Technical Artist Roadmap
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risingsmp.251009Technical Artist Roadmap
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risingsmp.251009**Roadmap to Becoming a Game Developer (2025)**
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## Game Developer Roadmap (Beginner to Advanced)
### 1. Start with the Basics
- Learn **Programming Fundamentals** (C++, C#, or Python)
- Master **Data Structures & Algorithms** (Arrays, Loops, Functions, OOPS)
- Practice basic projects like:
- Snake Game
- Tic-Tac-Toe
- Shooting Game
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### 2. Choose Your Game Engine
| Engine | Best For | Language |
|---------------------|---------------------------|------------|
| Unity | 2D/3D Games + Mobile | C# |
| Unreal Engine | High Graphics AAA Games | C++ |
| Godot | Indie Games + Open Source | GDScript |
| Pygame | Small 2D Games | Python |
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### 3. Learn Game Development Concepts
- Game Loop
- Physics & Collisions
- Game Objects & Components
- Sprite Animation
- Audio Integration
- UI & HUD Systems
- Particle Effects
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### 4. Build Projects (Real Games)
| Project | Difficulty | Engine |
|---------------------|------------|------------|
| Flappy Bird Clone | Beginner | Unity/Godot |
| FPS Shooter | Intermediate | Unreal |
| 2D Platformer | Intermediate | Unity/Godot |
| Horror Survival | Advanced | Unreal |
| Multiplayer Game | Advanced | Unity/Unreal |
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### 5. Learn Game Design & Mechanics
- Level Design
- Player Mechanics
- Enemy AI
- Inventory System
- Quest System
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### 6. Learn Advanced Topics
- Game Physics (Rigidbody, Gravity)
- Shaders & VFX
- Lighting & Post Processing
- Multiplayer Networking
- Optimization Techniques
- Monetization (Ads, In-App Purchases)
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### 7. Version Control & Collaboration
- Git & GitHub
- Trello / Jira (Project Management)
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### 8. Portfolio + Resume
- Build 35 small games
- Upload games to **Itch.io** or **Steam**
- Add projects to **GitHub**
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### 9. Extra Skills (Optional but Important)
- Blender (3D Modelling)
- Photoshop (Game Assets)
- Audio Editing
- Story Writing
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### Bonus Tips:
- Join Game Jams
- Start a Devlog YouTube Channel
- Contribute to open-source game projects
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### Roadmap Duration (If you start from Zero):
| Level | Time Required |
|------------|---------------|
| Beginner | 23 Months |
| Intermediate | 6 Months |
| Advanced | 1 Year |
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### Best Resources to Learn:
| Platform | Purpose | Free/Paid |
|-------------|--------------|-----------|
| Unity Learn | Unity Official | Free |
| Udemy | Game Projects | Paid |
| YouTube | Brackeys, Dani | Free |
| Coursera | Game Design | Paid |
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### Free Courses & Resources Links:
- Unity Learn: https://learn.unity.com/
- Unreal Engine Documentation: https://dev.epicgames.com/documentation/en-us/ue5/
- Godot Official Documentation: https://docs.godotengine.org/en/stable/
- Brackeys YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/Brackeys
- FreeCodeCamp Pygame Tutorial:
https://www.freecodecamp.org/news/learn-pygame-by-making-a-game/
- Itch.io: https://itch.io/
- GitHub Game Development Projects: https://github.com/topics/game-development
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### Final Advice:
Start small , keep learning, and don't give up.
Advanced)
Overview:
A Technical Artist is a bridge between Art and Programming in the AAA game industry. They create
visual effects, shaders, tools, and optimize performance.
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Year 1: Master C++ (100% Priority)
What to Learn:
- C++ Basics
- OOPS Concepts
- File Handling
- Pointers
- Data Structures & Algorithms
- STL (Standard Template Library)
Best Resources:
- FreeCodeCamp C++: https://www.freecodecamp.org/
- GeeksForGeeks C++ Roadmap: https://www.geeksforgeeks.org/c-plus-plus/
- Udemy C++ Course: https://www.udemy.com/course/beginning-c-plus-plus-programming/
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Year 1: Learn Blender (Side by Side)
What to Learn:
- 3D Modelling (Props, Environments)
- UV Unwrapping
- Texturing (Substance Painter Alternative: ArmorPaint)
- Rigging & Animation
- Basic Sculpting
Best Resources:
- Blender Guru YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/BlenderGuru
- Grant Abbitt YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/GrantAbbitt
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Year 2: Advanced C++ + Shaders
What to Learn:
- Memory Management
- Multithreading
- Game Physics
- Graphics Programming with OpenGL (Optional)
- Shader Programming (GLSL, HLSL)
Best Resources:
- The Cherno C++ Series: https://www.youtube.com/c/TheChernoProject
- OpenGL Tutorials: https://www.learnopengl.com/
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Year 2: Blender + VFX
What to Learn:
- Particle Systems
- Dynamic Simulations
- Cloth, Smoke, and Fire Simulation
- Shader Nodes
- Procedural Texturing
Best Resources:
- Blender Secrets YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/BlenderSecrets
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Year 3: Unreal Engine + Portfolio Preparation
By this time, your PC will be upgraded to handle Unreal Engine.
What to Learn:
- Unreal Engine Blueprints
- C++ with Unreal Engine
- Niagara VFX System
- Material Editor
- Optimization Techniques
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Portfolio Projects
Project | Tools | Difficulty
---------------------|------------|-----------
VFX Fire Simulation | Blender | Beginner
Water Shader | Blender + C++ | Intermediate
Procedural Landscape | Blender | Intermediate
Game Environment | Blender + Unreal | Advanced
Weapon System | Unreal + C++ | Advanced
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Final Advice: