So you want to break into the video game industry (you want a game biz job). First, you have to know which type of job you want -- if you don't know which you want, you need to read about the game industry and the types of jobs in it. Then you might need to make a decision. Third, you need to be qualified for the job. Fourth, you need to know how to find information and how to ask good questions (you need to not ask bad questions). Finally, we have tips for getting the job.
1. Types of Game Jobs
Various Jobs In The Game Biz: Which Are You Suited For? -- Sloperama FAQ #7
Breaking In / Career Paths / Game Jobs -- IGDA.org v1.0
Breaking In / Career Paths / Game Jobs -- IGDA.org v2.0
The Job of the Game Designer -- Sloperama FAQ #14
Level Design -- Sloperama FAQ #69
GameDev's Game Design Forum -- Game Design
The Job of the Programmer -- Sloperama FAQ #15
GameDev's "Start Here" FAQs for Beginner Programmers -- Start Here
GameDev's For Beginners Forum (programming) -- For Beginners Forum
GameDev's For Beginners Forum FAQs (programming) -- For Beginners FAQ
Writing For Games -- Sloperama FAQ #32
GameDev's Writing forum -- Writing for Games
The IGDA Writing SIG -- Writing SIG
Jobs in Graphics & Audio -- Sloperama FAQ #53
GameDev's Visual Arts forum -- Visual Arts
GameDev's Audio forum -- Music and Sound
The Job of the Producer -- Sloperama FAQ #42
GameDev's Business/Legal Forum -- For Producer/Managerial Matters
Testers: The Unsung Heroes of Games (Quality Assurance) -- Sloperama FAQ #5
The IGDA QA SIG -- Quality Assurance SIG
2. How to Make a Decision
Follow Your Passions. But Forget About "Feelings" -- Sloperama FAQ #40
Make a Decision Grid -- Sloperama FAQ #70
3. Education & Preparation
Things You Can Do At Home -- Sloperama FAQ #12
"What Degree Should I Get?" -- Sloperama FAQ #34
"Game Development Schools" by Joseph Fernald -- Game Dev Schools
"On Game Schools" by Josh Petrie -- On Game Schools
"Regular College? Or Game College?" -- Sloperama FAQ #44
The Whole Game School Thing, Part I -- The Games Game, June 2009
The Whole Game School Thing, Part II -- The Games Game, July 2009
Featured Schools on GameCareerGuide.com
Resources and Schools on IGDA.org
How To Choose A College -- Sloperama FAQ #25
Preparing For a Career in Game Design -- Sloperama FAQ #3
Independent Game Projects -- Sloperama FAQ #16
The Online Education Option -- The Games Game, Sept. 2007
4. How to Get Good Answers; Dumb Questions Not to Ask
How To Ask Good Questions To Get Good Answers -- Sloperama FAQ #65
Learn How to Fish -- Sloperama FAQ #36
How to Search the Internet -- Wikihow.com
Two-Choices Questions -- Sloperama FAQ #52
"Is It Enough?" -- Sloperama FAQ #49
"Is It Possible?" -- Sloperama FAQ #50
"How Hard Is It...?" -- Sloperama FAQ #26
"Waste of Time?" -- Sloperama FAQ #51
"Is It Worth It?" -- Sloperama FAQ #66
"Am I Screwed?" "Am I Too Old?" -- Sloperama FAQ #71
Quotes On Fear, and Other Words of Wisdom -- Sloperama FAQ #47
If You Have To Ask... -- Sloperama FAQ #30
5. Applying For a Job
Applying For a Job in Games -- Sloperama FAQ #4
Ten Stupid Wannabe Tricks -- Sloperama FAQ #24
Barrier-Busting Tips -- Sloperama FAQ #27
Maps of game companies #1 -- GameDevMap
Maps of game companies #2 -- GameIndustryMap
Networking Tips -- Sloperama FAQ #54
What Does "Experience" Really Mean? -- Tom's October 2006 IGDA Column
How To Succeed In The Game Biz -- Sloperama FAQ #57Freelancing -- Sloperama FAQ #63
Switching Careers (Into the Industry; Within the Industry) -- Sloperama FAQ #41
Salaries in the Game Industry -- 2010 Annual Salary Survey
The IGDA Women In Games SIG -- Women In Games
Women In Games International -- WIGI
So You Want to Work in Japan -- Sloperama FAQ #48
Stuck In A Non-Game Country -- Sloperama FAQ #64
So You're In High School And You Want A Game Job Now -- Sloperama FAQ #67
So You Want to Start Up Your Own Company 1 -- Hit the Trenches Before Starting a Studio
So You Want to Start Up Your Own Company 2 -- Sloperama FAQ #29
GameDev's Business/Legal Forum -- For Startup/Business Matters
Updated August 29, 2010 |