#game development 101

Becoming A Game Developer

Becoming a game developer isn’t for the faint of heart. We’ve said it before, and so has everyone else. We’ve gone over the DOs and DON’Ts of networking, the different universities to attend for game development, and even the right way to use social media to your advantage. But just how does a person go about becoming a game developer? What course of actions, from A to B, lead someone to a career…

You’ve Got Mail: Sending Steam Keys to YouTubers and Streamers

It’s astonishing how many game developers have no idea when to send Steam Keys out. Some send them before the game is launched, while others wait until a few months after. And truth is, both approaches are wrong. The thing about Steam keys is that they work, but only to a point. They’re not meant to elevate your Steam score, which actually isn’t even affected by key reviews. As such, they’re…

Copyrights: What to Try and What to Avoid at All Costs

Scenario: you’re an indie developer with limited means/resources trying to make a game that players love. To make things a little easier, you decide to use public domain content to make the game happen. Only, you quickly get flagged on YouTube when you finally post your game trailer! After all your hard work, something like this seems not only unsavory but downright terrifying to boot. Did you…

Six Tools to Help You Write More Efficiently

Unless you’re a game scriptwriter or narrative designer, chances are that writing doesn’t come to mind often. However, it plays a big role in development. Far beyond the creative scope of things, consider every other share of copy you have to get done. Doing your own marketing, contacting industry experts, and even writing all the content needed to describe your game on Steam, PSN, or Xbox Live.…

The Game Necessities: 6 Must-Have Qualifications for New Graduates

Jobs in gaming aren’t like others. In fact, jobs in games are creative, demanding, exciting and intense. They’re filled with deadlines and time crunches, sure, but also with a great sense of pride over being able to create something artistic. Something substantial. Well, depending on the game of course! As a developer, you have the chance to help rehabilitate someone, or teach children math. It’s…

Why Starting from the Bottom Isn’t So Bad

It Can Be Daunting . . . Let’s be honest for a second: being a game developer weeds out the weak. It’s a weeding process like no other. It’s long hours, tons of work, and handling harsh judgement from players. And yet, it’s the most amazing experience you’ll ever submit yourself to. It’s rewarding, thrilling, and chaotic in the best of ways. It seems rough, and it certainly can be, but it’s also…

Four Tips To Staying Sharp

Wondering How to Stay on Track? The life of a game developer is filled with video games, communication with fellow developers, and a series of days when you feel like you’ve given everything there is to give. Getting burned out is not a possibility: it’s a matter of time. But fret not, there are a few tips that can help you stay sharp. Turns out as long as you remember to live a little, work…

Once upon a time, someone described the video game industry as a “tiny” one. It might come as a surprise—what with the multinational AAA games companies—but that statement is entirely accurate and even truer for indie games. And, as is the case with any tiny industry, word gets around. Being on your best behavior can come in handy, especially when it comes to landing work. In the spirit of the…