Task 21: From generalist to specialist?

I have heard a lot of people talking about how the games industry is not all fun and games. Bruce from bruceongames.com says “Playing video games is fun, it is entertainment. So you might think that making video games is fun. It isn’t. Not more or less than other jobs. Because that is what it is, just another job”. Although this is true, if a gamer has a similar passion in making games as to playing them, then I think making games should be equally fun. At the end of the day a job is still a job, you work to earn money and thus make a living. But if you earn money whilst working on something you enjoy, surely that’s something to be happy about isn’t it?

It’s hard to say as I have never worked in the games industry myself. Growing up playing games since I was a wee lad, I have always been fascinated by the games industry on how things move when I tell it too or how we get attached to a certain character. This has always been my motive and still is.  

There are some points that I agree with, Bruce states “Being keen about video games is no qualification whatsoever for working in the industry. Being a good computer programmer or artist is a much better basis. Game companies want people with the skills to make games and being an enthusiast isn’t a skill. Game companies will not take on future employers just because they played all the games out there. They will look at how you would benefit them in general terms, how you could make them money.

Millions of people play games and thousands of people want to work in the industry, but the games industry are very strict in who they recruit. So many game companies are closing down just because they are not selling games. Even Electronic Arts has got rid of 1 ,500 people. This leaves good game developers looking for jobs, so do we newbie’s have a chance?

Its hard times, getting a job is not an easy task whether it be game job or an office job. Once I finish my studies I will be on the hunt for a job in the games industry. But before that I would like to get work experience from a game company, even if that means not getting paid for work. I think getting firsthand experience is vital in landing a proper job. I have always been passionate about games, regardless of what people say and I will strive to be a part of the games industry.

Links:

http://www.bruceongames.com/2009/11/12/you-dont-want-to-work-in-the-video-game-industry/

http://kotaku.com/5344934/want-to-work-in-the-japanese-gaming-industry-heres-how

http://www.gamesindustry.biz/