Passionate about video games? Why not make the games you love to play?
Are you crazy about video games? If you can imagine yourself playing video games for 40 hours (or more) every week for the rest of your life, then you should consider a career in the video game industry. But becoming the next great video game maker isn't easy. The truth is that millions of people play video games, but only a select few have the drive to become makers of a top-selling video game franchise. However, if you are willing to study hard and work your way up from the bottom, one day you can be involved in the creation of video games.
Instructions
1. Play a diverse array of video games on different consoles. This will give you a balanced skill set, as well as a balanced perspective on the types of games that are popular. You should play at least 30 hours a week, and take note of your gaming experiences. When you apply for a job in the video games field, you will need to show your commitment and passion for gaming, as well as provide constructive analysis of games on the market.
2. Study video game design in a classroom setting. This will help to distinguish you from much of your competition. Some of these courses can be taken through ITT Tech or Full Sail University, and include coursework in Physics of Animation, Game Design Strategies, and Game Interface Design.
3. Network, network, network. Use Twitter, Facebook, and other social media tools to connect with game design companies, G4 TV presenters, and prominent gaming bloggers. Write letters to your favorite gaming magazines, and attend gaming conventions whenever you can afford to do so. Make sure to have business cards handy that list your name, contact info, and a link to your personal blog, website, or online resume. You never know when you might make a connection that could lead to a job interview.
4. Send both digital and hard copies of your resume to game design studios that you would like to work for, even if they are not advertising any open positions. They may just throw it away, but other companies may keep your resume on file. Make sure to include a personalized cover letter that expresses why you want to work for the company. You should include relevant information about your personal gaming habits, as well as what makes you qualified to work for the company.
5. If you are still having trouble finding a job in the field, try breaking into the industry as a video game tester. You may find these beta-testing positions on the websites of upcoming games that have yet to hit the market, or on the official websites for game developing companies.
