30 Video Game Developer Interview Questions & Answers
Below is a list of our Video Game Developer interview questions. Click on any interview question to view our answer advice and answer examples. You may view six answer examples before our paywall loads. Afterwards, you'll be asked to upgrade to view the rest of our answers.
Behavioral
1. Can you talk about implementing a specific feedback process to help you improve your design methodology?
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
Employers prefer to hire employees who are continually looking to improve their capabilities. Interviewers will ask you this question to confirm that you are open to constructive criticism and feedback that will help you improve your video game design skills. Not having an example but having done this will hurt your chances of being offered the position.
Written by William Swansen on January 15th, 2022
How to Answer
This is an example of a behavioral question. Behavioral questions inquire about how you responded to specific work-related situations in your previous positions. They are used to predict your behavior if similar circumstances present themselves after you've been hired. The best way to structure your answer to a behavioral question is using the STAR framework. You briefly describe the Situation, talk about the Task you were trying to accomplish, discuss the Actions you took, and then summarize the Results you achieved.
Written by William Swansen on January 15th, 2022
Answer Example
"I am always open to feedback and constructive criticism to my video game designs. For example, I recently was tasked to create a follow-on game to one I originally designed several years prior. Before commencing to design the new game, I identified some users of the original one and requested their feedback. I used this to improve the new game's features and include some new ideas I hadn't thought of. As a result, the players widely accepted the new game and was one of the most profitable products the organization produced."
Written by William Swansen on January 15th, 2022
General
2. Can you describe your training and experience in video game development?
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
This may seem like an odd question since you assume you are invited to the interview based on the information in your resume, which describes your training and experience. However, interviewers will ask this question to confirm the information in your resume and provide you the opportunity to expand upon it. They also want to make sure that your verbal description alliance would the details in the resume. They will use the answer you provide as the basis for additional questions during the interview.
Written by William Swansen on January 15th, 2022
How to Answer
When responding to this question, do not become frustrated that the interviewer is asking about the information they should already have. Take advantage of the opportunity to describe your training and experience in more detail. This is the one instance where you do not want to be brief and to the point. Spend some time elaborating on your experience to enhance the interviewer's perception of your qualifications. Also, be aware that everything you say will be used for subsequent questions. You can use this to guide the interviewer towards areas you are comfortable talking about.
Written by William Swansen on January 15th, 2022
Answer Example
"I have a great deal of experience and training in the development of complex video games. This started during college when I worked on several game development projects with my peers. One of our games was actually commercialized by one of the industry's leading game producers. After college, I was hired by the producer and continued my education as a junior staffer. As I gained experience, I purposely challenged myself to work on more complex projects. While this was difficult, it enabled me to develop the skills needed for this position. I hope to continue to learn while developing games for your company."
Written by William Swansen on January 15th, 2022
General
3. In your opinion, what are the key elements needed to develop a successful game?
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
Interviewers will use this question to start the conversation, collect some information about your background, and learn more about your approach to video game development. While there is no right answer to this question, they are looking for a response that aligns with their metrics and criteria when developing video games. Your response also provides them with the information they can use to ask additional questions throughout the interview.
Written by William Swansen on January 15th, 2022
How to Answer
When answering a question that requests your opinion, you should try to align your answer with the business practices of the organization with whom you are interviewing. This will demonstrate your expertise in this area and your fit with the organization. Before the interview, you can learn about these topics by researching the company, its practices, and other job-related issues.
Written by William Swansen on January 15th, 2022
Answer Example
"In my opinion, some of the key elements which are important to creating a successful video game include the story or narrative of the game, the game's interface, the controls, and the efficiency of the code used to create the game. Video game users need to be intrigued by the game's story to become interested in it. Stunning graphics and sound coupled with intuitive and easy-to-use controls will encourage the player to explore the game. Efficient code is what enables the developers to achieve their design objectives and for the organization to make money when marketing the game."
Written by William Swansen on January 15th, 2022
Operational
4. Please list the steps required to create a Vertex Buffer Object.
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
This is an example of a follow-up question. It relates to a question you were asked earlier in the interview. Interviewers use follow-up questions for several reasons. The first is to explore a topic in more detail or collect additional information about the subject. The second is to correlate your answers to similar questions to ensure that the information you are providing is accurate and truthful. If this question is asked immediately after a related question, the interviewer is exploring the topic in more detail. If asked later in the interview, the interviewer is either correlating your answers or indicating that this topic is important to the organization.
