Tips on how to get into the game industry- Part 2
By PerryVandell 1 Comments
Greetings GB community! As promised, here is the much anticipated second iteration of my blog regarding getting a job in the game industry. If you haven't read the previous article, then you can find it here.
In my previous article, I gave basic tips on what you can do to get yourself noticed, without regards to what type of field you are in. Now, I'm going to be a bit more specific and talk about what people in different fields of game development can do to show off their respective talents. Again, for those of you too lazy to click the link, I am have not worked in the game industry before. These are just things that I've learned from a myriad of game developers at the GDCs I've attended. These tips aren't guaranteed to get you a job in the game industry, but hopefully they will help you out if you wish to do so.
Design
Game designers are the guys/girls who have the big ideas, and as such, you need to able to show that you can effectively write down and explain your ideas in a clear and concise manner so that the artists and programmers are seeing the same thing you are. So, one thing to put on your blog would be some extensive design docs for a game you originally came up with. Then, go into some real detail. Who/ what is the main character? What is the main character's goal? Are there upgrades? Levels? Weapons? The ability to pee anywhere, not just a urinal? These questions plus many more, are things you will have to think about and write down. By the end, you should have a clear idea of what your game is about and how it works. If you are in college, I recommend taking some writing courses that will teach you how to write in a clear, concise, and interesting manner. Another thing you should do is buy a game that has a good map editor like Unreal Tournament 3 and design some levels to show off! There are tools out there that allow you to build levels without having to study three years of C++ or Java, use them.
Art
One of the advantages of being a game artist is the ability to really grasp the reader of your site. Quality concept art and character models have an eye-catching ability that isn't found in design docs and lines of code. This isn't to say that you will have an easier time getting a job, but it's nice that you can show off your work and impress those aren't even necessarily into gaming. If you are an artist who would rather draw with paper and paint rather than a tablet, then simply go to the nearest Kinkos and scan your drawings so that you may upload your work to your site. Also, a word of advice for those wishing to be character modelers. Making models of frightening monsters that came from the depths of Hell is fine, but one thing you can do that is truly impressive is design a good looking human. Monsters are relatively easy and fun to make because you can't really go wrong and have unlimited creativity at your disposal. But to be able to model a realistic human face giving realistic emotions is an impressive feat that not a ton of people can do. Also make sure to keep your drawing style in mind. If you draw mostly anime or things like orcs or elves, then you probably aren't going to be hired as an artist for the next Halo or BioShock.
Programming
This is the part where things get a little complicated. There many different types of programmers, and some rely more heavily on artists than others to show off their work. For example, if you program physics engines, you can easily show off a level you programmed involving different objects and how they interact with very little art assets involved. However, if you are a "presentation" programmer (i.e. programs shaders) then you need some art to program with, or at least need to make a tech demo that uses as little art as possible. Another way to handle the issue is go to the art department of a college (preferably a school that has visual arts courses) and find someone who you can collaborate with.
That's all I've got to say about the subject for now. I know what I was discussing was still pretty general considering the amount of different positions in each field, but hopefully it helped you out in some way or another. Again, if you have any questions, comments, or concerns, feel free to comment below or send me a pm. Thanks for reading!