Landing a Job (and a Career) in the Game Industry – ModSquad Reveals All at PAX South

Once again, I’ll soon be in San Antonio this year for the awesome PAX South show, and I’m sure I’ll be seeing some of you there. Over the past few years, I’ve moderated a two-panel series at PAX shows on both getting into and moving up in the game industry. I’m honored to be able to present the panels again at PAX South, with the typical lineup of experienced game industry veterans.

Last year, I wrote a blog post about some of the great advice I’ve seen the panelists give to PAX attendees. This year, I thought I’d talk about the background of the panel topics and why they were set up that way.

Getting Into the Game Industry: This is a popular topic at many conferences, and there have been innumerable panels on the subject. Many people want to know how they can start a career in the game business. It’s both easier and more difficult than you might imagine.

There are many entry-level ways to get into the industry, with customer support, moderation, and QA being the primary routes. These are services that ModSquad provides to many of our gaming clients, and we have a large network of game enthusiasts working on those projects that can certainly count their experience here at ModSquad as game industry knowledge.

Finding the right first job in the industry is a matter of research and preparation. All the standard resume and interview tips apply, but of course the game business has a unique culture. (For example, it’s probably not a good idea to wear a suit to a game company interview.)

One of the most prevalent misconceptions that the panels work to dispel is that even though someone might love game design, it’s extremely difficult to jump into that job right from the beginning. Managing expectations at the entry level is key.

Moving Up in the Game Industry (Managing Your Career): The second panel is a bit more abstract and focuses on the opportunities and potential pitfalls that await those with a few years in the game industry under their belt. This tends to be a more free-wheeling discussion, but past installments have covered a wealth of helpful information.

Wondering about the best way to change jobs and/or companies? These panelists have been through it all, and can offer the best guidance to help you move up in the field.

Sometimes those moves aren’t premeditated. What happens when you’re laid off or your company is shuttered? Many of our speakers have, unfortunately, been down that path – not uncommon in this industry. They’ll share how to make lemonade out of that sour situation.

Even if you’re content in your current position, it’s always wise to keep moving forward in ways that will help you in the future. Learn how to focus on the big picture by proactively developing your skills and experience and managing your own personal brand.

I’ll be joined on these panels by some whip-smart folks from such companies as Trion World, Spacetime Studios, and Daybreak Studios. They always appreciate the opportunity to share their insights into this fun but challenging industry. It’s a field that we at ModSquad hold close to our hearts, as we have a unique understanding of games and the gamers who enjoy them.

I hope you’re able to make it out to San Antonio on January 27 through 29. If you’re going to be in town, drop me a line. I’d love to chat.

Rich Weil
Senior VP of Global Operations