[Opinion] What is The Current Best Method/Option to Enter the Game Industry?

News & General Discussion
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Hello everyone,

First of all, I just wanted to let everyone know that this isn’t a job seeking post, but rather a simple question addressed to anyone who has worked or is working at the current game industry.

As a game designer who is now prepared to embark a journey throughout the game industry, I feel a bit overwhelming from all of the options available one could take to enter the current game industry. From the numerous different video games related job sites such as; glassdoor, gameindustry biz, gamesjobdirect, and so on, to the different job levels; entry/junior, internships, full-time, freelance, and etc…

Question

Therefore, in your opinion, what is the best method or option for a game designer/programmer to enter the current game industry?

Short Resume

Just to give a brief overview on who I am, here’s a short resume.

I am a 26 years old game designer from Italy, and I am looking forward to enter the video game industry this year. I graduated in 2013 from a game development and research course at London, and ever since my graduation till now, I’ve worked on several personal unity projects during my own free time.

In fact, from 2014 – 2015 I’ve worked and published a video game entitled Asteroid Attack for the google play market.

Then from 2015 onwards not only do I continue to work with the Unity game engine, but I’ve also been experimenting with several different game engines such as: Source, UDK, UE4, and the CryEngine.

Recently I’ve even become a Modder for one my favourite current game franchise Killing Floor, and have published already several well received customs maps.

Thanks in advance! :wink:

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Your resume covers just about every major suggestion you would normally be given. Only thing left now is to apply for jobs.

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The first thing you should do is decide which you are:
Game Designer
Game Programmer

These are very different roles (and if I’m honest you aren’t likely to get a position as a game designer in most places, for many reasons).

Even a description like ‘Game Programmer’ is normally too vague for the games industry, and is usually more specialised:

  • Gameplay Programmer (Knowledge of general functionality programming, usually grunt work jobs, ‘modify the character movement to not jitter in a doorway’ etc.)
  • Engine Programmer (Knowledge of engine architecture, usually C++ and graphics libs, possibly the most complex task in game dev.)
  • AI Programmer (Knowledge of behaviour algorithms/decision systems/pathfinding etc)
  • UI/UX Programmer (Knowledge of sprite rendering, design and development pipelines from artists to engine)

etc
And if those are the sorts of jobs you are going for, make sure you back it up with plenty of relevant knowledge and practical examples. It is incredibly difficult getting into the games industry at an ‘entry’ level. Games studios have high workforce turnovers which means they hire experienced, reliable devs over fresh faces. That doesn’t mean it’s unheard of, but be prepared to work very hard for it.

Also there isn’t a ‘best method’ for an industry job. Find a job posting in the area you specialise in, apply for it.
(e.g. Rockstar - Engine Programmer )
If you are talking about creating a studio and being an indie developer, there’s more nuance there I suppose, but I can’t speak to that.

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Just out of personal curiosity, would you mind sharing a link to the app you made on Google Play? I’ve searched but there’s so many Asteroid Attack games: https://play.google.com/store/apps/collection/search_results_cluster_apps?clp=ggERCg9Bc3Rlcm9pZCBBdHRhY2s%3D:S:ANO1ljIiBNc&num=48

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I would like like thank everyone for their sharing their own opinion. I guess if I hard to specialize within a specific field, I would say that I feel more like a level designer as that is the area I mostly focus on and enjoy.

However when designing my own game,i don’t mind programming gameplay mechanics. So being a gameplay programmer is another field I am interested on.

@DroidifyDevs you can see my game through this link.

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Really depends on the industry. Locally game development is dominated by small studios. When you only have three or four people, you can’t afford the clear separation of roles seen at a big company.

So that would be my first suggestion, research the local market. What kind of studios exist? What kind of people are they advertising for? What skills are in demand? In my area it’s devs with Unity, mobile and VR experience, who are comfortable with the entire process from design to build.

Then just start applying. Get your CV out there. Keep it short and to the point. And mess with the format until it starts working.

In the meantime get involved in the local gamedev community. Game devs are often social creatures. Go along to events and talk to people that are in the industry. Pick up what you can from them.

We’ve been saying this on the internet for years. But judging by the number of callbacks im getting, I don’t believe it anymore. If a chemical engineer that makes YouTube videos on the weekend can get a look in, anyone can.

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Kidnap an existing game developer and steal identity!

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Good idea. OP, there’s this person who made a game called Felix…

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Good idea :stuck_out_tongue:

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That may depend on the definition of an industry job. The growth of indie studios has meant more positions are generally available, though the stability of a job in those places is even shakier than the big studios, which isn’t the most enticing prospect for a career. Risks have to be taken for this industry though, there isn’t a lot of stability at any level.

Your earlier point does ring true though, it’s all going to come down to what’s available in the areas you are willing to look. Research and adapt to the available jobs is probably the best advice for looking for any job.

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I think being a chemical engineer gives you more of a leg up than you think. I’d probably rather hire a chemical engineer than somebody with a degree from most game design schools (no offense to people who have those degrees). I’d say the vast majority of chemical engineers are smart and can get things done, which is really all you need from most employees. The schooling for chemical engineering is so much more rigorous and competitive than the schooling for pretty much anything game related (as far as I know).

I agree though that it isn’t as hard as people say it is. Based off of my experience, it isn’t any harder to get a job in game development than any other software engineering job (but the pay is a lot lower).

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In my personal experience, and based off stories from people I know, the sad thing about the game development industry is that the longer you spend time in it, and the more experience you get, the harder it is to get hired. I believe it’s that way for many industries, but my particular field is video game development, so that’s what I know about.

I started as a developer in 1994, made my way through various studios, and since 2000 have run my own studio, having shipped (or helped ship) a bunch of successful titles during that time. I started out as an artist, first sprites (SNES, etc.) then 3D, and occasionally did audio work (GT Interactive opening, etc.). After starting my own company, I learned how to program. I’ve basically got a lot of experience in a wide range of skills within the industry. Twenty plus years of it.

About a year or so ago I thought it might be interesting to change things up a bit and look for a job at a studio again. Figured it would be fun to get back in and be part of a larger team again.

Nope.

I don’t even know how many resumes I sent out, it was quite a few. Basically, from the few people I did hear from, I was either too qualified in too many things, or not qualified enough in any specifically targeted thing. My best bet would be as a producer or product manager, since that’s something I’ve done in my own company, but producer jobs apparently generally go to… a different type (ahem… age) of person. I’ll leave that at that. For the most part all I heard was crickets. Companies aren’t really interested in hiring someone who has been on their own (no matter how successfully) for so many years. I think it represents a threat in some way, because I’m more likely to point out areas where improvements can be made, which is also more commonly known as “rocking the boat”.

So I gave up on that idea.

Point is, I don’t know. I just felt like chiming in. I guess it’s this: If you’re young and want to get in, get in while you can. If you spend too many years being a successful indie, with dreams of someday getting into the studio world, that might be a more difficult proposition.

So, yeah. I’m off to go sit by the pool and give this some more thought. :wink:

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That’s dissapointing. It shouldn’t be easier for a newcomer to get in then an established veteran. In any industry.

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