We now live in the time where video games or gaming in general is becoming more than just for entertainment. Games are now being used in different kinds of researches[1][2][3], we now have athletes who play videos games for a living[1][2], universities are now offering scholarships for esports athletes[1], and a lot more. Other fields are also starting to blend and are now becoming more involved in a game’s development process – expertise from programmers to psychologists[1][2].
But, how exactly do you even start in the industry? Here, I’ll share different tips that helped me land my first game dev job – these may not be applicable for everyone but these worked for me and might work for you too.
My Background
To give you more context on the tips ahead, note that I’ve been making games/prototypes since I was in elementary with Macromedia Flash, then with Unity in high school up to when I was in college. That said, let me briefly share with you my history in the industry so far (most of my previous works were in Unity and/or Blender):
- I started freelancing last 2016 and my first job was a private tutor (basics of Unity)
- 2D Animator
- 3D Generalist
- Writer for VGamerz
- Game Programmer
And now, I’m a programmer with Squeaky Wheel working on Academia: School Simulator – which, by the way, is graduating out of early access next year! Please check our game out – we’re really excited…and nervous. Anyways, that out of the way let’s start with why would you even think of entering the game industry.
Why enter the Game Industry?
First – a great casual culture! Well, I can’t speak for all the studios and game development companies out there. But, in the ones I worked with, I never had to follow a strict dress code, nor do I have to work a fixed strict number of hours a day. Now, that doesn’t mean I can slack off and start work at 4 PM and logout at 6PM. What I mean is that we only have a specific time in the day – usually around 11 AM to 3PM – where you should be online just in case there are questions that needed to be answered or a team member needs help with a task. We also work from home which is a huge plus since travelling in Manila is not the easiest thing in the world. We do meet about 2-4 times a month depending on if there’s an urgent and important issue that should be discussed face-to-face.
Next reason to join the industry is the number of new technologies that you’ll get to try – virtual reality, augmented reality, new algorithms, and more! If you’re a really curious person that loves learning new technologies, you might find a home in the game industry.
That said, there are studios also that doesn’t develop games for the sole purpose of entertainment. As mentioned in the intro of this article, there are companies out there that are focused on using video games as a research tool[1]. There are even game designers being hired by healthcare companies to gamify their systems or applications[1][2].
Lastly, you’ll be making games! One of the things I love about this job is receiving comments/messages such as these,
My two personal favorites,
And of course, watching various YouTubers have fun!
Now, the tips!
- Don’t Stop Learning
True to almost any jobs in the tech industry, there are a lot of new technologies, techniques, and innovations in the games industry. Which is why, you should never limit yourself to what you already know – always be curious. But how?
Nowadays, there are a lot of information out there – forums, YouTube videos, online courses, etc. Whichever works for you – grab a copy, watch, or enroll to learn more about a technology or a skill that you feel you’re lacking. There are also workshops that you can attend to have a more hands-on learning opportunity.
One more thing that I encourage you to do is to attend meetups. Most often than not, there will be people there showcasing their works, and you can learn from their progress. Meetups are also a great way to connect and meet with people in the industry. You can ask around about internships, job openings and other opportunities that you would otherwise not even hear anywhere.
Another thing I learned from Tobie Abad, the Creative Director of Taktyl Studios and a creator of table-top games, is to explore everything – including those that you hate. If you don’t like mobile matching games, still play them. You never know what you might learn from the game itself…and why you don’t like it.
Lastly, the best way to learn is – JUST. START. CREATING! Download your preferred game engine and start creating. I also encourage you to try out the different engines out there and choose the one that suits your workflow.
- Build Your Portfolio
Most often than not, your portfolio will speak louder than your CV. If you’re just starting out, don’t worry. You can use your personal projects (prototypes, game jams, etc.) for your portfolio as long as your work can show what you can do and show what you can provide for the company/studio. If you’re freelancing, include those as well.
