USA)

The United States, with its rich history of technological innovation, remains a global leader in the field of video game design. Home to industry giants like Blizzard Entertainment, Valve Corporation, and Naughty Dog, the U.S. offers a diverse range of educational opportunities for aspiring game designers.

The U.S. also offers a unique advantage in terms of networking opportunities. The concentration of game development studios in cities like Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Seattle allows students to connect with professionals, attend industry events, and gain valuable insights into the ever-evolving landscape of video game design.

Now, you can get your degree from one of 10+ universities in the USA. Get your bachelor’s degree in game design, game development, or 3D animation. Or, if you want to take a master’s degree, you can select one of our various master’s degrees and open the door for so many more job opportunities.

Canada

Canada has emerged as a leading destination for students aspiring to delve into the world of video game design. Cities like Vancouver and Montreal boast a vibrant game development scene, hosting renowned studios such as Ubisoft and Electronic Arts. The country’s welcoming atmosphere, coupled with a diverse cultural landscape, makes it an attractive destination for international students.

There are various universities in Canada providing programs in this field. With different options for bachelor’s and diploma programs in video game design, you get to choose your favorite.

Germany

Germany stands out as a top destination for students pursuing a degree in video game design, blending its rich academic traditions with a thriving tech and gaming industry. Cities like Berlin, Munich, and Cologne are not only known for their historical significance but also for their vibrant cultural scenes and growing game development communities. Some of the best video game companies in Germany include Crytek, Ubisoft Blue Byte, and Daedalic Entertainment.