Even outside of the classroom, building foundations in the community around you is also a vital part of really getting to grips both with the industry on a local scale, but also the people that make it up as well. “I try to attend as many IGDA events in Glasgow, as a student in Abertay, I signed up for everything any events, conferences, or public demonstrations, I usually found my way there. I think that is what has helped me to build up a rounded understanding of games. For example, I might not be the best programmer, but I can speak about code principles and practices because I found myself around others doing precisely that.” There is a real importance in becoming familiar with the work being done close to home and seeing how this is impacting elsewhere but also an ideal way to learn the craft yourself if there are perhaps aspects that you are weak with, it is a prime way to build your experience whilst realising it is a completely doable career choice. For now, Andrew is working on a project tracking sedentary behaviours and dietary habits among teenagers particularly influenced from the Pokémon Go craze and how that managed to get a mass of people to be active: “We are currently putting together user testing opportunities with our prototype before moving into our main production pipeline.”
SSGE
There are many routes that can be explored when looking for work in the gaming industry and if development is not for you, then research might be.
Career Paths In The Mode World Of Gam ing How do you become part of the industry you love?
By: Jamie Glover