I have been working on the following research paper to help jobseekers understand the key requirements and skills they are expected to possess in order to develop their career within the Gaming Industry, in response to the growth we have experienced within Video Game Jobs in London.

I started researching this paper in response to the increasing number of requests for information from young IT professionals asking for insights and advice.

It is clear that the Video Game Industry has a constant demand for Game Designers, C++ Programmers and 3D Artists with 3DS Max or Maya, yet from a candidate perspective, what can enable them to stand out from the competition?

Below, I have referenced some of the most helpful feedback I have received from those working, or responsible for recruiting, within the Gaming Industry.

I would like to invite you all, as valued members of this industry, to review these perspectives and enable me to build upon this data by adding your viewpoints within the ‘comment boxes’ at the bottom of this article, or by sending me a direct email.

Thank you in advance for your support and feel free to contact me if you have any questions.

Perspective 1: Games Designer - leading Games Development Company, Surrey

“If you want to be a designer you need to understand how games work and what makes them fun.

There is no need for a games degree (even though it can help). Good analytical thinking is important (and not being artistic or creative, that’s a common misconception). You need to understand how you can create a system of obstacles (through placement in space, limitations in numbers, or requirement of player reflexes), how to balance it, and how to make it fun.

As an artist, you should get really good at 3DS Max or Maya. Having a 3D art degree helps a lot, but you can also lock yourself in your room for one year and get great at 3D modelling.

As a programmer you need to be top-notch, especially in mathematical programming. You also need to be able to write extremely fast code. The most-used programming language is C++.”

Perspective 2: Senior QA Technician - Games Development Company, South England

“Getting work in the gaming industry can be quite hard at the moment but it can also be easy, depending on what skills you have and your expectations are not high.

Companies are hiring but at the moment they can pick and choose who they want due to the flooded market.

A proactive and helpful agent is a must as is an excellent and concise CV.

I would say that people trying to make the move into games need to get some or any experience so it might mean taking junior roles to get that (especially for Uni leavers, I personally would not employ anyone straight out of Uni except for the most junior of roles).

Alternatively try and work in a job that can provide transferable skills, which is probably easier with QA and programming languages. Also QA is the great door opener. If your into Art, 3D animation or programming (for example) and you can’t get a job doing that then go via the QA route as that will at least get the door open.

Also be prepared to move location or commute and lower your salary expectations/expectations of what it’s like to working gaming (i.e. very long hours, massive amounts of stress, bonuses dependent on sales etc).

Games can pay well but it really depends who you work for and where you work. Online gambling seems to pay pretty well but it’s a ‘fad’ at the moment but its web based.”

Perspective 3: Productions Manager - Games Publishing, the Midlands

“I guess my advice is to either look for a company that’s attached to a hotspot, like Canada, and is expanding with staffing requirements or send people down the contract or full-time outsource route.

As people can jump around between different projects then there’s the potential for a steadier stream of work, but there’s legwork involved to get there.

Some people prefer to work freelance and will have made connections with companies (showing portfolios etc) to get a stream of work from those companies to keep them going.

Others prefer a steady salary and will try out working in-house for outsourcers who’ll find the work for them.”

Perspective 4: Director - Games Development company, the Netherlands

“One way to get ahead in the industry would be to set up a professional site, with your info and portfolio.

I know many game people / companies have moved out from the UK in the last couple of years.”

Summary:

In summary, I believe that I have been given some excellent insights into the Gaming Industry and how those aspiring to develop their careers within it can differentiate themselves from the competition.

So, please help me make this paper as comprehensive and complete as possible by adding to these viewpoints, even if it is to confirm that the comments I’ve already received provide a fair representation of the market.

Thank you in advance, and please don’t hesitate to email me if you have any questions, or visit a specific page that we have developed on our website for Video Game Jobs London.

Tags: career developing in gaming, gaming industry career advice, jobs in the gaming industry, jobs in the gaming sector

This entry was posted on Friday, September 18th, 2009 at 10:29 am and is filed under Jenrick IT, Job Hunting Tips, Job Market News. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.