Game development is a fascinating and rewarding field, but it can also be challenging and complex. Whether you are a beginner or a seasoned developer, you can benefit from having a mentor who can offer you guidance, feedback, and support. But how do you find a mentor who suits your needs and goals? Here are some tips to help you in your search.
Before you look for a mentor, you need to have a clear idea of what you want to learn and achieve in game development. Do you want to improve your skills in a specific area, such as programming, art, design, or audio? Do you want to work on a particular genre, platform, or engine? Do you want to pursue a career in the industry or create your own indie games? Having a clear vision of your objectives will help you narrow down your potential mentors and communicate your expectations.
Mentor can’t help you if you don’t know what you want. Their can’t read mind, so be direct with them. Decide the following questions: - What is area of your interest? (Design, Art, Dev, etc) - Which skill / tool / language you want to learn? (Creative thinking, Miro, C++, etc) - What career help do you need? (Portfolio review, recommendations, etc) Write everything down not to forget.
Identifying your objectives is the first step to success! Deciding what you want from a mentor—a career advisor, technical expertise, or industry insights—will help you focus your search and find the right one. Make connections with possible mentors who share your goals by contacting industry leaders, going to networking events, and using online resources. Recall that a mentor may offer priceless assistance and direction as you make your way through the fascinating world of video game creation.
Having a learning objetive is the first step to do before starting the search of a mentor or instructor. In game development there are several kind of jobs to do and every pipeline has a lot of diferent areas of knowledge to take in mind... Maybe you love art or in the opposite, code would be your passion. There is also Game Desing as a branch of game development... After getting a clear idea, internet searching is the most easy way to start your journey! There exists web pages where you can find awesome proffesionals working as mentors (private) but also there are a bunch of them sharing their knowledge for the pleasure of share with others (thank you).. After that step, perseverance is key. Be sure you are constant and firm in purposes
Don't be shy! Ask someone you work with who's work you admire. Approach with goals you have to improve you have for yourself that you have noticed they are accomplished at. Then ask to go get a cup of coffee sometime and talk about how they got to that point.
you don't need a mentor for video game development, part of the beauty of this craft is that different people approach it from their own point of view. you define what is fun and what is not. rest is just learning from all available resources on the internet .
Once you have defined your objectives, you can start researching potential mentors who have the experience and expertise you are looking for. You can use various sources to find game developers who are willing to mentor others, such as online forums, social media, blogs, podcasts, videos, or books. You can also look for mentors in your local game development community, such as meetups, events, workshops, or coworking spaces. You can also ask for recommendations from your peers, friends, or teachers who are involved in game development.
Start by researching potential mentors who align with your goals and interests. Explore online platforms like LinkedIn, Twitter, and game development forums to identify professionals with experience and expertise in your desired areas of focus. Look for mentors who have a track record of success in the industry and a willingness to share their knowledge and insights. Reach out to them with a personalized message expressing your interest in their work and explaining why you believe they would make a valuable mentor. Be respectful of their time and open to their guidance. Networking at industry events, conferences, and meetups can also provide opportunities to connect with potential mentors in person.
The context of advice is when you already work as a game developer but want to speed up your growth. From my experience, you can try to find the best mentors inside your game company. It might be option to discuss with your HR options to get a personal development plan and find a mentor to path you, etc. If you work in a big company, it makes sense to research on Linkedin who works with you and discovery approachiate profile to match your needs. Any rockstar from your company will be easier accessable to discuss something and get advice or even build a growth plan for you per specific personal request than outside. The mentor should be someone who has professional background is your genue desire at that moment of your career.
This step has been made easier by my initiative with The Game Collective. We’re a free online community on Discord with over 800 members and growing who are actively mentoring people and sharing general advice and good vibes in the rest of our channels. All of it for free and super casual. We’ve taken the hassle out of setting up and running mentorships for professionals. All you need to do is throw your mentee/mentor profile online and start looking through profiles to match yourself. If you don’t ask you won’t get however so be brave ?? Good luck!
Finding a game development mentor requires both focus and initiative. Start by clearly defining your goals and the specific areas where you need help. Seek recommendations from your network and attend industry events to connect with potential mentors. Research their background to ensure a good fit, then reach out with a respectful message outlining your goals and what you hope to gain from the mentorship. Once you find a mentor, cultivate a strong relationship based on open communication and mutual respect. Be an active learner and show appreciation for their guidance. Regularly assess the mentorship's effectiveness and make adjustments as needed to ensure a successful and rewarding experience for both of you.
