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.
• GameStatistics has more links.

Portfolios

• For advice about which art software to use, see the wiki page and the forum thread Free or low cost 3D and 2D apps.
• 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.

Resumes

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

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.

• For job postings, see the Polycount forum section Work Opportunities.
• For advice about joining a mod team, see the Polycount forum threads Game and Mod Development Article and Some mod guidelines.
• For some frank advice about job searching, see Industry tips: How to find a job in the game industry - by Christopher Natsuume
• For info about how companies weed out applicants, see The Phone Screen - by Joel 'joelonsoftware' Spolsky.

Art Tests

Game companies often ask their art applicants to complete an art test, to gauge their talent relative to that company's particular needs.

• To see some example art tests, see the GameArtisans thread Art Test Master List

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.

More Resources

Wiki pages in this category: