How can you evaluate if a game development company is a good fit for you?

Do your research thoroughly. See how they treat people that are leaving the company, because those are the actual barometer of the company’s culture. Check for reviews of the company on Glassdoor. Find out if they focus on making money only (this is a very red flag) or they are also interested in creating communities, in building safe environments, in supporting those in need. Without any of those, what they do is wage slavery.

Before applying or interviewing with a game development company, research their background, reputation, and portfolio. Check their website, social media, reviews, awards, and press coverage to understand their mission, values, and achievements. Assess their games to see if they match your style and quality preferences. Look for a company with a clear vision and a proven track record of success.

Is there stable and mature management culture? (even an Indie studio needs this), bonus if they have been successful shipping multiple games before.

Couldn't agree more! For aspiring game developers, researching a potential employer is like entering uncharted territory. As a CEO, I've noticed a remarkable correlation between a candidate's research efforts and their success in interviews. Those who showcase a deep understanding of our mission and values not only stand out but also align seamlessly with our company culture. Even the most experienced candidates can falter if they neglect this crucial step. So, my advice to job seekers is simple: treat researching a company as a strategic move, showcasing not only your skills but also your genuine interest in joining a workplace that resonates with your aspirations.

Following evaluation criteria worked fine for me. 1. Company Culture: Assess the company's values, work culture, and environment. 2. Projects and Portfolio: Review the company's previous games and ongoing projects. 3. Team and Talent: Evaluate the team's skill level, diversity, and collaboration dynamics. 4. Career Growth Opportunities: Investigate if the company offers opportunities for skill development, career advancement, and learning new technologies. 5. Work-Life Balance. 6. Reputation and Stability. 7. Interview Experience. 8. Benefits and extra curricular activities. Above aspects determine if a game development company aligns with my career aspirations, values, and professional growth objectives.

Candidates who geek out over projects not only catch the eye but also seamlessly blend into the team. So, before diving into interviews, ask yourself: - Are you genuinely excited about their games? - Do your skills sync with the challenges? It's like finding the perfect game difficulty – not too easy, not too hard. Consider the potential impact and revenue as bonus rounds; after all, you want to join a team with projects that match your gaming aspirations.

The company's projects is likely the main draw for you to the company. The reality is that you need to be content and happy with the portfolio of games the studio has produced as it's a massive indicator of what you'll be working on. If you're not happy with the genre, mechanics or a fan of those types of games the burnout can be staggering. As with all creative mediums a shared vision is necessary and the projects you work on need to be within your vision.

Check their past and present projects. See how they fulfil their promises to their audience. Do you find a project that you are interested in? Do you see your self curious about how is being made?

I assess a project's scope, innovation, and alignment with my goals. My experience in developing diverse games and fostering inclusive platforms informs my evaluation. I look for projects that are not only technologically groundbreaking but also culturally enriching, reflecting my commitment to diversity and inclusivity in gaming. The potential impact, reach, and financial viability are key, but what excites me most are projects that resonate with my vision of uniting players across global communities.

A project that inspires you and challenges you is very important in my opinion. Go for game projects you actually enjoy making and playing. This will not only make it easier to stay focused on the project about also make it easier for you understand the requirements and design concepts for the project. Games are a form of art. It's also important to make sure that you get to learn something new and grow as a professional while working on this project. Gaming industry is a very competitive one, with most people working in the industry due to their passion. Such people will always keep growing, and in order to make sure you don't fall behind, always be ready to challenge yourself with a project which is just slightly above your skillsets.

Meeting the team is like joining a multiplayer game – camaraderie is key! Checking the team's profiles, portfolios, and even their social media gives you a sneak peek into the squad's backgrounds, skills, and quirks. After all, you want to be part of a diverse, talented, and supportive team that not only shares your vision but also radiates enthusiasm. So, level up your job hunt by ensuring you're joining a team that feels like your gaming guild – strong, united, and ready for victory!

You will be working very closely with your team members. Getting along is essential to have a good outcome. Also affects your day-to-day work.

One thing that nowadays is extremely important to consider is the diversity of the studio. The growth you can have in a diverse studio has a huge impact on your career. You'll develop skills in communicating with all kinds of people and also learn about different cultures, which can contribute to your future in this career path. And if you dream of working as a lead in a project, this is the key you need to learn how to get there.

