How do you start trying to get a job in the games industry? Is it just as easy as having a relevant skill and submitting your resume? At their IGDX 2022 panel, Hasnul Hadi Samsudin of PlayStation Malaysia, Yandhie Dono Pratopo of Ubisoft Singapore provide their insights into how you can do so.

THE HIRING PROCESS

Yandhie mentions how the process can be overall quite similar, but being a creative industry, there is still due process with regards to specific types and roles before someone can join the company proper. Games aren’t typically a solo project, so being able to understand the company, team, and culture is vital before you can really be a part of the team. You need both the skills, and the “fit”.

Hasnul adds about the pandemic affecting the process where people could previously show up in person for interviews, adapting by reaching out to find talent via platforms like LinkedIn or ArtStation (for artists in specific). Even after you’ve found a candidate, the recruiters themselves need to likewise be familiar with the company atmosphere. Recruiters need to know what the company’s looking for to assist throughout the hiring process, like knowing who would be best to mentor an intern.

Speaking of interns, Yandhie reveals that Ubisoft Singapore has good relations with the local educational institution which has an annual internship program, allowing them to learn about new potential candidates through the process. Having the knowledge has and always will be valuable in applying.

GIVE PORTFOLIO

Once again, as a creative industry, having a portfolio, a good one, is a necessity. Yandhie would like to remind you that you can utilize things from your student days if it’s relevant to the position you’re applying for, not simply something from a previous job. Additionally, showing your passion and / or capability through a side project can also help others know you better.

That said, having a massive portfolio is only one step of the process, Hasnul adds. If you are asked questions about your previous projects but you’re unable to explain it well, or give answers that are considered too vague, it then becomes a double-edged sword. Ensure you’re able to able to break down your projects if you’re going to put them in.

JOINING AN AAA COMPANY IS HARD

It’s understandable you have big aspirations to join The big company of your dreams, but you can expect that to be a hard, if not lengthy, process. Hasnul reveals how PlayStation Studios Malaysia received at least 3000 resumes, which was then shortlisted to 400 interviews, before finally deciding on merely 77 members for the company. They have gone through ArtStation to find the right talent for their project, which is still difficult at best. You’d also be competing with more experienced people, so an AAA company can be your end goal, but not your first destination. There’s many steps to take into consideration to be accustomed to within game development, being familiar with the process and not “slow down the team”, so to speak.

Closing off the panel, the Technical Artist position is what Hasnul feels is the toughest to fill. These people are primarily very good at programming with Python, knowing the artistic pipeline and ensuring the artists get their job done. This shortage is a global problem, so you might have better odds of getting hired by a video game company, provided you have the chops.

Getting a job in the video games industry in this economy? Say it ain’t so. Joking aside, it really is a matter of time, knowledge, and experience to get hired, not even mentioning the work that comes after. Should you find your foothold into the industry, then good luck with your endeavours!