Game Industry Career Guide Podcast
Welcome to the Game Industry Career Guide Podcast, where I answer your questions about getting a job, and building your career making video games.
You can listen to the podcasts from this page, or you can subscribe using the links below:
- Click here to subscribe on iTunes
- Click here to subscribe via RSS (non-iTunes feed)
- Click here to follow on SoundCloud
If you like the show, please return the favor by leaving me a review on iTunes by clicking here. It will help the show rank higher in search, so more people can find it. Thank you so much for listening!
Read my new book!
Making games for a living is an incredibly rewarding career, but it’s hard to break in unless you have insider knowledge. This book levels the playing field.
Hello, I don’t miss an episode of your podcast ever since the first one. I am a programmer by trade, although I enjoy everything that’s discussed here. I have a question: What are some specific examples of demos you could prepare for different game programming positions? For example, I got some excellent ideas for my AI programming demos from your website, could you provide some specific examples that a Hiring Manager would like to see for specific positions, say Gameplay Programmer, Graphics Programmer, Tools Programmer, to name a few? Thanks a lot and keep up the excellent work.
There’s no specific formula for what to put in your portfolio — the main goal is to show hiring managers that you’re serious, that you’ve learned some things in the subject area, and that you have the motivation to follow through and finish your demos. Here’s an article about graphics programmer portfolios. For tools programming, you could write a plug-in for a digital content creation package like Maya or SketchUp. For game play, you could write small simulations that show off a particular algorithm like an A* pathfinder, or a simple single-player game like Asteroids. Be sure to keep it small enough and simple enough that you actually finish the work!
I want to become game developer(game programmer) and my country do not have many industries, so I want to go to US. I am in my 4th year of bachelor degree for Computer Engineering. As I want to go to US, I don’t know which degree to choose for master, Computer Science or Game Development. Which degree is good for me to start my game developer path?
Little about my developer side:
I am currently learning game development process on my own. I only created few games. And to be precise 7-8 very small games (2D games). I will learn more about game development and make much good game till my US intake for master(fall intake 2019).P.S. – I really enjoyed the process of making my few game. And I know to create game is stressful task, but I will work hard to learn about 3D games.
Pros and Cons of Master in game development.
Pros – More knowledge of Game development process
– Can collaborate with others
– Do not have to work on Art/Design side of game( I have no problem with doing that but it will consume my time as I want to focus more on game programming)
– Universities have contact with game industries so I can get internships at industries easily.
– I have degree of Game Development.
Cons – Having degree in Game Development doesn’t mean I can get job easily.
– Cost of Master degree is not worth it.
Pros and Cons of master degree in Computer Science:
Pros – I can enhance my knowledge of programming and algorithms.
– I can have different opportunities to get jobs rather than game developer.(If I don’t get job in game industry)
Cons – I will have to do the modelling and designing part on my own because I don’t have any partner who can get this part done. So, I can’t focus on my programming part.
– I will have to study and work on projects which are not related to game and will waste my time.
I will work hard to become game dev. But don’t know what to do for master. Any help or guidance will be accepted. If possible please reply me as soon as possible. Thank you.
Hi Spandan, I think you’ve done a great job defining and understanding the pros and cons. If you’re very sure you want to become a game programmer, then I agree that game programming courses will better align with your career goals.
Jason W. Bay, I stumbled upon your book “Start Your Video Game Career” and had to buy it. I gotta say, the way its written sounds so personal and caring. I have been able to really get solid, wholesome information from it and have learned so much. I didn’t know much about you however till I started looking at colleges to go to for game design, which is how I happened to come across your podcast a couple of days ago which I love by the way. You are an incredibly intelligent and experienced individual and I would love nothing more than to learn anything and everything I can from you. I’m just starting to get into the game design world but have so many questions, but I ll bother you with just one for now. I Hear that it is more difficult for artists to stay in a company because they are usually contracted and let go as soon as they are not needed anymore, while the designers and coders tend to stick around and a full time solid position in the company. Is this true? Should I work on my art/graphics portfolio on my own and go to school for coding in order to broaden my opportunities, or should I stick with what i’m good at, push to get a job as an artist and learn coding and design on the job? It’s terrifying knowing how tight knit the gaming community is and how competitive the career fields are, and with a family, it sounds like such a risky business to get into as an artist. Anyways, thank you so much and I look forward to learning so much more from your experiences.
Hi Osvaldo, I’m so glad the website and podcast have been helpful! I think what you’ve said is generally true, that art jobs are less stable/secure than programming jobs. But not every company lays off the artists after a project, most companies prefer to keep their staff on for the next project(s) whenever possible. I know many artists who make a good living and support their families with their careers. So I wouldn’t let that influence your career path — if your passion, talent, and skill is with art, then you’re more likely to be successful in that field than anywhere else.
Hi Jason, thanks so much for this website and the podcast, it’s a big help. I’m close to finishing college and I’m trying to figure out whether I want to work in games, and if so, how I’d be able to get a job I want. Do you know Extra Credits? It’s a great youtube channel by game development industry professionals. They made a video explaining the job of producers, and when I watch it I just get a powerful sense of “I can do that. I want to do something like that.”
I’m earning a BA in Theater. My concentration is arts administration, which means I’ve taken a mix of business and arts classes, and my minor is in leadership studies. My theatrical and extracurricular experience definitely translates into the public speaking, writing, coordinating, organizing, and straight up people skills a producer needs (I’m the type who takes the lead in group projects).
I just don’t know if I’d be able break in to the industry. Though I draw on the side, I’m not experienced enough to enter the industry as an artist. And I’m definitely not a programmer. If I take a class learning the basics of C++ and write some games on twine that can help, sure, but looking at associate producer listings, most require two years of experience in game development.
I have a lot of questions right now, and I don’t know if you’d be able to answer them, but here goes:
1) Are the skills I’ve accumulated not enough to convince a hiring manager to take a chance on me as an associate producer?
2) Should I try entering though an administrative job and jump on when an associate producer position opens? Is that possible?
3) Would a small indie developer or triple AAA company be easier to enter for this?
4) I have a portfolio of research, business writing, website design, and a sprinkle of logo design. What should I add or remove to make it worthwhile for employers?
Thank you so much for your time.
Hi Rachel, it sounds to me like you’re close to having the right foundation for an entry-level producer. You may want to round out your resume with some project-management training, for example get a Scrum Master certification. But I think you could start applying to associate/assistant producer jobs now, even if they require 1-2 years of experience.
Thanks for the info but i need to know which subjects i need to choose in grade 10 to be a game tester
Game testing doesn’t have any specific requirements, but it would be helpful to take classes in computers, programming, and writing.