The Games Game

Eye On the Prize (May 2007)

Dear Tom,

I am, like almost all the other writers, a game development hopeful. I am trying to be as realistic as I can be though and I am trying to take real measures to "Break-In". Right now I have almost nothing to show to get me hired. Working as a low-level manager at a fast-food shop isn't exactly relevant experience.

I'm currently attending a 4-year degree for Game Software Development (Game Programming), getting hired as a programming tutor, became a student member of the IGDA, planning to join my schools game club (when it opens, it's trying to be recognized by the IGDA), and trying to keep up on the industry and how to get in it (hence reading articles like this!).

I'm a 21-year old husband and father and I am committed to succeeding for my family's future against all odds. Can you give me any advice that would help me get into the game industry?

Sincerely,

Jeremy P.

Hi Jeremy,

After you read this, you'll realize that you already knew all the answers.

1. Your first priority absolutely must be to take care of your family. You need to not only house, clothe, and feed your wife and child but also spend quality time with them.

2. Insofar as not violating rule #1 allows, you should finish your degree.

3. You're already reading up on the industry, you say. Presumably you've already found these important online sources of information:

• The "Breaking In" section of this website, www.igda.org
• Gamasutra and its daily newsletter
• The Game Career Guide
• GameDev.Net
• Dan Marchant's "Obscure" articles, FAQs, and blog
• My website has some great articles, too, if I do say so myself (and I do)

4. You're already networking through the IGDA. That's good. Keep doing that.

5. You said you have "almost nothing to show." Wait until you've finished your degree, then in the little time you can spare from your family obligations, find some people with whom you can collaborate on a mod or indy project.

After doing all the above, degree and demo in hand, you will be ready to seek employment in games. Hopefully you already live in an area where at least one game company exists (you didn't say). If not, then you need to start your own company. But that's a whole other column, and a whole lot more stuff you'd need to do. Why do I not just say "move your family to a game hotbed"? Because you're a family man, and your family has roots where you are. You can't just rip the kid away from the all-important extended family.

That's it. That's everything I have for you. You probably knew all of this already. There's no magic, no secret, no divine revelation. The trick for you will be to accomplish your goal while being a great father and husband. As long as you keep your priorities straight, the prize can be yours.