What do you do if you want to switch careers and pursue game development?

There's several ways of breaking into or even thriving in game dev. Do you want to be an indie developer? Work in AAA? Work in smaller studios? Make sure you understand what you want and what are your goals before going into any path.

First and foremost, I believe it's important to take into consideration that, when transitioning to game development, this will become your career, your profession - with all the good and the bad that comes with it. You'll likely have to do some "boring" tasks as well, as in any profession, so it's important to align your own expectations and ask yourself if working in game development is truly your dream, or if it's better off kept as a side hobby.

Uma dica prática é criar um protótipo de jogo que demonstre seus pontos fortes no Storytelling e na educação. Esse protótipo pode ser usado para mostrar às empresas de jogos em potencial seu talento e paixão pelo desenvolvimento de jogos que fazem a diferença. Ao se concentrar na criação de jogos que ressoem com um público mais amplo, você pode abrir portas para oportunidades em estúdios de jogos educacionais e organizações que valorizam o poder dos jogos para ensinar e inspirar.

I strongly believe that the best way of learning how to make games, is by making games. To me, it's more empirical. So, in my opinion, the best approach is to create your own personal roadmap, outlining the knowledge you'd like to acquire, and start creating small projects that cover these areas, starting slowly and gradually increasing the difficulty.

Study the basics of game development first in order to know where your strengths are. Depending on your existing skills, you may naturally lean towards one area or another of game development. Mastery isn't the goal, just basic understanding of most areas. Be it programming, design, audio, art, animation, production or marketing. Once you know the basics, it'll be easier for you to know where you should be investing your time. Not only that, but you'll also have an easier time communicating with other devs from other disciplines.

Numerous free tutorials, courses, and bootcamps are available to help you learn the basics. Platforms such as Unity Learn, Unreal Engine Learning, and Coursera offer excellent courses covering coding, game design, and more. Additionally, there are free game engines like Unity, Unreal Engine, and Godot that you can utilize to hone your game development skills.

Understanding that game development isn't just about playing games is crucial. Respect the craft by studying its fundamentals. While you don't need to become an expert in every aspect, familiarize yourself with key elements such as game design principles, visual design, art, and basic programming concepts. This foundational knowledge will provide insight into the game development process and help you collaborate effectively with specialized team members.

O desenvolvimento de jogos educativos requer uma colaboração estreita entre escritores e designers de jogos. Os escritores podem fornecer narrativas envolventes que dão vida aos conceitos educacionais, enquanto os designers de jogos podem criar mecânicas de jogabilidade que reforçam e testam o aprendizado. Um exemplo de colaboração bem-sucedida é o jogo "Monument Valley", que apresenta quebra-cabeças de perspectiva únicos combinados com uma história sutil que incentiva os jogadores a pensar sobre arquitetura e geometria.

Para jogos educativos, sugiro explorar o uso do motor Unity, pois oferece uma ampla gama de recursos projetados para criar experiências interativas e imersivas. Com sua interface amigável e ferramentas de script visual, o Unity facilita o desenvolvimento de jogos complexos que podem transmitir efetivamente conceitos educacionais.

O desenvolvimento de jogos educacionais oferece uma oportunidade única de unir narrativas envolventes com experiências de aprendizado significativas. Para construir um portfólio que reflita essa especialidade, considere criar jogos que explorem diferentes assuntos e temas educacionais de forma criativa e interativa. Por exemplo, um jogo que ensina conceitos de física por meio de desafios de construção ou um jogo que mergulha os jogadores na história por meio de uma experiência imersiva de contar histórias.

A very important key aspect is creating and maintaining an impressive portfolio. This portfolio should showcase your capabilities, highlight your best work, and show your passion for this industry. Regularly updating your portfolio with new projects and advancements will keep it relevant and showcase your growth as a developer.

The online realm is teeming with game development communities! Engage in discussions on platforms such as Reddit's r/gamedev, become a member of Discord servers, and participate in virtual or physical gatherings. Interact with fellow developers, gain insights from their journeys, and who knows, you might stumble upon potential partners for your upcoming game concepts!

Entering the game development community may seem daunting, but it's incredibly rewarding. Engage with the community by attending events like Game Jams, where developers come together to create games within a short timeframe. These gatherings offer valuable networking opportunities, allowing you to connect with peers, learn from experienced developers, and showcase your passion for game development. Building relationships within the industry can lead to mentorship, collaboration, and career advancement opportunities.

Start showcasing your skills before you reach expert level! Develop a portfolio to exhibit your game development abilities. Engaging in game jams or working on small projects are effective methods to display your progress and innovation. Additionally, consider contributing to open-source game projects to collaborate with seasoned developers, expand your knowledge, and enhance your portfolio with exciting projects.

To switch careers to game development, learn essential skills through courses or self-study, build a strong portfolio showcasing your projects, and network within the industry. Gain practical experience through internships or entry-level roles. Stay persistent in improving your skills and adapting to industry standards. Embrace feedback to refine your work and demonstrate your commitment to transitioning successfully into game development.