Are you working in the gaming industry and not feeling the spark you once did? Have you recently been laid off and find yourself contemplating a change in career direction? If so, you're not alone. In this article, we'll explore some common reasons why individuals in the gaming industry may be experiencing dissatisfaction, as well as practical steps to address these challenges.
Layoffs: Layoffs are a harsh reality in the games industry, with around 10,000 occurring last year alone. Sadly, I predict similar headlines for 2024. That’s enough to put any sane person off. Fortunately, we game devs are anything but typical. For those affected by or anxious about layoffs, here are some solutions to consider. In good times, AAA studios are a safer bet than small indie studios and start ups. Applying for full time positions will offer greater stability than contract work. The UK has some of the best employment laws in the world offering greater stability. Like them or not, Ubisoft has an amazing track record of retaining employees, so consider studios with a good track record of staff retention.
Wrong Game: Many people I’ve spoken to on their first gig in the games industry talk about the absence of that warm fuzzy feeling they were expecting. It’s really common. If you’re working on a game that doesn’t ignite your passion, it's understandable if it feels more like a job than a career highlight. Maybe what you enjoyed at university was working collaboratively with a bunch of friends, creating new and exciting game worlds. Now you’re in a 3rd party developer studio trying to work within the confines of the strict IP guidelines. To these people I’d say you're at the wrong studio. If your aspiration is to contribute to new IPs, consider joining a studio focused on such projects; indie studios often offer more direct involvement and quicker impact on IP development. If your dream is to work on a specific IP, take proactive steps towards that goal. It's common for individuals to express their desire to work on a particular IP at a specific studio, yet their portfolio lacks relevant artwork or projects in that style. Advancing towards your dream requires deliberate action, whether it involves practising art or coding to align with your aspirations.
Feedback Loop: It’s common for newcomers to spend years in the industry before anything they've worked on sees the light of day. Games get shelved or cancelled for all sorts of reasons. It’s natural in these situations to question “What am I even doing?”. Stephen Bartlett writes about filling your 5 buckets in the right order. The first 2 are knowledge and skills. No professional earthquake can ever un-fill them. They also flow into the next 3 which is your network, your resources and finally your reputation. If a shelved game helped fill your knowledge and experience then it wasn’t a waste of time. Keep that in mind during these turbulent times. I've experienced moments of disillusionment myself, but my friend Vin Hill always reminds me of the indescribable feeling when a game finally sees the light of day. Witnessing your creative efforts resonate with players and forge emotional connections is truly magical. Keeping this profound experience as our guiding light in the gaming industry is crucial. After all, we create for other people, our job is in service to them. As Simon Sinek advocates in his book "Start with Why," understanding our purpose simplifies our journey. Once we anchor ourselves in the profound impact games can have, navigating the challenges becomes more manageable.
Money worries: While indie studios and start-ups offer creative freedom, the trade-off is financial instability. They can quickly find themselves in financial troubles, so consider the risks before accepting a position at one. It's crucial to have a backup plan in place in case the unexpected happens. It’s prudent to update your portfolio in the evenings and weekends so you’re ready to hit the job market at a moment's notice. While no one is immune to layoffs, there are steps you can take to mitigate the risk. Larger studios typically lay off fewer employees during more stable times when considering headcount. Additionally, seeking full-time permanent contracts and moving away from freelance work can offer more stability. Here’s a helpful tip: Automatically put 30% of your income into a tax pot and 3% to 5% into a rainy day fund for peace of mind.
Toxic people: Life is too short to tolerate toxic individuals. Make plans to distance yourself from their influence. Toxic people often find themselves moved around, so avoiding engagement is key as they thrive on attention. If distancing yourself at work is impossible, consider seeking opportunities elsewhere. If toxic individuals are negatively impacting your job, it's not worth enduring. Leave if necessary, but ensure you have something else lined up first. Focus on maintaining a top-notch portfolio and actively pursue interviews to secure your next opportunity.
Navigating these challenges requires self awareness, resilience and action to resolve them. By acknowledging and addressing issues such as layoffs, mismatched roles, project setbacks, financial concerns, and toxic environments, you can reclaim your passion and sense of fulfilment in this amazing industry. Despite all of its challenges, I’ve never felt the same level of excitement and fulfilment in any other industry.
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