4 answers
Marion
Student
East Los Angeles, California
1
Question
Asked
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Can I make a career out of playing video games?
Can I make a career out of playing video games?
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4 answers
Dixon Cheung
Game Designer, Narrative Designer, Creative Lead (Advertising)
7
Answers
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Updated
Dixon’s Answer
There are several paths you can take to get yourself in the game industry but know that each involves a totally different aspect and is equally crucial to a game studio.
The first path you can take is the art direction, which opens up to many different roles such as game concept art, UI, visual effects, animation. While you can go to school and take courses to get certification for each of those, you will probably require a portfolio of some form to demonstrate that you can in fact create art for a game. (Will go onto that in a bit)
The second path is the development path, which again opens up to many different roles, from writing game script using a game engine, to the backend that supports the game's many features. But regardless of what you wish to do on the development path, my advice is to learn Unity and Unreal and be really good at writing features for a game. You'll definitely need a portfolio of features you did in a game to get a job.
The third path is less on the development side, and more on the supporting side. You can definitely get into the industry by applying as a game tester (QA teams are always looking for people), become a HR manager at a game studio, or if you have production management experience you can definitely apply to those too.
You may probably think, what about game designer? Well, the reason I'm not putting game designer on this list is because game designer position has one of the toughest entry point with no clear pathway from school to job. You can study at art school or study computer science and you may enter the industry with a decent portfolio, but for game design, many studios will want you to have shipped games, even AAA game titles before they would even consider hiring you. I know this may sound like a complain, but that's how the real world is. If you look at LinkedIn, you'll notice that there aren't a lot of junior game designer positions available. Most of the job postings are likely to ask for 3 to 5 years of experience with shipped game titles. Some recruiting managers will also expect you to have shipped a PlayStation / PC game or involved in a multi-million dollar production. They are also likely to ask for visual scripting experience (with Unreal and Unity), level design experience, or expertise with game balancing before they would consider a job interview. My suggestion, if you absolutely must go for a game designer position, build an indie game to get your portfolio, or enter the industry via the other three paths and work your way in towards a game designer after you get in.
The first path you can take is the art direction, which opens up to many different roles such as game concept art, UI, visual effects, animation. While you can go to school and take courses to get certification for each of those, you will probably require a portfolio of some form to demonstrate that you can in fact create art for a game. (Will go onto that in a bit)
The second path is the development path, which again opens up to many different roles, from writing game script using a game engine, to the backend that supports the game's many features. But regardless of what you wish to do on the development path, my advice is to learn Unity and Unreal and be really good at writing features for a game. You'll definitely need a portfolio of features you did in a game to get a job.
The third path is less on the development side, and more on the supporting side. You can definitely get into the industry by applying as a game tester (QA teams are always looking for people), become a HR manager at a game studio, or if you have production management experience you can definitely apply to those too.
You may probably think, what about game designer? Well, the reason I'm not putting game designer on this list is because game designer position has one of the toughest entry point with no clear pathway from school to job. You can study at art school or study computer science and you may enter the industry with a decent portfolio, but for game design, many studios will want you to have shipped games, even AAA game titles before they would even consider hiring you. I know this may sound like a complain, but that's how the real world is. If you look at LinkedIn, you'll notice that there aren't a lot of junior game designer positions available. Most of the job postings are likely to ask for 3 to 5 years of experience with shipped game titles. Some recruiting managers will also expect you to have shipped a PlayStation / PC game or involved in a multi-million dollar production. They are also likely to ask for visual scripting experience (with Unreal and Unity), level design experience, or expertise with game balancing before they would consider a job interview. My suggestion, if you absolutely must go for a game designer position, build an indie game to get your portfolio, or enter the industry via the other three paths and work your way in towards a game designer after you get in.
Dino Ubalde
Educator/Psychologist/Life Coach
204
Answers
Tracy, California
Updated
Dino’s Answer
Hello Marion, how's everything going? I appreciate you getting in touch with us. I've had the pleasure of working with students who were unashamedly passionate about video games, even admitting to an addiction. They devoted more time to gaming than their studies. Interestingly, many of these students still excelled academically, although a few confessed that their studies suffered to the point of nearly failing their subjects.
Now, you're curious if there's a potential career in playing video games. The answer is a resounding yes! However, I would advise against making it your full-time job. It might be more beneficial to pursue it alongside your primary job. Wondering what these gamers are up to? They're participating in video game competitions, akin to the Olympics!
Moreover, video game development is a promising career path. If you have a knack for it, you might want to create your own games and profit from them. If you're interested, you can enroll in multimedia and video game design courses. Even if you don't possess gaming skills or talent, you could still make a splash in the video game design industry. It could be your big break!
Whether it's strategic games or video gaming in general, it can indeed become a career. All you need to do is delve into some research and discover the myriad of career opportunities in this field. Best of luck, Marion!
Now, you're curious if there's a potential career in playing video games. The answer is a resounding yes! However, I would advise against making it your full-time job. It might be more beneficial to pursue it alongside your primary job. Wondering what these gamers are up to? They're participating in video game competitions, akin to the Olympics!
Moreover, video game development is a promising career path. If you have a knack for it, you might want to create your own games and profit from them. If you're interested, you can enroll in multimedia and video game design courses. Even if you don't possess gaming skills or talent, you could still make a splash in the video game design industry. It could be your big break!
Whether it's strategic games or video gaming in general, it can indeed become a career. All you need to do is delve into some research and discover the myriad of career opportunities in this field. Best of luck, Marion!
