DEVELOPMENT
If you’re the sort of person who likes to draw dragons and complicated escape plans in your exercise book when you should be listening to your tutor, development could be for you.
Developers are the people who make the games we play. There are many, many specialised roles, from design, to coding, to sound. If you wish to be on one of the teams behind tomorrow’s games, experience in your chosen field will be a necessity. And depending on the area you wish to pursue, a graduate degree may only be a starting point.
The games industry typically attracts lots of young graduates to its nonstop wheels of digital production. Some people reach the senior levels of their profession in a relatively short number of years. It is also a close-knit industry and one which sees people coming and going between companies all the time. While it is still a male dominated industry, steps are being taken to encourage more women to get involved, by bodies like Women in Games and the IGDA.
Where to get started
Research is key. Find out as much about your chosen development role as possible (Edge Online have a guide to development careers). You should think about compiling a portfolio of work which will help backup your claims when shopping around for jobs.
The best way to get experience is by approaching developers. Sending them your samples and request a bit of work experience. They’re busy people, but if you ask several politely (and arrange things a good few months in advance) you should get at least a couple replies. There will still be an interview process for placements, so you’ll have to do your homework. Even if you get turned down, ask them what you can do to improve your work.
Good sites for job hunting: OPM Recruitment, Datascope, Aardvark Swift, Specialmove and Amiqus. Also try MCV and Edge Online.
Alternative, you may wish to carve your way alone, or with friends, as an indie developer.
Insider advice
Martin Hollis, Managing Director of Zoonami:
“An employer will want to see enthusiasm and some evidence that they will be able to help you grow into a useful part of their team. Qualifications are generally graduate level, coders generally need a good relevant degree, artists get more leeway because a good portfolio wins you the interview. Game designers – all bets are off, you could start in any role. Testing is one example department.
“The games industry is an entertainment industry, so it does not provide the stability of a job in, say, banking. (Laughter). The point is you do always have to keep an open mind. Potentially you might have to change project, change company or change town or even country. However there are fabulous opportunities for progression and development in creative, technical, or management directions – something for all tastes.
“You’ll need to help yourself. A lot of people believe they deserve a job in games and just playing a few games is enough. The reality is this: for every one position in the industry there are thousands of people who think they would like it. To win a position you will need to sell yourself. You will need to understand the industry, the job positions, and the reality of hiring. It is highly unlikely you will apply for one job and then get it, so pace your expectations and make it a learning experience.”
Tags: education, jobs, work experience
