Perhaps it’s the ease of accessibility, or the fact that they are attached with leisure, whatever the case may be, the video game industry still has a lot of stigma attached to its name. Even with numerous universities across the world starting to offer academic scholarships for esports athletes, there are still many questions and concerns about video games being a viable career path. Even if it’s not necessarily in front of the controller, competing in front of thousands, there are stil many ways to turn a passion for video games into a high earning and highly rewarding career path. Here are a few misconceptions about the video game industry with some light shed on the truth around them. 

 

 

  • The video game industry is cutthroat

 

With such a popular career field, there is an assumption that the job market takes no prisoners. However, with a variety of front end and back end development opportunities, there are still ways to make it without feeling like you’re on an episode of Shark Tank. In line with millennials’ approach to jobs, of switching often and constantly, the video game offers many ways for job seekers to work on a contract basis. This can mean small projects that allow flexibility and the cooperation of small teams. 

 

 

  • You have to move to California to pursue your dreams

 

Another common misconception is that you have to relocate to Silicon Valley to be able to follow your dreams. Unlike Hollywood, this isn’t the case. With game development companies popping up all over the place, most major cities have more than a few companies where game development is their focus.

 

 

  • The industry is meant for juveniles

 

Because gaming goes hand in hand with youthfulness and the abundance of time that the period gives us, that belief follows over into the very real, professional world of the making, production and marketing of video games. On the flip side, the narcissistic and unprofessional attitudes simply can’t work in the video game industry. For example, if you are doing the back end coding of a video game, one flaw can send the entire project into the abyss.

 

 

  • You have to be a gamer to be in the gaming industry 

 

There is a belief that you have to be an avid game to be in the gaming industry. Just like any market, product knowledge, communication skills and a willingness to learn is just enough to get your foot in the door. To be able to stay in the house, you should aspire to do all that you can to learn as much as possible and apply what you know in it’s execution.