If there is one hobby millions of us love nothing more to do, it’s playing video games. While many purely see it as a pleasure, others dream of the idea of actually working in the field and even creating their own games! If you fall into the latter camp, you don’t have to keep your head in the clouds. With the right steps, tactics, and determination, you could step into the gaming industry and earn a hefty living out of it!
Whether you love the mechanisms that make up a game, writing reviews or want to create your very own, here are some strategies you can try out that could see you head into a gaming profession.
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Post Your Work on Discussion Boards
For aspiring game developers, you may spend a large chunk of time lurking around discussion boards and reading up on as much knowledge as possible. But, guess who else reads these discussion boards? Professional game developers! Therefore, it’s crucial to create an account and post your work on these platforms. You never know, your work could be seen by game studios. This can be an excellent way to build industry connections and if you play your cards right, you could end up securing a job!
Start a Gaming YouTube Channel
For those that love making videos and like sharing them with the world, it may make sense to set up your own gaming YouTube channel. Here, you can build a community of loyal watchers which could see you earn a pretty penny in the process. As you build up a following and gain traction, there’s always the option of monetizing your page. This means you can earn cash for each person who views your content. Of course, if you want to make any substantial money from this venture, it will take time to get people on board with your YouTube channel. You can even specialize your gaming YouTube channel on slot games. In fact, the latest slot games in the UK can be found on this website which can give you inspiration.
Create Your Own Games
Many employers require or like candidates to have experience creating games. Unfortunately, this can be difficult for entry-level employees to obtain. Thankfully, there are online courses you can look into which give you the tools and knowledge on how to make games. What’s more, you’ll earn certifications in certain software systems that can be proudly housed on your CV. You can also build your portfolio that may feature any homemade games you’ve made.
Consider Becoming an AQ/Games Tester
Quality assurance (AQ), sometimes known as games testing is a very common path to take for those wanting to enter the video games sector. This usually requires nothing but an analytical mindset and a drive for the game you will be working on. As a games tester, you will be responsible for, of course, playing on the game, but making sure it works as it should. You’re also in charge of finding any problems or bugs that could be hindering play. To succeed in this role, you’ll need to have patience and have excellent attention to detail skills.
Look Into Internships
To get into the gaming sector, many people opt for internships. If you’ve got a skill that can be used in game development like programming, sound design, or art, you may be able to nab a job at a game studio, even if you have never built an actual game before. Not every studio has an ‘official’ internship programme in place. However, most are open to the idea of part-time or temporary workers that could assist in finishing their game. Be warned that many internships don’t pay, so you need to weigh up the pros and cons before going any further.
Attend a Game Jam
A game jam is a contest where participants create new video games within a set time frame. These events are an excellent way to meet and work with other like-minded individuals on game projects, as well as learn how to design games. Many game jams feature video game company representatives too. This gives you plenty of opportunities to learn industry tips and techniques that could propel your career further. Once you master the art of networking and build a contact base, you may just end up securing your dream role!
Launch a Gaming Blog
If you enjoy writing about games or like the idea of running a gaming community, what better way to do either than by launching a gaming blog? This can be a platform where you showcase your expertise in gaming and bring people together. Before you know it, you can build an audience for your gaming blog who will hang on to your every word. Starting a blog is incredibly simple. Once you’ve got an idea, simply find a hosting provider and away you go! Over time, you can make connections with other gamers, offer to guest post, and if you reach a large audience, you could earn a killing from advertisements on your page.
Visit Game Conventions
As well as game jams, there are plenty of game conventions up and down the country that take place every year. In fact, many attract thousands upon thousands of attendees. These conferences allow attendees to find out about new games, meet experts from the gaming world, play on games, and partake in workshops and seminars on topics linked to designing and developing games. Bear in mind that certain gaming conventions will have a fee to attend or exhibit.
Explore Courses and Apprenticeships
For those interested in going to university to study a video game course, there are certain game-related degrees that may be perfectly suited to your career goals. Many universities up and down the country offer BA Games Design courses that you can look into. There are specialist master’s programmes too which can teach you additional skills. Make sure you look at gaming apprenticeships too. These are ideal for anyone wanting to start out in a development position.
While we won’t lie and say breaking into the gaming industry is going to be easy, there are many avenues you can go down that could see you secure the role of your dreams and earn a lucrative salary in the process.
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