For this project i have been looking into the game industry and at what sector i am skilled in.
When i was searching for game industry jobs i came across an article called "Game industry jobs: ten tips for graduates". As the title suggests it offers advice to graduates about getting jobs in games, advice such as being selective about what work you show employers from your portfolio, being good at displaying and presenting presentations and get honest, sometimes blunt feedback from people who are not your family. There was also obvious but still useful information like knowing the company you are applying to, show you are a good team player and work on your core skills.
I came across another article talking about work place tips. It talked about pushing yourself forward, listening and contributing ideas and to be helpful and flexible in the possible workplace.
From my findings the games industry is structured around development, publishing, distributing and hardware manufacturers. The publishers help in bringing games to the market, they also specialise in marketing, PR, sales and manufacturing. The development consists of all the creative power of the people responsible for the games creation. The developers pitch the game to a publisher in hopes it might get funded or published. The distributors are responsible for the shipment and retail of games, the publishers pass the finished game to the main distributor to be stored, then if the publisher receives more orders from other distributors they will inform the main one who will allow the secondary distributors to deliver it to retail. Finally, the hardware manufacturers help in the process of supporting PC and console platforms for the games on sale.
I would like to work on the creative side of games design, most preferably in writing for games. I found out that having experience in writing for publications such as magazines, books and even websites and blogs can help new writers get noticed. Games writing is different because you have to take into account player reactions and choice, dialogue trees, both branching and linear. Programming also has its uses here but is usually not required. A game writer needs to seamlessly interweave narrative with gameplay to create an immersive experience for the player.
From my findings it seems that OPM Recruitment has the most postings for games industry jobs but they are mostly offering programming jobs rather than creative ones. Amiqus offers more designer and artist jobs.
The major game companies in the UK are Lionhead studios, Team 17 and Codemasters. Lionhead are famous thanks to games like Fable and Black & White, Team 17 are known for Worms and Alien Breed while Codemasters are renowned for Overlord and Dirt. Lionhead has a variety of permanent job roles advertised for different aspects of game design but the contracts section is advertising a UI design and a lead writer job for a 12 month period. This role is relevant to my research. Team 17 offers a lead artist and flash game developer position but i am not interested. I tried to find jobs on the Codemasters site but they are updating their job section.
In my search i discovered TwoFour. They are a television producer and digital agency all in one. They produce factual, features and entertainment shows and help in designing websites for the BBC, managing online TV channels for Volkswagen and Audi and many other projects. Because this a media company it will be useful for me as it is a creative line of work. Twofour have won best indie production company in 2010 and ranked 2nd in the broadcast magazine's true indie survey in 2012.
From my findings the games industry is structured around development, publishing, distributing and hardware manufacturers. The publishers help in bringing games to the market, they also specialise in marketing, PR, sales and manufacturing. The development consists of all the creative power of the people responsible for the games creation. The developers pitch the game to a publisher in hopes it might get funded or published. The distributors are responsible for the shipment and retail of games, the publishers pass the finished game to the main distributor to be stored, then if the publisher receives more orders from other distributors they will inform the main one who will allow the secondary distributors to deliver it to retail. Finally, the hardware manufacturers help in the process of supporting PC and console platforms for the games on sale.
I would like to work on the creative side of games design, most preferably in writing for games. I found out that having experience in writing for publications such as magazines, books and even websites and blogs can help new writers get noticed. Games writing is different because you have to take into account player reactions and choice, dialogue trees, both branching and linear. Programming also has its uses here but is usually not required. A game writer needs to seamlessly interweave narrative with gameplay to create an immersive experience for the player.
From my findings it seems that OPM Recruitment has the most postings for games industry jobs but they are mostly offering programming jobs rather than creative ones. Amiqus offers more designer and artist jobs.
The major game companies in the UK are Lionhead studios, Team 17 and Codemasters. Lionhead are famous thanks to games like Fable and Black & White, Team 17 are known for Worms and Alien Breed while Codemasters are renowned for Overlord and Dirt. Lionhead has a variety of permanent job roles advertised for different aspects of game design but the contracts section is advertising a UI design and a lead writer job for a 12 month period. This role is relevant to my research. Team 17 offers a lead artist and flash game developer position but i am not interested. I tried to find jobs on the Codemasters site but they are updating their job section.
In my search i discovered TwoFour. They are a television producer and digital agency all in one. They produce factual, features and entertainment shows and help in designing websites for the BBC, managing online TV channels for Volkswagen and Audi and many other projects. Because this a media company it will be useful for me as it is a creative line of work. Twofour have won best indie production company in 2010 and ranked 2nd in the broadcast magazine's true indie survey in 2012.
http://www.edge-online.com/get%20into%20games/game-industry-jobs-ten-work-placement-tips/
http://www.edge-online.com/get-into-games/game-industry-jobs-ten-tips-graduates/
http://www.obscure.co.uk/articles-2/industry-overview/
http://www.obscure.co.uk/articles-2/industry-overview/