Team and company culture is important to understand to see if it is a place you want to devote your time and skills. Is the team open about their values and goals - and do they live it? Do they value and respect the audience like you do? Is there a shared passion for what they are making together? Does the team respect each other and management? Are they genuine about areas that they are working on improving?

Know what's important to you. Everything isn't equally important to everyone, so figure out what matters most to you. - Work life balance: do they respect boundaries that are important to you? - Culture fit: can you see yourself working with them? How do they resolve conflicts? How do they give feedback? - Support: what do you need from your team and are they willing/able to offer that? - Structure: are you working solo? How are their teams organized? How much collaboration and interaction do you want and need to do your best? - Values: what is important to you that's non-negotiable? Honesty, integrity, kindness, respect, social values? If they matter to you, look for evidence of alignment.

Assuming you're just getting started: consider stability into your calculation. If you lose your job without warning, it could take weeks to months before you can find a new position and go through the entire hiring process. Particularly if you don't have a lot of professional experience, something to consider is that a small difference in salary can quickly be negated in the long run if you're joining a company that has volatile hiring/layoff practices, or if the company goes under unexpectedly. Ask for what you're worth, but don't forget to factor stability into your math.

In my experience, assessing compensation in the game development industry is multifaceted. It's not just about the salary; benefits, bonuses, equity, and perks play a crucial role. For instance, at Gamestacy, while pioneering inclusive gaming, I learned the importance of aligning compensation with industry standards, cost of living, and most importantly, the value one brings to the table. Negotiating contract terms, such as working hours, flexibility, and vacation, is equally vital. A fair compensation package should reflect your skills and experience, and importantly, show professional respect and recognition. One thing I've found helpful is to approach negotiations with a clear understanding of your worth and market norms.

There's a bit of risk with taking on a new position at a new company no matter how well you research and prepare yourself since there's only so much you can learn from observing the brief interactions you get in emails, phone calls and interviews. I remember well when I decided to make the leap to join the gaming industry that I was taking a chance and betting on myself. I had never worked in the industry, but it just felt right, and it was an easy choice to make when the offer came. It is the best career decision I've ever made. Truly trusting and believing in yourself will take you further than you realize, and it just may land you in a dream job with a dream team where you thrive more than you could have ever expected.

Accepting an offer means you might be living with that decision for a minimum of a year. Especially in this job market, it's challenging to maintain a mentality of abundance, but it's important not to devalue your own happiness and well-being. Also, you improve your intuition by listening to it. For the folks just starting out, your intuition can be invaluable in achieving your goals; don't stunt it by ignoring it.

Verificar si el tipo de desarrollo te sienta cómodo. Si vienes de ser desarrollador de aplicaciones, establecer una comparativa entre el GDD con el documento de dise?o de cualquier aplicación, sobre todo si estas acostumbrado a trabajar con casos de usos. En videojuegos es mas probable poder usar programación orientada a objetos que en la programación tradicional, por eso, si te gusta ese tipo de paradigmas es ideal.

Your love for gaming isn't just a fun hobby; it's like a secret ingredient for success in game development. Personally, my gaming passion has sparked awesome creative ideas. Think about it – those times you explored new game worlds and conquered tough challenges? They actually make you a better developer by giving you a unique perspective. So, as you dive into the game development journey, remember: being a passionate gamer isn't just for fun; it's your superpower in the professional world!

You can learn about the company's past projects and research its values. Read the public opinion about that company. Read the press releases from the company itself to find out how it is addressing the public. If you know anyone in your network who was/is working at that company ask about their opinion. If the above matches your aspirations and goals you are off to a good start.

Strongly consider the type of work you want to do and that you find fulfilling: Do you work better with clear guidelines and narrower scope? If so, larger, more formal studios might be a good fit for you, as their team scales support deep specialization. Do you feel the need to have more autonomy and creative control? Smaller studios may be a better fit here, though with more autonomy comes greater responsibility. Similarly, consider whether you need more artistically or creatively fulfilling work or not, and match that with a studio's portfolio. There are some excellent opportunities to build engaging experiences for advertising, training, and education, but those have significantly constrained design parameters. Find your fit!

Upskill Opportunities: Understand their career development process. Do you get a sponsor for development certification? Is there a training process? Understand the level of partnership they have with game engines (Unity/Unreal) - these engines often offer courses and training tailored for game studios.