GDC 07: Getting a Job in the Video Game Industry

Growing up, you're always told that when it comes to determining a
career path you should "do what you love." But what if what you love is
video games? No matter what your talent is there are many ways you
could wind up working with or around video games. If you're strong at
math or good with computers you could become a programmer; there's
plenty of demand for gifted artists to create and design characters and
levels; talented musicians are behind all great game soundtracks; and
of course, every game needs hardworking people with an eye for detail
to do QA testing for bugs.

It's not necessarily easy to have a career in the video game industry,
but as you see every time you try to pick out a single game from packed
store shelves, it's a pretty big field and there are lots of companies
out there. With the 2007 Game Developers Conference in town, I thought
it would be interesting to find out what advice game developers themselves have for people looking to break into the business, so I grabbed
my camera and headed to the convention center.

The show floor was pretty loud (thanks Singstar demo kiosk!), so it can
be a little tough to hear, but the folks that I spoke with had a lot of
interesting and informative things to say. A common theme in most of
their answers was that you've got to be willing to work really hard and
pay your dues, but judging by the plentiful "now hiring" signs and
numerous recruiters at the conference, if you're willing to put in the
work you can get your dream job.

*Thanks to Sunshine and the folks at Disney Interactive for their time.
I had to cut their segment because it was too hard to hear. Sorry!