How long did it take you to break into the game industry?
polycounter lvl 8
Hey guys i have a question, I'm only have 1 and a half years left of college and im starting to work on a portfolio. Im trying to work hard because i want to get a job right out of school but i know its easier said then done.
Im wondering how long the average time to break into the industry is? I know that it may be as simple as saying, if your good, you will get in, but i've read stories of talented people still taking a long time to get their foot in the door.
So, how long did it take you to break into the industry?
I want to know what to expect for when i graduate.
Im wondering how long the average time to break into the industry is? I know that it may be as simple as saying, if your good, you will get in, but i've read stories of talented people still taking a long time to get their foot in the door.
So, how long did it take you to break into the industry?
I want to know what to expect for when i graduate.
Replies
Even when you're in, it takes a lot of effort to stay in.
Did you just email your portfolio to your local game studios or did you also apply outside of your country? Also, did you still apply to places that weren't actively hiring?
I started learning game art at 17, went to university for it at 20 and after 2 years there, got a job at a local indie company as part of the work placement year. During that time I got contacted by a friend who I'd done some freelance/indie work with asking if I wanted to apply at the company he was at 'cause they were looking for character artists. So I updated my folio and applied there, and posted my folio up here for crits. Someone from R* saw it, asked if I wanted to supply so I did and - after a shamefully bad art test - got the job. Been here since.
So it's a mixture of luck, hard work and networking.
Disciplined hard work, skills, networking and luck basically.
Make lots of friends in the industry and it'll be easier for sure.
mhm i wouldnt go with that, i´d go:
1. places in your country that are hiring
2. places in your country
3. places that match your portfolio style and that are hiring
for breaking in the industry everything else probably is a waste of time.
If you are EU based you can count the whole EU as your country if you speak fluent english and the studio has an english website.
if you want to work at a certain studio its a big plus if you tailor atleast one piece in your portfolio to their style.
Really comes down to networking, dedication, and portfolio quality. My port has always just been meh, but I pride myself on my ability to self advertise/network within my local community. If you can network, and not be a dick, as well as have a skill set that matches what the company needs... You shouldn't have any trouble getting any entry level jobs. Once you are in, just push the portfolio to that next level in your spare time, and you wont have any worries about future work. And once again, its more than just getting the job but also being an asset to the team once you are in, that is job security.