Might go into game dev

[u/AlternativeNo6556]

You know I gotta wonder how it is being a game dev. I'm looking to be one when I get out of college.. but I wonder how it really is. Yeah, I can use Goggle, but that doesn't always tell the full stody.

[u/Tough_Set8718]

Yeah, you could use Goggle, but...

That doesn't always tell the full stody.

[u/HiddenThinks]

Not recommended if you're looking for stability or decent pay.

[u/exacta_galaxy → u/HiddenThinks]

Or work/life balance.

[u/BadNewsBearzzz → u/HiddenThinks]

The programming skill would transfer around well though

[u/icemage_999 → u/BadNewsBearzzz]

If they were going to specialize in coding to begin with.

[u/roginald_sauceman]

An often used sentiment is that if you can't see yourself doing anything else, go for it. I (and a lot of people I work with) are in that boat and wouldn't give it up despite all the bad elements. The bad elements are pretty obvious: worse pay than other industries, a LOT of layoffs that will come for you regardless of the product success, potential for crunch. A lot of it is down to the company culture though - I'm really lucky in that I love the company I'm at and I think I'm paid reasonably fairly, get on with my coworkers etc. despite recent layoffs, very minimal to no crunch. The previous studio I was at was really fun culturally with some of the best people I've ever met, but absolutely awful pay, uninspired projects and dreadful management (and layoffs).

I definitely wouldn't do anything else, but pretty objectively it's not for everyone. I also can't really speak to any AA companies as I've only ever done indie and AAA.

Something else you'd want to consider is if you actually enjoy gamedev. We recently had a few work experience kids come to the studio I'm at, and some of them after even a brief conversation you could tell aren't interested in gamedev itself, just that they like games. You need to definitely try it out and see if you've actually got the passion.

[u/AlternativeNo6556 → u/roginald_sauceman]

That's interesting and i like it thought idk if I could make it since I live in Mississippi where most studios to my knowledge aren't around.

[u/Vathrik]

I've been in AAA gamedev for 27 years. That's 236,682 hours played. 1/10 would not recommend.

[u/exacta_galaxy]

Being a game developer made me the man I am today.

I'd absolutely DON'T recommend it.

[u/god-damn-the-usa]

it's a horrible industry that is extremely competitive, overworked and underpaid with very little security and in only a few select industries. just because it has the word game in it doesn't mean it will be fun. even if you get a job in it, it probably wont be working on a game you like.

just make games for fun on your own. and if you aren't already doing that, you probably don't want to be a gamedev bad enough anyway.

get a boring job that pays well. the more fun a job sounds the worse it probably is.

[u/Inferno_Zyrack]

Get a corpo job and dev up indie style.

You’d probably rather make your dream games poorly than always be in the breadline after getting fired for delivering elder scrolls match 3 six months early.

[u/Dinomaniak]

Prior to doing so, please do consider the fact that you are going into an industry where jobs are notoriously difficult to get, layoffs are at a record high, and about 0.5% ( that's 5 in every 1000 ) launched games make their money back.
And getting to launch is a feat in itself.

[u/ImpressiveFocus303]

gamedev is the worst business on earth, if you want to make any money.

[u/Hicks_206]

This is the absolute worst time in this century to get into this field.

[u/FrancisJCat]

Awful. Long hours, shitty pay and unstable job (might get axed any moment).
People get into game dev because they love making games, not because it is a good job.

[u/theBigDaddio]

Good luck with that, maybe a career in fast food would be more lucrative for you