Last updated on Jul 13, 2024

Here's how you can quickly learn and adapt in the gaming industry.

The gaming industry is a dynamic and fast-paced world where new technologies and trends emerge constantly. To thrive, you must be agile and willing to learn quickly. Whether you're aiming to join a development team, become a game designer, or simply understand the industry better, adapting to its rapid changes is crucial. The key lies in immersing yourself in the gaming culture, staying updated with the latest news, and continuously honing your skills through practice and networking with industry professionals.

1 Build Basics

To dive into the gaming industry, start by solidifying your foundation. Understand the different game genres, platforms, and what makes a game enjoyable for its audience. Familiarize yourself with basic game design principles, such as mechanics, dynamics, and aesthetics. Knowing the essentials will not only help you speak the industry's language but also give you the context needed to appreciate the nuances of game development and design.

Add your perspective

Michal Rahamim Maor

🌟 LinkedIn Top Voice | 🎮 Co-Founder & COO @ Liberty Pixel | 💼 $1M Raised | 🏢 Recruiting Talent
** ATTENTION! ** You need to love what you do, then you don't need to adapt to anything. If you love gaming you'll find your spot! :)
Like
Report contribution
Sorayya Rezaei Mahvar

Business Development and Partnerships Manager @ Myket
Adapting quickly to the gaming industry requires a mix of continuous learning and hands-on experience. Start by immersing yourself in industry news, forums, and communities to stay updated on the latest trends and technologies. Networking with industry professionals can provide valuable insights and mentorship opportunities. Embrace a growth mindset by experimenting with new tools and techniques, and don't be afraid to fail—each mistake is a learning opportunity. Participating in game jams and collaborative projects can accelerate your skills and expose you to different aspects of game development. Lastly, always seek feedback on your work and use it constructively to improve and innovate.
Like
Report contribution

2 Follow Trends

Keeping up with the latest trends is vital in the gaming industry. Participate in online forums, follow influential game developers on social media, and subscribe to industry publications. This will help you stay informed about new technologies, emerging platforms, and shifts in player preferences. Being current not only makes you more knowledgeable but also more adaptable to the ever-changing landscape of the gaming world.

Add your perspective

Matthew Shera

Game Designer | Video Games | Narrative & Systems | Storyteller | Web3 Economist | UI/UX Guru | Strategy Game Competitor
Play games! Stay up to date on the Steam Market. Watch gaming content on Twitch, YouTube, Instagram, or TikTok. Trends are trends for a reason, they speak to what the people want. Don’t take games like Banana for granted, they’re there for a reason. Support indie games! They’re bold, and they can take more risks than AAA studios.
Like
Report contribution

3 Practice Skills

In the gaming industry, practice is paramount. Whether you're learning to code, design, or analyze gameplay, hands-on experience is invaluable. Create small projects or contribute to open-source games to refine your technical skills. This practical approach will accelerate your learning curve and showcase your commitment and capability to potential employers or collaborators.

Add your perspective

Matthew Shera

Game Designer | Video Games | Narrative & Systems | Storyteller | Web3 Economist | UI/UX Guru | Strategy Game Competitor
Make games and keep making them! Talent is overrated, develop your skills over time, and you’ll make it to your goals. When working in a studio, you don’t always get to flex your creative mettle, so spend time working on passion projects. Try to get a little better every day. The best way to learn is to start a project, you might not have all the skills you need, but the project will teach you.
Like
Report contribution

4 Network Often

Networking is a powerful tool for learning and adapting in the gaming industry. Attend industry events, join online communities, and connect with professionals on LinkedIn. Engaging with others allows you to exchange knowledge, gain insights into industry practices, and potentially open doors to new opportunities. Remember, it's not just about who you know but who knows you and your work.

Add your perspective

Matthew Shera

Game Designer | Video Games | Narrative & Systems | Storyteller | Web3 Economist | UI/UX Guru | Strategy Game Competitor
Mentors are a huge key to effective and efficient learning. Walk the beaten path, stand on the shoulders of giants. Most people are kind and giving, especially when you share a deep passion like game design! Don’t be afraid to reach out to people on LinkedIn or any other socials. Be kind, believe in yourself, and others will want you to succeed!
Like
Report contribution

5 Seek Feedback

Constructive feedback is a catalyst for growth. Share your projects with peers or mentors and be open to their critiques. This can help you identify areas for improvement and inspire new ideas. Receiving feedback can be challenging, but it's a necessary step to refine your skills and adapt your approach to align with industry standards and expectations.

Add your perspective

Matthew Shera

Game Designer | Video Games | Narrative & Systems | Storyteller | Web3 Economist | UI/UX Guru | Strategy Game Competitor
Don’t be afraid of criticism, shame is the enemy of progress. Van Gogh probably started with stick figures too! Ask for help, people are almost always happy to help. The best way to improve is to be unapologetically yourself, and iterate your skills. Don’t seek instant gratification, be patient, progress comes over time.
Like
Report contribution

6 Stay Resilient

Lastly, resilience is crucial in the gaming industry. You may face setbacks or criticism, but it's important to view these as learning opportunities. Stay persistent in developing your skills and adapting to new challenges. Embrace failure as part of the journey towards success and keep pushing forward with passion and determination.

Add your perspective

Matthew Shera

Game Designer | Video Games | Narrative & Systems | Storyteller | Web3 Economist | UI/UX Guru | Strategy Game Competitor
If you love games, and you want it, you’ll get there! Work on your self-confidence, because you’re amazing! You’re going to make amazing things, if you really want to, and you keep trying relentlessly :)
Like
Report contribution

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?

Add your perspective

Sterling R.

Technical Animator & Game Industry Top Voice 🎮 15 years launching games across mobile, console & PC 🎮 Rapid Prototyping, Unreal Blueprints, Maya Rigging, Animating, & more! 🎮 Book Author & Creator of GameDevSG
I wanted to be a game designer very badly growing up. I was told I’d need to program as well if I were to be a designer. Visual scripting didn’t exist in the industry yet, and I didn’t like programming much. So I chose animation, which was the closest thing to affecting game design that I liked doing. I started my career that way, and sure enough 5 years later Unreal released Blueprints, a visual scripting language. I pivoted my career towards Blueprints until it was most of my job, which took 5 more years! By the time I was 10 years in, I realized I no longer wanted to be a designer anymore, and I was at peace with that. Ironically, now I’m taking on programming, which I have put off for 15 years. Always adapt, don’t be rigid!
Like

(edited)
Report contribution

Here's how you can quickly learn and adapt in the gaming industry.

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

1 Build Basics

2 Follow Trends

3 Practice Skills

4 Network Often

5 Seek Feedback

6 Stay Resilient

7 Here’s what else to consider

Gaming Industry

Rate this article

Thanks for your feedback

More articles on Gaming Industry

More relevant reading

Here's how you can quickly learn and adapt in the gaming industry.

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

1 Build Basics

2 Follow Trends

3 Practice Skills

4 Network Often

5 Seek Feedback

6 Stay Resilient

7 Here’s what else to consider

Gaming Industry

Rate this article

Thanks for your feedback

Explore Other Skills