Whether you went to school for it, started out as a tester and worked your way in, or are self-taught, there are literally endless ways to enter the gaming industry. Since everyone’s journey on the team has been a unique ride, for this month’s dev blog post, we wanted to share some of our tips and tricks for getting into the industry. So, if you’ve been thinking about a career in games, keep on reading!

NETWORKING

Get out there and meet people! While it might be hard to attend conventions or events during a pandemic, it doesn’t mean you can’t reach out or participate in online events such as the Game Devs of Color Expo or Games for Change. There are many people working in the gaming industry who would be happy to respond to your DM and give advice!

There are also a ton of groups like Pixelles or Gameplay Space and Discord servers like Global Game Jam or IGDA Discord where you can meet people and find opportunities that you wouldn’t see on regular job sites. Organizations like GDC and Game Developer are also great resources!

Stay genuine, stay kind and you’d be surprised by the friendliness within the industry!

WORK ON YOUR OWN PROJECTS

Playing around with and learning the basics of a program like Twine, RPG Maker and GameMaker is a great place to start. Game Jams are also a great way to develop your first few projects if you’re feeling a little timid about starting something alone! And thanks to sites like Itchio, it’s insanely easy to upload your projects or find Game Jams specific to styles you like!

Don’t sleep on using social media like Instagram if you’re an artist (lots of indie studio’s search for artists on there!) and the power of a good portfolio on artstation! Having a nice setup with all your work on display is an excellent way to show how serious you are while giving potential employers a taste of your flavour!

LEARN NEW SKILLS

As a game dev, the more skills you can offer the better. Especially in indie studios, it’s not unusual for one person to wear many hats. If you’re interested in community management, why not start learning some photography or graphic design? And if you really want to up your game, don’t be afraid to try your hand at Unity or Unreal!

There are so many resources online (For example, getting a SkillShare membership can be a big help and has a wide range of classes available that you can do at your own pace!). Unreal Engine also has extensive tutorials that you can use to your advantage.

There’s nothing wrong with enrolling in college or university for the field you’re interested in, but nowadays it’s also a totally viable option to teach yourself whatever skills you’re interested in without needing a formal degree to do it.

EVERY EXPERIENCE IS AN OPPORTUNITY

Climbing towards your goal can feel long but it doesn’t mean your earliest opportunities should be taken for granted! Every job that you take is an opportunity to learn and gain experience. Sites like Work With Indies or Jeux.ca and Facebook Groups like Game Industry Talent are literally always posting jobs.

Don’t be afraid to cold-apply to jobs even if you don’t have all the requirements. When you do snag that first game job or internship, be a sponge! Be curious, ask a million questions, and learn from your coworkers. A good team is one that’s there for and bounces ideas off one another.

If there’s anything that we’ve learned, it’s that there’s no one-way path to getting into games. In the end, what matters the most is showing that you’re passionate and serious about your art. How you feel about your work will always translate into your portfolios and your job interviews.  After all, the most beloved games are created by those that genuinely love what they’ve created.

If you have questions, think we missed something or need a place to chat, join our Discord! You can also reach us through Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

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