I have the top of the mountain and it is good
by Donald "Yadot" Harris · 08/19/2007 (8:49 pm) · 2 comments
Due to really interesting experience this weekend I wanted to write this blog post. Its games related but more or less industry vs actual development. Also its targeted towards younger Indies.So here goes...
I have always wanted to be a part of a winning development team. Working with them in some way to help create the worlds next greatest game. After years of trying to find my niche in the industry I started to get a bit let down... Thinking that only developers and crazy talented artist get video game jobs. Or at least I used to think that way. Until I got my first video game job back in 2003 for Wolf Pack Ent. The job was temporary and only made me even hungrier for the Video Games industry. Then I thought well how do I get back into the games industry? I don't develop and I am no musical or graphical artist. So I focused on trying to get QA jobs. This left me no where as every Tom Dick and Harry was going after these jobs, and they didn't have a family to support.
So I had to bone up and get real job. I started working at Dell. 5 years later I am still looking for that opening to get back into the industry. And I was looking high and low but could not find a way back in. As you can probably guess I have been looking at the wrong areas to get in. Qa may not be the best place for you to get in depending on where you are in life. And if you don't have natual talent as an artist or musician its doubtful you will get in that way. So now what do I do? How in the heck do I get back in? Well here is how.
Take a look at your resume and where you are currently employed. Ask yourself, "How could this benefit another company that makes video games?" Once you figure out how you could apply this to a organization that makes games, this is now the new way into the industry. Take what you have learned at your current job and focus on the skills that make you good at job even if you dislike the job. Do everything you can to under every aspect of that job. Having that knowledge of the way the job works can be very valuable to others in the game industry.
None of this is real easy as certain jobs may not lend themselves well to the game industry. Then you will need to develop those skills that are desirable. Again there are other things out there than just Graphics Music and Programing. You have marketing, sales, technical support, and so forth and so on. Now what do you do when you get that job back in the industry? Your next step is to find a mentor that currently holds the position that you would like some day. If you want to become a producer make friends with the producer in the company and have him or her train you.
One thing you will notice right off the bat is that your motivation will be a lot higher. Now that you are close to what you love the most you will want to do more. Be careful how you focus that energy. I would suggest taking on some extra stuff from your mentor and also taking up some extra classes at the college that would further aid you. As lame as it sounds never stop learning.
Now none of this is going to happen tomorrow. But you can start today on building yourself up to get into the game industry. Just wanted to send this positive pep talk to everyone and let them know to keep pushing for their dreams it will happen!
Also I have been practicing my Wii Tennis and I am coming for you.... you know who you are.
I have always wanted to be a part of a winning development team. Working with them in some way to help create the worlds next greatest game. After years of trying to find my niche in the industry I started to get a bit let down... Thinking that only developers and crazy talented artist get video game jobs. Or at least I used to think that way. Until I got my first video game job back in 2003 for Wolf Pack Ent. The job was temporary and only made me even hungrier for the Video Games industry. Then I thought well how do I get back into the games industry? I don't develop and I am no musical or graphical artist. So I focused on trying to get QA jobs. This left me no where as every Tom Dick and Harry was going after these jobs, and they didn't have a family to support.
So I had to bone up and get real job. I started working at Dell. 5 years later I am still looking for that opening to get back into the industry. And I was looking high and low but could not find a way back in. As you can probably guess I have been looking at the wrong areas to get in. Qa may not be the best place for you to get in depending on where you are in life. And if you don't have natual talent as an artist or musician its doubtful you will get in that way. So now what do I do? How in the heck do I get back in? Well here is how.
Take a look at your resume and where you are currently employed. Ask yourself, "How could this benefit another company that makes video games?" Once you figure out how you could apply this to a organization that makes games, this is now the new way into the industry. Take what you have learned at your current job and focus on the skills that make you good at job even if you dislike the job. Do everything you can to under every aspect of that job. Having that knowledge of the way the job works can be very valuable to others in the game industry.
None of this is real easy as certain jobs may not lend themselves well to the game industry. Then you will need to develop those skills that are desirable. Again there are other things out there than just Graphics Music and Programing. You have marketing, sales, technical support, and so forth and so on. Now what do you do when you get that job back in the industry? Your next step is to find a mentor that currently holds the position that you would like some day. If you want to become a producer make friends with the producer in the company and have him or her train you.
One thing you will notice right off the bat is that your motivation will be a lot higher. Now that you are close to what you love the most you will want to do more. Be careful how you focus that energy. I would suggest taking on some extra stuff from your mentor and also taking up some extra classes at the college that would further aid you. As lame as it sounds never stop learning.
Now none of this is going to happen tomorrow. But you can start today on building yourself up to get into the game industry. Just wanted to send this positive pep talk to everyone and let them know to keep pushing for their dreams it will happen!
Also I have been practicing my Wii Tennis and I am coming for you.... you know who you are.
Torque Owner Mike Apolis
My game company seems to hire a lot of people who have done work on Mods or little side projects too - especially if they played a leading role in the project. Modding is a great way to get development experience without being hired at a game company.