Get a Job in the Video Game Industry: Tips from a Former Employee

Most of my generation has expressed, at one point in their lives, an interest in joining the game industry - in getting on the "inside" and making video games. I got this unique privilege, and every time I tell someone about it, I'm asked the exact same thing: "Man, how do you get a job like that?" I feel very fortunate; my time there was eminently enjoyable, and I take great pride in opening up some of my favorite games and seeing my name in the credits. I feel even more fortunate to know that players have often given raving reviews to some of the products I've worked on. And to be honest, it's not that hard to get into a similar situation.

First and foremost, it should be understood that the hardest part about getting involved is that first step in the door. I won't lie - that really is the hardest part of your quest to create video games. There are thousands, even millions, just like you that want to rush in and get their fingers dirty (and dirty they shall get) and you have to prove why you are a unique option.

Unfortunately, this usually manifests itself in demonstrating who you know rather than what you know. How can you make yourself stand out you may wonder?

The easiest way is to run or join a press site dedicated to the game. Doing this will allow you to make your name known and you will be able to contact the public relations department of the respective company you are interested in joining. This will be a key to advancement in general within the company: you need to make sure you have plenty of contacts. Once more, you have millions of dedicated video game fans who all want the same job as you, you need to convince the powers that be that you are unique among them.

If you simply can't get into the game press business - be it a lack of writing skill, an absence of time or money to run the website, the other good bet is to simply remain active in visible, public communities. Either fan based message boards or official message boards are a good place for this - the more you post, the better known you are, but be sure to keep it looking extremely professional. Getting into flame wars is no way to get into the game industry - especially on corporate message boards.

The message boards wouldn't be simply for idle chatter however - but for discussions that exemplify your knowledge of the game and make you appear as a solid candidate. You need to continue building that uniqueness of your character. Game designers are less interested in someone that's a die hard fan of the game as they are in someone who understands the complexities and technical aspects that most people often overlook.

What types of things should you exemplify knowledge in you ask?

Truly the very basics of video game design and behind the scenes mechanics would work in this regard - as long as you can confidently explain them. These are concepts such as pathing, basic scripting, AI behaviors, databases, things of that nature. Picking up a copy of The Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind and playing with the Elder Scrolls Construction Set - a tool used by game developers themselves - will familiarize you with a lot of what happens behind the scenes.

When you aren't making yourself as well known as possible, practice your skills as a basic designer. You don't have to hand construct Rome: Total Realism, but be sure to have basic concepts down - especially "first draft polish", that is making sure that when you do something like place an NPC you intended to act as a merchant you didn't make him an aggressive boss NPC.

If this direct path through into the game industry does not work, there's one alternative that most gaming companies do not mention:

Many entry level jobs are staffed by Temp Agencies.

If you are desperate to get in and don't mind a low paying, entry level position such as basic Quality Assurance or Customer Service, simply go through the appropriate Temp Agencies and you will find yourself placed in any number of corporations. This may not seem like much, but its the surest way to get your foot in the door - and once you get your foot in the door it is infinitely easier to go between game based jobs.

But there are certain things to remember:

The game industry is very political. Presidential elections? Congress? Think these are political? Wait until your first day in the game industry, where everything, top to bottom, has political undertones about it. What games do you like? What kinds of games do you like? Do you hang out with the right crowd? Do you support the right types of decisions made by game companies? Blind zeal won't necessarily work for you, you have to know which way the current of favor is going and either flow with it or try not to enrage those above you who don't share your biases.

With so many others eager to take your place, game companies are in no short supply of replacements should a superior find that you aren't to their liking.

Remember also that many jobs in the game industry are on a project by project basis. In terms of QA alone, some games can hire as many as 300 testers who do round the clock testing - only to have every single one systematically laid off as soon as the title releases. Designers are often hired on for only a handful of projects themselves before having to either find a new company or wait until another project opens.

As much as one may think - college degrees and experience are not as highly valued as some may think. True, there are some game companies that value these above raw talent, but many also understand that scripting languages are not exactly complex - and a week of serious studying can make you proficient. More often than not, Lead Designers want to know that you will be able to push these codes and scripts to new limits of game play.

Those that don't, usually create games as successful as Lair.

This is not to say that you should neglect your studying - if anything one should have a basic understanding of C++ and SQL, but as long as you understand the logic behind scripting languages you should be able to blend right in. Many companies and games actually don't use fast and hard, known languages, but utilize cannibalized, hybridized, and often times custom written languages to best work with their own engines.

And if you don't get in right away? Don't get discouraged - you will be disappointed, you will want to rain tears many times, but in the end you'll make it.

And you'll love it. A day didn't go by that I didn't love my job in the game industry. And if you aren't interested in basic game design there are hundreds of other opportunities for work inside the industry that will give you the experience necessary to springboard into any number of other professions.