In order to survive in the gaming industry, you need to understand a bit about the industry itself. Gaming was a traditionally male pasttime. As a result, men design, develop, and market the majority of games out there. If more women were to get involved in the industry, this would change.
Currently there is a low number of women working in the gaming industry. Why is this? For one, women are not sending in their resumes. As the gaming industry has thus far been a male dominated industry, many women don't realize that the gaming industry could be a possible career path. There are few female role models in the industry, and even fewer mentors. Additionally, it is possible that the gaming industry has suffered from a poor reputation as a viable career path. Game development requires long hours and low pay, and one has to "pay dues" and work up from entry level. From that perspective, the gaming industry can seem like a poor choice for the future, and perhaps women who were interested in the industry have been discouraged by these issues. In my own case, my family discouraged me from a career in game development until very recently. However, it is important to remember that despite these realistic aspects of the gaming industry, for someone who truly loves games, a career in the industry can be the perfect job.
Once you've decided that a job in the gaming industry is what you want, how do you get into the industry and what are some of the realistic issues involved? First, you must play games, a LOT of them. The more games you play, the more familiar you are with what makes a good game or a bad game. Employers require that you have this gaming experience. Second, expect to start low... which often means starting free. For example, get into an online beta test. Submit reports on the games, and get to know the people who are making the game. Don't expect that your prior job experience necessarily translates into the same type of job in a gaming company. The entertainment industry uses a great deal more spice than a company that writes applications, or makes linear multimedia CDROMs. You will find that they really test the limits of what the computer can generate. Game companies know this, and often you have to prove yourself to them before you get a chance at your preferred job.
Networking is very important in the gaming industry. It's a small industry, so you will run into the same people over and over. Because it is a popular field (at least amongst men), networking can offer you an open door into a company, and keep you a step ahead. However, it is a reality that networking can be difficult when you are female in a male-dominated field. Many men feel more comfortable networking with other men, and vice versa. Unfortunately, discrimination and harassment exist in the gaming industry just as in other industries. However, most of the women I know in the industry have reported fair treatment. In my experience, as long as you show that you are competent, you will gain respect.
Currently, it can actually be an asset to be female in the gaming industry. Recently the world has been waking up to the possibility that ... YES ... women and gaming do go together. There is an untapped market and companies are looking to milk it. More people are getting online, more women are playing games, and marketing is starting to take a turn. Jobs in the gaming industry can be enormously satisfying, fun, and enriching for women and men alike.
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