My thoughts (I'm not an expert, use my thoughts with caution) If you have experience with the TYPE of work the job is and your biggest desire is to do the same type of work, but do it for the company you are applying for, is very helpful. Find something specific about the SPECIFIC company that you really like or would be proud of being a part of. Types of work: (1) High endurance doing prolonged physical labor with high stress. (2) Sitting + completing tasks on time. (3) Dealing with angry, impatient people properly to diffuse and resolve problems. (4) Identifying problems and able to come up with solutions. Also, being reliable to show up for work, while minimizing requesting days and time off, is a huge plus. Being knowledgeable about the things you will be working with, is a benefit also. A huge one for me is: Frequently verbally communicating with your supervisors/managers about current work progress, problems/difficulties and telling them about work accomplishments is a HUGE benefit. You may be like me and be afraid of keeping in verbal contact with your supervisors, because you are afraid they may tell you that you need to improve and aren't good enough and end up resulting in being fired. This issue came up, when I didn't make any effort to keep in contact with them, which made the rare communications either be unrelated to work or to be told I was messing up somehow. However, once I knew WHO to keep in contact with and once I informed ALL of those people, along with THEIR supervisors that I would be making an effort to communicate with them better, EVERYTHING changed. I still avoid them SOMETIMES when I feel ashamed about things, because I hope they won't notice my mistakes, but even just the occasional "Hey, I (did this) and I'm going to (do this) right now", let's them keep track of what I have done and what I am doing, which ALLOWS them to have the opportunity to say "GREAT" or "That sounds good, but I noticed something else that I believe is a higher priority, if you could please take care of this issue first, that would be fantastic". When in doubt, communicate TOO OFTEN, you will learn how to throttle communication up or down, the more you do it. Think about this, if you have something online that is earning you money, it is nice to know each time you earn more money or to be able to check on the progress at any time you want, even if you find out many times you haven't made any extra profit. Now think about if the website to check your money, didn't send notifications and was only randomly available and mostly not available. Switch that out for your manager wanting to keep track of your progress and you will see how much of a difference it will make. Stuff like that. Good luck everyone.
So, 1. Have a portfolio to show. 2. Having contacts can be a major boost. 3. Making the project assigned to you a personal one will allow you to think in terms of "What else..." and might be useful to get on the good side of the employer. I'm hoping this is right, right?
Good to know your perspective. I want to add that if you have worked on quite a few projects already, you can customize your portfolio, put the most relevant and similar work up, and the rest down in a "other experience" section! That way they can instantly take a look at what they are interested in, and it will make that good first impression.
All well understandable points. Thanks for this. Well compressed. So it means continue working hard on portfolio, continue to be a cool person and get the hell out there.
Good tips, I've personally received many more interviews and offers after creating an online portfolio. I'm a programmer, so I included samples of code along with gifs/pictures of the games I've created, along with a short description of the game.
What’s a portfolio exactly.? And I’m young do you have any tips to get me a little head start? And I’m a little confused between designer and developer and programmer are they the same. Is working for indie or AAA better? Which one pays more
Well, a portfolio is generally a website with examples of your work. If you want to get a job doing 3D modelling, make a bunch of 3D models and put pictures of your work on the site with info about yourself. If you want to show off your programming abilities, put sample programs there, even better if you put links to download the projects so possible employers can look at your code (if you have enough confidence in it). As for what the different roles mean, a designer and programmer are specific roles. Generally a designer is handling the game rules, layout, systems, interface, etc. It's probably one of the hardest roles to clearly describe since it can be a lot of different things, there are different types of designers such as game designers, level designers, and UX (user experience) designers. A programmer can also be a lot of things, and may even include some design responsibilities, but generally a programmer will be working primarily with the code and getting the game to work from a technical perspective. A "game developer" just means someone who works making games, it's like saying I'm a "football player" without explicitly saying whether you are a quarterback or a linebacker. Also, indie vs AAA is kinda subjective, but generally you could say that AAA pays better but you end up doing a very specific role and having less creative freedom, whereas being indie gives you more creative freedom, means that you will have to fill more roles and know a wider array of things, and it often doesn't pay as well (but not always, you could be lucky and make a very successful indie game).
If I was a game designer, I would include snapshots or video of levels I've designed. I would also included an explanation on why the level was designed in a particular way, what I was trying to achieve and how I was trying to achieve it. 1. I used moving platforms here because... 2. I wanted the player to feel a sense of urgency so I included a countdown timer to... 3. In order to make this multiplayer game fair, I designed the map this way...
Grimoire nailed it on the head. Whatever your portfolio is for it should include and highlight those things. Id also make it targeted. So if you are applying for design specifically, focus on the design stuff and maybe remove some stuff that doesnt add anything to that specifically.
Great advice, does this advice works for entering into free lancing too . As free lancing helps to create portfolio and free lancing requires portfolio . It looks like a vicious circle 😀
You have to get a Job in a small Indie company, after a two year of experience you have the chance to get in AAA.
My thoughts (I'm not an expert, use my thoughts with caution)
If you have experience with the TYPE of work the job is and your biggest desire is to do the same type of work, but do it for the company you are applying for, is very helpful. Find something specific about the SPECIFIC company that you really like or would be proud of being a part of.
Types of work:
(1) High endurance doing prolonged physical labor with high stress.
(2) Sitting + completing tasks on time.
