Here's how you can navigate the common misconceptions about starting a career in the gaming industry.

Sometimes people with no prior interest or knowledge have invaluable insights and POVs. You will always have customers that will use your product without any gaming experience before their first purchase with you. Employees who are similar to those customers will be able to perfect the customer journey and help with simplifying a lot of the steps starting with registration, first purchase or subscription, etc. Don’t overlook inexperienced employees!

You don't have to be an amazing gamer to make amazing games. Playing is very important to improve your repertoire, but the most important thing about playing is understanding why a game is good and how you can use this learning to create your games.

Love games but dream of creating them? Don't be fooled by these myths! Gamer = Game Dev? False! The industry thrives on diverse skills. You can write captivating stories, design immersive worlds, or solve complex problems - all without being a pro gamer. It's All Fun & Games? Not Quite! Gaming is a business. Professionals wear many hats: developers, designers, problem-solvers - all working together to bring your favorite games to life. The passion for games is a plus, but the real key? The drive to create and contribute to this dynamic industry.

The more prevalent misconception is, to my mind, that simply being an avid gamer will somehow qualify you for the games industry and THAT is wrong. Your 2000 hours in „Skyrim“ mean nothing on their own.

There's a common myth that studying esports or participating in a school's esports program will land a student a job in the esports industry. While that's possible, it's not a sure thing. Administration and parents should see esports as a hook to open a student's eyes to what opportunities and careers they may enjoy and are valuable in the "real world." Programs can introduce students to broadcasting, business, accounting, finance, and more, all through the engagement of esports and gaming, which the kids already love. There is nothing wrong with having a goal and drive to work in esports, but they should gain a skillset that will make the successful, regardless of the industry they work in.

If you've never worked in the gaming industry, this might actually be an advantage. Often, gaming companies are in a state of transition, evolving from small startups to medium-sized or even large enterprises. This growth phase can greatly benefit from the fresh perspectives and structured processes that professionals from larger corporations bring. My own experience working at Apple, for instance, provided me with insights into scalable processes and efficiency that were invaluable when transitioning back into the gaming world (my first job was at Blizzard and then I had a big gap before working in another gaming company).

Modern gaming is complex industry. Game Designer, Developer, Marketer, Data Analyst - these are crucial roles which are now required even in small sized studios. Large publishers? The list would be crazy long. Just think of any AAA game's end credits. There are many roles in field which you have never heard of. And the new ones are constantly emerging.

La variedad de perfiles profesionales en la industria del entretenimiento ha propiciado que este sector sea considerado el más rentable en la venta de productos de ocio, superando a otros como el cine o la música.

The gaming industry offers diverse roles, each providing a unique entry point. Each role has specific entry paths, allowing individuals to leverage their strengths and passions to join the industry. Programmers code the game and ensure it runs smoothly, while designers plan the game mechanics and levels, shaping how it’s played. Artists create the visuals, making the game look amazing, and writers develop the story and dialogue, adding depth. Sound designers produce music and sound effects to boost immersion, and producers keep the project on track and within budget. Each role is crucial, working together to build a game.

As a sound designer you should be a master of sound skills, like DAW expirience, mixing, mastering, you should know the middleware. At some point in your career you will be expected to have basic music knowledge and coding skills in C# or blueprints. Nothing over the top, just ability to implement basic sound and music systems yourself. It that regard I should say that wide skill set of a game sound designer or music composer will be highly beneficial not only for a more career options, but it also will open new ways for creativity and making better products overall.

Contrary to popular belief, being a gamer is not the only requirement. While a passion for gaming is beneficial, developing skills in programming, graphic design, storytelling, and marketing is equally important. Accept opportunities to learn, whether through formal education or self-teaching. Recognize that a diverse set of skills opens up opportunities beyond game development; esports management, game journalism, and community management are all promising career paths. By prioritizing skill development and remaining adaptable, aspiring professionals can chart a successful course in the fast-paced gaming industry.

Learning Never Ends: The industry thrives on continuous learning. Start with core skills in coding, art, or design, but growth is key. Sharpen Your Saw: Embrace the learning curve. Practice, collaborate, and seek opportunities to develop your skillset. Jack of All Trades? Not Required! You don't need to be a coding wizard or a design superstar. Find your niche and specialize as you gain experience. Gaming welcomes passionate individuals who are eager to learn and contribute. So, ditch the myth of instant expertise, and focus on honing your skills for a fulfilling career in games!

Personally, I wasn't a game developer initially, but I managed to launch a successful game without knowing how to code, create art, or design games. I learned everything on the go, embracing challenges and learning from every experience. This journey taught me that determination, resourcefulness, and a willingness to learn can overcome any initial lack of expertise. Don’t be discouraged if you don’t have all the skills right away—focus on growing, adapting, and leveraging your passion to drive your success in the gaming industry.

The gaming industry is currently oversaturated with talent due to recent layoffs and the influx of passionate individuals drawn to video games. Despite not being a massive industry, it attracts highly dedicated people. This means you need to stand out by bringing something unique beyond your technical skills. Whether it's a fresh perspective, innovative ideas, or a unique approach to problem-solving, showcasing what sets you apart is crucial.

