ABSTRACT

There is no one way to get into the game industry. If you have been reading along with the designer perspectives throughout this book, you have probably noticed that each individual designer has a unique story to tell about how he or she got a start designing games. No two took the same path, and you too will have to find your own way. But in this final chapter, I’ll provide you with a number of strategies for selling yourself and your vision to the game industry. The three basic strategies I discuss are

1. Getting a job at a publisher or developer 2. Pitching and selling an original idea to a publisher 3. Producing your ideas independently

Most game designers do not start out by selling original concepts; they get a job at an established company and work their way up the ladder. When they have some experience, they might break off to start their own company or pitch ideas internally to the company they work for. But how do you find your first job in the game industry? What are the qualifications? What should you bring to an interview? These are questions that do not have easy answers. Unlike many career paths, game design does not have an established route to success. The ideas I suggest are ways to maximize your chances in a very competitive arena.