How DO you get a job in game development?

While we’d normally refer you to the Gamasutra job board to answer this question, the truth is that many of the game developers we’ve interviewed over the years didn’t begin their careers working in the game industry at all. Some of them got their first jobs working as educators, scientists, bartenders, or even circus performers. 

Since there’s no one way into game development, it’s worth being self-aware about where you are in your life and how your skills can apply to a job in game development.

At GDC 2016, Radiant Entertainment’s Patrick Miller (who also sometimes contributes to Gamasutra) gave a talk at the Game Career Seminar that highlighted some of these unconventional career paths, and gave hope to an audience of students and developers that they too could turn their unusual paths into successful careers. 

If you’ve been trying to find your place in the professional world, whether it’s game development or otherwise, you can watch Miller's talk now for free on the GDC YouTube channel. 

About the GDC Vault

In addition to this presentation, the GDC Vault and its new YouTube channel offers numerous other free videos, audio recordings, and slides from many of the recent Game Developers Conference events, and the service offers even more members-only content for GDC Vault subscribers.

Those who purchased All Access passes to recent events like GDC, GDC Europe, and GDC Next already have full access to GDC Vault, and interested parties can apply for the individual subscription via a GDC Vault subscription page. Group subscriptions are also available: game-related schools and development studios who sign up for GDC Vault Studio Subscriptions can receive access for their entire office or company by contacting staff via the GDC Vault group subscription page. Finally, current subscribers with access issues can contact GDC Vault technical support.

Gamasutra and GDC are sibling organizations under parent UBM Tech