Jacob Taylor
Production Manager
521
Answers
Stafford, Virginia
Updated
Jacob’s Answer
Taking steps toward a career in cybersecurity after high school is a great choice, given the increasing demand for cybersecurity professionals. Here's a recommended path to follow:
1. **Continue Education:**
- Consider pursuing a bachelor's degree in a related field such as Cybersecurity, Computer Science, Information Technology, or Information Security. A four-year degree provides a strong foundation and is often a requirement for many cybersecurity roles.
2. **Certifications:**
- While in college or after completing your degree, focus on obtaining relevant certifications. Certifications like CompTIA Security+, Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP), and Certified Information Security Manager (CISM) can boost your credentials and marketability.
3. **Internships and Entry-Level Jobs:**
- Look for internships or entry-level positions in the cybersecurity field during your college years. Practical experience is invaluable for gaining hands-on skills and building your resume.
4. **Networking:**
- Attend cybersecurity conferences, workshops, and local meetups to build a professional network. Networking can help you discover job opportunities and learn from experienced professionals.
5. **Cybersecurity Projects:**
- Engage in personal cybersecurity projects or contribute to open-source cybersecurity projects. These projects demonstrate your skills and commitment to potential employers.
6. **Stay Informed:**
- Stay updated on the latest cybersecurity threats, trends, and technologies. Subscribe to industry news sources, blogs, and podcasts to broaden your knowledge.
7. **Soft Skills:**
- Develop soft skills such as problem-solving, communication, and critical thinking. Cybersecurity professionals need to assess and address complex security issues effectively.
8. **Security Clearance (if applicable):**
- Depending on your career goals, you may need to obtain security clearance, especially if you're interested in government or defense-related cybersecurity roles.
9. **Graduate Studies (Optional):**
- Consider pursuing a master's degree in Cybersecurity or a related field if you're looking to specialize further or advance into leadership roles.
10. **Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH):**
- If you're interested in ethical hacking and penetration testing, consider obtaining the CEH certification, which demonstrates your skills in identifying and addressing security vulnerabilities.
11. **Build a Portfolio:**
- Create a portfolio showcasing your cybersecurity projects, certifications, and accomplishments. A well-documented portfolio can impress potential employers.
12. **Job Search:**
- Start your job search early, targeting positions like Cybersecurity Analyst, Security Administrator, or Network Security Engineer. Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your relevant skills and experiences.
13. **Security Clearance (if applicable):**
- Depending on your career goals, you may need to obtain security clearance, especially if you're interested in government or defense-related cybersecurity roles.
14. **Be Adaptable:**
- The cybersecurity field is constantly evolving. Be adaptable and open to learning new technologies and techniques as threats change.
Remember that cybersecurity is a dynamic and rewarding field with a growing demand for skilled professionals. The path you take after high school should align with your specific interests within cybersecurity, whether it's ethical hacking, risk management, or network security. Continuously expanding your knowledge and gaining practical experience will be key to a successful career in cybersecurity.
1. **Continue Education:**
- Consider pursuing a bachelor's degree in a related field such as Cybersecurity, Computer Science, Information Technology, or Information Security. A four-year degree provides a strong foundation and is often a requirement for many cybersecurity roles.
2. **Certifications:**
- While in college or after completing your degree, focus on obtaining relevant certifications. Certifications like CompTIA Security+, Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP), and Certified Information Security Manager (CISM) can boost your credentials and marketability.
3. **Internships and Entry-Level Jobs:**
- Look for internships or entry-level positions in the cybersecurity field during your college years. Practical experience is invaluable for gaining hands-on skills and building your resume.
4. **Networking:**
- Attend cybersecurity conferences, workshops, and local meetups to build a professional network. Networking can help you discover job opportunities and learn from experienced professionals.
5. **Cybersecurity Projects:**
- Engage in personal cybersecurity projects or contribute to open-source cybersecurity projects. These projects demonstrate your skills and commitment to potential employers.
6. **Stay Informed:**
- Stay updated on the latest cybersecurity threats, trends, and technologies. Subscribe to industry news sources, blogs, and podcasts to broaden your knowledge.
7. **Soft Skills:**
- Develop soft skills such as problem-solving, communication, and critical thinking. Cybersecurity professionals need to assess and address complex security issues effectively.
8. **Security Clearance (if applicable):**
- Depending on your career goals, you may need to obtain security clearance, especially if you're interested in government or defense-related cybersecurity roles.
9. **Graduate Studies (Optional):**
- Consider pursuing a master's degree in Cybersecurity or a related field if you're looking to specialize further or advance into leadership roles.
10. **Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH):**
- If you're interested in ethical hacking and penetration testing, consider obtaining the CEH certification, which demonstrates your skills in identifying and addressing security vulnerabilities.
11. **Build a Portfolio:**
- Create a portfolio showcasing your cybersecurity projects, certifications, and accomplishments. A well-documented portfolio can impress potential employers.
12. **Job Search:**
- Start your job search early, targeting positions like Cybersecurity Analyst, Security Administrator, or Network Security Engineer. Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your relevant skills and experiences.
13. **Security Clearance (if applicable):**
- Depending on your career goals, you may need to obtain security clearance, especially if you're interested in government or defense-related cybersecurity roles.
14. **Be Adaptable:**
- The cybersecurity field is constantly evolving. Be adaptable and open to learning new technologies and techniques as threats change.
Remember that cybersecurity is a dynamic and rewarding field with a growing demand for skilled professionals. The path you take after high school should align with your specific interests within cybersecurity, whether it's ethical hacking, risk management, or network security. Continuously expanding your knowledge and gaining practical experience will be key to a successful career in cybersecurity.
Amalya Sukiasyan
ESOL teacher at Washington English Center
297
Answers
Yerevan
Updated
Amalya’s Answer
The answer is not a strict yes or no. Playing video games can be just one part in information technology. I think creating video games, rather than playing them maybe a good career option.
Good luck and all the best
Good luck and all the best