Breaking Into the Game Industry Panel
by Rudy Geronimo & Todd Fay
Nearly 200 students and interested newbies attended the IGDA's Breaking Into the Game Industry panel discussion on August 25th, 2004. Hosted at the Art Institute of California, San Francisco, the panel featured Todd Fay of G.A.N.G., Rob Huebner of Nihilistic Software, Ashley Monif of Electronic Arts, and Kjeld Pedersen of Double Fine. Marc Sherrod, Academic Director of Game Art & Design at the Art Institute, moderated the discussion.
Panelists agreed that while there is no set path to breaking into the industry, experience and exposure increases opportunities for success. They delivered caveats against trying to master all game development disciplines, arguing instead for focusing on a specialty and honing your craft.
Networking within the industry, specifically at industry events like the Game Developers Conference, was prescribed. Panelists urged attendees to attend such events in order to build relationships, for relationships prove beneficial to both aspiring developers and studios in need of new talent. For freelancers who have find it hard to network, Fay suggested using representatives (eg, agents, managers, lawyers) to sell your product, in turn freeing up time to focus on your craft. Attending IGDA chapter meetings is certainly another good option...
Attendees asked questions ranging from international work to women breaking into a male-dominated industry. Afterwards, attendees and panelists mingled over drinks at Buzz 9 for the remainder of the evening.
Here are some shots taken during the panel session:
Rudy Geronimo (IGDA) welcomes the audience and intros the panel.
Standing Room Only: The room was packed, with attendees backed-up out the door!
Esteemed Panelists: Ashley Monif ( ElectronicA), Todd Fay (
G.A.N.G.), Kjeld Pedersen (Double Fine) and Rob Huebner (Nihilistic).
The packed room.
Once again, the all-informative panelists: Ashley, Kjeld, Todd and Rob.
- end -