How to break in the games industry - an insiders' guide

[seir 516]

Any reference about sources to find average salaries? Several companies require a salary proposition in the application.

http://www.gamecareerguide.com/features/1108/game_developer_salary_survey_2012.php

It's very "liquid", there's few factors that will shape the salary: skills, experience, your and company situation, location and so on...

[blackdog 3,726]

Thank you very much Seir, that article is very informative, even if examinating the US prominently, it surely provides a good idea of how things are going. Will read it in detail.

Yes, I could imagine there's a very wide "fork" between different levels, my problem is determining a minimum: I don't have previous experience in a professional environment so i can only consider myself a "Junior". I should also relocate to countries of which I don't have a clear idea about the cost of life. (My work experience abroad was very peculiar - I was given a place to stay, the company you could say was "family run".)

[Brander_Rly 12]

Instead of creating a new thread, I'll use this one.

Hi everyone, as some of you already know I'm new here and made just some posts and a very simple model. So, I'm working to improve my skills, but sometimes I don't know what to learn and where to go.

So:

My objective: Work with 3d modeling and texturing at the game industry.

What I'm doing:

• For the moddeling, I'm learning 3DS max using the Autodesk Learning Channel at Youtube.
  

(

)

• Simultaneously, I'm studying drawing at drawspace.com, after I improve my drawing skills in a acceptable level, I'll start with Photoshop (Including materials, UV's, baking and so on)
  

Art background: More than handle with vertices and bakes, I think an art background in extremely important. Because of that there are come art books in my shelve.

So, to reach my objective I'm working on: 3D modeling, 2D (Photoshop, materials, blah blah blah) and art backgorund.

My obstacles:

• Time: My current job is nothing more than a time consumer. The professional development is zero. It's just a tool to pay bills.
  
• Directions: Sometimes I see myself wondering if I need to learn and spend time with a specific subject
  
• Age: I'm way old (I'm 22) and given my skills, I'm late. Very late. (Actually, I see this as my biggest weak point).
  

After reach a higher level, I'm planing to study something related to art, not just for learning new things, but to build a network.

Some advices? Ideas?

[2d-chris 2,208]

Given you have talent, and some time to practice, you "could" get a junior position in a game company in perhaps 3-4 years if you practice very hard and In that time produce a scene of the kind of work you want to do.

I don't think 22 is too old to get started, it's more an issue of being willing to earn less than what your current job would offer in 3-4 years. You really will start from the bottom and work your way up again.

Good luck!

[blackdog 3,726]

Not strictly related, but guess it can be interesting to know: Canada wants tech talented workes and enterpreneurs (http://www.siliconvalley.com/ci_23261666/canada-comes-silicon-valley-poach-high-tech-workers?source=rss_viewed)

[Jord 403]

22 really isn't too old. Remember that most university graduates will be only 21 or 22. I got my first dev job at 22 (junior role) and you'll find you're probably the youngest person in your studio at that age.

Edited May 20, 2013 by Jord

[knj 1,619]

1st of all, i missed smth or why do we need D3 store links ?

2nd, do you know what do you want to do ? environments, charactes, level art, level design ?

i assume you want to model smth, so check out eat3d or 3dmotive to get some really good tutorials - and model what do you want just to make you want to finish it, if you like cars - try to model a car, ect

[Castle 603]

I have been experiencing a situation where I am given quite a few design tests from different places. I finish the test on time as expected and as closely as possible to the requirements. I then have the experience of being told they do not plan to move forward with my application, which is fine, but I have no idea what happened. Was the test not done correctly? Was there another applicant they preferred more? Was the position filled just before I finished the test? Did I at least get close but no cigar? was I completely off mark? Do they not hire people with Mohawks? lol

 

Each time this happens I make it a point to ask for feedback on the test. I either receive no response or a response saying that they are not allowed to provide feedback on the test.

 

This is the only time in my entire life where the design process is a guessing game with no way to further improve my abilities due to a deliberate lack of communication.

 

It's a very difficult situation to be in. I wish there was a screening process that was more transparent, I prefer brutal honesty over no information at all.

Edited May 22, 2014 by Castle

[blackdog 3,726]

I've read an article a few months ago about this, and they can't say to basically shield themselves from lawsuits.

[Sentura 1,595]

I have been experiencing a situation where I am given quite a few design tests from different places. I finish the test on time as expected and as closely as possible to the requirements. I then have the experience of being told they do not plan to move forward with my application, which is fine, but I have no idea what happened. Was the test not done correctly? Was there another applicant they preferred more? Was the position filled just before I finished the test? Did I at least get close but no cigar? was I completely off mark? Do they not hire people with Mohawks? lol

 

Each time this happens I make it a point to ask for feedback on the test. I either receive no response or a response saying that they are not allowed to provide feedback on the test.

 

This is the only time in my entire life where the design process is a guessing game with no way to further improve my abilities due to a deliberate lack of communication.

 

It's a very difficult situation to be in. I wish there was a screening process that was more transparent, I prefer brutal honesty over no information at all.

 

Just out of curiousity, where was this? You can PM me the answer if you don't want it public.

[Castle 603]

I've read an article a few months ago about this, and they can't say to basically shield themselves from lawsuits.

 

I would gladly sign a waiver for tests in the future if this is the reason why lol

[maarti 6]

What would be the best option for someone who loves playing games and is wanting to have a career in the gaming industry? I skimmed through a lot of posts in this thread and have a general idea on what to do once you get started with the right mind set; however, I am wanting to see what I need to do from scratch. I have some good use with social media and close connections with some owners of the bigger gaming companies that host tournaments.

 

What tools do I need to get started? I am currently going to school to be a software engineer, but I haven't started any actual engineering classes as of yet due to the grueling core classes I have to take to get there. I am interested in some programming but I am really creative and good with my hands; I also haven't really looked into what I need to do to start getting some practice in before the engineering classes start. What would be the best thing for me?

 

p.s I am really sick at the moment and on medication, so this post may or may not make much sense...sorry in advance 

[2d-chris 2,208]

Hey Maarti, I would open some level editors of games you enjoy playing, if your not sure if they support modification just google it. Most people I know who got into game development got started by making maps/levels/missions of some kind. It's a relatively easy way to get into game development as a whole.

[AkatsukiUK 22]

I would add that location is just as important as a killer CV/portfolio, especially if you're just starting out. For myself living in the UK I have found it really tough, even to land a testing job. 

 

Basically I was living in the north of the UK, Leeds/Bradford. I had an interview with Rockstar Leeds but the role wasn't the right fit for me. All other applications I was making outside the city I lived in were not resulting in interviews, despite returning from working abroad with design experience on a highly successful franchise.

 

My wife and I started to use my parents address in London, and eventually that worked. I got my foot back in the door of the industry at Sega and my wife got a job also.  The UK has fewer opportunities than it did in the so called golden years. Industries change, whether its mobile or f2p, and I got caught out as a young designer thinking I would be able to get a job back in the UK. So my final advice from a lesson learnt is don't assume once you get into this industry, that it means you're 'in'. It has taken me a while to figure out how to return, and a lot of time and support from my family.

Edited April 21, 2015 by AkatsukiUK

[blackdog 3,726]

Thanks for sharing, yeah heard about the problems in the UK just recently by chatting with another fellow Mapcorean. Bites: I moved here thinking there were lots of opportunities. Well, definitely more than the deserted Italy...