Main image of article Which Platforms Do Video Game Developers Want to Build For?

Video game developers have a range of platforms to choose from. Would they prefer to build games for the PC or a console, or do mobile platforms such as iOS or Android hold more appeal?

The Game Developers Conference (GDC) has issued the latest edition of the annual State of the Game Industry report (sign-up required), which queried more than 3,000 game developers about everything from their choice of game engine to their company’s return-to-work policies. It found that developing for the PC was overwhelmingly popular among developers as a potential future target for game-building, followed by the PlayStation 5 and whatever sequel Nintendo is planning to its ultra-popular Switch console. Here’s the chart:

When it comes to the development engines used to build those games, some 33 percent of developers said they opted for Unity, while 33 percent relied on Unreal; around 14 percent used a proprietary or in-house development toolkit. Far smaller percentages relied on engines such as CryEngine.

While video game developers have long been concerned about industry issues such as layoffs and the dreaded “crunch time” culture, those developers who stay adaptable can maintain their job security and land new opportunities. Here are some essential video game development skills to learn:

  • Programming: C++, C#, and Python are languages woven into the fabric of most game development.
  • Game Engines: Familiarity with popular engines like Unity and Unreal Engine is crucial. 
  • Design: Level design, 3D modeling, and animation breathe life into your game. Tools like Maya and Zbrush are important to learn, along with Adobe Photoshop.
  • QA: Quality assurance is critical; gamers are discerning, and they’ll rip apart any game that doesn’t meet their standards.
  • Industry knowledge: Always essential; hanging out on popular video-game industry forums (such as Reddit’s r/gamedev) can quickly bring you up to speed.
  • Networking: As with other tech specializations, networking with fellow developers is an essential way to build up your community (and your opportunities) within the video game industry.

If you’re interested in developing video games, and wondering which platforms to target, take the time to talk to other video game developers about their respective experiences. These platforms are all capable of supporting great games and generating revenue; the bigger question is whether they fit your skills, needs, and passion.