How to Transform Your Love of Gaming Into a Career

 

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Today we’re taking a break from our regular content to bring you an article penned by Elijah Dawson. Normally, we don’t cover careers in the gaming industry, unless it’s related to current news. That said, we realize some of our readers might find Elijah’s article to be helpful. Most of us think about the massive corporate developers and publishers when we think of gaming jobs. That said, this advice can also apply to smaller indie studios. Keep in mind, for these smaller studios you’ll have to work especially hard on your networking skills.

Enough about that. Let’s move onto the suggestions and tips:

If you love gaming and want to make it into a career, you’ve got great odds. According to the World Economic Forum, the video game industry is booming and expected to grow. By 2026, the industry should be worth around $321 billion. There are already many opportunities to transform your love of gaming into a career, and it looks like there will be many more to come. However, if you’ve never worked in gaming, you may be wondering where to start. The below guide takes you through the entire process.

 

Research gaming jobs to see what kind of role is right for you

When it comes to gaming, there are a lot of different types of jobs available to suit all different skill sets. If you want to actually create games, you might work in programming, art, design, or animation. Quality assurance is another important role. If you want to be in the gaming sector but don’t see yourself creating games, there are other opportunities. Options include marketing, IT, data, legal, finance, and human resources. As you can see, there is truly something for everybody.

 

Get the education you need to score your dream gaming job

Once you’ve decided on the role you’d like to pursue, map out how you’ll get there. For example, you might look at people who have the job you want and see what they did to get there. You may need to further your education to get your dream job. Some colleges and universities have programs devoted specifically to gaming, offering both bachelor’s and master’s courses in topics like game design, game art, and game technology.

 

Prepare your job application materials

Before you start looking for jobs, get your application materials ready. You will need to prepare a C.V. as well as a standard cover letter that you can tailor to specific positions and companies. Depending on the role you’re pursuing, you may also need to put together a portfolio. For example, if you want to design artwork for video games, you need a visual arts portfolio.

 

Start looking for your dream gaming job

Once your application materials are ready, it’s time to start applying for your dream job. Narrow down your search by targeting gaming-specific platforms. For example, search engines like ​​Games Job Direct exclusively list gaming jobs. You can also look up game companies in your region and apply to them directly. For each application, make sure you tailor your application materials to the specific company and role.

 

Network regularly to ensure career success

Once you get your first job in the games industry, your work doesn’t stop. You want to continue to network regularly to ensure long-term success. Networking allows you to connect with others who may be future employers or business partners. When you go to networking events, make sure to come prepared. Have your business card and an elevator pitch ready. If you’re an artist, you also want to have your portfolio at hand.

 

Start a consulting business

Starting your own video game consulting business can be an exciting and rewarding experience. By leveraging your knowledge in the gaming industry, you can provide invaluable guidance to companies seeking professional advice related to the development of their products. Consulting services may include determining what tools and techniques will best fit the project’s needs, offering guidance on individual tasks, or even managing a team of developers.

Before starting a new company, write out a business plan that describes how you’ll market yourself, financial projections, and how you’ll structure your business. When it comes to funding, one of the most critical steps when seeking cost-effective financing is to get a copy of your personal credit report. Checking your report helps you better understand the terms and rates of loans or investor capital you may receive. It’s also important to remember that other sources such as crowdfunding, grants, and bootstrapping can provide necessary financial resources for your venture too.

 

Be Realistic About the Industry

When you begin looking for a job, it’s important to keep this in mind: The gaming industry can be a difficult space to break into for many reasons. Firstly, there is intense competition for jobs and positions, as the industry is growing rapidly and demand is high. Additionally, it can be difficult to understand the industry from the outside without first-hand knowledge or experience. Furthermore, layoffs are not uncommon in this sector, with news of tech firms (including gaming companies) laying off thousands of people. This news highlights how precarious being a part of the gaming world can be – as jobs can suddenly become unavailable when companies restructure or reorganize their staff. So, if you’re looking to break into this industry, you should be aware that although there are opportunities available, they may not always be permanent — and things could change on a whim.

Simply being a gamer isn’t enough to get a job in the games industry. To succeed, you need to take steps like furthering your education and preparing your resume, cover letter, and portfolio. You may also seek to start your own consulting business. Trust the tips above to guide you through the process with minimal stress.