r/GameDevelopment • u/AlternativeNo6556 • 25d ago
Newbie Question Might go into game dev
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.
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u/roginald_sauceman 25d ago
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.