Written by William Swansen on January 15th, 2022
How to Answer
Responding to a follow-up question is no different than answering the original question. You should keep your answer brief and to the point and avoid the temptation of providing too many details. The interviewer will ask additional follow-up questions if they need more information. Keeping your answer to the original questions concise and direct will encourage the interviewer to ask follow-up questions. If you are familiar with the topic, this will help you to perform better during the interview.
Written by William Swansen on January 15th, 2022
Answer Example
"There are three steps used to create a Vertex Buffer Object:
1. Generate a new buffer object using the glGenBuffers() command
2. Bind the buffer object using the glBindBuffer () command
3. Copy the vertex data to the buffer object"
Written by William Swansen on January 15th, 2022
Operational
5. What are some of the elements you use when helping to develop test specifications for quality assurance processes used to validate your video game design?
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
Like other software applications, video games go through an extensive quality assurance process before they are released into production. Interviewers want to confirm that you have experience working with the QA team, providing criteria they can use to evaluate your design. They also want to ensure that you view the quality assurance process as something positive rather than something critical of your work.
Written by William Swansen on January 15th, 2022
How to Answer
Your answer to this question should be positive and upbeat. Try to communicate your belief in the quality assurance process and its contribution to developing a video game that will function properly and provide a positive user experience. Listing criteria that may challenge your design demonstrates your confidence in your video game programming competencies.
Written by William Swansen on January 15th, 2022
Answer Example
"When collaborating with a quality assurance team to create the test specifications for the games I develop, I first refer to the original specifications for the game. I recommend criteria that will confirm the game adheres to the design specifications. I also suggest tests that will verify the game's performance, especially the video rendering. Finally, I try to think of different ways users can break the game so the QA team can look at these."
Written by William Swansen on January 15th, 2022
Operational
6. Have you ever worked with a graphic artist when developing a game? If so, how do you effectively collaborate with them?
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
This is an assumptive question because virtually every video game developer works with graphic artists to develop the images used in their games. The interviewer is trying to understand your communication style and whether you can collaborate effectively with project stakeholders outside of the development team. This is a key competency needed in this profession.
Written by William Swansen on January 15th, 2022
How to Answer
Your answer to this question should demonstrate your ability to collaborate with non-technical individuals who are part of the project team. You should mention your use of common, easy-to-understand language and your ability to get your point across without intimidating the other team members. You may also want to refer to communication channels you've used within the organization to accomplish this.
Written by William Swansen on January 15th, 2022
Answer Example
"I often collaborate with graphic artists as well as other project stakeholders who are not video game developers. When communicating with these team members, I make sure to use common, easy-to-understand language to ensure that they understand the points I'm trying to make. I prefer to use collaboration tools such as Slack when working on projects since they make communication more effective and provide documentation for my conversations with other team members."
Written by William Swansen on January 15th, 2022
Operational
7. Can you describe some of the common gaming engines used for developing video games?
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
One of the unique features of developing video games instead of other software applications is that video games use a feature known as engines. These help developers organize their code and generate the elements required to render the images used to create the videos within the game. Interviewers will ask you about these to understand which engines you are familiar with. They are also curious whether the ones you use align with those used by their current development team.
Written by William Swansen on January 15th, 2022
How to Answer
Before any interview, you should thoroughly research the organization, the games they develop, and the tools and techniques used by their development team. This will enable you to be prepared for the questions you will be asked during the interview and align your answers with the processes and procedures utilized by the organization. As a prospective new employee, you should refrain from making suggestions or promoting new processes and procedures during the interview. You could do this later once you've been hired and thoroughly understand how the organization functions.
Written by William Swansen on January 15th, 2022
Answer Example
"I've used several different gaming engines to develop games. The ones I've used include AndEngine, Android-2D-Engine, and Cocos2D-Android. I'm also familiar with some of the other popular ones. These are jMonkey Engine, Rokon, and Libgdx."
Written by William Swansen on January 15th, 2022
Operational
8. Please list some of the typical errors made by video game developers while programming a new game.
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
This may seem counter-intuitive, but interviewers like to ask questions about mistakes made by video game developers or some of the failures they've encountered while creating games. Interviewers use questions like these to confirm that you are realistic and willing to admit making mistakes. It demonstrates that you have actually worked in this profession, learned from your mistakes, and are therefore unlikely to repeat them.
