Careers in Video GamesAmanda LangeTechnical EvangelistMicrosoft
This is a test for me, not you:Raise your hand when you’refamiliar with the game I show.
How Are Games Made?
Video Games are Made ByBig TeamsAbout 350 people worked on Halo 4The team for Grand Theft Auto V was in excess of 1,000 developers
Small TeamsAntichamber and Hate Plus (both shown) were developed almost solely by individuals (Alexander Bruce and Christine Love, respectively)
Anywhere in the Middle
Video Games TakeTons of Money and Time to CreateIt took 5 years to create Bioshock Infinite and a rumored budget of $200 million+It took about 3 years to make the recent South Park game
Not Much Money or Time to CreateFlappy Bird was created in 2 days The Global Game Jam is a 48-hour game-making marathon that has lead to some small success for games like Surgeon Simulator and has made thousands of new games over the years
Anything in the Middle
Video Games AreA Complicated IndustryWhich employs millions of people worldwide and makes billions of dollars
Sometimes Without Clear Easy AnswersBut let me try to answer your questions anyway….
Industry Jobs
Publishers and DevelopersPublishersHandle business and operations
DevelopersMake the game
Some Companies/Indies/Individuals Do BothA publisher can also use more than one developer and a developer can use more than one publisher
Example:Halo 4My Company is…?
PublisherHalo 4 was Published by Microsoft Studios
It was Developed by 343 Industries
Previous Halo titles were developed by Bungie
Development JobsProgrammingDeveloping code to create the game
Art3D Models, Textures, or maybe Pixels
SoundMusic and Sound effects
DesignSystems, Interactions, Story, or Levels
Publishing JobsProducerBudgeting, Scheduling, Managing
Public RelationsAdvertising, talking to reporters, being onstage
Business HR, Recruiting, More Managing
Other JobsTeacherTeaching game design and development
JournalistWriting the news about games
Community ManagementCommunicating between developers and players
Hardware DevelopmentEngineering consoles, controllers
Lots of Other Stuff
A Rule ofThumb
The Bigger the companyyou work forThe more specific your jobtitle will be
Another Rule
If You Want to beCreative Lead…Start Small
Resources
Development Microsofthttp://www.microsoftvirtualacademy.com – Learn Thingshttp://www.dreamspark.com – Get Software
Game Softwarehttp://www.yoyogames.com – GameMakerhttp://www.scirra.com – Construct 2http://www.unity3d.com - Unityhttp://www.udk.com - Unreal
Job BoardsGamaSutra Networkhttp://www.gamasutra.comhttp://jobs.gamasutra.comhttp://www.gamecareerguide.com
Studio SpecificWho made your favorite game? Look them up!
PlacesConferenceshttp://www.gdconf.com – Game Developers Conferencehttp://www.ecgconf.com – East Coast Game Conferencehttp://www.indiecade.com – IndieCade (West/East)
In Philadelphiahttp://www.phillygameforge.com – Philly Game Forgehttp://www.phlcollective.com – PHL Collectivehttp://www.toomanygames.com – Too Many Games
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