The last 3 years of my IT staffing/job placement experience have been heavily focused in the Simulation and Gaming industries in Orlando. It’s been 3 months since my initial blog entry, (as such I desperately need a new entry to appease my one loyal reader), so I think it’s time to provide a little insight into these sometimes similar but different industries.
Consider today’s entry an intro to a multi-post series comparing and contrasting the Simulation (Mostly DOD) and Video Game industries. I’ll examine Simulation and Gaming separately and provide details on my experience supporting each from a client and candidate perspective.
- Job Titles/Roles (to include Compensation)
I’ll Focus on core technologies utilized (C++, Java, real-time distributed systems (DIS/HLA)), network programming (TCP/IP, UDP), 2D/3D graphics (Flash, Photoshop, OpenGL, DirectX, Multigen, Maya, 3D Studio Max), job titles/functions/roles, as well as a basic discussion of hourly/salary rates. - Culture/Fun Factor
Most people know (or think they know) the stereotypes on both sides. Are they true? This will be a head-to-head match-up of flip-flops vs. wing tips, Starbucks vs. Folgers, Medal of Honor vs. FCS, backpack vs. briefcase. This will truly be Game room vs. War room. - Career Outlook
What does the future hold for the professionals in or aspiring to be in each industry (Career opportunities/growth, stability, etc.). What role does “War” play; how about the economy? Are either or both recession proof? I’ll also give final thoughts on the similarities and differences of the two industries.
So….stay tuned over the coming weeks (hopefully not months). This will be “A Titan against a Titan”. WOPR vs. PS3 (or XBOX 360 if you prefer). Please post your comments or specific details/topics you would like me to cover in this series.
Related Posts
Mike Bryan
Subscribe to the RSS Feed
I presently enrolled in school trying my best to get the ball rolling on learning C++ and Java, I already have degree in Computer animation ( Flask, photoshop, 3d max, maya, premiere, etc, and another degree in management. I’m going for my masters in information systems, but my passion is gaming what direction could I possible take to land a job! Either creating, directing or learning? I live in Philly but relocating is not a problem! Getting in the industy is the probleM?
Comment by Shi — January 5, 2009 @ 5:02 pm
last comment for shi- darcil23@msn.com
Comment by Shi — January 5, 2009 @ 5:03 pm
Hi Shi,
Thank you for your post and question. It sounds like you are doing a lot of the right things already. There are definitely challenges with getting your foot in the door in any industry (with limited or no professional experience) but I agree it is even harder with a specialized industry like gaming. A few recommendations I would make are 1) Consider an internship with a gaming company (often unpaid but can be gateway to a position with that gaming company or leverage experience to get hired at a different company) 2) Consider a game testing / QA position with a gaming company (often low pay but an entry level, no experience required role and a way to get some industry knowledge and network with other gamers) 3) Consider game specific degrees / schools such as Full Sail http://www.fullsail.edu or UCF’s FEIA program http://www.fiea.ucf.edu/shield/showpage.php?page_id=1. 4) Join Associations such as IGDA - http://www.igda.org and network with local / national members regarding gaming opportunities, tips, etc.
You also mentioned that moving was not an issue so I would focus your searches on game industry job boards (http://www.gamasutra.com or http://www.gamejobs.com) or game company websites specific to some of the gaming hubs: California (Los Angeles and San Francisco area), Texas (Austin), North Carolina to name a few.
If you still find it difficult to get a gaming job, I would focus more on the related technologies such as C/C++ programming specific to real-time applications, distributed system environments, 3D graphics, etc and leverage that related professional experience to get into the gaming industry (We have had a lot of success in placing professionals without specific gaming experience, but with related technology experience – specifically in the simulation field (DOD or otherwise)). Also, here’s a link to a related article on Gamasutra about this very subject - http://www.gamasutra.com/view/feature/3302/designers_notebook_how_to_get_.php
Best of luck and let me know if I can provide any more insight.
Comment by Michael Bryan — January 5, 2009 @ 5:55 pm
Here is part I of the gamasutra article I referenced above and meant to include. The article is dated but still has relevant points - http://www.gamasutra.com/view/feature/3300/designers_notebook_how_to_get_.php
Comment by Michael Bryan — January 5, 2009 @ 5:59 pm