Working for the love of the (video) game.
Landing a gig in the computer games world might at first seem like a dream job. After all, playing games would become part of your vocation. But it's not "all beer and Skittles," says Peter Olafson, a game journalist for the past 12 years, currently based in San Francisco. It takes dedication, creativity, and, above all, a love of the game.
More Than Code
Game designers and programmers use the same code as other software programmers. If your interests lie in building games from the foundation up, you'll need to have serious coding skills. "But your ability to tell a story with code is definitely a unique set of skills for the video game industry," says Mike Goodman, a gaming industry analyst with the Boston-based research firm The Yankee Group.
"In general, most programmers can write the [code] that [is] necessary. But the really good ones can do that and then conceptualize it into the bigger picture of telling a story and providing entertainment," explains Goodman.
If you're not a programmer, you might be able to find a way to tie your current calling to the game industry.
Tammy Dargan, a project manager at Sierra, a Seattle-area game publisher, says that game designers need a wide variety of talents, from the ability to think algorithmically ("If this, then what?") to an understanding of current and future technologies to solid written and oral communication skills.
Diverse Backgrounds
Game designers can come from any background
