For aspiring game artists, designers and developers
A clearer route into the games industry.
The Game Industry Guide is an easy-to-follow, step-by-step career guide for people who want to make games for a living but are unsure how to begin.
Build your professional identity, career roadmap, portfolio, CV and cover letter—then prepare for the job search, interviews, technical tests, negotiation and your first six months in the role.
80+
interview questions
Practical exercises
to help you get hired
Industry tests
for designers, artists & programmers
Real examples
portfolios, CVs & cover letters
What this guide is—and who it is for
A complete career roadmap, not disconnected tips.
This book is for students, hobbyists, dreamers and anyone with game-development skills or passion who wants a professional career but does not know where to start.
It is not a tutorial on how to make video games. It focuses on the career process through the lens of game development, design and art, with lessons that also apply to other disciplines.
An honest promise: the guide will not do the work for you or guarantee you a job. It gives you a structured process for deciding what to work on, taking focused action and presenting yourself more confidently.
Inside the guide
What you’ll learn
The chapters follow the full journey from laying the groundwork to succeeding in your first role. You can read them in order or jump directly to the stage you need.
01
Master your professional persona
Develop the character, behaviour and communication skills needed to work well with others and thrive.
02
Create your career roadmap
Explore game-team roles, routes of entry, essential programmes and the skill sets each path requires.
03
Craft a standout portfolio
Learn how to build an impactful portfolio for free, with professional examples and guidance on what to include.
04
Perfect your CV and cover letter
Use insider guidance and real-world examples to improve what you include, how you structure it and how it reads.
05
Run an effective job search
Follow a focused process, use the right platforms and build a network that supports your search.
06
Master the interview process
Understand each stage, prepare effectively and practise answering questions with greater confidence.
07
Excel in technical tests
Prepare for design, development and art tests using practical guidance and real professional examples.
08
Navigate compensation
Understand salary and benefits, know when to negotiate and approach the conversation prepared.
09
Thrive in your new role
Use six essential actions to navigate your first six months and make a strong transition into the industry.
10
Turn reading into action
Use end-of-chapter exercises, practical examples and insider tips to decide and complete your next step.
About the book
About The Game Industry Guide
Introduction
Oliver shares the setbacks, lessons and industry experience that shaped this career playbook, then explains who the guide is for and how to use its exercises and actions.
Part 1
Prepare
Lay the groundwork through your professional persona, career direction, portfolio, CV and cover letter.
Part 2
Navigate
Work through the job search, interviews, technical tests and compensation negotiations with practical guidance.
Part 3
Thrive
Use six essential actions to learn quickly, build trust and grow through your first six months in the role.
Choose your format
Read it your way.
Choose the paperback, read the Kindle edition, or get the Digital Edition as an instant direct download. The same practical roadmap is available in every format.
Reader feedback
What readers are saying
Five-star reader feedback on Amazon
★★★★★
“They seem to like it!”
Bought for my kid to help them get a career in games and they seem to like it!
★★★★★
“A resource I will keep coming back to!”
Valuable knowledge and advice from someone with actual insider experience, honest and inspiring stories. The exercises at the end of each chapter put everything into practice and provide a step by step to follow. A resource I will keep coming back to!
★★★★★
“Packed full of insights.”
Packed full of insights. Highly relevant for any stage of your games career!
★★★★★
“Extremely informative and has got me inspired for my future!”
Loved the book!! Definitely worth a read if you’re looking to start a career in the game industry. Extremely informative and has got me inspired for my future!
Steven
Amazon Verified Purchase
About the author
Oliver Dowling
Oliver Dowling is a Lead Game Designer with a decade of experience creating casual, midcore and console games at Homa, Supercell, Space Ape Games, King and 4J Studios. His credits include globally recognised titles such as Minecraft, Candy Crush Saga, Farm Heroes Saga, Chrome Valley Customs and Squad Busters.
An avid gamer and board-game lover, Oliver has also mentored aspiring developers and worked as a hiring manager across multiple disciplines. He understands the process from both sides of the interview table.
The Game Industry Guide distils that experience into the practical career playbook he wishes he had when starting out.
Choose your next step
Start building your route into games.
Get the complete roadmap in paperback, on Kindle or as a Digital Edition.
