Category Game Industry

Links and articles about the game industry: how to get game jobs, how to manage your role, etc.

Industry Insight

• GDC 2010 The Belly of the Whale: Living a Creative Life in the Game Industry - by Bob Bates<
  >Insights into how creative types can survive and thrive in the game industry. Highly recommended by many Polycounters.

Job Searching

Most game developers get their jobs by word of mouth, this industry puts personal contacts first and foremost. Networking is key; keep in contact with your friends and former co-workers.

• Industry tips: How to find a job in the game industry - by Christopher Natsuume<
  >Frank tips about job searching.
• The Phone Screen - by Joel "joelonsoftware" Spolsky<
  >How companies weed out applicants, and how to present yourself to make the cut.
• The Polycount threads Game and Mod Development Article and Some mod guidelines <
  > All you need to know about creating or joining a mod team.

Resumes

• Getting Your Résumé Read - by Joel "joelonsoftware" Spolsky
• Sorting Resumes - by Joel "joelonsoftware" Spolsky

Portfolios

• The Polycount thread Your Portfolio Repels Jobs describes the do's and don'ts of online portfolios.
• The Polycount thread Setting up a quick portfolio site has more portfolio tips.

Art Tests

• The GameArtisans thread Art Test Master List<
  >Links to art tests that game companies ask their art applicants to complete.

Interviews

• 10 Tips for Your First Interview - by Dave Sanford<
  > Time-tested interview strategies:
  1. Research
  2. Practice
  3. Clothing
  4. Get there early
  5. Observe
  6. Know thyself
  7. Handshake
  8. Listen
  9. Finishing
  10. Follow up
• Four Steps to a Better Job Interview - by Brad Karsh<
  > Four simple things to improve your interviews.
  1. Relax, not a battle of wits.
  2. Job description = questions that you'll be asked.
  3. Have answers about why you did certain things.
  4. Have questions about them.
• Ten Tips for the Interview Follow Up - by Carole Martin<
  >How to avoid a non-response after your interview.
• The Polycount thread job interview, 2-3 hours, why so long?<
  >Game developers talking about the interview process they do, or have been through.

Salary Research

Do the research to figure out what a fair offer is for your skill level and geographic area.

• 2009 Game Industry Salary Survey - from Game Developer magazine (mostly USA) See also 2008, 2007, 2006.
• Senior Artist Salaries at Computer Software companies in United States - from Glassdoor.com (USA) Customize your search, and enter your salary data for full access.
• The Foreign Labor Certification Data Center - Online Wage Library - from the US Department of Labor (USA)

Negotiation

Salary negotiation is an essential skill that will be put to the test when you interview.

• Salary of a game programmer (artist, designer, or producer) - by Christer Ericcson, Sony Computer Entertainment
• Industry tips: How to not ask for money - by Christopher Natsuume
• Know Your Rights - The Myth of Pay Privacy - by KC Labor (USA)

Employee Rights

• National Labor Relations Board (USA)
• Directgov Employment Terms and Conditions (UK)
• Know Your Rights - by KC Labor (USA)
• The Polycount thread Discussing issues at work, grounds for firing? has information about workers discussing their compensation with one another.