Written by William Swansen on January 15th, 2022
How to Answer
No one is perfect, and everyone makes a mistake or fails sometime during their career. Admitting this to the interviewer will demonstrate both your honesty and humility. When responding to a question about mistakes are failures, always emphasize the lessons you learned and how these have contributed to your skills and experience as a video game developer.
Written by William Swansen on January 15th, 2022
Answer Example
"During my career, I've either made some mistakes or witnessed all the developers making them. Fortunately, I always learn from both my mistakes than those made by others and am therefore unlikely to repeat them. Some of the common coding mistakes I've encountered during my career include:
Undeclared functions
Extra Semicolons
Undeclared Variables
Uninitialized Variables
Setting a variable to an uninitialized value
Overstepping array boundaries
Checking equality using a single equal sign"
Written by William Swansen on January 15th, 2022
Operational
9. Do you use Java when you develop a new game and, if so, what are some issues you typically encounter?
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
While Java is a common programming language for many applications, it is less used when developing video games because of its inherent inefficiencies and issues in the gaming marketplace. The interviewer will be aware of this and is trying to determine whether you use Java and, if so, are you aware of its challenges in this particular space. Experienced game developers will discuss Java's shortcomings and propose alternative programming languages that may be more effective when developing games.
Written by William Swansen on January 15th, 2022
How to Answer
Knowing as much as you can about the organization's game development practices, including their languages, will help you perform better during the interview. If you do use Java to develop games, you should be able to discuss the challenges you encounter and how to overcome them. Your answer should also include alternative programming languages better suited for the type of games the organization is interviewing you to develop.
Written by William Swansen on January 15th, 2022
Answer Example
"While Java is not the primary language I use when developing games, I occasionally will use it if the organization I am working for has designated it as one of their standard languages. I prefer to use other object-oriented languages, such as Python. While Java does have a large collection of libraries, much of the code contained in these do not relate to video game development. Also, using Java for video games creates problems involving non-deterministic memory management. Finally, most of the popular game consoles do not support Java. This limits the market to online and PC-based gaming."
Written by William Swansen on January 15th, 2022
Operational
10. When programming for the Android OS, how can you load the image using the load texture method?
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
Interviewers can ask you many different questions about how you accomplish a specific task when creating a video game. Some of these may be very general, while others relate to a particular operating system, programming language, or function. In some cases, they will give you a case in which you are asked to create lines of code that meet specific criteria or perform a function. You need to be ready to respond to these questions and cases effectively and efficiently.
Written by William Swansen on January 15th, 2022
How to Answer
The best way to prepare to respond to specific programming questions or cases is to research the organization thoroughly so you'll understand the products they produce and the video games they develop. This will provide you insight into the platforms they develop for, the programming languages they use, and some of the tools the developers employ. Sources for this information include the company's website, industry publications, and websites, and speaking with both current and former video game developers at the company.
Written by William Swansen on January 15th, 2022
Answer Example
"When creating video games for Android platforms, I use the load texture method to take in an image pointer and then load the image into a stream. The stream is then loaded as a texture into OpenGL. I have found this to be the most efficient way to accomplish this task."
Written by William Swansen on January 15th, 2022
Operational
11. Can you list some of the Android tools used for developing games for phones and tablets?
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
More and more video games are being developed for mobile platforms such as phones and tablets. The proliferation of these devices has created a large market opportunity for video game developers. Interviewers will ask you about your experience and skills related to developing both Android and iOS gaming applications. They want to ensure that you can create games for these devices in addition to traditional gaming consoles and computer platforms.
Written by William Swansen on January 15th, 2022
How to Answer
Being familiar with the android and iOS operating systems is a key skill every video game developer should possess. Learning to code for these platforms should be relatively easy since the mechanics are similar to programming for video game consoles and computer platforms. Developers often use some of the same languages when creating games for phones and tablets. As with any question about the specifics of a programming language or platform, reviewing the material before the interview is critical.
Written by William Swansen on January 15th, 2022
Answer Example
"Some of the android tools used for developing games for phones and tablets running this operating system include Eclipse, which is an Integrated Development Environment (IDE,) ADT- Android's Eclipse Plugin, Android SD, which includes AD, and Hudson, and automatic build tool."
