About the Game Industry Career Guide

Does any of this sound familiar?

  • “I’m so passionate about making games my career, but where do I begin? I really want this but have no clue where to start.”
  • “I hate my current job, but could a career in games really support my family? Or have I missed the bus?”
  • “I sent my resume to 10 different game studios, but none have responded. Is this hopeless? What am I doing wrong?”

If so, you’ve come to the right place.

When you’re thinking about a career in games, there’s so much to learn. It can get overwhelming. You need to find a career that fits your personality, learn the job skills, write a convincing resume, build an epic online portfolio, ace the phone screen… and that’s all before you even get an interview. It’s enough to leave you buried under a mountain of fear, uncertainty, and doubt.

That’s where I can help. Think of Game Industry Career Guide as your magical cheat sheet for learning about the game industry, landing your first job, and starting a fulfilling (and profitable!) career making video games.

After spending more than 15 years in the video game industry, I’ve learned exactly what game studios look for in job applications and interviews. And I’m sharing this insider information from my own career, along with dozens of my game industry friends, so you can follow your passion and start your dream job: making video games.

Are you ready to light the fuse and rocket into your new career?

Read the blog, listen to the podcast, check out game schools, or search the top game job boards to see what’s available right now. (If you’re not sure where to start, then start here.)

And if there’s anything else you want to know as you kickstart your career in games, just ask me — I personally answer every email.

Little Jason opens a Star Wars play set for his birthday.
I’ve been a sci-fi geek since the 1970s. In this Star Wars Creature Cantina, Han always shot first!

About Jason W. Bay

I’m Jason, your career mentor here at Game Industry Career Guide. I’ve spent over 15 years in the game industry, doing lots of different jobs: QA Tester, 3D Modeler, Game Designer, Lead Programmer, Studio Technical Director, Director of Studio Operations, and General Purpose Entrepreneur. (Whew!)

I’ve got years of experience hiring and managing game-makers from many backgrounds. I’ve also written for game industry magazines, spoken at international game industry events, and worked with top game dev educators like DigiPen Institute of Technology, the University of Washington and Bradley University.

Now I’m pouring all my experience into this Career Guide, to help you start and build your own career making video games. You’re going to love it!

Jason W. Bay practices parkour wall runs
Practicing wall-runs. Too much Mirror’s Edge…?

More About Jason W. Bay

What? More? Okay, here.

  • Favorite food: Lucky Charms
  • Favorite movie: Starship Troopers
  • Favorite sport: Parkour (see me do some parkour)
  • Favorite game: Mirror’s Edge (see previous bullet point)
  • Favorite animal: Slime mold*
  • Favorite joke: Two atoms walk out of a bar. On the cab ride home, one says “oh no, I forgot my electrons!” The second asks, “Are you sure?” The first replies, “Oh yes – I’m positive.”

*Not actually an animal

Game Industry Career guide has been featured on: Fast Company, Gamasutra, Engineer Jobs, IEEE, PocketGamer, Mental Floss, Thrillist, Graphic Artists Guild