from Hacker News

Ask HN: How to get a job as Gameplay Programmer?

by igolden on 10/19/17, 6:42 PM with 4 comments

I’m an experienced software dev - 8 years building apps and websites. I currently hold a Sr Software Engineer position at a startup, and write rails/js full time. For the last 6 months, I’ve been building and learning gameplay programming. What can I do to make the transition into new role and highlight my past software experience?

I think my knowledge of software patterns (GoF) and deep full stack experience gives me a unique approach to game dev. I also have 3 AWS certs, if that matters. I’m very comfortable in UNIX and any c derivative language.

  • by ivm on 10/19/17, 6:58 PM

    You may be overqualified already. Game development is one of the worst parts of the tech industry. It preys on fresh grads who are dreaming to make video games.

    It's constant crunch and the salaries are low. Check this and similar threads in /r/gamedev:

    https://www.reddit.com/r/gamedev/comments/588cai/why_do_we_a...

    I'd suggest to make games as a hobby.