Written by William Swansen on January 15th, 2022
Operational
12. Can you describe the process known as Pixel Art and discuss how it is used when creating a video game?
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
During an interview for a video game developer's role, you will be asked many different technical questions related to this career. Interviewers use technical questions to determine the level of your expertise in this area and try to estimate how well you will function in this role. The interviewer can use technical questions at any time during the interview and will space them between operational, behavioral, general, and situational questions.
Written by William Swansen on January 15th, 2022
How to Answer
When responding to a technical question, you are usually asked to define a term and then describe how it is used. This is the same format you can use when answering the question. Make sure to keep your answer brief and to the point, and don't embellish too much. The interviewer will ask you a follow-up question if they need additional information or want to explore the topic in more detail.
Written by William Swansen on January 15th, 2022
Answer Example
"Pixel Art is the process of creating an image by drawing or inserting individual pixels into the picture. This is opposed to rendering a drawing using lines, objects, and other components. Some images are also computer generated using wireframes and other 2D and 3D modeling techniques."
Written by William Swansen on January 15th, 2022
Operational
13. What are some of the revenue models which help developers generate income from games?
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
The majority of organizations that develop video games do this to make money. An interviewer will ask you this question to ensure that you know the various methods of generating revenue for the video games you develop. They want to ensure that you understand how to minimize the costs related to developing a game and maximize its revenue potential in the game market.
Written by William Swansen on January 15th, 2022
How to Answer
When answering a question with multiple components, one of the easiest ways to format your answer is to create a list. This enables you to briefly discuss each element of the response in a manner that the interviewer can easily understand. You may also want to organize your list from the most important part of the answer to the least important. This demonstrates to the interviewer that you are aware of the importance of each of the components.
Written by William Swansen on January 15th, 2022
Answer Example
"There are several different ways you can generate revenue for a video game. These depend on the market you are addressing, the platforms on which the game runs, and the audience's preferences regarding how they purchase their entertainment. Some of the more popular revenue models include:
Charge-per-Copy
Pay-per-Play
Monthly Subscription
Ad-Supported
Sponsorship
Merchandising
Partner or Provider Billing
Licensing the Code
In some cases, you can combine several of these models to increase the revenue generated."
Written by William Swansen on January 15th, 2022
Operational
14. Why do you believe the C++ language is preferred for video game development?
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
The interviewer will ask this question for several reasons. The first is to confirm that you are familiar with C++ and its use in the video game development market. They also want to understand your knowledge of this programming language and its advantages when developing video games. Finally, they may actually expect you to offer an alternative to C++ as a video game development language.
Written by William Swansen on January 15th, 2022
How to Answer
Be careful how you answer this question. If you agree that C++ is the preferred language used to develop video games, you can simply state some of the advantages it offers. However, if you feel other languages are more suited for this task, you can confirm that C++ is popular but then offer alternatives the company should consider. Be careful with this second strategy. Interviewers are often wary of candidates who make suggestions for improvements to the organization's processes and procedures before starting the job and learning more about how the company operates.
Written by William Swansen on January 15th, 2022
Answer Example
"I do believe C++ is the preferred language for video game development. Some of the reasons behind this are the history of C++ and how comfortable game developers have become using it. Another advantage this language offers is that several different software development kits, or SDKs, are available for C++. This makes the developer's tasks much easier and reduces the time required to develop a game. Finally, C++ provides developers much more control over the code than some other languages such as C or Java."
Written by William Swansen on January 15th, 2022
Operational
15. Do you use Bitbucket or Github when developing a video game?
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
Interviewers will ask this question to determine if you are familiar with these resources and whether you use them in your game design efforts. Both Bitbucket and Github share software development resources and reduce the time it takes to create an application. However, these resources are more suited for software applications outside the video game market. The interviewer expects you to know this and respond appropriately regarding how applicable these services are in designing video games.
Written by William Swansen on January 15th, 2022
How to Answer
The best way to respond to this question is to first confirm your knowledge of these resources and how they are used. You can then comment about how applicable they are to video game design. You may want to conclude your answer by stating that you would not use these resources to design games and what alternatives are available.
Written by William Swansen on January 15th, 2022
Answer Example
"I rarely use Bitbucket or Github when developing a video game. Bitbucket is a code hosting service. It can temporarily store code for small size game development but cannot handle large files or frequently changing binary files. Github is a code-sharing service. Because of the proprietary nature of most video games, I would be reluctant to use files from Github due to the risk of replicating features from existing games or sharing proprietary code I've developed for the games I've designed."