Now, there are different kinds of portfolios for different roles:
- If you’re an artist, fill your portfolio with the style that you are comfortable working on
- For programmers, don’t worry if your games lack a specific art style. Just show the different systems you worked on, the tools and languages you used, etc.
- For the designers out there, include the different prototypes showcasing the different mechanics you worked on, and;
- For the more specific design role, the level designers, include different levels that you worked on (platformer prototypes, gray boxing, etc.). Also, put what you think is your best work, first
Lastly, make your portfolio accessible and easy to navigate. The last thing you want is to make your potential employer click multiple links just to get to ONE of your works.
- Be Active in the Community
Now that you are working on your personal projects, share them with the community! If you’re afraid, here’s one thing that Gwendelyn Foster, the Regional Coordinator for IGDA APAC and the Business Development Director of Special Projects at SUPERHOT, told me when I told her that I didn’t feel confident sharing my knowledge, when I was asked to give a talk in a university, “No matter how little experience you think you have, it’s still experience. And experiences are worth sharing, especially if there are lessons to learn.”
That said, you should also start attending conventions (after the pandemic, please), seminars, workshops, etc. And, while you’re in one, don’t be afraid to ask questions to the different people attending the event.
If you can, you may also volunteer in your local game developer groups. They may need a helping hand in organizing different activities for the community. That’s a great way to be closer to the community and meet people in the industry.
Gam Jams – oh, the beauty of game jams (Ludum Dare, Global Game Jam, itch.io jams, etc.). I can’t express how much participating in game jams helped me challenge myself and harness my skills. One great thing about game jams is that you can also partner up with other game developers out there. You’re a programmer and in need of an artist? Just ask in the game jam board or discussion forum, and you’ll be surprised at the number of artists out there looking for a game jam buddy.
So, go out there and introduce yourself!
- Don’t Give Up
Like most things in life, this is not exactly going to be a walk in the park. But, let me share with you a list of why that “fear” you’re feeling is completely normal. From Dr. Susan Jeffers’s book, “Feel the Fear and do it anyways“:
- If you feel fear, you’re growing.
- You’ll feel better if you do it.
- Everyone experiences it (fear).
- Even if you fail and feel like you lost, it’s still better than feeling helpless or regret because you didn’t even try.
Ever since reading Dr. Jeffers’s book, I’ve always kept it in my mind not to give in to fear – with proper preparations, of course.
One instance was applying for my first freelance job. Yes, I did a lot of prototypes already during that time. But, I never had any experience in the industry yet. And for TWO WHOLE MONTHS, no one was accepting my proposals and job applications. This may sound cliche, but when I was about to give up, I received an email from someone looking for a private tutor for Unity.
Another instance is when I applied for another job, the job requirement stated “at least 2 years of experience developing games”. At that point in time, I’ve only been creating games professionally for a little more than a year. I was so nervous when I submitted my application but when they gave me a chance for an exam, I passed.
Just remember – all, if not most, of game developers out there experienced far worse than you will experience. Just do it and if you fail, then there’s a lesson to learn.
- After all of that, what to do next?
Do your homework regarding your target studio/company. Are you sure you like the games they make – the art style, the story, the gameplay, etc.? Also, not only about the ins and outs of the games they make or the tools they use but, familiarize yourself with their culture, feedback from former employees, mentorship opportunities, etc. You never know, maybe you’ll have to work with them for years. You have to make sure you can actually maintain your sanity with the studio/company.
Keep learning, and practice or train yourself to be a good team player. It’ll help you not only in your career, but in life. Learn to understand other people’s work ethics. That said, you should also be used to receiving criticisms. Yes, there will be people who will love your work from the bottom of their hearts. But, there will also be people who will curse you for even thinking of making such an abomination of a game. You should learn how to filter different criticisms and only take in those that can further improve you not only as a developer, but also as a person.
And there you have it. The tips and tricks that I did to get in the game industry. If you want to see the deck I used for seminars, here’s the link. If you have questions, you can reach me via Twitter or Instagram.
Thank you for reading – start creating, and stay safe out there!
Neil Mark Corre 