How to get a job in the game industry: Part #1
THE REALITY
I'd love to provide you with a simple, step-by-step tutorial on how to land a job in the game industry, but the reality is far from straightforward. What I can do, however, is point you in the right direction and motivate you to take that crucial first step — To make games.
The current game industry job market is challenging, particularly for students and junior developers. Many game companies are facing funding freezes, causing investors, VCs, and publishers to carefully consider when to invest. Consequently, companies that are profitable are prioritizing hiring senior professionals over entry-level talent.
This situation fills job boards with senior positions, leaving few opportunities for newcomers. It's frustrating for students and juniors, who wonder how they'll gain the experience required for entry-level roles.
So, how can you gain this experience?
THE ONE THING STANDING IN BETWEEN YOU AND YOUR (FIRST?) SHIPPED GAME
Motivation. Confidence in saying that the biggest barrier to making your first game is motivation. Where do you even begin?
The good news is, you can gain valuable experience without signing onto a game company. Anyone can start creating games right now. There are no barriers, except for the personal struggle to find the motivation to learn new tools and create games independently.
Moreover, you don't necessarily even need a team to complete a small game. While having a motivated team is ideal, it shouldn't be an excuse to avoid creating games altogether.
YOU DON’T NEED TO KNOW IT ALL
If you're an artist, numerous low or no-code tools (and here is a tutorial) enable you to create games with minimal coding experience. Similarly, if you're a programmer, asset stores offer 2D/3D art that you can use to bring your game to life. What's holding you back?
These "hobby projects" might seem insignificant, but they provide the exact experience game companies seek in new recruits: shipped projects. Whether you're a senior or junior developer, having tangible work to showcase is invaluable.
THE DOUBTS KICK IN
When diving into something new, doubts inevitably arise: Where do I start? How much time should I allocate? What if my game isn't good enough? What if my skills fall short?
It's okay to have doubts. Just don’t give them too much space in your head, before even trying. There are multiple different game development communities that offer support for your beginner level game development journey. (ex. Jestercraft Indie Gamedev Guild provides a supportive space for everyone to explore game development and seek assistance when needed.)
Completing a game often takes time, and many projects never see the light of day due to lost motivation. To combat this, carefully scope and design your project. You're not aiming to create a massive, groundbreaking game; instead, focus on producing a small, polished experience. Unfinished projects don't impress potential employers that much.
In case you need assistance in scoping your game, you can always drop a message on Jestercraft Discord game development channel, or just DM me in there! (Kossad)
If you have a hard time in setting deadlines for yourself, one effective way to set project boundaries is by participating in a Game Jam. This provides the canvasses for your timeframe, forcing you to realistically assess what you can achieve within a given time. Emphasize your strengths and/or interests — whether it's graphics, coding, or design — and tailor your project accordingly.
TLDR: WHAT IS THE SECRET SAUCE, HOW DO I GET INTO THE GAME INDUSTRY?
There are actually two secret sauces.
- Make games (And ship those as solo project or as a team)
- Meet people (Offline or online)
For real, those are the steps. I guess the biggest problem for people is that these two steps take time and effort. The best you can do is to not look at the end goal too much, but rather focus on the journey.
As a very concrete and easy first step for a beginner, go ahead and check out this tutorial series and drop by the Jestercraft Discord channel to say hi. Maybe even present yourself in a short message. (What type of games are you interested in making, are you interested in graphics, design, project management or maybe coding?)
Hope to see you opening up discussion in our Discord!
SUPPORT JESTERCRAFT
Consider supporting my on-going by becoming a Patreon. As a supporter, you'll receive extra content such as reading fantasy stories within the Seeker Universe (a book I'm writing) and additional podcasts, tutorials, tips and tricks for your game development journey.
Join our community of game developers!
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