My Goal: To become a skilled artist in the field of game UI/UX design and 3D CG art. My Passion: I have a strong passion for learning the creative aspects of game development, specifically focusing on user interface and user experience (UI/UX) design, and the art of creating 3D computer graphics (CG). Desired Skills and Tools: UI/UX Design: I'm eager to learn the principles and best practices of game UI/UX design, including tools like (Adobe, and Unity). 3D CG Art: I'm excited to develop my skills in 3D modeling, texturing, lighting, and rendering using applications like (software like Maya, Blender, ZBrush, Unity ).
After you have a list of potential mentors, you need to reach out to them and introduce yourself. You can send them an email, a message, or a tweet, depending on the medium they prefer. You should be polite, respectful, and concise in your communication. You should explain who you are, what you are working on, what you want to learn, and why you are interested in their mentorship. You should also show that you have done some research on their work and that you appreciate their time and expertise. You should not expect an immediate or positive response from every potential mentor, as they may be busy or not interested in mentoring. You should also avoid being pushy, demanding, or entitled in your communication.
Begin by researching potential mentors who align with your goals and interests. Utilize online platforms like LinkedIn, Twitter, and game development forums to identify professionals with relevant experience and expertise. Craft personalized messages expressing your admiration for their work and explaining why you believe they would make a valuable mentor. Be respectful of their time and open to their guidance. Networking at industry events and conferences can also provide opportunities to connect with potential mentors in person. By reaching out thoughtfully and respectfully, you can establish meaningful mentor relationships to support your game development journey.
Find people you admire and reach out here in LinkedIn! Just be kind and respectful of their time and you’ll be surprised how nice people can be!
This step has been made easier by my initiative with The Game Collective. We’re a free online community on Discord with over 800 members and growing who are actively mentoring people and sharing general advice and good vibes in the rest of our channels. All of it for free and super casual. We’ve taken the hassle out of setting up and running mentorships for professionals. All you need to do is throw your mentee/mentor profile online and start looking through profiles to match yourself. If you don’t ask you won’t get however so be brave ?? Good luck!
Este punto es uno de los mejores consejos que recibí durante la universidad. Acercarme a expertos y hacerles preguntas sobre cómo podía crecer o mejorar y qué sugerían para mejorar mis habilidades fue una fuente invaluable de conocimiento para mí cuando aún era una junior. Incluso si la persona a la que contactes no está interesada en ser tu mentor, tal vez tiene algunos tips para compartir contigo.
Once you have a list of potential mentors you can contact them through different platforms, such as LinkedIn or Artstation. On the other hand, a good way to get a mentor is to follow closely the social networks like Linkedin of your referents in the industry, because sometimes they announce mentorships of limited places.
If a potential mentor agrees to mentor you, you should thank them and establish a relationship with them. You should discuss with them how often and how long you want to communicate, what mode of communication you prefer, what kind of feedback and guidance you need, and what goals you want to achieve. You should also respect their boundaries, availability, and preferences. You should be proactive, responsive, and accountable in your communication. You should also be open-minded, curious, and willing to learn from their advice and suggestions. You should also show gratitude, appreciation, and recognition for their mentorship.
Once you establish contact, nurture the relationship by maintaining regular communication. Schedule regular check-ins or meetings to discuss your progress, seek advice, and receive feedback. Show appreciation for their support and insights. Actively listen to their advice and implement their suggestions into your work. By demonstrating your commitment and eagerness to learn, you can establish a strong and mutually beneficial relationship with your mentor in the game development industry.
Treat your mentors like you would like to be treated since at one point, you might end up at their place! Ask questions, provide ideas, and don't be afraid to show your interests. But respect their time and the connection that you have. A mentor has a lot of knowledge, help them help you, make it easy for them to teach you, and success is inevitable. A strong relationship can go a long way.
The relationship shouldn't be transactional, try your best to form a proper relationship with your mentor. They are devoting their time to assist and guide you, you should recognize this and be genuine in your interactions in order to facilitate learning and growing.
Based on your objectives, seek out a mentor that fits what you want to achieve. Different people have different goals. So do mentors and their mentees. Seek a mentor that has a philosophy that aligns with yours. Do your research on what your mentor has achieved and see if it aligns with your own philosophy in life.
Ao estabelecer um relacionamento com um mentor, é crucial demonstrar gratid?o e comprometimento. Comunique-se de forma clara sobre a frequência e dura??o das intera??es, preferências de comunica??o e tipo de orienta??o desejada. Respeite os limites e disponibilidade do mentor, sendo proativo e responsivo em suas comunica??es. Mantenha uma mente aberta para aprender com seus conselhos e sugest?es, e mostre apre?o e reconhecimento pela orienta??o recebida. Essa abordagem construirá uma base sólida para um relacionamento frutífero e mutuamente benéfico.