Written by William Swansen on January 15th, 2022
Technical
16. Can you describe what the term "onsurfacecreated" means when developing a video game for an Android device?
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
Video game developers use specific terms unique to their profession to describe the features and functions of a video game. Interviewers are likely to ask you questions about these to confirm that you have a strong background in video game development and are familiar with the vernacular used in this role. Even though you may be well versed in video game development and are familiar with most of the terms used, it is still recommended that you review these before the interview, so they are fresh in your mind.
Written by William Swansen on January 15th, 2022
How to Answer
Even though the interviewer is asking you very specific technical questions, you should not assume they have a strong technical background. They may be reading from a script or using questions fed to them by people more familiar with this profession. Therefore, always remember to use simple, easy-to-understand language when responding to the interviewer's question. This will ensure that they understand your answer and prevent you from embarrassing them if they don't.
Written by William Swansen on January 15th, 2022
Answer Example
"The function known as OnsurfaceCreated is a common feature of video games created for the Android environment. It is called every time a drawing surface is created. This can happen when the game starts or becomes active after being sent to the background after the user opens up another application. It is also called when the orientation of the user's devise changes. Each of these activities causes the loss of the context of the game. Every asset is lost and needs to be recreated. All assets and application objects are recreated at the place the game was at when the context changed."
Written by William Swansen on January 15th, 2022
Technical
17. Our video game development team uses Blender Game Engine (BGE) and Unity3D. Can you describe some of the differences between these tools?
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
This is a direct question about some of the tools the organization's video game development team currently uses. By asking you to describe the differences between these, the interviewer assumes you have some knowledge about them and can compare and contrast them. Questions like these about specific tools or processes help the interviewer understand how quickly you can integrate into their development team and begin contributing to the development or enhancement of their video game products.
Written by William Swansen on January 15th, 2022
How to Answer
When asked to compare or contrast two different items during an interview, the best way to respond is to select individual features of the items and then describe their characteristics relevant to the items you are comparing. Limit your answer to just a few of the features common to both items and which distinguish them from each other. All the interviewer seeks is to confirm that you understand both items. They will ask a follow-up question if they want more information.
Written by William Swansen on January 15th, 2022
Answer Example
"Some of the important differences between Blender Game Engine and Unity3D are that in Blender script is based on Python and logic bricks, whereas in Unity3D script is based on JavaScript and C#. Blender is limited to Windows, Linux, Mac, and web environments, but Unity allows you to make games for Windows, Mac, iOS, X-box, PS3, Wii, and other gaming consoles and platforms. Finally, BGE is open-sourced, but you have to pay a significant licensing fee to use Unity, especially the Pro version."
Written by William Swansen on January 15th, 2022
Technical
18. What is a "Blender" when used for developing a video game, and how is it used?
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
Some of the terms you are asked about during an interview for a video game developer's position may be common terms used in everyday use language but which have a special meaning to game developers. Interviewers will ask about these terms to verify your background and video game development and to confirm that you know how they are used in the context of this profession. Canada's who can differentiate between the common use of the term and its use within video games are immediately disqualified.
Written by William Swansen on January 15th, 2022
How to Answer
As with any technical question, when responding to the interviewer's question, you should first define the term in the context of the videogame development profession and then provide some details about how it is used. You may also want to give the interviewer an example of its use to help illustrate your answer. Be sure to keep your response brief and to the point, and always anticipate a follow-up question.
Written by William Swansen on January 15th, 2022
Answer Example
"In the context of video game development, the term "Blender" refers to an open-sourced 3D computer graphics software program used to develop a video game's visual effects. Blender is also used to develop 3D games, animated movies, and other software programs. When using the program, you can select an object of whatever size you want as a sphere, cube, or other shapes. You can then perform activities such as add, delete, move, scale, and even rotate the object."
Written by William Swansen on January 15th, 2022
Technical
19. Since you use AndEngine, can you describe some of its main features?
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
You probably already recognize this as a follow-up question since it refers to information you provided the interviewer in your answer to a previous question. Follow-up questions enable interviewers to dig deeper into a topic. The interviewer also uses them to verify the answers you previously provided them. They're trying to determine if you are answering to the best of your ability or fabricating the information and hoping the interviewer will believe you.
