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Discussion How to get a job in the video game industry that does not involve coding

Beanstar40

Beanstar40

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Hey Fami. Im 30 years old, and I just left my HR job. Im tired of working for industry’s and companies where I dont feel passionate about what they do. I’ve wanted to work in the gaming industry since I was a kid. I used to want to write for big websites like IGN. I dont know how to code, and im not really sure where to start. But I feel really strongly about this. I know there are qa positions and community manager positions in the industry that dont require a strong coding background. I feel like the games writing ship has sailed. For those who got into the industry in non development roles starting from zero, where did you begin, and what steps should i take? Or should i just give up on this and accept that the odds of getting into this industry are simply to low to waste my valuable time on?
 
I mean if you speak multiple languages translation jobs are probably the most in need position here, but statistically its safer to assume you do not, so I don't really know
 
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Beanstar40 said:
Hey Fami. Im 30 years old, and I just left my HR job. Im tired of working for industry’s and companies where I dont feel passionate about what they do. I’ve wanted to work in the gaming industry since I was a kid. I used to want to write for big websites like IGN. I dont know how to code, and im not really sure where to start. But I feel really strongly about this. I know there are qa positions and community manager positions in the industry that dont require a strong coding background. I feel like the games writing ship has sailed. For those who got into the industry in non development roles starting from zero, where did you begin, and what steps should i take? Or should i just give up on this and accept that the odds of getting into this industry are simply to low to waste my valuable time on?
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Probably PR would be a good bet. However, you did HR, that would be a good bet too. Also, don't focus on gamecompanies alone, see if there are other companies catering to the game industry. I already mentioned PR, there are probably quite a few PR companies specialised in the gaming industry.
 
I know Tencent's North American offices were hiring for HR in the last year.....if you're comfortable working for Tencent.
 
HR is a very looking job for not coding in the indrustry. Look for filials of enourmous publisher companys like tencet or Embracer. I know this for 1st hand.
 
Beanstar40 said:
Hey Fami. Im 30 years old, and I just left my HR job. Im tired of working for industry’s and companies where I dont feel passionate about what they do. I’ve wanted to work in the gaming industry since I was a kid. I used to want to write for big websites like IGN. I dont know how to code, and im not really sure where to start. But I feel really strongly about this. I know there are qa positions and community manager positions in the industry that dont require a strong coding background. I feel like the games writing ship has sailed.
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I'm 41, and I'm interviewing for my first job in the industry, and it's a writing position. At a studio you've heard of, on games you've heard of.

I got the interview because I was recommended by one of their lead narrative designers, a friend who was also in her 30s when she joined the industry, as a writer.

I'm here to tell you know as someone who has worked in artistic fields my whole life - any industry that seems fun, that seems creative, that has passionate people behind it? They all underpay and demand a lot of you, because they know talent is chomping at the bit to get in. So if you're going to do it, it better be something gives you joy and meaning.

I don't know what you want to do, but if it is writing, then stop telling yourself the ship has sailed. That's horse shit. You're 30, less than a year out of the darling 20s that our culture fetishizes. You're not old, you're not middle aged, you've got 40+ years of life ahead of you statistically speaking. If you're pursuing passion, then do it.

You might not get a job like that out the gate of course. Apply for any job you think you could do eventually - even if you think it's a stretch, because it's a new industry, it's all a stretch. And if the job gets you closer to what you want, take it, and if it gets you farther away, don't. That's it. That's the whole game for any creative industry.

Good luck, and hey, proud of you
 
Really; thank you all for the advice. I really want to work in an industry im passionate about. I went to school for HR, but after a few years at this current job I really doubt I chose the right Major. HR is applicable to many fields, including the games world, but i dont feel sure I want to do it at all at this point
 
oldpuck said:
I'm 41, and I'm interviewing for my first job in the industry, and it's a writing position. At a studio you've heard of, on games you've heard of.

I got the interview because I was recommended by one of their lead narrative designers, a friend who was also in her 30s when she joined the industry, as a writer.

I'm here to tell you know as someone who has worked in artistic fields my whole life - any industry that seems fun, that seems creative, that has passionate people behind it? They all underpay and demand a lot of you, because they know talent is chomping at the bit to get in. So if you're going to do it, it better be something gives you joy and meaning.

I don't know what you want to do, but if it is writing, then stop telling yourself the ship has sailed. That's horse shit. You're 30, less than a year out of the darling 20s that our culture fetishizes. You're not old, you're not middle aged, you've got 40+ years of life ahead of you statistically speaking. If you're pursuing passion, then do it.

