So You Want to be a Game Developer

Just about every developer I've ever met has at one time or another wanted to be involved in game development. Video games are more than just an idle interest to most: they can be a downright obsession. People become immersed in these virtual worlds and often begin to fantasize about creating such rich fantasy lands themselves.

Don't be fooled by the pretty graphics, the wonderful stories, and the moving musical score. Writing a game is hard work, and it takes a special type of developer to be successful. Aside from the obvious technical talent required, a good game developer should possess other intangibles, such as actually being a gamer. It's not impossible to write great games as a nongamer, but it certainly makes the job more challenging.

Becoming a game developer is certainly no easy task either. Virtually no game development company will hire you without experience, and it's hard to get experience when no one will hire you. There are a few courses and even some schools dedicated to teaching game development. However, the best way to get your foot in the door is to make a demo reel. It shows the prospective employer what you are capable of doing and how you go about doing it.

Reading this book will get you well on your way to producing a compelling demo reel.