Millennial undergrad breaks into game PM
Hit my 60-day mark at my new AA sandbox game job, so sharing how a non-top100, midwest BA in CS landed here, even with zero official game experience.
My resume secret:
1. Two projects that screamed “I get games”: a VR school project and a published game demo I built in my dorm room (shoutout to GameMaker Studio!).
2. Mixed in two non-game roles (NGO work + tech internships), but framed everything as “cross functional collaboration” and “user centric problem solving” (key for PM!).
The grind: Applied to 6 roles at 4 studios (2 big, 1 mid, 1 tiny). Got 2 interviews: one offer fell through on salary, but the other stuck! Timeline? 3 months from “spray-and-pray” apps to signing—way faster than I expected, thanks to those portfolio projects.
My biggest tip is to stop obsessing over “perfect resumes” and build stuff! Game studios care way more about whether you get player behavior. My demo proved I could ship a product, even messy. Plus, cold-emailed indie devs for 15 min chats, they gave better advice than any LinkedIn article.
To the aspiring game PMs:
1. How’d you sneak into the industry with non-traditional experience?
2. Best tools for building small game demos on a budget? (I swear by free Unity tutorials!)
3. Am I the only one who lied awake wondering if “BA in CS” was a red flag? 😅
Please drop your stories, let’s normalize messy, non-linear paths into this wild and wonderful industry!
Entering the game industry can feel daunting, especially for those coming from non-traditional backgrounds. This article highlights the journey of a 24-year-old aspiring game project manager (PM) who leveraged unique experiences to break into the gaming world. The author emphasizes the importance of hands-on projects like a VR school assignment and a dorm-room game demo using GameMaker Studio, which demonstrate tangible skills to potential employers. Networking is another critical aspect for those looking to enter the gaming sector. Engaging with indie developers through cold emails for advice can provide invaluable insights that aren't found in standard career articles. Moreover, the author captures the essence of the gaming culture; potential game PMs are encouraged to focus on understanding player behavior and fostering creativity rather than obsessing over perfect resumes. This approach not only enhances one's portfolio but also showcases a commitment to developing engaging experiences for players. If you're an aspiring game developer, consider experimenting with affordable tools like Unity for creating your own demos. Free online tutorials can serve as excellent resources for newcomers. Remember, while it’s natural to question your credentials, such as the relevance of a BA in CS, the real challenge lies in using your unique journey to craft a narrative that resonates with gaming studios. Ultimately, don’t shy away from sharing your non-linear path, as diverse experiences often bring fresh perspectives that are vital in the gaming industry.
The best advice I ever received about job applications have been from ppl who are self taught. Yes having a degree is helpful, but most companies care more about experience/projects. If you can push a project to production it will help you way more than a fancy resume filled with a bunch of extra curricular activities.