More and more people are becoming interested in the ever-growing gaming industry. It’s sometimes portrayed as a behemoth that’s tough to crack into, but this isn’t necessarily the case! You just have to be smart about your approach.
What do you want to do?
Saying that you want to get into the games industry sounds great and all, but it’s not very specific. Because the games industry has become so large and has a really cool ring to it among people of all ages, it’s easy to say that you just want to be involved in it. People often talk about it as though there are really only one or two avenues in which you can get into it, but this is far from the truth. It’s important to be more specific about what it is you want to achieve in the industry.
If you love to play games and basically just want to do that for a living, then you’re probably going to want to look into either games testing or writing. However, you need to be aware that neither of these is simply “playing games for a living”! Testing isn’t exactly the thrilling walk in the park some make it out to be, and writing games reviews isn’t particularly easy either. If you want to make games, then programming and design is where you’ll want to focus your efforts. If you don’t want to get particularly technical, then becoming a producer could be the right path for you.
The first step
If you want to actually get into the nitty gritty of making video games, then you’ll either need to get to grips with programming or learn the essentials of game design or art. In fact, many of the standouts in either of those fields are adept at both pursuits! Learning programming is a must, and the sooner you get to learning it, the better. Resources like Training Connection can teach you in the ways of programming, as well as the sorts of design programs often used in the industry.
If you’re having trouble getting in even with this sort of knowledge, then a very good ‘foot in the door’ can be found in the testing route. In fact, it’s often said that game developers should have some experience in the ‘trenches’ of games testing. Getting into games testing doesn’t require any degrees and can be a great way of showing your technical skill. QA, as it’s known in the biz, is also the best way to get onto the route of becoming a producer.
Dealing with portfolios
Development and design are very creative roles, and as with any creative role out there, having a portfolio is going to help you tremendously. Making your own small games can help prove your potential. Developing your own app can also have a really positive effect. If you’re looking to be a journalist or reviewer, then you should consider starting up a blog so you can build a portfolio of your writing. This is a competitive area, so you need to ensure your writing really stands out.
