Behind the Screens: The Journey of a Japanese Game Programmer

Hi. My name is Hiroshi. I’m a 33-year-old. Tokyo, Japan.

Ever since I was a child growing up in the bustling city of Tokyo, video games have always fascinated me. I would lose myself for hours in intricate digital worlds, the line between fantasy and reality often blurring. It was this fascination that led me down the path of curiosity and a compelling desire to understand the workings behind these magical virtual spaces.

As I stepped into the challenging yet exhilarating world of computer science at the University of Tokyo, my curiosity bloomed into a passion. Diving into programming languages like Python, Java, and C++, it was C++ that resonated most with me, largely because of its extensive use in game development.

The theoretical learning from my coursework laid a strong foundation, but it was when I began coding my own basic games that the real learning started. Long nights spent debugging code, countless errors, and those precious moments of victory when my code finally ran successfully, these experiences were both humbling and exciting.

After earning my degree, I was fortunate enough to join Bandai Studios, one of the largest video game companies in Japan. It felt surreal, walking into the place that had created so many of my childhood memories. As a game programmer, I was thrilled to be part of a team that developed experiences that could ignite the same joy in others as I felt as a child playing games.

Today, I earn around 6 million yen annually, approximately 54,000 USD. While it might not seem substantial compared to some professions, the rewards of my work extend beyond financial compensation. There’s an intrinsic satisfaction in turning lines of code into interactive, enjoyable experiences for people worldwide.

Recently, my role has evolved, and I’ve been heavily involved in Performance and Load Testing, ensuring our games can support a high volume of players without compromising performance. This aspect of game development has introduced me to a unique tool – proxy servers. Proxies allow me to simulate thousands of connections to our game server from different geographic locations, a key aspect in load testing.

These servers distribute connections across multiple IP addresses, sidestepping potential IP restrictions and offering a realistic stress test environment for our games. This experience has added another dimension to my skillset and deepened my understanding of the diverse applications of programming.

Reflecting on my journey, the benefits of programming extend far beyond the ability to earn a living. Through programming, I’ve been able to contribute to an industry that I deeply care about. It’s allowed me to witness the transformation of abstract concepts into engaging and entertaining experiences for players around the globe.

While the challenges in programming can be daunting, the rewards are deeply fulfilling. Seeing the fruits of our labor enjoyed by millions is a gratifying experience that continually fuels my passion for game development.

My journey is a testament to the power of learning programming. It’s more than just a skill, it’s a gateway to endless possibilities. Whether it’s creating immersive video games, building innovative applications, or making data-driven decisions, programming empowers you to turn ideas into reality and make meaningful contributions in your field of interest. It has been, and continues to be, an enriching and rewarding journey.