Its not all fun and games......but its better than a lot of other things I can think of. Tom Sloper.

It’s not all fun and games...

...but it’s better than a lot of other things I can think of.Tom Sloper

Lots of careers in gamesProgrammingArt

2DConcept art3DAnimation

Game DesignLevel DesignWriting

AudioProducingTestingCustomer SupportITMarketingLegalFinancial/accounting

Types of companiesPublishers

Electronic Arts, Activision Blizzard, THQ...Development studios

Pandemic, Savage, Naked Sky...Platform holders

Nintendo, Sony, Microsoft...Quality Assurance providers

iBeta, VeriTest, VMC...

Big vs. small companiesBig companies – for experienced candidates only

Narrow specializationNumerous specialtiesNumerous departments or studio teamsOpportunities for lateral, diagonal, vertical

movementSmall companies – good for beginners breaking

inEverybody wears numerous hatsFew departments/teamsOpportunities vary, but boy will you learn a lot!

ProgrammingThe most in-demand position, and the most

demanding. Requirements:

4-year degree or better (CS preferred)Solid portfolio (“demo disc”)

Salary: the highest in the industry (see GameCareerGuide Salary Survey); avg. $83K

Entry-level positions abound, mostly at smaller companies (don’t hold out for top companies only). Internships may be available

Programming specialties & languages, etc.A.I.EngineTools3D GraphicsPhysicsOnline/networkedMobileWeb games, IPTV

C++C#FlashJavaBrew

Scripting languagesEngines

ArtAlso highly in demand, but very competitiveRequirements:

Art degree Outstanding portfolioComfort with Photoshop, Maya, 3DS Max

Entry-level positions plentiful but don’t hold out for a job at one of the top companies – be willing to start small

Salary: avg. $67K

2D ArtYes, 2D. User interfaces, mobile games, web

games, texturesRequirements:

Art degree Outstanding portfolio

Entry-level positions plentiful but don’t hold out for a job at one of the top companies – be willing to start small

Concept ArtNiche position, requiring extraordinary talent

and styleRequirements:

Art degree Exceptionally outstanding portfolioOptional: film, comic book / graphic novel

experienceThe extraordinarily talented candidate might

be able to get a full-time job making concept art for games. But mostly it’s freelancing...

3D ArtHighly in demand, but very competitiveRequirements:

Art degree Outstanding portfolio

Entry-level positions plentiful but don’t hold out for a job at one of the top companies – be willing to start small

AnimationNarrow specialtyRequirements:

Art degree Outstanding portfolio (“demo reel”)Knowledge of MoCap and Facial MoCap &

other animation toolsEntry-level positions unlikely. The candidate

may need to gain experience first in film, TV, commercial, or Web animation

Game DesignHighly competitive position. It’s not what you

think. (It’s not about “ideas.”)Requirements:

Bachelors degree, liberal arts Strong résumé (a lot of industry experience)

Entry-level positions do not exist. Game industry experience required. Usual entry paths: QA, Level Design, Programming

Salary – lower because of the high competition (the glamour and cachet of the title); avg. $64K

Level DesignVery much in demandRequirements:

One or more degrees: Art, Game Design, Programming, Architecture...

Outstanding portfolio (“demo disc”)Comfort with 3DS Max and/or other level design

toolsEntry-level positions exist, but the candidate

must demonstrate proven ability to create levels that are fun to play. Internships may be available

WritersDemand vs. supply: many want to do it; few are

qualified; few openingsRequirements:

Writing degreeWriting experience credits (film,

episodic/dramatic TV, comic books, graphic novels)

Entry path: Writers for games are normally freelancers, not full-time employees. (Exceptions exist.)

Freelancing...

AudioDemand vs. supplyRequirements:

Bachelors degreeAudio experience credits (film, radio, TV,

commercials, books on tape...)Entry path: Audio engineers are often

freelancers, not full-time employees. (Exceptions exist.)

Freelancing...Average income: $73K

ProducingEvery project needs someone to manage the

details, communication, expectations; only open to industry insiders

Requirements:Bachelors degree a plusOutstanding game industry experience

Entry-level positions do not exist. Most producers migrate into project management from other jobs: QA, programming, art, design, marketing, legal...

Salary – not as high as you might think; avg. $79K

Testing (Quality Assurance)Demand vs. supply: testers are always needed;

lots of people want to be testers; easiest entry path

Requirements: good communication skills; good technical skills; experience playing games

Opportunities for advancement: can be a good entry pathway, depending on company type. Best opportunities with smaller companies; no opportunities at independent test labs

Salary: the lowest in the industry; avg. $39K. And expect frequent layoffs

Customer SupportDemand vs. supply: not highly competitive.

Openings may exist, when the position isn’t outsourced.

Requirements: candidate must be a helpful “people person” with excellent communication skills

Opportunities for a move into the studio: depends on the company and whether or not it has an internal game studio

I consider game masters as belonging to this category. Sometimes unpaid volunteers (but pay is available)

Information TechnologyAll big companies need IT (at small co., someone

in engineering handles IT)Requirements:

DegreeIT experience

Entry path: none (just apply at a large company)Opportunities for a move into the studio:

depends on the company. If there is an internal studio, may be possible to migrate into game creation

MarketingRequirements:

Marketing degreeMarketing experience a plus

Entry path: apply when nearing completion of marketing degree. Internships a good way in. Experience in other industry? Apply!

Salary: avg. $73K

Legal (in-house counsel)Requirements:

Law degree (contracts, IP)Bar exam

Entry path: none (just apply at a large company). Internships a good way in

Opportunities for a move into the studio: Depends on the individual

Financial/accountingRequirements:

DegreeA plus: CPA or MBA Professional experience (good résumé and

references)Entry path: none (just apply at a large

company)Opportunities for advancement: managerial

only (no movement into game creation is likely from here)

Switching into games from another career

More doable than you might thinkProfessional experience means a lotGame degree not needed, but might helpSolid portfolio essentialThe path of least resistance

Switching jobs within the industryDoable but requires patience and serendipity

Depends on company type and structureDepends on individual’s experience,

cooperative/ collaborative attitude, and what the company needs

Individual must prove he’s capable, enthusiastic, hard-working. Self-driver who’s not afraid to seek assistance and learn

Realistic approach required; willingness to do whatever is needed

The Egg

The egg is “the game industry.”The yolk is whatever job it is that YOU want.Moving around in the egg white is comparatively

easy. Getting into the yolk takes time.The really hard part is getting inside the shell in

the first place.

Job vs. Indie vs. Lone Wolf vs. Startup...???Many seem to think they have to start a

company right out of high school or college!!!Indie (or modding) is good preparation for Job.Job is best preparation for Startup

ExperienceContactsMaturityMoney

Lone Wolfdom is only for the exceptionally accomplished Renaissance Man

The keys to breaking inLocation, location, locationRealistic targetingResearch, research, researchNetworkingSolid portfolio (body of work)

ResourcesSloperama.com – yellow zoneIGDA.org (job aspirants, professionals)GameDev.net (indies and lone wolves)GameCareerGuide.com (students, wannabes)

Introduction to Game Development (Rabin)Secrets of the Game Business (Larramée)Game Design Workshop (Fullerton)