What do you do if you want to level up your game development career with mentorship programs?

Getting mentorship is easier than you might think. Before taking a step, ask someone who has already taken that step and learn from the results they achieved. This can help you take early precautions and determine if you need to change your approach. However, the driving force should be you and only you. A mentor is not someone who intervenes, but rather someone who lets you make decisions and guides you through the consequences. Remember, the effectiveness of mentorship largely depends on the mentee’s openness to learning and the mentor’s ability to provide valuable insights. It’s a collaborative relationship that can lead to significant personal and professional growth.

I always think having mentor is always better as you will be learning from the guy who has already done the things that your are gonna start with. And it actually accelerates the process of learning too as you avoid the silly mistakes that you do as a beginner. It will make you stand out from the others.

As a mentor I maybe a little bias but after volunteering with both Limit Break and Into Games. I personally think you should definitely find an established organisation to be paired with a vetted/curated mentor, who can provide you with invaluable insights and tailored advice for your career and life goals!

Mentorship in game dev isn't a cheat code, it's how you level up faster. Targeted feedback, beating imposter syndrome, opening doors – that's what mentors offer. "Too newbie"? Nah! Seek mentors slightly ahead of you – they remember the struggle & can make key intros. Let's expand access & talk mentorship! Here's why this works well: 1-Strong opening hook: Clears up the "shortcut" misconception right away. 2-Emphasizes benefits: Combines the best points from both original options. 3-Calls out inclusivity issue: Challenges a common barrier to mentorship 4-Clear call to action: Invites further discussion which boosts LinkedIn engagement.

I did mentoring past to my students, also some game development aspiring students. It's always good to seek guidance, as it's helpful to get a lot of perspective about this industry. Also, meeting relevant people through professional networking, conference, events, game jam, are always encouraging.

Setting goals is crucial if you want to achieve something great. In December 2023 I decided I will split 2024 in quarters and set goals accordingly. In the first quarter I exceeded all expectations, completed all the goals and some from Q2. Also you can dream big, but start small , otherwise you might get overwhelmed and eventually up. Good luck! ??

I like this most, as it's actually helping to narrow down your path. Once you do that, it's then easy to look for the mentor on that specific areas who have more expertise can understand your weakness and strength point to suggest accordingly.

Concordo plenamente com a necessidade de estabelecer metas SMART ao iniciar uma mentoria. No contexto de jogos educativos com foco em storytelling, esses objetivos podem incluir: **1) Aprimorar a narrativa interativa:** Definir metas para integrar a história à mecanica do jogo, tornando a aprendizagem mais envolvente. **2) Desenvolver personagens cativantes:** Criar personagens com os quais os jogadores se identifiquem, facilitando a imers?o e a conex?o emocional com o conteúdo educativo. **3) Explorar diferentes estilos narrativos:** Experimentar abordagens como narrativas ramificadas ou mistério para aumentar o engajamento e a reten??o de conhecimento.

Define clear and achievable goals for your career development journey. Identify specific skills, knowledge, or experiences you want to gain through mentorship and establish milestones to track your progress.

In my experience, setting up goals helps you know the path you want to follow, and also narrow down whom you think will fit best your mentorship journey.

Imagine que o mentorado está desenvolvendo um jogo educativo sobre a história do Brasil. O "diário de bordo" poderia conter reflex?es sobre as escolhas narrativas, os desafios de adaptar fatos históricos para o formato de jogo e as estratégias utilizadas para engajar o jogador no aprendizado. O mentor, por sua vez, poderia utilizar esse material para orientar o mentorado na cria??o de uma narrativa mais coesa, envolvente e historicamente precisa.

Networking é mais do que obrigatório nessa área, também é de suma importancia seguir produtoras, desenvolvedores e participar de Game Jams. Analisar código de outros jogos, normalmente, de código aberto, ajuda no entendimento do que se pretende desenvolver. A mentoria é focada na solu??o ou desenvolvimento de algo, ent?o, o aluno te que saber com exatid?o o que ele precisa além de ter a no??o real da complexidade do projeto.

Actively engage with your mentors on a regular basis to seek advice, ask questions, and discuss your career goals and challenges. Schedule regular meetings or check-ins to maintain momentum and accountability in your mentorship relationship.

Getting feedback is always helpful to improve your learning curve. Considering, may be your portfolio, or a game you made, it's always good to seek their critical observation, so you could learn more and enable yourself to improve it more, or polish it.

