Step 3: Study the Trade

Armed with a growing understanding of the market and insight into the various positions that work together to create games, now you can turn your attention towards learning and obtaining the tools you need for your desired discipline.

Each discipline has a number of unique resources available to help you learn more about the job at hand. These range from articles, books and videos to previous GDC courses recorded and viewable online.

"Game development disciplines are like positions on a football team.  Having some understanding of all of the roles and how they work together is important, but pursuing a mastery of one is how you help your team win.  Your skill at your chosen discipline is also the first thing your future employer will want to know about you."

  - Bruce Maclean, Senior Producer | BioWare

To help you get started, here are a few examples that you may find useful:

Overall Development 

• GDC Vault - Online Free Sessions

Design 

• The Game Design of Starcraft II
• The Art of Game Design: A Book of Lenses
• Game Development Essentials
• Tools of the Trade: Mind Map

QA 

• Game QA & Testing
• Game Testing

Art 

• Creating the Art of the Game
• Game Art Complete

Engineering 

• Free Stanford Online Course - Programming Methodology
• Learn C++

Production

• The Game Producer's Handbook
• The Game Production Handbook

Audio

• The Game Audio Tutorial
• Game Audio Development

Community

• Online Community Management for Dummies
• The Art of Community

"One of the worst things you can do when applying or interviewing for a job in game development is lead people to believe that you just want a foot in the door or will take literally any job.  We work in a dynamic and passionate industry and want to work with others who are committed to their trade, whatever it may be.

As a hiring manager, I am looking for that complementary puzzle piece that interlocks with the rest of the team and brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the table (or an aptitude and strong desire to succeed) in a particular role."

  - Ken Shuck, Sr. Director of Product Development | BioWare

Your goal should not be to attempt to thoroughly understand each and every one of these disciplines. Instead try and focus in on a specific one, and begin absorbing as much information about it as you possibly can.  What matters here is not that you learn how to make art or create code overnight, but that you get a good sense for what the experience might be like working in this field.

"By maintaining focus and dedication for a particular discipline you become an expert in your field and inspire those around you.  Your passion is contagious and makes the rest of the team better in the process."

  - Nate Birkholz, Producer | Paragon Studios

Take your time, explore the information that is out there and share your findings with others.