So You Want to Make Games for a Living?

The title of this blog says it all. It's pretty clear that if given a choice, there are thousands of people out there who would LOVE to make games for a living. But the fact is that not everyone is cut out for making games each and every day. After all, making games is still a job, and one must be skilled if they are to do well in their job. I wanted to put together some thoughts as to what it would take for a game company to consider YOU to join their ranks.

1. If you are offered the opportunity to apply for a game industry job, check out the blog post below: Game Industry Interviewing Techniques. Taking heed of what is stated there may secure you an interview. Ignoring it may make you lose out on a great opportunity.
2. The one item more than any a prospective employee needs to own is PASSION. If you don't have the interest, desire, and willingness to make games each and every day, then you probably aren't the best candidate. Those just looking for a paycheck should move on.
3. Yes, you will be making games each day. The reality of making games each day is that you may be working on a game that you might not choose to play yourself. This is the nature of business. You make games for your customers, not for YOU. If you are lucky (and it does happen!) you will get the chance to work on a project that is right up your alley - the kind of game you dream about making. The challenge in making games for a living is exploring areas that you might not have considered before - to put yourself in the position of the customer. what kinds of games might girls play? Kids? Or if you are a female - a 20-something guy??
4. Where game development in the Philippines is concerned, we must get the word out that game development is a serious business, and is something you can turn into a career!. It's no longer a garage industry of geeks. Serious salaries and benefits are available. You just need to be smart in looking for solid employers.
5. Have you thought about getting smart about the industry before attempting your career search? Check out gamasutra.com, gameindustry.biz, and the dozens of other sites that talk about the industry issues.
6. If you are still in school, check out your university's curriculum regarding game development. Several local schools have a few game development courses, and many more are contemplating adding them. If you are a student looking to join classes, make it know to your faculty that you want game development programs available to you.
7. If you are interested in know what kinds of courses SHOULD be offered, check out the IGDA Curriculum Framework. If you want to take these kinds of classes but can't because your school doesn't offer them, then offer this framework to the faculty as an example of what the coursework may look like.
8. Take as many of these courses as possible. Learn all that you can about game development, and try to concentrate in a particular area. If you are a programmer, then become good with an area that games typically use: graphics, sound, networking, AI, physics, etc. If you are an artist, then learn all you can about making characters, non-organic models, environments, and of course animation.
9. Where tools are concerned, programmers should learn and become at least intermediate level with C++. APIs such as DirectX or OpenGL are helpful as well.
10. If you are an artist, there are three tools of the trade: Photoshop, AutoDesk 3DMax and Maya. Some companies may tend to focus on Photoshop, plus either Max or Maya. Don't be left out - learn them both!
11. Many companies require a test of some kind during the interview process. Be prepared to answer various questions about the concepts of game development, programming, or even practical tests such as building code or making models/animations.
12. While in school, look for opportunities to join clubs with people who have a similar interest. Look for available internship programs. Make your senior project about your game interests.
13. To demonstrate PASSION, one must be motivated enough to overcome the lack of traditional educational programs. This means getting smart about game development on your own. Look for Internet resources - blogs, forums, and other groups of similar interest. Learn all you can, and participate in 'net community projects.
14. Examine freeware engines and seek to build games on your own time. Nothing speaks more highly about your passion that doing something that other people might not attempt. Make some games of your design. Develop a portfolio of games, images, and animations that would be what game companies are seeking.
15. When you are able to score an interview with a game company, do not come empty handed. Bring your portfolio! If you are an artist, it helps to be a hard copy of your work - not just hyperlinks! For programmers, bring demos that have been tested and work on different PCs. Of course these demos need not be full games, or even completely finished. We are only looking at the ability to take a concept an execute against it.
16. Surround yourself with people of similar interest!
17. If you aren't a programmer or artist, but would rather design games, there is no greater experience that making levels of games you've played. Find the SDKs, level editors, or modding tools for games that have them, and create a portfolio of new worlds, gameplay, and interesting concepts.
18. This is mentioned in the blog post below, but I'll say it again: when you do see a job opening, prepare a well-written cover letter that focuses on the job requirements stated in the job ad. Make it painfully game-specific. Show your passion and knowledge, not only of the games and industry, but with the company for which you are applying.
19. Joining local clubs and organizations that promote game industry growth. Two in metro-Manila are IGDA and GDAP.
20. As a company, do we hire fresh grads? Certainly. Of course having previous job-related experience helps, but occasionally we open up positions for the newly graduated. But be careful and read the job spec carefully. Applying for an experienced position when you have none only hurts your case for future employment.
21. If you are a programmer, also understanding things like how game engines work: typical construction, threads, modules, and sub-systems of games. Also understanding network programming, TCP/IP and UDP, and client/server relationships.
22. For artists, other package knowledge helps: Mudbox, Zbrush, NewTek Lighwave, and XSI SoftImage are good.
23. For artists you must have a basic understanding of the "art pipeline". This is used to describe the steps that artwork typically takes through the game development cycle. Everything from concept sketches to rough modeling, texturing, normal mapping, animations, etc. Becoming an expert in a particular area helps, but don't neglect the full pipeline as smaller/medium-sized studios may not have the luxury of allowing artist to only focus on one task.
24. There are other opportunities that are available to people without traditional programming or art skills. Some company may hire quality assurance (QA) testers. These positions still require good communication skills and a love of games.
25. Positions such as PRODUCER are typically experienced positions, and rarely will companies hire someone into such a position without some kind of previous and relevant job-related experience.
26. More senior positions are made available from time to time, but please read the job ads carefully. Many times these positions require detailed knowledge of the tools and techniques of the areas you will be leading. You can't assume that as a general IT manager can slip easily into a game programming position. The tools and techniques are very different. Also, it will be difficult for you to gain the respect of your subordinates as you haven't "been there, done that yet" with respect to games.
27. Expect that for all but the largest of game companies, that if you are a lead, managing, or even a director level, that some amount of your day will be spend programming or making art. No company would have the luxury of allowing it's employees just to "manage".
28. If you are interested in becoming a "game designer", then you must have made some attempts at designing games: either PC games or board games at least. Having experience as a level designer or in using mod tools is a necessity. You must be creative and have the ability to "think outside the box". You must know games inside and out: what genres exist, industry issues, current trends. You must also understand the differences in designing games for each type of platform: handheld, PC, console, and arcade.
29. Game designers must also be good writers. Much of your day will be in creating game design documents. This also includes scripts, stories, and concept "pitches". You must be able to communicate abstract ideas, formulas, and you must have an artistic eye.
30. Just because you are not a graduating game development student doesn't mean that you don't have a shot. I would love to see more experienced programmers and artists apply for our jobs, but just because you have been doing generic IT or architectural/media art doesn't mean you are a good fit. Please see about for ways of making yourself smart and building a game-specific portfolio. Only after you have demonstrated your passion (even if it is self-study) will a company consider you for a career change.
31. Of course one obvious way to get your work noticed by a game company such as Matahari Studios is to enter local competitions for game development or art. One prime example is U-Got-Game.