Written by William Swansen on January 15th, 2022
How to Answer
Whenever you answer a question, the interviewer can use the information you provided them to ask a follow-up question. This is why it is critically important to always answer questions honestly and as best as you can. If you don't know the answer to a question, quickly admit this and then describe the steps you would take to locate the information the interviewer is asking about.
Written by William Swansen on January 15th, 2022
Answer Example
"As I mentioned earlier, AndEngine is one of the gaming engines I use quite a bit in my work. Some of its main features include being optimized for the Android operating system, versions 1.6 and above, having the capability to render a split-screen, and enabling multiple players to engage with each other across the network. Other features include live wallpapers, multitouch controls, and a physics engine."
Written by William Swansen on January 15th, 2022
Technical
20. What does FPS refer to in the context of video game development?
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
As with any technical profession, video game developers use many acronyms to refer to the features of video games and the tools and techniques used to develop them. It is very common for interviewers to ask you about the definitions of acronyms. This confirms that you have experience in this field and use acronyms to communicate with other video game developers and project stakeholders.
Written by William Swansen on January 15th, 2022
How to Answer
When responding to a question about an acronym, you should first start by defining what the acronym stands for. You can then proceed to describe its function, features, or other details. Finally, you may want to provide the interviewer with an example of how the item defined by the acronym functions or contributes to developing a video game.
Written by William Swansen on January 15th, 2022
Answer Example
"FPS stands for frames per second in the context of video game development. It relates to how the graphic images used by the video game are displayed. Each frame is a distinct image. When displayed in succession, they create the illusion of movement or action within a game. Higher FPS results in smoother video rendering but requires more storage due to the large number of frames."
Written by William Swansen on January 15th, 2022
Technical
21. When does an "onsurfacechange" occur?
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
This is a follow-up to a question you were asked earlier in the interview. It is not uncommon for interviewers to ask follow-up questions. They use these to explore a topic in more detail or collect additional information. In this case, the interviewer is asking you about a term that is similar but different from the term you were asked about earlier. They want to ensure that you know the distinction between the two terms.
Written by William Swansen on January 15th, 2022
How to Answer
When you are asked a follow-up question that sounds similar to one you were asked earlier in the interview, you may want to ask the interviewer a clarifying question. This will ensure that you understand the interviewer's question and provide them with the information they seek. Not asking a clarifying question may result in you providing the wrong information or answering the question incorrectly. Interviewers appreciate you clarifying their questions when the question may be confusing or repetitive.
Written by William Swansen on January 15th, 2022
Answer Example
"When an Android device user changes the orientation of the device and therefore the screen, the dimensions of the screen are altered. This invokes an onsurfacechange in the video game software. An onsurfacechange ensures that the game's images are being rendered properly for the screen's orientation."
Written by William Swansen on January 15th, 2022
Technical
22. Please talk about PunkBuster, describing what it is and how it is used.
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
PunkBuster is a utility used by gaming developers. As with other software applications, developers use many utilities to ensure that their products are used appropriately. The interviewer will ask this question to ensure that you are familiar with this product and can describe its use. You're likely to be asked several different questions similar to this one throughout the interview.
Written by William Swansen on January 15th, 2022
How to Answer
The easiest way to respond to this question is to describe the utility and discuss its use. If, for some reason, you are not familiar with PunkBuster, admit this to the interviewer and then discuss how you would go about learning about the utility and incorporating it into your video game development practices. Answering honestly is always the best strategy during any interview.
Written by William Swansen on January 15th, 2022
Answer Example
"PunkBuster is a program which can determine whether a video game player is cheating when playing the game. It scans the memory contents of the player's devise, looking for other programs which are interacting with the video game. The primary purpose is to prevent hackers or cheaters from accessing online gaming platforms, especially if there are financial or other rewards distributed to the best players."
Written by William Swansen on January 15th, 2022
Technical
23. Please explain a game loop and discuss what it is used for.
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
Video games have some distinct features unique among software applications. The interviewer will expect you to be aware of these and will ask you questions about them. They want to ensure that you have the proper skills and experience necessary to create compelling video games. This will differentiate experienced video game developers from developers transitioning from other software or an application development role.
Written by William Swansen on January 15th, 2022
How to Answer
If you are an experienced video game developer, you should have no difficulty responding to these types of questions. However, it is still recommended that you review the common components and features unique to video game applications before the interview. You may even want to make some notes about these and have them available to refer to during the interview.
