Joining the Video Game Industry

Joining the Video Game Industry

Breaking into the video game industry can feel impossible from the outside. Where do you start? What skills matter most? How do you actually land that first role? In Joining the Video Game Industry, John Davis pulls back the curtain on an industry that is both fiercely competitive and endlessly rewarding, offering a practical, no-nonsense guide for turning your passion for games into a career. With over a decade of experience at studios like Electronic Arts, Warner Brothers, and Crystal Dynamics, John has worked on some of the most recognizable franchises in the world, including Madden NFL, Marvel’s Avengers, and Dungeons & Dragons. Along the way, he’s navigated crunch, layoffs, studio culture, and the challenges of climbing from entry-level tester to production leadership. Now, he shares the lessons he learned the hard way, so you don’t have to. This book isn’t theory. It’s a short, streamlined, step-by-step roadmap; from building your first portfolio to networking, acing interviews, and thriving in your first role. Whether you dream of designing, coding, creating art, or producing the next big title, Joining the Video Game Industry gives you the insider knowledge to get your foot in the door and the tools to stay in the game once you’re there.