Canine Blues Arooo posted:

I do software engineering in games (mostly tools) here - Vet's answer definitely track. To add bonus context:

1) Most people I work with do not have CS degrees and are self-taught. No one seems to care about your education and they really want to see your portfolio.

2) I've never had an interview that didn't ask about CS fundamentals. Especially as you approach graphics, engine and higher ranks of of gameplay engineering, the expectation is that you have a deep understanding of how a computer actually does the work it does. I was drilled pretty extensively about threading and the inner workings of an await/async pattern for a mid level tools position. I'll also say that I've never heard of a 'front end' tools developer. The expectation in my experience is that you can wield your entire stack, perhaps with a specialty or a focus. I'd imagine Gameplay for a Unity or Unreal project may ask about API stuff, but the expectation in my experience is that you could author the API if given the time, not just use it.