(3) Dealing with angry, impatient people properly to diffuse and resolve problems.
(4) Identifying problems and able to come up with solutions.
Also, being reliable to show up for work, while minimizing requesting days and time off, is a huge plus. Being knowledgeable about the things you will be working with, is a benefit also.
A huge one for me is:
Frequently verbally communicating with your supervisors/managers about current work progress, problems/difficulties and telling them about work accomplishments is a HUGE benefit. You may be like me and be afraid of keeping in verbal contact with your supervisors, because you are afraid they may tell you that you need to improve and aren't good enough and end up resulting in being fired. This issue came up, when I didn't make any effort to keep in contact with them, which made the rare communications either be unrelated to work or to be told I was messing up somehow. However, once I knew WHO to keep in contact with and once I informed ALL of those people, along with THEIR supervisors that I would be making an effort to communicate with them better, EVERYTHING changed. I still avoid them SOMETIMES when I feel ashamed about things, because I hope they won't notice my mistakes, but even just the occasional "Hey, I (did this) and I'm going to (do this) right now", let's them keep track of what I have done and what I am doing, which ALLOWS them to have the opportunity to say "GREAT" or "That sounds good, but I noticed something else that I believe is a higher priority, if you could please take care of this issue first, that would be fantastic". When in doubt, communicate TOO OFTEN, you will learn how to throttle communication up or down, the more you do it. Think about this, if you have something online that is earning you money, it is nice to know each time you earn more money or to be able to check on the progress at any time you want, even if you find out many times you haven't made any extra profit. Now think about if the website to check your money, didn't send notifications and was only randomly available and mostly not available. Switch that out for your manager wanting to keep track of your progress and you will see how much of a difference it will make.
Stuff like that.
Good luck everyone.
Great tip!
So,
1. Have a portfolio to show.
2. Having contacts can be a major boost.
3. Making the project assigned to you a personal one will allow you to think in terms of "What else..." and might be useful to get on the good side of the employer.
I'm hoping this is right, right?
Pretty much. Great summary!
Good to know your perspective. I want to add that if you have worked on quite a few projects already, you can customize your portfolio, put the most relevant and similar work up, and the rest down in a "other experience" section! That way they can instantly take a look at what they are interested in, and it will make that good first impression.
I agree with this! The more targeted the better.
All well understandable points. Thanks for this. Well compressed. So it means continue working hard on portfolio, continue to be a cool person and get the hell out there.
Yes sir! Great summary.
I really want to get into the AAA industry and these are some really helpful tips.
Thanks.
Glad to help :)
Good tips, I've personally received many more interviews and offers after creating an online portfolio.
I'm a programmer, so I included samples of code along with gifs/pictures of the games I've created, along with a short description of the game.
Portfolios are great! Even I made one and I am not looking for a job. They are just really effective at getting across the things you build.
LOL, I'm reviewing this, now.
What’s a portfolio exactly.? And I’m young do you have any tips to get me a little head start? And I’m a little confused between designer and developer and programmer are they the same. Is working for indie or AAA better? Which one pays more
Well, a portfolio is generally a website with examples of your work. If you want to get a job doing 3D modelling, make a bunch of 3D models and put pictures of your work on the site with info about yourself. If you want to show off your programming abilities, put sample programs there, even better if you put links to download the projects so possible employers can look at your code (if you have enough confidence in it). As for what the different roles mean, a designer and programmer are specific roles. Generally a designer is handling the game rules, layout, systems, interface, etc. It's probably one of the hardest roles to clearly describe since it can be a lot of different things, there are different types of designers such as game designers, level designers, and UX (user experience) designers. A programmer can also be a lot of things, and may even include some design responsibilities, but generally a programmer will be working primarily with the code and getting the game to work from a technical perspective. A "game developer" just means someone who works making games, it's like saying I'm a "football player" without explicitly saying whether you are a quarterback or a linebacker. Also, indie vs AAA is kinda subjective, but generally you could say that AAA pays better but you end up doing a very specific role and having less creative freedom, whereas being indie gives you more creative freedom, means that you will have to fill more roles and know a wider array of things, and it often doesn't pay as well (but not always, you could be lucky and make a very successful indie game).
Lord Pytheas thanks!
What to do if we are in India plz reply me
Great video Thank you!
what do you think a Game Design portfolio should include?
things like level design,GDD/FDD,game analyze?
If I was a game designer, I would include snapshots or video of levels I've designed. I would also included an explanation on why the level was designed in a particular way, what I was trying to achieve and how I was trying to achieve it.
1. I used moving platforms here because...
2. I wanted the player to feel a sense of urgency so I included a countdown timer to...
3. In order to make this multiplayer game fair, I designed the map this way...
Grimoire nailed it on the head. Whatever your portfolio is for it should include and highlight those things. Id also make it targeted. So if you are applying for design specifically, focus on the design stuff and maybe remove some stuff that doesnt add anything to that specifically.
Would a degree be useful for the AAA game industry and if so what kind of degree
Great advice, does this advice works for entering into free lancing too . As free lancing helps to create portfolio and free lancing requires portfolio . It looks like a vicious circle 😀
Networking FOR SURE. Portfolios really help when you are getting new clients that have never worked with you before. Its def along the same lines.
a career in the AAA games industry is overrated kids.
Totally agree. Indies 4 lyfe!