Top 10 Ways For Getting Into The Videogame Industry

I know there’s a few of you out that are desperate to see your best idea ever become a reality, and also dream about getting perfect 10 review scores and winning numerous Game of the Year awards on your first game. But believe us, that not a likely scenario. One of the biggest misconceptions about video games is thinking that cool concepts alone make a great game. Don’t knock on a developer’s door saying you’ve got the best idea, you won’t have been the first.

While it’s not a one size fits all solution for getting in the door, dev conferences can serve a good way to get other developers to know you. Some Conferences may even have panels or workshops on what certain companies are looking for. However it is absolutely essential that you actually have something to prove before you start rubbing shoulders with some of the industry’s best, and don’t get discouraged if you don’t leave with a killer lead.

Often the most common entry-level role you can get when starting out is applying for Quality Assurance roles. Essentially if you’re one of those people who likes to push games to their limits and try and do things you probably shouldn’t do in a game, this might be a good job for you. A lot of higher profile game developers start out in QA and work their way up, making this choice ideal to get your foot in the door.

This should be a no brainer, especially if you’re an artist, but getting a portfolio or a showreel online that’s easy to access by anyone is really important for any job in the industry. It doesn’t matter if all of the content isn’t game related as employers are often looking to see if you are skilled and well experienced to handle the work; a well organized portfolio and resume is an easy way to convey this.

If you’re just starting out, or need to get a feel of working with a team? It might feel like your morale might take a hit since you won’t get paid, but its certainly helps for all those job listings that say you need at least 2-3 years experience. Yes taking up internships or work experience seems something that can go with any experienced field but its just as relevant here as any other job in the real world. While there are horror stories of interns being overworked for no financial reward, ideally you’ll be in the right place when they start looking to fill paying positions.

This one is for all of you who’d prefer a job as a video game journalist, reviewer or livestreamer. Facebook, Twitter, Tumblr Instagram, Youtube, Twitch, Set yourself up with an online presence for greater recognition. You can, and should, alternatively write lots of blogs on gaming, and don’t stop, whether it’s on gaming news, reviews or opinions on the industry. The more you write, the better you’ll get, and that in turn can flesh out your portfolio. For more on Livestreaming check out our video on Top 10 Ways to make money playing games.

One of the biggest mistakes you can make in an interview is to say: “You’ll do anything”, Remember that you’re not the only one going for that job. It’s usually about sticking to one field and being the best at it, not just doing everything sort averagely. The main fields for any development team are usually Art Design, Programming, and Game Design; you’ll basically need to pick one and focus the best you can. Though with game design … best to hear it for yourself

These days many colleges offer degrees in the fundamentals of game design, programming and the expectations you’ll meet in your career. It’s especially important to get a College degree if you want to get into Programming, as most employees will set requirements that you understand common programming languages, and it also pays to put in that extra bit of dedication to get yourself noticed. However, people working in the industry come from a variety of academic backgrounds, not just programing or game design; higher education clearly makes you a better candidate for a number of reasons. Better writing, better social skills, better time management ability, more school won’t hurt your chances.

Whether its in your spare time as a hobby, starting a small studio with your friends or college classmates, if you want to start making games, do it now! Honestly there is no better teacher to highlight your strengths and weaknesses than yourself, your first project will probably suck yes, but its all part of the learning experience. The internet is awash with tools and tutorials that can help you make your first game, many of them absolutely free or for very reasonable sums. If you can include a small game or demo in your portfolio, that’s certainly going to earn you extra points as Employers, and will help demonstrate your dedication, which leads us to our #1 Tip.

It’s a real cutthroat industry out there. You’re potentially looking at 70 hours workweeks on average, so be sure that you’re absolutely passionate about making games. Also be ready move to another state or even another country when going to your next job with only a few months notice, especially if there’s nothing in your immediate vicinity. If you aren’t willing to put in the work, chances are there’s someone who is. Perhaps most importantly always be willing to admit you screwed up, because if you think your boss is a tough critic, wait till you start hearing from the consumers.



Do you agree with their list, is there any other advice you’d be willing to give anyone who’s about to graduate from High School? For more informative Top 10’s published daily, be sure to Subscribe to Watchmojo.com