Partner Article

Unlocking a career in the games industry

Breaking into the games industry is not easy. It certainly requires more than simply having a blistering CV. Students need an excellent portfolio that demonstrates their ability. Students also need contacts, encouragement, experience and an understanding of the gaming sector. Students can additionally get ahead by getting feedback from those who are already employed within the sector.

Today, a job in gaming is highly prized. Parents are more likely to look positively upon a career in the sector than was once the case. The Government, by pledging to introduce Games Tax Relief, shows that it too recognises that the games development is a creative industry with great potential and which deserves investment and support.

TIGA has long had an interest in education. In 2008 TIGA published a comprehensive plan for improving standards in schools, investing in higher education and encouraging professional development in the work place. In 2010 TIGA published a manifesto timed for the General Election which advocated a series of measures to enhance the supply of highly qualified people available to work in the games industry, including the provision of incentives for students studying computer science and mathematics and increased investment in UK universities. In 2011 TIGA launched an Education Matching Service, designed to link industry practitioners with education providers. In 2012 the TIGA Awards publicly recognised the importance of students and of education by awarding the ‘Best Student Game 2012’ (Faceplant – GravTech) and the ‘Best Education Initiative 2012’ (Games Britannia and Replay Events). TIGA now has 30 education providers amongst its membership – a tangible demonstration of our commitment of working in partnership with colleges, universities and training providers for the good of the industry.

Many developers emphasise in particular the need for highly skilled programmers, who need to have good degrees or the vocational equivalent in computer science, mathematics, physics, software engineering or games programming. There are encouraging signs. 2012 saw an increase in the numbers of STEM students at A Level and GCSE, with maths and physics now in the top ten A level subjects. The Government’s decision to withdraw the ICT national curriculum from September 2012 and to give schools greater opportunities to teach computer science is sensible. In the medium to long term, this could help to increase the supply of computer science graduates. The Raspberry Pi project is also a great achievement and has enormous potential. Projects such as this will encourage a whole new breed of developers from a young age.

Yet we come back to the problem of taking the leap from enjoying programming, designing games or creating dramatic art while in education and then landing employment.

With this in mind, we have launched TIGA Students. The aim of TIGA Students is to help learners to unlock a career in the games industry. TIGA Students gain a number of key advantages. TIGA students can upload and update their CVs - and more importantly their portfolios - to the TIGA website, thereby enabling them to highlight their achievements and skills to prospective employers. Regular web chats with TIGA members, themed on the speaker’s background, gives students the opportunity to learn from highly experienced developers. Access to a careers guide and a selection of key TIGA reports ensures students have relevant information about our industry. Future plans include an education event where TIGA Students will have an opportunity to meet industry practitioners and prospective employers.

The UK games industry is set for growth, not least because of the advent of Games Tax Relief. TIGA Students will strengthen learners’ connections with the games industry and help to identify talented students to prospective employers. In this way we aim to ensure that more talented people enter the sector and so strengthen the UK games industry.

There has never been a more exciting time to be involved in gaming. TIGA Students will help more people to be a part of this exciting industry.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by TIGA - The Independent Games Developers Association Ltd .