Home › View all posts by Jason W. Bay

Author: Jason W. Bay

Jason W. Bay is a three-decade game industry professional, credited on dozens of video games since 1995. He's held diverse roles in the game industry including Tester, Game Designer, Technical Director, Product Manager, and Director of Studio Operations, and has been a featured speaker at international game developer conferences. He's currently a Senior Product Manager at Amazon Game Studios in Seattle, WA.

By Posted in Applying, Networking No Comments

Breaking into the game industry is one thing, but navigating your career once you’re in is an entirely separate challenge. In this conversation, I sat down with Peter Franks, a professional headhunter who’s spent years placing senior talent at top game studios. His firm specializes in experienced hires, but he shares insights you’ll be able to use at any stage of your game dev career. We talk about how the job market is changing, what makes a candidate stand out from the crowd, and how to build relationships with recruiters—even if you’re not looking for a job right now.

Read more »
Tagged with: , ,

By Posted in Tools No Comments
Making video games can open a door to life-long creativity and learning.

If your child loves games and is showing interest in making one, why not help them get started? Learning how to modify existing games, or even make new ones, is a great way for kids to learn fun and useful skills like art, programming, and design.

It’s never too early to start nurturing your child’s talent and curiosity, so let’s look at some of the best online tools and resources for getting started. Then we’ll discuss some tips for helping them along successfully.

Read more »
Tagged with: ,

By Posted in Culture No Comments

As you jump, shoot, or type your way through the world of video games, you’ll notice that video game genres are loosely defined. And hey, arguing about how to classify your favorite games is a hallmark of fandom — so I’m all for it.

To help you win those debates, I’ve compiled this super authoritative list of video game genres. For each one, we’ll talk about what it is, what makes it special, and even a few tips to help you decide which ones to try next. I know there’s a perfect genre out there for everyone. Maybe this list will help you find yours!

So grab your controller, keyboard, or touchscreen, and get ready to explore the vast and varied landscape of video game genres.

Read more »
Tagged with:

By Posted in Applying 2 Comments

A great resume might be the key to landing your dream job, but it won’t make a difference if nobody reads it. That’s where your cover letter comes in. A great cover letter helps you stand out from the crowd. And it makes that recruiter or hiring manager eager to learn more about you — rather than passing you over.

In short, a great cover letter can be your key to getting noticed, scoring an interview, and ultimately landing your dream job.

So let’s dive in and learn exactly how to craft a strong cover letter, step by step. We’ll offer specific advice, look at cover letter examples and samples, and provide a cover letter template you can copy-paste to get started writing your own.

Read more »
Tagged with: , ,

By Posted in Culture, Tools No Comments

Need help coming up with an idea for your next project, portfolio piece, or game jam? Check out our Game Idea Generator. It’s a fun and easy-to-use tool to help you brainstorm your next big game concept.

With over 50 million unique combinations, you’ll definitely find inspiration for your next project. It combines various genres, settings, and themes — and then throws in a surprising twist, just to challenge your creativity with an outside-the-box constraint.

Read more »
Tagged with: ,

By Posted in Culture No Comments

Video games have evolved a lot since the days of Pong and Pac-Man. Along the way, they’ve played a significant role in shaping other forms of media — especially the world of cinema. Do you love games and movies? Then don’t sleep on these classic movies featuring video games (real or fictional) as a key element driving the theme, story, and characters.

Ranging from 1982 to 2018, each one is like a time capsule, capturing a snapshot of the way video games were impacting society’s hopes and fears. So grab that futuristic brain-computer interface, jack in, and transport yourself to the world of classic movies where video games take center stage.

Read more »
Tagged with:

By Posted in Culture No Comments

If you’re a gamer, then you already know the video game community has a big heart — especially when it comes to giving back and supporting those in need. Every year, gamers from all backgrounds come together for charity gaming events. We’re united by our love of gaming, and a desire to make a difference.

When gamers host and participate in charity gaming events, it doesn’t just highlight the entertainment value of video games — it showcases our collective power to bring people together for a greater good.

So if charity gaming sounds to you like a great way to have fun while giving back, check out these video game charity events that happen every year.

Read more »
Tagged with: ,

By Posted in Tools No Comments
Writing a game design document is often the first step to bringing your video game to life.

If you’re an aspiring game designer, you’ve probably heard about the importance of a Game Design Document (GDD). A GDD is like a blueprint for your game. It outlines everything from the story to the game mechanics, and can even include your thoughts about art style, game economy, and more.

In this article, we’ll dive into why a GDD is essential, who writes it and who reads it, the key sections in a GDD, and the steps you can take to get started writing the GDD for your game.

Read more »
Tagged with: ,

By Posted in Careers No Comments

Are you a high-school gamer looking for a part-time job? Finding a gig that pays well and lets you pursue your love of games might seem too good to be true. And while it’s true that nobody’s going to pay you for sitting around playing games all day, the fact is, there are plenty of jobs where you can use your gaming passion in a constructive way.

Working around games and making some cash at the same time is well within your reach. So check out these 10 awesome job opportunities that any gamer would love to land.

Read more »
Tagged with: ,

By Posted in Culture No Comments

The game industry has come a long way since the days of Pong and Space Invaders. Today, it’s a multi-billion dollar industry — and it continues to grow year after year.

But despite its popularity, there are still so many misconceptions about game development and the people who do it. From the belief that game development requires a degree, to the misconception that it’s for young males only, let’s take a few minutes to debunk the worst myths about game development, once and for all.

Read more »
Tagged with: ,