You do not need to have any prior knowledge in the field. I am talking from my own experience. Same as what applies to almost anything in life - all you need is motivation and passion. Skills will come. Cliché, but true.

Navigate misconceptions about starting a gaming career by researching industry realities, networking with professionals, and gaining hands-on experience. Stay informed and set realistic expectations.

Surround yourself with smart people. Attend conferences, absorb as much as you can. Listen to people from different gaming fields. Learn how other people, teams and companies think and work. Gaming is fast-paced industry that changes often. Thinking you know everyone and everything will bite you in the long run.

Networking is worth more than your salary in my opinion. Expanding your network and getting to know the right people is key to a successful career. There are many roles within gaming companies that offer this networking possibility, especially those who deal directly with external stakeholders like game providers, or even other important internal departments like CRM.

Personally, I love networking because talented and successful people inspire me, especially when they come from the same industry. When you network with individuals who share your passion, you not only build valuable connections but also generate new ideas. The exchange of insights and experiences with like-minded professionals can spark creativity and innovation, which is a win-win :)

You can also easily shift from different departments inside the gaming industry once you get in. This flexibility allows you to explore various roles and find the best fit for your skills and interests, further enhancing your career growth.

Many careers of independent developers in the video game industry are thwarted in the early years due to the high expectations placed on their first title. To start in the indie market, it is important to begin with small, innovative games that require small teams. Having high ambitions is good, but understanding that it is a long-term endeavor is crucial. Technical learning, understanding how the industry works, knowing what players seek, and how market trends evolve are all aspects that are acquired over time and with patience. These factors will ultimately determine long-term growth.

Contrary to popular belief, success does not happen overnight. It's a journey fraught with obstacles, setbacks, and hard work. Understand that entry-level positions may not immediately involve game design; you may begin with quality assurance or customer support. Also, expect long hours and tight deadlines, particularly during game development cycles. Recognize that rejection is a normal part of the process; not every game pitch or job application will be accepted. However, with perseverance, continuous learning, and networking, you can gradually achieve your objectives. Setting realistic expectations will help you better navigate the realities of the gaming industry and increase your chances of long-term success.

You need to be prepared for a lot of layoffs and restructuring in gaming companies. Many studios might have one successful game and then struggle to replicate that success, leading to cancelled projects, reshuffles, and organizational changes. Resilience is crucial in this industry. Additionally, you might find yourself changing companies frequently or even leaving the gaming industry temporarily to work in other fields. The gaming industry is highly volatile but also incredibly rewarding for those who persist. Embrace the uncertainty as part of the journey, knowing that every experience contributes to your growth and success in the long run.

You also need to take in consideration that sometimes layoffs could happen because of the conflicts around the world that may obscure some languages or markets, just because there is no need anymore in the product

Especially for a career in fraud or risk management, it is best to start with online gambling because you will learn a lot about the various methods used by fraudsters and the different types of fraud prevalent in the gambling industry. This foundational knowledge can be invaluable as you progress in your career.

The games industry professes „passion and balance“ but too often „passion“ is meant as willingness to work unpaid overtime and „balance“ means you sometimes get to do it from home. Gamedev has many hard to predict challenges and so sensible planning would need a significant overhead in time as a buffer which would mean higher budgeting for the same result which means it is rarely done. Add to this a lack of sensible pre-production and you get the still too widespread crunch-culture. There is more awareness and things have gotten better, but realistically, the will of the games industry to shed it‘s image as an exploitative work-environment is far greater than it’s willingness to actually change.

Working in gaming industry can be rough sometimes. Especially when there's long periods of crunches. If you've never expirienced one then try some game jams with goal to make a game in under 24-48 hours. It can show what a crunch can be. Personally, I highly recommend for any person to do a workout at least 3-5 times a week for 1 hour, have a healty diet and a proper sleep. Take care of yourself, your family and loved ones. When you are healty, happy and have energy it's much easier to be productive and effective.

Go outside and touch the grass, play with your kids, take your partner on a date, roll some dice, make a bonfire, and drink...live life. Work to live, not live to work - I made that mistake early. Those of us who are gamers and also work in the games industry must remember to step away because our jobs are also (usually) a primary form of entertainment. Detach from digital, or you will miss the world around you, and life will pass you by, and you cannot get time back, regardless of how much money you make.

Be kind. Specifically in the game industry, where hate and garbage run rampant within games and on social media, it's important to try to be the opposite. Professionals in the games industry should be setting an example for the younger generation. Respect and kindness aren't just for the workplace; they can have a positive effect on the people around you, other gamers online, or even a random stranger having a bad day. Practice kindness.

One thing I’ve found useful that games or working in games industry can also be therapeutic for anxiety disorders treatment, if you have a good plan and flexible mindset, to understand what exactly you need to gather from games to help you out.

Focusing on the online gambling industry can open many job opportunities once you have experience. The industry is highly dynamic and constantly evolving, providing numerous roles in areas such as compliance, data analysis, cybersecurity, and customer protection. This experience can make you a valuable asset in other sectors as well, given the high demand for fraud prevention expertise.