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July 12, 2006
How to get into the game industry
Someone has suggested that I give my thoughts on "how to break into the game industry." Sure. Why not? Everyone else does it. More on this tonight...
***Updated***
Okay, "in a few days" would have been more accurate.
I only have a few thoughts for you, the first of which is a cop out.
Go visit Zen of Design's Breaking In Page and follow all of the links. Plenty of good advice there.
In no particular order, or mixed together do the following:
- Do get a college degree. There's too much educated competition out there. Lean towards a traditional education over these new fangled "Game Design" schools. A game-centric path at a reputable higher learning establishment is probably okay, but go get that general education.
- Figure out what you are good at, and go do it. Do it a lot. There's no excuse for a resume to come across my desk that doesn't include a demo and/or portfolio. Artists are generally great about this. Programmers so-so. Designers are absolutely rubbish about providing useful work demonstrations. There is absolutely NO EXCUSE WHATSOEVER for not taking an off the shelf game like Neverwinter Nights, Civ 4, or just about any RTS that has shipped in this decade and building a working demo/scenario.
- Talk to some people in the industry about what the actual roles in game development entail, and try to tailor what you are good at to that area.
- Forget about being a "Game Designer." Level Builder? Sure. Systems designer? Unlikely unless you are specifically in the MMO or RPG space. Learn a useful trade such as animation, modelling, programming, or production and plan on being a game designer every day on the job.
That's it. It's not genius. As my mom has said to me in the past about the book trade, "Writers talk about writing. Authors write." Get out there and make something. It won't be brilliant at first, but as everything in life, the skills you need to succeed in this industry are not latent. You must build on whatever talent you have by constant practice. The end result will be some rudimentary skill and something demonstrable to talk about when you apply for that entry-level position you found on http://www.gamasutra.com.
Posted by SunSword at July 12, 2006 07:37 PM
Comments
From Paul at Mythic.
Hello there, boy was finding a way to post to your blog hard. I think this system will work. Anyhow I saw your link to my video and I want to say hello. I can also assure you that I'm not that bad to work with at all. Thats my press face you have there.
Best Paul Barnett
Posted by: paulatmythic ![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://www.sunsword.com/nav-commenters.gif)
at July 16, 2006 06:02 PM
Hey Paul. :) Yeah, I'm about to upgrade to some new software, I'm in the process of making it all work with the old stuff.
I'm sure you're not a bad guy to work with. I was still being cracked up by the video.
Hey, isn't this post supposed to be about breaking into the game industry? And aren't you already in?
Posted by: SunSword at July 16, 2006 06:13 PM
I was wondering if this also applies to the Game Programmer courses. Would you still suggest going to a traditional school and getting the Computer Science degree?
Posted by: Boon™ at October 25, 2006 02:30 AM
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