GDC China 2007
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Transcript of GDC China 2007
Finding a Job and Carving your Niche in a Quickly Globalizing Video Game Industry
Susan GoldInternational Game Developer’s AssociationEducation Special Interest Group, Chair
GarageGames, Inc.Academic Coordinator
It Starts with an Education
Education gives you a foot in the door– responsibility– timelines– understanding differences– networking– broad understanding of the discipline
• pique of interest• explore a variety of ideas and theories• development of portfolio
That said...
Many members of industry do not hold degrees
The type of person industry is looking to hire is :
Shaped
Breadth
Versed in all aspects of industry, be it their subject or expertise or that of team members.
Breadth
Having a sense of history within the medium.
Breadth
Plays games and knows the market.
Breadth
Studies the classics as well as modern readingto better understand culture
Breadth
Has passion for video games & has the abilityto collaborate.
Breadth
Game StudiesGame DesignGame ProgrammingVisual DesignAudio DesignInteractive StorytellingGame ProductionBusiness of Gaming
Breadth
Depth
Top in area of expertise, well read, honed skill.
Breadth
Depth
Programmer or Artist - be excellent in one area, know what you like to do.
IGDA Education SIG
http://www.igda.org/education
Curriculum Knowledge Base
http://www.igda.org/index.php/Curriculum_Knowledge_Base
Syllabi
Key Component: Soft Skills
Speaking & Communication Writing Collaboration
Interdisciplinary Work & Courses
The ability to understand and work with a team of different disciplines
Acknowledging and respecting those disciplines
Communication Skills Breadth of Medium
Types of Programs
Many different types of programs Based on many different types of disciplines
– CS– Design– Film– Sound & Music– Architecture, etc..
Philosophies– Experimental design focused– Industry pipeline focused– Research oriented– Serious Games
Portfolio
Demo Reels– Only your best
• artwork• mods• game design documents
– identify what it is you did if collaborative work
• NO Audio
Online Presence– your own website
• easy to navigate• contact information
Code
Make Sure it is Clean– get rid of erroneous code– redundant code
Online Presence– participate in forums and discussions– get work into conferences or magazines & journals– share your game(s)
Play Games
Know what is happening in the industry– Gamastura http://www.gamastura.com– 1 Up http://www.1up.com– EGM http://egm.1up.com– Games for Windows– Game Informer http://www.gameinformer.com
• RSS Feeds• Blogs of Designers
– Personal Favorites
• Kokatu http://www.kotaku.com/• The Escpaist http://www.escapistmagazine.com
Breaking In
http://www.igda.org/breakingin/
Networking
Attend local conferences Attend local IGDA meetings Internships