How does a UX/UI Designer break into the Gaming Industry?
BG on me: 5.5YOE, 27, IC5, 267 TC, Currently PD for VR/Oculus @ Meta So i've been trying to passively get into gaming for a while now. By passively, I mean, cherry pick titles/platforms I've personally used and played for 10+years. It's been one of the toughest industries to break-through. I have Google and Meta (Quest VR) on my resume but that doesn't seem to matter to hiring managers in this space. Is gaming just one of those things where you have to come in as a post-grad slave intern and then work your way into AAA titles? Is it a moonshot to apply to places like Naughtydog/Valve/Riot/Blizzard without AAA game experience? I even managed to get a call with someone from Bethesda (which I autistically know every bit of lore/mechanic/ui to) and they didn't seem to give a fuck, lol. That was the only place to call me back too. I'm extended offers almost blindly from other top-tier companies, but can't even get past the email with gaming. Any ideas on what I should do differently? (i.e. create mock-ui for made up games and showcase it on my portfolio) #gaming #design
So you have applied to riot ?
Not yet. I've saved that for when I get some more answers, given that League is my most played game. Don't want to blow it because I'm missing something.
Don’t overthink it you’ll be great :)
I'm surprised this has been your experience. There is a constant need for more UI/UX folks in gaming studios. Could this just be a matter of not applying to enough places? I mean seriously our UI/UX is always understaffed, for years now. One caveat though is that your comp in gaming will most likely not be at the same lvl as Google/Meta
Well, that’s shit I cannot speak for Blizzard, but if you’re interested in Activision I’d be happy to pass your LinkedIn/resume over to folks (if you’re comfortable pm-ing over) and at the very least get you some honest direct feedback on your profile’s fit for gaming. Or you could try applying. Theres a huge pile of open UI roles on the Activision careers site
It could be that your resume or portfolio isn’t displaying enough relevant work experience. Are you currently only highlighting your VR work?
If you're open to web3 and startups, dm
But that’s rarely gaming! 🙃
We're gaming
I have been pondering this myself, it's hard to break through to the other side, man.
Just be aware that gaming publishers/studios will -never- give you more TC than your current listed one
It depends on what the work on your resume is and if you're doing anything outside of work that makes you stand out. Try participating in game jams, doing case studies on game UI, having ideas and a passion for the future of gaming. It's not that it's essential for being a UX designer in the industry, it's just that the industry folks tend to be picky about who they bring into their space.
If you’re willing, it might be easier to get into a non-studio role at the game company of your choice first, then transfer into a studio later on.