How difficult it is to get into the game-developing industry?

It's extremely competitive, and starting out you'll have to accept low pay and not-so-glamorous work. Like, Deer Hunter or Mary-Kate and Ashley Dress-Up games, not Diablo or Assassin's Creed. But if you do your time, you can get to the more fun stuff. One friend of mine is involved in Elder Scrolls Online. Another released the indy game Deathspank. I almost went into video games a few years into my career, but didn't want to take a huge step backward, to internship-levels of pay. Remember, people can learn to program in their basements, and a company doesn't need to pay beta testers any more, so you really have to prove your worth to them before they let you get to the more fun and/or lucrative stuff. Or start your own games company if you have an idea, talent, and a few friends.

The games industry is very competitive, but there are many career paths that can lead to a career at a game developer (marketing, design, programming, business). However, positions at large game studios are limited—especially game design positions—and you need to have a strong portfolio of projects, concepts and experience to present and discuss as part of the hiring process.

Most game companies are interested in hiring applicants with some kind of "real-world" games industry experience. They want to know that you understand the process of creating and publishing a game from start to finish. Working on games in the classroom is a great way to understand the process, but you usually don't have enough time or bandwidth to create a finished game. You can gain extra experience through industry internships, or also by teaming up with classmates to create and launch your own game. Having a passion for video games is a good start, but you also need to gain the right skills and knowledge base to make an impact at a game studio.

Just because a career path is competitive doesn't mean you shouldn't pursue it—but you will need to work hard and develop the necessary skills and experience to land a position.

The industry has become quite competitive, and there is more competition every day as more colleges are offering art, design, or engineering programs geared towards the video game industry. There is also a constant flow of existing talent in the industry as game production reaches completion, companies evolve or downsize, or people looking for a new or different challenge. At the same time there are new companies forming all the time and it is getting easier to set up shop on your own or with a small group of people and publishing games on your own has been much easier than even a few years ago. I have found making games a rewarding career and industry full of creative and talented people, I learn something new almost every day and I am closing in on 20 years of work. It is exciting, challenging, creative, and the constant changes make for never a dull moment. It is not for everyone, but my advice, if you have a passion for games, or for any of the disciplines that make up the core of game jobs, pursue that passion. Even if you find after studying and building your skills that making games is not for you, you will be left with a great base for pursuing a number of other careers. My immediate advice, play games, and yes have fun but also start developing a critical eye, what makes the game fun, what mechanics does the game use to challenge you, or tell a story, or make you want to keep playing, ask yourself how did they do that, and start a search for answers. Each area of game development has a different skill set, though some overlap. I can talk most directly about art. There are many tools to learn, and you should learn them, but it all start with drawing. Draw. Draw every day. Then draw some more. Learn about color and play with it. Make mistakes and learn from them. Show people your work and listen and observe how they respond. And be inspired, by what you see and hear, sure games, movies, music, but also what surrounds you every day, people on the bus, light reflecting off buildings, the food you eat. All of this will continue to build your confidence, and you will start believing in your passion, and it will take you places.

Yes, it's hard and competitive and in this market there is a bit of a bias for candidates with industry experience. So how do you get it in? What can you do now to help increase your chances of getting a job in games?

Well, happily one thing has happened that has changed the rules over the last few years is the rise of independent and crowdfunded game projects. And the second cool thing that has happened was mobile gaming took off. The rules and landscape is different now for potential job seekers that want to enter this market.

There's the traditional path - attend a school focused on game design or art in games, build a portfolio and submit. There are many excellent 2 and 4 year trade schools that will spin you up in all the tools and knowledge you will need to to at the very least compete for these jobs.

While I do recommend taking this coursework at the collegiate level because you need the fundamentals, I also highly encourage you start thinking now about independent games you can begin to design now and work with friends to build. If you spend time in the Minecraft community alone, you could build up an immense vocabulary of gaming, learn how to design your own levels, and perhaps if you're ambitious begin to design your own game based on user generated content.

When I look at applicants, if they have designed their own games, whether that is a mod or something operational on mobile, that is a massive plus over other candidates. It shows ambition and passion.

The gaming industry has becoming more and more accessible for everyone! I think you definitely can get into the industry if you figure out your passion - programming, art, design, management and what not. The best way would be to continue doing what you do - taking classes related to what you passion for. Also, make sure you apply to various companies for an internship. I got my first full time job after working with the company as an intern. Good luck!