Finding Work in Games
Possible Employers
Employment in this sector is primarily within Games Developers or Games Publishers. These can range in size from large, multi national studios producing triple A titles for the major consoles to smaller companies producing games for other platforms. Games can be created in a variety of forms for a variety of commisioners, in addition to PC, Console and Handheld gaming devices games are utilised by broadcasters such as the BBC, DVD and CD–Rom authoring companies, E–learning suppliers, Educational Institutions, Information Providers such as Government, Interactive Design Agencies, Internet Service Providers and marketing and advertising agencies
A Range of Opportunities
In such a fast–moving industry, with a continuous churn of companies, technologies, delivery platforms, software packages and working practices, equipping yourself with cutting edge knowledge and skills – and keeping at the sharp end – is a never–ending challenge.
It is not so much a case of learning the right tools, but rather becoming adept in the skill of learning. This means acquiring the technical principles, confidence, skills and experience to quickly adapt to new situations and processes, but being involved in learning and training as a continuous part of your career. One employer says, for instance, that members of his teams should master a new piece of software “about every two weeks.”
Finding Your First Job
Unless you are very well connected, this is the hardest part.
The Skillset Job Profiles are invaluable here to help you find out about the areas you are interested in. See also the Useful Links section of this website for further resources.
Games companies emphasise the following:
- Apply for jobs advertised, but you should also be approaching companies “cold" as many jobs are simply not advertised, and it may depend upon being in the right place at the right time.
- Always research what companies have done in the past.
- Get involved in developing ideas, working on projects (funded or non–funded) and generally show you are a Games person who is prepared to go “the extra mile” (or ten) for something that you genuinely desire.
There are genuine opportunities for bright, creative and well–organised people in this under–publicised and fast moving sector. To specialise in the Games sector will sometimes mean working long hours on high pressure projects with budgets of millions; but you could be part of a team producing high quality products at the sharp end – the retail market place.
More information on the games industry:
What are the jobs in games development?
What skills will you need to work in the games industry?
