Step 1: Understand the Games Market
Destin BalesStudents are often introduced to the concept of working in the industry simply by enjoying the games that they love and daydreaming about being a part of the process. Being a gamer is a great start, but there is much more that can be done right now to understand the market.
You may already be familiar with a number of web sites that target consumers by showing news, reviews and gameplay footage. Most game developers are gamers first and frequently visit these sites on a daily basis. Some of our favorites include:
Visiting these sites each day can give you a great overall view of what games are popular today. It's an investment that takes time however, but understanding which games are successful, niche, critically acclaimed and unique is an important knowledge base for any game developer to have.
If you want to get into the games industry, then get into it. Play all kinds of games, read the news on web sites, stay up to date on the latest changes, learn it inside and out. In the eyes of a prospective employer your knowledge will help prove your passion. "
- Matt Daniels, Designer | Bethesda Game Studios
Where the sites above show the perspective from the outside looking in, listed below you can find resources that show the viewpoint from within the industry looking out. Many developers view these sites on a weekly basis to learn more about their craft and the market around them. The most popular pages tend to be:
For more concentrated and direct exposure to the industry there are a number of conferences and events that take place each year in which you can learn quite a bit about game development, gaming culture and the hottest products of today. Attending these events is not necessary to achieve your goal, but if you find that you have the means to do so you will likely learn quite a bit from the experience.
Last but not least, the most important thing you can do starting today and forever more is to play games. Play a lot of games. Play as many games as you possibly can.
"To make games you must know games. It isn't enough to play the best or the worst game that everyone is currently talking about. You must experience everything that the industry has to offer.
It may be difficult to play through the last ten levels of some poorly reviewed game, but you never know what you may learn from that very last level. That painful experience could teach a lesson that saves you when you need it most in your career!"
- Maurice Nelson, Director of Development | BioWare Mythic
There is something to learn from each and every game out there. Whether the game is good or bad, big budget or indie, on console, PC, mobile or tablet, there are valuable lessons in each title.
It is easier than ever to play games today, even for free! Do you have a Steam account? In addition to the ease of use and the ability to buy games instantly from your PC, Steam offers a simple way to download and play free game demos of all kinds.
If you own a console like the XBOX 360 or Playstation 3 you can access free game demos weekly via XBOX Live or the PSN interface on your system. Also, consider trying out Gamefly - a game rental service that works much like Netflix, allowing you to play many more games for your money.
Understanding the market is the very first step towards achieving your goal. It serves as the foundation for all future steps and is a process that takes time. Many developers have spent years accumulating a wealth of knowledge thanks to utilizing these types of resources. No matter your age, amount of disposable income, or working experience it is easily possible to dive in head first right now!
It's time to take your first step.
Destin Bales
Reader Comments (11)
Destin this is great info! Im Willy from your dentist office haha! Ive always wanted to design games, its my dream. I was kinda shy to say that at the office when I saw you today haha. But this is a great site, alot of questions I have are being answered. Thanks Destin, this is exactly what im looking for, some guidance to start my dream
Fantastic! We are putting the finishing touches on the site this week so if you see anything that can be improved or if you have any major questions that are unanswered please let us know.
You can do it Willy. And the fact that you live in one of the largest game development capitals in the world gives you a great head start!
Thanks Destin! This website is great! It has me thinking of all the disciplines and which one is good for me to start in. The only thing I see wrong in the website is a small typo in step 1, the second paragraph. you wrote "Most game developers are gamers first and frequent these sites on a daily basis." I think you meant to say "frequently visit these sites on a daily basis." Other then that your website is nicely done and I give you kudos for that!
Fixed. Thanks!
Unfortunately most people who want to join the game industry only want to join as designer as they have a completely WRONG notion what a game designer is.
http://kschang.hubpages.com/hub/Things-You-Should-Know-About-Video-Game-Designer
I just came across this site-- very good stuff!
I especially appreciate your advice to understand the industry-- While that's generally not a problem for aspiring game designers or programmers, I've found that for videogame music & sound in particular, an amazingly high number of people want to do games without even playing them themselves. When I talk to aspiring composers at places like GameSoundCon many rarely if ever play games. My response is usually along the lines of "Suppose you were pitching to do the music for the next Steven Spielberg movie, and he asked you what your favorite film score was. What do you think his reaction would be if you replied 'well, i don't really watch movies, but I want to write the music for your next one."
I got into the industry in 1987-- at my interview (with a major pinball manufacturer), I was invited to play a yet-to-be released pinball machine. Of course I said "yes", and since I'd been playing since I was a kid, I kicked butt. Later, I found out that was a huge plus in my landing the gig..
Thanks for this blog you made, Dont have alot of time right now to read it all but will read the rest later on.
Ive been a Gamer and adviser for some games for a long time, but get sick of commercial things screwing up the gameplay.
So We are making a new game communitie and hope to produce games for our communitie in the future Free and nice to play.
Found your blog in my daily research for marketing/seo/moneymaking/gameproducting/gametesters etc and well what ive seen its very usefull.
Woud be nice to get some basic games up myself in the coming year.
Well, thanks again, and will read later again :)
Great Intro! Just came across your blog from an article on Gamasutra and gotta say I loved the intro on getting to know the industry. Looking forward to reading all the other steps :P
Dear Destin,
I'm 25 years old and i've been playing video games ever since my first PC back in 1995. My biggest dream since then is to be a part of the video game industry, however, i'm not a programmer (although i have some basic experience with C++, C#, Java) because i tend to get overwhelmed by how much i need to know to start building my game, i'm not an artist - i cannot draw a proper-looking house on a sheet of paper, though;I love to Beta test upcoming game Beta versions and provide feedback to the developers (even if probably my feedback drowns in the sea of 10,000 or more other feedbacks at that time). I'm studying International Business & Communication (Bachelor) at the moment;had studied Electronics Engineering previously, which I didn't enjoy that much, but I ALWAYS go back to playing games, to thinking of what could be improved, what could be changed. So here's my dillemma:
I want to be apart of the video game industry although i have no Bachelor's Degree in Computer Science, no finished projects in terms of programming (don't think that a bouncing ball on a paddle in Unity 3D counts) and i'm no artist....I Just LOVE to play games. Should I re-educate?Thank you for any advice to this wacky post;)
All of the Best.
Vytautas
Hi Vytautas,
Apologies for the delayed reply. I'm not sure that changing your educational path will solve your dilemma. If you have the flexibility to do so, my suggestion would be to pick up a job in QA. Not only is this a great way to learn how games are made from the inside, but it's also the perfect test to see if you really want to make games or if you just enjoy playing them.
The ability to complete complex tasks is vital to being a great game developer. See if you can turn that paddle into pong? :)
Best,
Destin
Thank you,Destin,
If i can't get into the industry in any other way, i'll go for QA, thank you for the advice.
All of the best.
Vytautas.