One mentor may not be able to cover all aspects of game development or meet all your needs and goals. You may benefit from having multiple mentors who can offer you different perspectives, insights, and skills. You can seek mentors who specialize in different areas of game development, such as programming, art, design, or audio. You can also seek mentors who have different backgrounds, experiences, and styles of game development, such as indie, AAA, or experimental. You can also seek mentors who have different roles, such as peers, teachers, or industry professionals. Having multiple mentors can help you diversify your learning and expand your network.
Seeking multiple mentors can be the secret sauce to turbocharge your journey. Dive deep into the gaming community, engage with veterans on platforms like Discord or Twitch, and attend industry events. Forge genuine connections with those whose expertise aligns with your goals. Remember, mentorship is a two-way street. Offer your own insights, be receptive to feedback, and nurture these relationships with care. By tapping into a diverse pool of mentors, you'll unlock a treasure trove of wisdom, accelerating your growth as a game developer.
As technologies advance these days, game development has blurred many edges and boundaries between it and other industries. Now it's a huge part of the filmmaking world, whether you make films in game engines, interactive backgrounds, or just pre-viz. The business side of it has grown since you have more business models brought to the table. Game dev by itself is already a wide field and with these advancements, it has grown even more. So having multiple mentors will guide you through the relevant points you need assistance with. Write down the specific points you need help with then seek mentors for each point who has relevant experience in that area.
One of the best ways to find a mentor is to be a mentor yourself. You can share your knowledge, skills, and experience with other game developers who are less experienced or more interested in your field. You can offer them guidance, feedback, and support in their projects and goals. You can also learn from them, as they may have different ideas, questions, or challenges that can challenge your own assumptions and practices. Being a mentor can help you improve your communication, leadership, and teaching skills. It can also help you build your reputation, credibility, and connections in the game development community.
Putting out content is how I got started attracting like minds to start interacting with me. I don't really believe cold-emailing or messaging is the best way to network, as it's kind of one-sided and asking the mentor to give without you giving anything back. But learning and developing games and putting out content really starts to attract smarter people to you that can help you improve as well, and allows you to build a network of mentors quite easily. This could be linkedin articles on game design and what you've learned, youtube videos, or simply releasing lots of games!
Be a good listener: This is crucial for building trust and understanding your mentee's needs and goals. Practice active listening by paying close attention, asking clarifying questions, and avoiding interrupting. Help them define their goals: Sometimes mentees might have a general idea of what they want to achieve but lack a clear roadmap. Guide them in setting SMART goals (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound) to provide direction and focus. Empower, don't dictate: Don't just give all the answers. Instead, ask probing questions to help your mentee think critically and arrive at their own solutions. This fosters their problem-solving skills and builds confidence.
Being a mentor is a great way to gain progress in a field. It forces you to better understand the subject that you are working with, find the caveats, consider other opinions to better reassure your findings, and is the perfect way to go deep into a subject. I've found joy in the making of blogs, for the helpful insights that give to myself. Writing and putting into understandable words my works, helps me find solutions to many problems. Helping others is the best way to help yourself, don't underestimate the power of questions.
Take advantage of the wealth of online tutorials, courses, and documentation available for game development. Websites like Udemy, Coursera, and YouTube offer a plethora of resources covering various aspects of game development, from programming languages to game engines and design principles.
In order to create something unique and special you shouldn’t be relaying on a mentor or an educational institution. You have to figure out stuffs yourself by executing trial and error methods which will help you to discover something that none could notice.
Don't be afraid to ask! At the end of the day, progress and development comes in many ways. Following tutorials, going deep into subjects, having a problem and finding a solution to it is the best way to get into any kind of field. And that applies to game development too! I've found that the more interactions I had, the more I progressed in my career. Asking my friends, joining communities, providing feedback, they all come with knowledge. Pursuing that will place you in a perfect spot without even knowing it.
Look for internships or co-op programs at game development studios. While these opportunities may not always come with formal mentorship programs, you'll have the chance to work alongside experienced developers who can provide guidance and mentorship.
Composer for linear and interactive media AAA Games- Ascendant Studios, Electronic Arts (EA)
Attend industry events like GDC and DICE. In such a digital era it is important to never forgot the power of a real world interaction. All of my industry mentors I met at industry events and I have received wonderful advice and guidance throughout my career from them. I would also encourage you to join any organizations that relate to your field. For Game Audio and Music a wonderful resource is G.A.N.G. (Game Audio Network Guild).
Be prepared for what to ask. Research those questions you have because you may find their answers or will intrigue new ideas and questions. Be proactive, when the mentor suggests solutions or resources, explore them and relevant areas. Try to research and experiment yourself and seek mentors to help you see the big picture. They will show you the destinations to visit not the step-by-step path because where you find your path is where your learning journey lies.