Written by William Swansen on January 15th, 2022
Answer Example
"Game loop is a central component of any video game during the development phase. It is used to update the code and check for any changes made during the last revision. Some of the key features of a video game such as the graphics, controls, and actions of the game all rely on the game loop."
Written by William Swansen on January 15th, 2022
Technical
24. Can you describe some of the ways the Android OS stores data & information?
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
Interviewers are likely to ask you many questions about how different platform operating systems work. The answers you provide confirm that you're familiar with these environments and know how to work with them when creating video games. Some of these questions will be general in nature, similar to this one. Others may be more obscure or detailed, requiring in-depth knowledge. Reviewing the operating systems for which the organization creates games will help prepare you for these questions.
Written by William Swansen on January 15th, 2022
How to Answer
When responding to the interviewer's questions about the features and functionality of a specific operating system, you should keep your answer brief and to the point. Interviewers prefer that you give them an overview of the topic rather than expound on the details. They prefer to ask follow-up questions to get more information or explore the topic in more detail. When answering a question with a great deal of detail, you may be providing the interviewer with more information than they want or with information not related to their original question.
Written by William Swansen on January 15th, 2022
Answer Example
"There are several different storage methods the android OS uses to store data and information. These include:
- Internal Storage: Storage of information on the devices internal memory or an SD card inserted in the device
- External Storage: Storage of data on shared external storage, such as in a cloud storage device provided by the device's service provider
- Network Storage: Storage on your own network devices on a computer or on the web
- SQLite Databases: Storage in a private database that stores structured data"
Written by William Swansen on January 15th, 2022
Technical
25. Talk to me about the advantages and disadvantages of using packed buffers.
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
Interviewers will ask questions about the advantages and disadvantages of utilizing a specific function or tool when developing a video game to better understand your preferences and how you perform tasks required by this job. Not only do they want to know about your preferences, but they also want to see how well these align with the operations used by their current video game development team. They are either trying to understand how you will fit into their current team or if you can bring new and innovative ideas and practices to their organization.
Written by William Swansen on January 15th, 2022
How to Answer
When responding to this question, you have two choices. The first is to align your answer with the organization's current operations with which you are interviewing. This will demonstrate your fit and compatibility with their existing team. The second is to talk about functions and practices the hiring manager may not be familiar with. This demonstrates your ability to improve the operations of the organization. The response you choose should be based on your knowledge, experience, and what you believe your organization is looking for from a new video game developer.
Written by William Swansen on January 15th, 2022
Answer Example
"The main advantage of using packed buffers is that it is more efficient for the graphics processor, or GPU to render and image. This is because the information needed to render the image is now located in the same block of memory. The drawback to using a packed buffer is that it makes it harder to update if you are using dynamic data and slows down the rendering, thus creating lag in the game."
Written by William Swansen on January 15th, 2022
Technical
26. What is meant by the term "Lag," and how do you address this issue in the games you develop?
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
One of the features that makes video games popular is how quickly the game responds to the player's input. Interviewers want to make sure that you know how to reduce lag in your game designs and optimize the response time. This will make the game more attractive to users and increase its popularity and sales.
Written by William Swansen on January 15th, 2022
How to Answer
This question is a combination of a technical and operational question. You first have to respond by defining what lag is. Then, describing the steps you use to minimize the delay will assure the interviewer that you can address any Lag issues in your game designs. Knowing the reason behind the interviewer's question makes it easier for you to respond accurately and with the information the interviewer is seeking.
Written by William Swansen on January 15th, 2022
Answer Example
"In the context of video game design, lag is the time between when the player takes action or provides input to the game and when the game responds to the player's input. Players expect an immediate response to the actions they take using their controls. Any lag will diminish the player's experience with the game. The two most common ways I can reduce lag in a video game is to first ensure that the performance setting is appropriate for the action required by the game. I can also design a game to be compatible with the types of controls the player will use. These vary depending on the platform and can include hand-held controllers, keyboards, mice, or other input devices."
Written by William Swansen on January 15th, 2022
Technical
27. Can you explain what a Vertex Buffer Object is?
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
When interviewing a candidate, hiring managers will focus on the parts of the job that are most important to their operations and the type of games they develop. The interviewer is most interested in candidates who are the most qualified and will take the least amount of training and orientation to begin contributing to the organization's video game development objectives. This is why interviewers focus on technical and operational questions throughout the interview. They will also ask you some general, behavioral, and situational questions to ensure that you will be a good fit within the organization.
