Late to the industry, advise please

[YB1980]

Hi all

I'm looking for to advise about how to get into the industry, but thinking my age might be against me. I'm 32years old but have had a passion for video games since an early age. While as university i studied Computer Systems Engineering (and learnt there that programming is not for me). Upon leaving Uni i got a job for a software company that make simulators. Starting out as in installation and support engineer, but my time i left i was the Project Manager for all the UK simulation projects (as well as doing technical and sales roles).

Last year i was lucky enough to get a job as Producer for a UK studio just as the game was finishing its pre-production phase, unfortunately the month it was meant to go in to production (5months after i started) the game was canned. and thus ended my short career in the games industry.

Since then I've been applying for positions and had good feedback on the few interviews I've had but always it boils down to me not having a title to my name (or so I'm told). How am i meant to get a release if you can't get the job?!? In the meantime i've had to get a another job to pay the mortgage but its not what i want to do.

I've had several suggestions given to me that might help my chances
1. do one of the home learning game design or QA courses (train2game or similar)
2. volunteer my services as a PM/Producer to a kickstarter/Mod team/Indie team.

Ok what are peoples views on train2game and their like? are they worth it, i've seen mixed reviews on them. As to volunteering my services i'm up for that but could be difficult with my current work life, let alone not having a clue where to start.

Any advise greatly received.

[tsloper]

Originally Posted by YB1980

1. I'm ... thinking my age might be against me.
2. always it boils down to me not having a title to my name (or so I'm told).
3. How am i meant to get a release if you can't get the job?!?
1. do one of the home learning game design or QA courses (train2game or similar)
2. volunteer my services as a PM/Producer to a kickstarter/Mod team/Indie team.
6. Ok what are peoples views on train2game and their like? are they worth it
7. As to volunteering my services i'm up for that but could be difficult

1. See FAQ 71: http://sloperama.com/advice/m71.htm
2. Yes, you only worked on one unreleased game. Perhaps you're aiming too high (applying only for jobs that require more experience, or applying only at triple-A studios)? See FAQ 24: http://sloperama.com/advice/lesson24.htm
3. That's not the game industry's problem or fault. You need a strong resume and portfolio, and you're not at that level yet.
1. Do not spend money on an online QA course. I don't know about train2game - maybe this is a good time to make out a decision grid on whether or not to take it. See FAQ 70: http://sloperama.com/advice/m70.htm
2. Yes, that would definitely boost your portfolio.
6. Worth is subjective. FAQ 66: http://sloperama.com/advice/route66.htm
7. We don't have any easy solutions for you. There are only difficult ones. Man up.

[yaustar]

1. Given your experience, it isn't worth it (and that is before taking T2G into account).
2. Try applying for non-AAA/console developers. Eg. Social, mobile developers. They are generally more open to people from other industries.

Also consider taking something like a PRINCE2 course/qualification which will be use in and out of the games industry.

[YB1980]

Cheers guys,
Yeah been applying to social/mobile developers as well as those for PC/Console. Will continue to apply to them as well, while exploring the Mod/kickstarter and uni groups. Current job wants me to do Prince2

[tsloper]

Originally Posted by YB1980

Current job wants me to do Prince2

If they're willing to pay for the training, go for it.

[YB1980]

Yeah given them the dates and pricing, now need to fit it around the projects i'm looking after