The video game industry can often feel like an impenetrable fortress, with no apparent means of entry. It’s as if there’s a locked door that needs to be opened, but how does one acquire the key? To embark on a career in game development, a solid strategy is all that’s required.
However, the pursuit of finding the “right way” should be abandoned, as there isn’t a singular path to success. Instead, there exist numerous approaches to securing your first job at a game studio. To uncover the most effective strategies, one must delve into the origins of established game creators.
Presented here are strategies that can aid you in breaking into your initial role at a video game studio. Accompanied by real-life examples of professional developers who have achieved this feat, these strategies have proven successful and can work for you as well.
Showcase your work on online forums
For aspiring game developers, extensive time may be spent silently observing conversation boards, eagerly absorbing knowledge. However, it’s crucial to recognize that professional game creators also frequent these forums.
This presents a fantastic opportunity to have your work noticed by game studios, fostering valuable initiative relations and potentially leading to a job offer. Caleb Parrish, now a Game Art Director, initially found himself as an unemployed artist seeking his first game-related position. He dedicated his time to sharing his creations on platforms like CGchat.com (now GameArtisans.org) and Polycount.org. Caleb recollects, “In the beginning, I shared much of my work on forums. Ultimately, I improved enough that someone took notice and extended a job offer.”
Rather than passively observing, actively engage with fellow players on these discussion boards, many of whom are experienced game creators seeking new talent. This proactive approach might just land you your inaugural role in the gaming industry.
Launch a blog
If your aim is to secure a job as a game writer or manage a gaming community, the best course of action may be as simple as taking the first step.
Jason Van Beveren was entrenched in a conventional corporate job when he realized his true passion lay in the gaming industry. “I decided to start writing an online gaming blog. My hope was to capture someone’s attention and determine whether I had a knack for it,” he reveals. Within a mere month, Jason was noticed by Parris Lilly, who invited him to co-manage a gaming website.
By embarking on your own gaming blog, you demonstrate your skills and dedication, while simultaneously attracting potential employers. This initiative can swiftly propel you towards your desired role in the industry.
Develop your own independent games
The recurring question often posed is, “How can one gain game development experience if studios demand prior experience?” The solution is rather straightforward: Create your own game, and presto! You now possess valuable experience.
- Dan Posluns, an enthusiast, crafted small games for his Apple IIc and TI-85 calculator, relentlessly producing indie games until he garnered attention from an established game studio. Reflecting on his journey, he shares, “Prior to being pursued and recruited by a game company, I dabbled in website development. However, it was my homebrew Gameboy Advance projects posted online that caught their eye and led to a job interview.”
- In this era, an abundance of superior, free game development tools is readily accessible. It’s worth noting that Dan initially fashioned his indie games using a calculator! With the plethora of resources available today for downloading and commencing video game creation, any excuses for inaction dissipate.
Secure an entry-level position as a Game Tester
Amongst all the roles in the game industry, securing a job as a Game Tester stands as the most attainable. Why? Firstly, many testing positions do not necessitate a college degree or specialized training, making them accessible to all applicants. Moreover, numerous game testers progress into other positions within the game development team, thereby continually creating vacancies for new testers.
Merric Shank commenced his journey as a game tester, sharing his experience, “After a few years and several companies, I remained in QA. However, I made certain that my supervisor was aware of my interest in delving into production and my eagerness for greater responsibilities. Eventually, I received the opportunity to contribute to a game, and following a successful trial, I was promoted to Associate Producer.”
- Kelly Toyama, now a Senior Game Designer, embarked on his career as a game tester. However, he refused to let his job title restrict his contributions to game design within his team, and this caught the attention of his superiors. Reflecting on his journey, he states, “Although I began in QA, my true passion has always been game design. Game design is an intriguing realm where possessing the title doesn’t guarantee proficiency, and the lack of a title shouldn’t hinder you.”
- The game industry boasts numerous professionals, including programmers, artists, designers, and others, who initiated their careers as entry-level video game testers. The key lies in acquiring that initial opportunity, which then serves as a gateway to learning more about game development and gaining an insider’s understanding of how a game studio operates. Through establishing connections, acquiring knowledge, and personal growth, the subsequent opportunities are yours to seize or relinquish.
Do you hold any relevant skills for developing video games? Perhaps you excel at programming, artistic design or sound creation?
Even before creating your first game. You could land yourself an internship at a video game studio. Although not all studios may have formal intern programs posted on their websites or offer paid positions readily available; there are numerous opportunities to get involved as part time workers who are cost effective (or even unpaid) and assist with fulfilling tasks within the development process.
For example Jaclyn Shumate started out working as a game audio intern by taking courses in audio engineering and seeking internships within gaming start up companies. This one bold move led her to pursue a plethora of exciting roles with various other industry professionals throughout the past eight years.
If your aspiration is to work in the gaming industry, and game studios are in search of cost-effective employees, consider reaching out to a nearby game studio to inquire about internship opportunities. It might just be a perfect match, benefiting both parties involved.
Obtain a college degree related to video games
Mandi Burley pursued a Bachelor’s Degree in Game Art & Design, which directly led to her recruitment by a game studio upon graduation. Subsequently, she contributed to the development of several notable titles as a Designer and later as a Lead Designer.
Mandi asserts that creating an immersive experience goes beyond acquiring academic qualifications. Instead, it requires designers to scrutinize their work rigorously and enhance it continually. This entails understanding each level’s intricacies while also imagining how new players would navigate through them.
Pursuing a traditional undergraduate education
When scanning through job listings at various game studios, one will discover that the prevailing requirement is the attainment of a bachelor’s degree. Interestingly enough, most postings don’t emphasize any specific field of study. Having expertise relevant to game creation trumps owning any subject-specific diploma when aspiring towards work in this industry.
