How I did a 180-degree career change and became a game developer

How did you end up going from a salesperson to a game developer?

After a lot of years spent working in sales, I’ve decided to follow my passion. Although I have always had an interest in video games and new technology, I've never thought that my profession can be related to it. Thanks to my good friend, I was introduced to 3D modeling, level designing and game logic, mainly constructing games/worlds in the metaverse.

Shortly after that, I started freelancing in 3D modeling. From taking small projects to bigger ones, I started to develop my skills as well. I never had any official training, but I loved learning about it and I knew I had to do it thoroughly and by myself. Watching YouTube tutorials and learning about new technologies became a hobby. It took many hours learning all the programs, watching countless hours of tutorials on YouTube, some on Udemy but, of course, practice makes perfect. And it was worth it.?

When did everything change?

To have a full-time job as a game developer seemed so unrealistic to me at that time, especially knowing there were very few gaming companies in the area. But today, the situation has changed, maybe because gaming became mainstream in the last few years and the industry is growing rapidly. That is, perhaps, one of the reasons why my dream became reality. I started seeing more and more companies searching for a game developer and, finally, the opportunity was there. I applied, I did a task - and I excelled at it. And suddenly, I was a full-time game developer. And for the first time, I was looking forward to Monday. :D?

What do you do now?

My job is all about learning new technologies in the 3d world, new methods and techniques mainly focusing on the optimization of 3D worlds, and implementing new features and solutions. My week is very dynamic, which I really like, because it never gets boring, and generally, I like solving problems in the software.?

Overall, my job can be challenging and demanding, but also rewarding because I’m very passionate about creating video games. It requires a combination of technical expertise, creativity, and collaboration with other members of the development team.

My job is fun (for me) for many reasons, for example, the challenge of creating a game from scratch and seeing it come to life can be very satisfying. Additionally, the process of designing and implementing game mechanics, levels, and art can be creative and enjoyable. I also enjoy the process of playtesting and refining the project to make it as fun and engaging as possible.?

I’m very happy and excited to do this job and that is why I can honestly say that there is not a day of the week that I dread,; every work day is a happy work day because I get to do what I love.??

What advice would you give to someone who is thinking about becoming a game developer?

Here are a few pieces of advice for people who are interested in getting into game development:

1. Start small and build your skills gradually. Don't try to create a complex game right away, instead, start with simple projects that will help you learn the basics and gain experience.
2. Collaborate with other people, game development is a team sport, so try to find other people who are interested in game development and work together on projects. This will not only be more fun, but it will also help you learn from each other and improve your skills.
3. Keep learning and stay up to date with new technologies and techniques. The game development industry is constantly evolving, so it's important to stay on top of new tools, technologies, and best practices. This will help you stay competitive and improve your skills as a game developer.

You participate in designing the metaverse every day. Tell us more about it.?

I fondly remember 2016 when every other person was walking around and catching Pokemons in augmented reality, people were fascinated by it and I was stunned at how quickly everyone adapted to it. It made me wonder what would be the next stage of digital interaction.?

Nowadays, in my opinion, the answer is clear. It is the metaverse, “a single, shared, immersive, persistent, 3D virtual space where humans experience life in ways they could not in the physical world.” In my opinion, games are the core part of the metaverse, but I believe they will become more social, more interactive, and crafted by a growing number of creators.

Providing technology that enabled virtual worlds in games, the metaverse will allow us to socialize through activities rather than simply socializing through sharing photos and news links.

Metaverse is just around the corner. In my opinion, at this stage, it’s like the race to be the first to land on the Moon, or be the one to first stage the Moon landing. ??