You might not get a job like that out the gate of course. Apply for any job you think you could do eventually - even if you think it's a stretch, because it's a new industry, it's all a stretch. And if the job gets you closer to what you want, take it, and if it gets you farther away, don't. That's it. That's the whole game for any creative industry.

Good luck, and hey, proud of you
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This is some damn good advice!

agree1ndix.gif
 
Still feels a little early to be giving advice 'cause I'm only in my second year of having a decent income from games, but I too made a career shift in my early 30s and somehow have started to find my way into the industry in an insanely competitive discipline: game music composing.

For me the first step was finally taking my interests seriously - not thinking of gaming as a useless and childish waste of time like a lot of people around me, but as an art form with endless potential for which I had a lot of love and some talent to add. So good on you for taking that step!

The industry is enormous - there's so many successful games and devs that you've probably never heard of. For me, becoming active on Twitter and the GameDev Classifieds Reddit pages (along with my YouTube VGM arranging side-gig) finally started opening avenues. Gamedev Twitter is really nice and supportive, so can recommend!
 
oldpuck said:
I'm 41, and I'm interviewing for my first job in the industry, and it's a writing position. At a studio you've heard of, on games you've heard of.

I got the interview because I was recommended by one of their lead narrative designers, a friend who was also in her 30s when she joined the industry, as a writer.

I'm here to tell you know as someone who has worked in artistic fields my whole life - any industry that seems fun, that seems creative, that has passionate people behind it? They all underpay and demand a lot of you, because they know talent is chomping at the bit to get in. So if you're going to do it, it better be something gives you joy and meaning.

I don't know what you want to do, but if it is writing, then stop telling yourself the ship has sailed. That's horse shit. You're 30, less than a year out of the darling 20s that our culture fetishizes. You're not old, you're not middle aged, you've got 40+ years of life ahead of you statistically speaking. If you're pursuing passion, then do it.

You might not get a job like that out the gate of course. Apply for any job you think you could do eventually - even if you think it's a stretch, because it's a new industry, it's all a stretch. And if the job gets you closer to what you want, take it, and if it gets you farther away, don't. That's it. That's the whole game for any creative industry.

Good luck, and hey, proud of you
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I can only agree with you. I‘m currently studying game design and in my class some started over 30 without any previous knowledge in coding, game mechanics or writing. Also when talking to other people in the industry I know many who started quite late and were able to work on successful games both in indie and AAA. Hell even I did something different before and changed fields.

Of course it‘s not easy, though if you are passionate in writing, just try it op :)
 
I'm a freelance writer and one of my clients is a fairly big game publisher. I've also worked with indies and some marketing agencies that specialise in games.

Only a small amount of my income comes from video game projects, and I'm happy with that. Doing projects now and again keeps it fun. My other work pays better.

If it's writing you want to do, I'd say get any kind of paid writing work you can and use the experience to improve your chances in a games industry opportunity.
 
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If you have any contacts in the industry, that would be a good segue. I know a couple(NVIDIA, and Konami), but nothing more than a superficial/business connection
 
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If your interest in video games is a creative one, I would encourage you to dive in as an enthusiast rather than expecting it to provide income support right away. Have fun without the stress of feeling you need to master something right away.


I also have one question. What's wrong with coding? There's only benefits to taking time to learn a new skill. It may open up a whole bunch of opportunities if you end up clicking with it.
 
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Beanstar40 said:
Really; thank you all for the advice. I really want to work in an industry im passionate about. I went to school for HR, but after a few years at this current job I really doubt I chose the right Major. HR is applicable to many fields, including the games world, but i dont feel sure I want to do it at all at this point
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I think it's worth first reflecting what you want to do moving forward, then seeing what industries make sense to you. I am a bit hesitant to support jumping into the industry given how it can suck the joy out of games, so I think it's worth doing some thinking on your career and desires.
 
I'd reflect what makes you passionate about games. Do you care at all about understanding the inner workings of how they're made? Then you should probably learn coding. Are you interested a lot in how they do what they do from an artistic standpoint? Then you might want to try to dedicate yourself to learning the kinds of art skills you need to contribute towards games, be that graphic design or writing or something else. Do you just enjoy playing them from a mechanical perspective a lot, and would do anything to just do that? Well, you can always try to launch a Twitch channel for yourself.

All of these require an immense amount of skill, effort, and even luck to land a job with. It's also worth noting that most people have jobs they're not passionate about. That's okay. If you can land something that brings home a decent income, be thankful.
 
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