Brandon Fogerty pursued a Master’s Degree in Computer Science and initially worked as a programmer in non-game software companies before securing his first game development position. The key lies in continuous personal growth. Brandon states, “Technology is in a perpetual state of change and improvement. I firmly believe that engineers should always be learning and willing to push their boundaries beyond their technical expertise.”
- By consistently expanding one’s knowledge and adapting to evolving technologies, success can be achieved regardless of the specific degree pursued.
- Nathaniel Hubbell is currently employed as a Video Game Special Effects Artist but started out with a traditional art degree focused on film animation before transitioning into games. According to him, networking played a crucial role in this move; he secured an entry-level position within the gaming industry by leveraging connections and showcasing short films of his own creation during an interview process.
- Starting off with character animation duties initially due to prior experience and skills from academics and internships alike; Nathaniel later found himself contributing more towards the effects department considering vast expertise in 3D arts that allowed for smooth interdepartmental cooperation as well as synergy amongst departments resulting in higher quality productions overall. Eventually there was even talk of him specializing full-time in this area which became the case.
For those skeptical about the range of degrees that can lead to a career in game design, consider the diverse educational backgrounds of successful game designers. The education requirements for a Game Designer are as varied as the designers themselves.
Secure a position at a gaming studio in a non-game development role
A thriving game studio requires a multitude of positions beyond direct game development. Even if one has never developed a video game, they can still apply for jobs at game studios in non-development capacities such as information technology, tools development, or other support roles.
- Brian Gish, a former database engineer, landed his first job at a game studio in a non-game development position. He recalls, “After being laid off from my initial post-college job at a software company specializing in database and computer backup reporting, a recruiter reached out to me about a contract position in testing tools at Microsoft Gaming Studio, working on Fable 2. It was a dream come true as I had always aspired to work in the game industry! Having established a foothold, I later secured a job as a tools programmer at Sony Online Entertainment after my contract ended.”
- Similarly, Frank Rogan pursued a career in website design, which eventually led him to a game studio where he was tasked with designing their website. Once he had his foot in the door, he gradually became involved in game design and evolved into a Producer. He reflects, “I realized that I was the game designer who effectively coordinated the work of other game designers, and they referred to that role as a Producer.”
It’s important to note that smaller game studios may have fewer support positions available. Therefore, focusing on larger studios and game publishers is advisable when pursuing this strategy, as they tend to offer a greater number of support job opportunities.
Engage in game jams
While there have been anecdotes of individuals receiving job offers after creating something impressive during a game jam, the narrator has only personally encountered one person who successfully pursued this path. However, the possibility of such opportunities exists and it does make logical sense. Participating in a game jam offers multiple benefits: it provides a valuable addition to one’s portfolio, fosters the development of teamwork skills under pressure, and expands their professional network by connecting with new people, including experienced game developers who may prove instrumental in future job prospects. If game jams align with one’s interests, it is worth exploring. One can search for local in-person game jams or consider joining or even organizing virtual game jams, such as those available on platforms like itch.io.
Create in-game apps
For individuals who do not wish to work directly for a game company, there is an alternative path to earning a living within the gaming industry: developing gaming apps that enhance the experience of popular multiplayer games. While creating gaming apps requires some programming proficiency, it is possible to build remarkable apps using just JavaScript and HTML for games like League of Legends or Hearthstone. If players find the app useful, substantial monthly income can be generated through in-app advertising and subscriptions, ranging from hundreds to thousands of dollars.
A notable example is Amit Tsur, a developer who single-handedly crafted the successful Dota 2 app called Dota Plus. With nearly half a million downloads, Dota Plus proved lucrative enough for Amit to leave his previous job and devote himself to full-time game app development.
Another individual, Matt Hawkins, embarked on a similar journey by developing in-game apps for popular titles like Apex Legends and Fortnite. Starting with a single app called HaloTracker, its popularity led Matt to transform it into a full-time occupation, ultimately expanding his team by hiring additional developers to create more apps.
By participating in game jams or creating in-game apps, individuals can explore unique pathways within the gaming industry, potentially opening doors to exciting opportunities and financial success.
Persevere and never give up
Can “persistence” be considered a strategy? Like most valuable endeavors in life, honing your skills and securing a job in the video game industry is not an easy task. It can often feel like hitting your head against a wall, leading to moments of discouragement. This experience is familiar to everyone.
However, no one knows this struggle better than Tony Ravo. Presently, Tony holds the position of Lead Animator at a prominent game studio. Yet, his journey to his first game job was far from effortless—it involved numerous months and countless rejections. Tony imparts his advice, stating, “Those who succeed in the industry are the ones who continue to enhance their portfolio and persistently apply even after facing initial rejections. I still cherish my rejection letter from Disney, as it motivated me to improve my life drawing skills. Each rejection served as fuel to work harder until I finally managed to seize an opportunity.”
Receiving rejection letters during the job application process can be disheartening.
Nevertheless, it’s crucial to remember that failure is an integral part of the journey toward success. Each rejection brings you closer to attaining your first game job, serving as stepping stones along the way.
Overall
The video game industry is known for its competitive nature, with countless individuals vying for limited positions. It can be disheartening to face rejection, but it is important to remember that success often lies just beyond the barriers of failure. In the face of challenges, it is crucial to maintain a positive mindset and persevere. Developing a strong support system of like-minded individuals can also provide encouragement and guidance along the way. Networking and building connections within the industry can open doors to unforeseen opportunities and increase the chances of finding that coveted game job.
Ultimately, those who refuse to give up and remain persistent in their pursuit of a career in the video game industry increase their chances of success. It may require countless hours of practice, continuous skill development, and a resilient spirit, but the rewards are well worth the effort.