When you go to a doctor and they say "You need to sleep more, eat your vitamins, get some exercise", or whatever they say, you should listen. If your tax accountant says you should move your investment or pay off a debt, you should listen. When your game software architect says your code structure must be simpler, you should listen. You go to them because they are experts. If you go to a doctor and ignore their advice, you are effectively saying that you know better than them and that makes your approach meaningless. Accept that you are the inferior when you seek advice, and know that by learning from those from whom you seek advice, you at best become their equal.

Creating a game is like nurturing a child—a labor of love, sleepless nights, and countless iterations. Feedback, both a boon and a bane, shapes the journey. Embracing feedback, messy yet necessary, is akin to adjusting a baby’s diaper. Feedback is the whetstone that sharpens your game, but it can also pierce your confidence, leading to self-doubt. Close-ended survey questions offer limited choices, while open-ended questions encourage specific, constructive responses. The Pitfalls of Bad Feedback Poor feedback can lead to uncertainty and factionalism within teams. Feedback is essential for game evolution. Embrace it wisely, remembering even Excalibur had its flaws. Laugh amidst the memes, for in this labyrinth, developers become legends.

Be open to receiving constructive feedback and criticism from your mentors. View feedback as an opportunity for growth and improvement, and use it to identify areas for development and refine your skills and approaches.

Em um projeto recente de desenvolvimento de jogo educativo, recebi feedback de que a narrativa estava muito linear e previsível. Ao invés de me sentir atacado, encarei a crítica como uma oportunidade para explorar novas mecanicas de storytelling, como escolhas ramificadas e finais múltiplos. Isso n?o só enriqueceu a experiência do jogador, como também expandiu minhas habilidades como desenvolvedor. Lembre-se, o feedback é uma ferramenta poderosa, mas devemos utilizá-la com sabedoria e empatia.

Offer your own expertise, insights, and perspectives to your mentors whenever possible. Share your experiences, successes, and challenges to enrich the mentorship relationship and demonstrate your commitment to mutual learning and growth.

Recognize mentorship as an opportunity to gain valuable insights from a seasoned professional. Embrace constructive criticism as a tool for growth.

Um exemplo prático seria conectar-se com educadores que utilizam jogos em sala de aula. Eles podem fornecer feedback sobre a eficácia do seu jogo educativo e até mesmo se tornarem early adopters, testando e divulgando seu trabalho para outros educadores. Essa colabora??o pode abrir portas para novas oportunidades e parcerias, enriquecendo seu projeto e ampliando seu alcance dentro do nicho de jogos educativos.

Take advantage of mentorship programs to expand your professional network and connect with other industry professionals. Participate in networking events, workshops, and conferences to meet new mentors and peers who can provide valuable support and opportunities for collaboration.

Use online platforms like MentorCruise or explore established communities like the International Game Developers Association (IGDA) or your local Global Game Jam chapter. These organizations often connect aspiring developers with experienced mentors.

Developing friendships with individuals who share your career path and work within the same industry can significantly expedite your personal and professional growth trajectory. These like-minded peers offer invaluable support, insights, and encouragement, fostering an environment conducive to continuous learning and development. By surrounding yourself with individuals who understand the nuances of your field, you gain access to a wealth of knowledge, resources, and opportunities that can propel you forward in your career journey. Moreover, the camaraderie and mutual encouragement within this community of peers provide essential motivation and reassurance, ensuring that you remain focused and steadfast on your path to success.

Those who are unafraid to take risks and pursue their passions often achieve great things. The world of gaming and emerging technology is no different. By joining forces with like-minded individuals and start-ups, you can learn new skills and collaborate with brilliant, engaged people. Don't hesitate to offer your talents and ask for partnership instead of money. Who knows what groundbreaking projects you might be a part of!

1. Seek Mentorship (Enable) Personal growth and career guidance. (Action) Set your objectives, prepare for the ask. 2. Build Network (Enable) Access to mentorship & industry insights. (Action) Join & contribute to online communities. 3. Attend Events (Enable) The irreplaceable energy of the crowd. (Action) Capture the memory in photos & share. 4. Use Humor (Enable) A strong stress-relief tool for tough times (Action) Laugh together; find humor in teamwork

Mentorship effectiveness hinges on aligning your current skillset with the program's target audience. Explore programs designed for junior, mid-level, or senior developers depending on your experience stage.

To level up your game development career with mentorship programs, first, identify your goals and research relevant programs. Find mentors who excel in your desired areas, set clear expectations, and stay proactive in your learning. Network within the industry, seek feedback, and give back as you progress. By actively participating in mentorship, you can accelerate your growth and build valuable connections in the game development community