The Hows and Whys of theGames Industry

Sjoerd “Hourences” De Jonghttp://www.Hourences.com

The Hows and Whys of the Games Industry

Table of Contents

About This Book.............................................................................................................. 6The Author.......................................................................................................................8Chapter 1 - Introduction...................................................................................................9

History.............................................................................................................................. 10Facts................................................................................................................................. 11The Expectations.............................................................................................................. 12

Chapter 2 - The Industry................................................................................................15

The Good and the Bad..................................................................................................... 16Why........................................................................................................................ 16Why not.................................................................................................................. 18A Frustrating Industry....................................................................................................... 21The Money....................................................................................................................... 25The Public Opinion........................................................................................................... 27

Chapter 3 - Skills, Schools, and Study.......................................................................... 29

Skills................................................................................................................................. 30Starting Out............................................................................................................ 31Specialization................................................................................................................... 34Why?...................................................................................................................... 34What?..................................................................................................................... 37Game Development Schools – The Good Side................................................................ 42Game Development Schools – The Bad Side.................................................................. 45The Future........................................................................................................................ 48Long Term Vision............................................................................................................. 50Conclusion........................................................................................................................ 52

Chapter 4 - The Mod Community.................................................................................. 53

A Door To The Industry.................................................................................................... 54Why........................................................................................................................ 55Why Not................................................................................................................. 57How........................................................................................................................ 59The Types........................................................................................................................ 61Advice on joining a team.................................................................................................. 68Conclusion........................................................................................................................ 72

Chapter 5 - Going ‘Commercial’.................................................................................... 74

Taking The Step............................................................................................................... 75Portfolio............................................................................................................................ 76The Goal................................................................................................................ 76The Presentation.................................................................................................... 77Internships and Junior Positions....................................................................................... 80Testers............................................................................................................................. 81Why.............................................................................................................. 82Why Not....................................................................................................... 82Freelance......................................................................................................................... 84Why........................................................................................................................ 85Why Not................................................................................................................. 86The people with great ideas............................................................................................. 89

Chapter 6 - Companies And Games..............................................................................91

Types Of Games.............................................................................................................. 92Different Company Types................................................................................................. 98Good Qualities................................................................................................................ 109Dangerous Qualities....................................................................................................... 112Success And Luck.......................................................................................................... 117

Chapter 7 - The Application, Interview, And Contract..................................................119

Applying.......................................................................................................................... 120The How............................................................................................................... 120The What.............................................................................................................. 126The Interview.................................................................................................................. 130Types................................................................................................................... 130What To Expect.................................................................................................... 132Their Questions.......................................................................................... 133Your Questions.......................................................................................... 134Additional information................................................................................. 135Do's and Don’ts.................................................................................................... 136The Contract................................................................................................................... 140The Necessity Of The Contract............................................................................ 144

Chapter 8 - Once You're Hired.................................................................................... 146

Moving............................................................................................................................ 147Why...................................................................................................................... 147Why Not............................................................................................................... 148The Expectations............................................................................................................ 151Their Expectations................................................................................................ 151What You Can Expect.......................................................................................... 152The Community.............................................................................................................. 154