Here's how you can become a lead game developer in a AAA game studio.

Definitely look to apply for entry-level positions and internships. The higher-ups in these AAA companies are always looking for people with experience, who don't need any micromanagement and can work well with a team when developing projects and reaching deadlines. Learning how to speak multiple languages can also be a big plus, since the gaming industry is worldwide

A strong portfolio Is your secret weapon in the video game industry In the competitive world of video game development, a strong portfolio is more than just a collection of projects. It is your calling card, a window into your talent, skills, and passion for games. A well-crafted portfolio can be the key to differentiating yourself from the competition and opening doors to the opportunities you crave. Why is a strong portfolio so important? - Demonstrates your skills and experience. - Highlights your creativity. - Makes you stand out. - Shows your passion.

Longest beard. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Always be prepared to carry on jobs that may not look cool, required skills, and heavy workload that is really crucial to the bone structure of the game.

To become a lead game developer in a AAA game studio, building a robust portfolio is essential. This portfolio should showcase a variety of your projects, emphasizing your technical skills, creativity, and problem-solving abilities. Include completed games, prototypes, and any notable contributions to collaborative projects. Use platforms like GitHub, personal websites, or dedicated portfolio sites to present your work. Highlight your role in each project, the technologies used, and any unique challenges you overcame. A well-curated portfolio not only demonstrates your expertise but also your passion and dedication to game development.

Focus on diversity; include 2-3 polished projects showcasing different skills—AI, level design, coding- and diversity in your own games. Use GitHub for code samples, ensuring clarity and comments. For each project, detail your role and tools used (e.g., Unity, Unreal Engine). Include process sketches and problem-solving examples. Host demos on a clean, professional website. Finally, regularly update your portfolio, reflecting growth and new skills, which is crucial for catching an employer's eye in the competitive AAA industry.

Mastering soft skills is crucial for aspiring lead game developers. As a leader, you'll need to effectively communicate with team members, stakeholders, and other departments, ensuring clear and concise information flow. Strong leadership and team management abilities are essential for guiding your team through the development process, resolving conflicts, and fostering a collaborative environment. Additionally, adaptability and problem-solving skills will help you navigate the dynamic and often unpredictable nature of game development. Building and maintaining these soft skills will enable you to inspire and motivate your team, ultimately contributing to the successful completion of projects.

I'd go even further and say being a "biz guy" is far from the worst role you could have in a gaming environment. If you are any good at it and produce, there's job security and networking benefits that come with it.

Understanding the business side of game development is vital for a lead game developer. This includes knowledge of project management, budgeting, marketing, and the overall financial aspects of game production. Familiarize yourself with how game studios operate, the importance of meeting deadlines, and managing resources efficiently. Additionally, understanding market trends, audience preferences, and the competitive landscape can help you make informed decisions that align with both creative and business goals. A strong grasp of the business aspects ensures that you can contribute to the studio’s success not only through technical prowess but also through strategic planning and execution.

VR/AR games tend to sell poorly as the interface is clunky. Don't bother until Neuralink (or similar) can stream it into your brain. AI (specifically LLM text, maybe voice gen) might end up doing something in the foreseeable future but right now it's not happening. In the last few years, we went from 1-2GB of VRAM being enough to some games choking with 8GB of VRAM on moderate settings. Arguments about optimizing assets aside, where are gamers going to get the memory to generate graphics, and run the model that makes the bartender say new stuff every conversation? Then again if it's AAA I suppose that streaming in inference from a remote host is possible. Though that exacerbates the terrible trend of "always online single player"...

If you are already a game dev, you probably are already aware that it's a tough gig. If you aren't, there are documentaries about the grind in the indie scene. When it comes to big time companies and projects, it can get bad in different ways. Ever since Daikatana back in the day, every so often you'll have horror stories about a particular studio leak out. This isn't the place to share them, just run a search on Google or Bing, or pop by any gaming community. If you are in the biz, you have already heard or seen all of this. Just make sure you look out for yourself. That's normal in every job, just be a little extra vigilant here. Things might go well. But they might not, too. Just be careful.

As a Brazilian, I can share something very particular: We don’t make games for ourselves; we make them for others. This means that ours is a global industry. Thus, even though my native language is a Latin one, like Portuguese, I aim to create games in English, which has a much wider reach. Of course, this doesn’t apply if your projects are specifically themed around particular locations. The AAA industry values scalability, which is more easily achieved in English.