Game Industry Interviewing Techniques

As a General Manager and someone who is responsible for hiring staff, I must say that I've waded through my fair share of resumes. Across the world I've seen different approaches to the job application process. Obviously there are a number of differences between submitting a resume in the US, and applying for a job in the Philippines.

I thought I would offer my observations and thoughts on the subject:

1. As an applicant, you must read carefully the job advertisement. The job ad will hopefully list for you the REQUIRED attributes of the position, and other skills that might be nice to have. If you don't have the required skills, you only do yourself a disservice by applying. You take up your time and that of the person reviewing the submissions, and you run the risk of creating some ill-will for you if you choose to apply again in the future for a position for which you are much more qualified.
2. Include a cover letter! This is such an important point I will say it again - include a cover letter! Very few applicants take the time to include a cover letter. The cover letter is your one chance to overcome any objections the reviewer may gloss over when reading your resume. Without a cover letter it will be difficult to understand the full value of the candidate. Please take this advice - include a cover letter with your application. It will drastically increase your chances of an interview.
3. As a corollary to #2 above, make sure your cover letter is tailored to the job at-hand. Including a generic cover letter that says how hard you will work and that your experience makes you a good fit is not enough. Talk briefly about your skills that are appropriate to the position, and how your past experiences will give value to the company for the company in this role. Be specific and draw links directly from the job advertisement text.
4. Include a TAILORED resume in your application. Submitting generic resumes will not distinguish you from the crowd, and they are quite easily spotted when pouring through the vast number of applicants. Take the time to READ the job advertisements, and highlight through bullet points, bolding, and carefully crafted descriptions. Make sure that you present yourself in such a way that it would be a crime if the interviewer didn't call you in. Of course you must not inflate your experiences or misstate (i.e. lie) about your background. Do not think for a moment that the company won't check up on you - any company worth their salt will call references and your previous companies for employment verification.
5. Since we are a game company, it helps if you have some game experience in your background before applying for game development position. This doesn't necessary mean that you have had to work for a game company before, but rather that you have taken it upon yourself to demonstrate your interest and passion for this career. Spend some time working on your portfolio or on a game demo. Show you know what you are talking about by speaking intelligently about the games the company might make. Game development is all about PASSION, and if you don't have the fire in your belly (i.e. you are just looking for a paycheck) then it's best to move along and find something else that is more suitable.
6. If your experience has been in business programming, that doesn't necessary qualify you for a game programming position. Game programming is inherently different, and requires knowledge of things like graphics, sound, AI, physics, and APIs like DirectX and OpenGL. If you are a business programmer and want to make the switch to games, please see #5 above.
7. If you are a computer artist, there are several software packages you need to know: AutoDesk 3D Studio Max and Maya, and Adobe Photoshop. You must have at least an intermediate level of knowledge before applying, so if you don't yet possess such skills, see #5 above.
8. One particular difference between resumes here in Asia and the rest of the world is the inclusion of personal/bio data on the resume. In my view this is unnecessary, and anyone who would choose an employee based on age, gender, religious affiliation, or that they didn't like your picture isn't a company worth working for. Leave it off...
9. There are a number of online services here in the Philippines that display available jobs: jobstreet.com and jobsdb.com are two of note. If you use these services, my suggestion for applicants is that you do not choose the HTML way to submit your resume, rather you should choose "send via email" option if it is available. This way you get to submit a nicely formatted resume PLUS COVER LETTER to the employer, and you will be allowed to format your materials in a way that best suits your need to highlight what's important.
10. You would think this is obvious, but apparently it's not as obvious as it should be: if you are scheduled for an interview at say 10am, it's a good idea to be there on time. Maybe even 5 minutes early. DO NOT BE LATE. Sorry guys to be harsh here, but traffic is not an excuse. I know traffic in Manila is bad, but I learned this pretty quick how bad it is - most of you have been here a lifetime, so you should know to plan around it so you aren't late.
11. If for whatever reason you are delayed or cannot make it at the assigned day/time, please be proactive and call the company to reschedule. My assumption would be that if you don't call, then you aren't interested.
12. Don't accept a job interview if you aren't truly interested in interviewing for the job. I've had way too many instances where interviews were scheduled but people didn't show up. I'll never understand that one. Just makes you look bad, that's all. Why make yourself look bad when a simple phone call is all it takes to clear things up?

"It's just my opinion, I could be wrong" - Dennis Miller