It is always advisable to build a strong portfolio when working in the gaming industry or even when you are a professional gaming expert. It is an essential element of getting a job as a game developer. Much like in the art industry, people are usually hired on the basis of their portfolio and not so much as which course they completed or what certificate they obtained (although the choice of the institute does matter).
A good portfolio and game development course will give aspiring candidates a better chance of getting a job in a competitive market.
A game development portfolio can help you stand out against many other applicants, in addition to networking tactics. A strong portfolio always helps to create a good impression, provides direct evidence of your skills, and can be used for multiple job applications at the same time.
Importance of a Game Developer’s Portfolio
The standard resume document is used by many applicants. You may add relevant skills or courses such as game design courses in your application. However, words may not be as impactful as visuals or graphics. There are two standard things in the resume.
- The work history and education: This will show the amount of experience and expertise that you bring to any organization.
- Soft skills: These are the skills the candidate acquired from past experiences.
Hence, the purpose of a resume is to convey to employers that you are a suitable candidate for the vacant position.
Even though resumes remain important during the job search, companies still require information about your previous employment before applying. For large studios, seeing is believing when it comes to game development. Thus, they usually want to see clear precise evidence of the skills you claim to possess.
The portfolio is your evidence and you need to present it well. It is a collection of past games you’ve created (or been involved in) that showcase your skills as a game developer. A Game Developer’s Portfolio can be used for many different positions, including coding, 3D modeling, animation, and sound design, game logic, data management, etc
The portfolios for game designers are quite unique, so here is the guide to building some strong ones for your better future.
1. Get Started By Adding Your Best Work
Candidates should highlight the best work in their game design portfolio. The lack of choice may not be a problem for recent graduates or newcomers to the game industry.
But they should include the highlight of the career even if they have worked on many game projects. An example could be a few pages of the game design document or visual content showing off the developed game (be sure to include the visual elements like charts from the design document and not just the text).
2. Present A Well-Documented Project On Game Design
It’s no secret that game design is a very popular field. There are a lot of people who are interested in pursuing a career as a game designer. Therefore, your application needs to stand out.
A game company is unlikely to hire you if anyone doesn’t have any experience or training in game design. Generally, game companies hire people who have some experience in game design or, in rare cases, a compelling explanation of why their background is valuable to the company. Regardless of how small your role may be in the project, make sure you present a well-documented project.
Pick very few games that represent your skill level and interests, then document them on your website. Candidates should include key information about the project, such as how long it took them to work on it, the genre of the game, and the gameplay description. Portfolios that demonstrate experience in a particular genre or skill set are more likely to be selected.
3. Explain “What and How”
A portfolio should include the visual output of your demo in order to show what of your work.
Providing a ZIP file for the hiring manager to download and run your demo executable is the obvious solution. Since it is not a safe practice for anyone to download an executable from the internet, the best alternative for you to distribute your game and demonstrate your game design/ coding skills is itch.io. For coding specific projects, you must already be aware of GitHub.
If the hiring manager cannot or doesn’t have time to run your demo, you can create a video showing it in action. When you make viewing your work as quick and easy as possible for hiring managers, you’ll score points.
Once you have done showcasing what you have developed, you can focus on the “How” factor. The programming portfolio should be demonstrated how you approach your work. Being a programmer, the source code is almost always going to be the how, so keep it readily available and presentable.
4. Don’t Forget The Resume Copy
Candidates should have a copy of the resume on their site, even if they sent the resume in a PDF and then copied the info into the company’s website form. You can add these to your portfolio:
- Put the resume on your home page so it’s easy to find
- Make sure the HTML of your site includes a text copy
- A PDF download link should also be provided.
5. The Contact Page
There needs to be a contact page on a game developer’s portfolio. A contact page is very important as it will make it easier for prospective clients or employers to get in touch with you. It is important to provide contact information such as a telephone number and email address.
6. Download the link For The Game
Your portfolio should demonstrate specific video game design abilities. Your prospective clients or employers will be able to see what you are capable of doing. If you would like your work to be reviewed, you must provide a direct link to a game you have worked on. Again, Itch.io is your friend here.
7. Reviews or Feedback
Testimonials showing satisfied customers are naturally attractive to potential clients/employers. You may ask your former colleagues or managers to leave feedback on your page. Candidates will be able to demonstrate that they are reliable and capable of producing high-quality work by doing this.
Final words
It is much easier to find a game developer position if you have a game developer’s portfolio. By doing so, you demonstrate your ability to work in the industry, make yourself a more appealing candidate, and encourage the prospect or employer to take the next steps. Therefore, candidates must make sure that they have a well-documented, and easy-to-view portfolio ready before applying for the game developer position.
Also read: How To Ensure an Efficient Mobile Game Development Process?
