Slides from my talk at Cal Poly to their Game Development Club about getting in, getting involved, and staying in the industry.

1. The Game Industry
And You
Tips and Tricks for How to Get in and Get Involved
Cal Poly Game Development Club
October 21st, 2011
www.designdirectdeliver.com

2. Obligatory “About Me” Slide
• 15 year veteran of the game industry
• 12 years in video games
• Run Design Direct Deliver
• Active in the IGDA since 1999
• WIGI Steering Committee Member
• Over 30 game credits from Golden Tee
Golf to Mr. Biscuits: The Case of the
Ocean Pearl
www.designdirectdeliver.com

3. What I Do
• Run Design Direct Deliver – a customer
experience consultancy
• Help clients improve customer
experience
• Educate on customer support best
practices
www.designdirectdeliver.com

4. Why I Am Here
To give you some tips and tricks if
you want to:
• enter the video game industry,
• stay in the video game industry,
• and get involved in the video
game industry.
www.designdirectdeliver.com

5. Who You Are
If you’re here, you’re hopefully…
• in the industry
• plan to be in the industry
• or thinking of trying to be in the
industry
(along with smart, skilled, and passionate)
www.designdirectdeliver.com

6. Topics We Will Cover
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Basic Roles In The Industry
WIGI
IGDA
Networking
Branding Yourself
Are You Sure?
www.designdirectdeliver.com

7. Basic Roles In The Industry
Art
Animator, Character Modeler, VFX, Concept,
Environment, Lighting, UI, Texture, Object,
“Artist”, Technical, Junior, Senior, Lead
Artist/Animator/Etc., Art Director, etc.
www.designdirectdeliver.com

8. Basic Roles In The Industry
Audio
SFX, Music, Engineering, Audio Design,
Composer, “Sound”, VO, Junior, Senior, Audio,
Lead Audio, Audio Director, etc.
www.designdirectdeliver.com

9. Basic Roles In The Industry
Design
Level, Scripter, Quest, UI/UX, Content, Story,
World, Systems, NPC, Narrative, Junior,
Senior, Lead Designer, Design Director,
Creative Director, etc.
EC: So You Want To Be A Game Designer?
http://www.penny-arcade.com/patv/episode/so-you-want-tobe-a-game-designer
www.designdirectdeliver.com

10. Basic Roles In The Industry
Programming
Audio, AI, VFX, Tools, Gameplay, Network,
Certification, Platform (e.g. PS3), UI, Online,
Quest, E-Commerce, Server, Scripter, SDET,
Automation, Software Engineer, Junior,
Senior, Lead Programmer, Programming
Director, Director of Engineering, Tech
Director, CTO, etc.
www.designdirectdeliver.com

11. Basic Roles In The Industry
Production
Assistant, Associate, Production Assistant,
Junior, Producer, Senior, Project Manager,
Development Director, Executive Producer,
Creative Director
EC: So You Want To Be A Producer?
http://www.penny-arcade.com/patv/episode/so-youwant-to-be-a-producer
www.designdirectdeliver.com

12. Basic Roles In The Industry
Quality Assurance
Tester, QA, Junior, Senior, SDET, Automation,
Web, Server, Platform, Localization, Usability,
Playtest, Gameplay, Publisher, Developer,
First-Party, Lead Tester, Lead QA, QA
Manager, Director of QA, etc.
www.designdirectdeliver.com

13. Basic Roles In The Industry
Writing
Storyteller, Narrative Designer, Lead Writer,
Content Writer, Quest Writer, Designer (not
joking), Jr. Designer (again not joking), Writer,
Junior Writer, Senior Writer, Architect, Lead
Architect, etc.
www.designdirectdeliver.com

14. Basic Roles In The Industry
And many more…
www.designdirectdeliver.com

15. WIGI
• WAMs
• DLCs
• Mixers
• Conferences
getwigi.org
www.designdirectdeliver.com

16. IGDA
• SIGs
• Chapters
• Events
• Breaking In
igda.org
www.designdirectdeliver.com

17. Effective Networking
http://tinysubversions.com/effective-networking/
www.designdirectdeliver.com

18. Branding Yourself
• The 5 Phrase Exercise
• Figure out what your brand is
• Make sure your actions match
your brand
• Go to libbygill.com
www.designdirectdeliver.com

19. Are You Sure?
• ea_spouse letter
• IGDA QoL survey
• Work/Life (life?) balance
• Perception of games you play
www.designdirectdeliver.com

20. Key Points To Remember
Let me ask you….
www.designdirectdeliver.com

21. Obligatory “Questions” Slide
Questions?
I am happy to sit here and talk for awhile.
www.designdirectdeliver.com

22. How You Can Reach Me
Email:
sheri@designdirectdeliver.com
Website:
www.designdirectdeliver.com
www.sherirubin.com
www.sheriforigda.org
Twitter:
@SheriRubin
www.designdirectdeliver.com

23. Obligatory Thank You Slide
Thanks!
www.designdirectdeliver.com