Written by William Swansen on January 15th, 2022
How to Answer
As the interview progresses, you should start to better understand what is critical to the organization and the type of skills and experience they're looking for in the developers they hire. This will enable you to focus your answers on these criteria to demonstrate your qualifications for the role. Practicing questions like these will prepare you to perform better during the interview. They help you to build your confidence and focus on the information critical to the organization instead of being worried about how you are performing. This increases the chances of you being offered the job.
Written by William Swansen on January 15th, 2022
Answer Example
"Vertex Buffer Object is a feature of OpenGL. It is a method for uploading vertex data to the video device for non-immediate mode rendering. Buffering the data makes it available for rendering and reduces the lag time of the game. This provides a better user experience."
Written by William Swansen on January 15th, 2022
Technical
28. Can you describe cloud gaming and discuss its advantages and disadvantages?
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
Cloud gaming is the newest trend in the online gaming industry. Interviewers will ask you this question to confirm that you are familiar with this new genre and can discuss its advantages and disadvantages. By asking the question, the interviewer is indicating that the organization is either already active in the cloud gaming market or is looking to expand its operations into it.
Written by William Swansen on January 15th, 2022
How to Answer
Before coming to the interview, your research about the organization will indicate whether they are already active in the cloud gaming market or are considering entering it. This will provide guidance as to how to respond to this question. If they are already actively producing games for the cloud, concentrate your answer on your knowledge of the specific requirements for cloud-based games and how you use this in your designs. If they are considering entering the market, talk about the advantages cloud gaming offers organizations and some of the challenges associated with this new genre.
Written by William Swansen on January 15th, 2022
Answer Example
"In the cloud gaming model, the code which operates the game resides on a server which is hosted by either the company or a third-party provider. Users run clients on their local devices, which interact with the server to provide the game experience. One of the advantages of this for the game producer is that it is easier to maintain and upgrade the game since only a few instances of the game actually exist. It also reduces the cost to distribute the game to each user, eliminating packaging and media. Finally, cloud gaming provides the ability to use different revenue models to generate income for the organization, including subscription, pay-per-play, and partner or provider billing."
Written by William Swansen on January 15th, 2022
Technical
29. Can you name some of the HTML5 frameworks used in game engines?
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
Organizations use various software languages and formats to produce their video game products. They will ask you questions during the interview to determine your knowledge of these and your ability to use them. This provides them the assurance that you will be able to begin making contributions to their video game design efforts immediately after being hired without much initial training or orientation.
Written by William Swansen on January 15th, 2022
How to Answer
Before an interview, you should research the organization to determine its practices and procedures used to create video games. You should then take time to review the software, programming languages, web formats, and other tools the organization uses. While you will not be expected to know every detail of each of these, you should have a general familiarity with them and be able to respond to questions like this one during the interview.
Written by William Swansen on January 15th, 2022
Answer Example
"I have begun to use HTML5 extensively in my video game designs. Some of the important frameworks HTML5 uses to create game engines include Construct 2, CAAT, Turbulence, and Phaser. When used properly, these frameworks can reduce the time needed to create an effective and responsive HTML5 environment for the game I'm working on."
Written by William Swansen on January 15th, 2022
Technical
30. What does the animation thread class do in Java game development?
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
During an interview for a video game developer's position, you will be asked many questions about specific functions and commands used by a programming language you are likely to utilize in this job. While it is virtually impossible to know every command and its function, you should be familiar with the major ones. Interviewers may ask you about several different programming languages, so you need to be prepared for each one.
Written by William Swansen on January 15th, 2022
How to Answer
The best way to prepare for and respond to questions about functions and commands within programming languages is to review these before the interview. You can easily locate a summary of commands for each popular programming language. Interviewers may be impressed if you print these summaries out and bring them with you to the interview to refer to. This will demonstrate your organizational skills as well as your resourcefulness.
Written by William Swansen on January 15th, 2022
Answer Example
"The Java programming language uses commands and functions called classes. Each class is a different function within the language. The animation thread class updates the DrawablePanel for game logic, forcing a redraw of the panel. It also holds a reference to the Drawable Panel."
Written by William Swansen on January 15th, 2022