Game Development Essentials: Game Industry Career Guide

An up-to-date and highly practical insider's guide to the game industry that maps to the growing number of courses in Game Development programs that introduce students to the workings of the industry and to job search/career growth strategies. The book offers a clear and thorough analysis of the game industry, knowledgeably exploring its culture, career paths, and typical company structure. The authors offer expert advice on finding and succeeding in a job as well as on starting up your own company and conclude with a thoughtful examination of the future of the game industry.

Written in a non-technical manner, Game Development Essentials: Game Industry Career Guide is a valuable asset for anyone looking for a job, not only in the game industry but also in any field requiring technical expertise and creative talent. Not only does it discuss what skills game companies need, it also gives extensive advice and insights on writing a solid r?sum?, building a portfolio that will attract game companies, and preparing for telephone and personal interviews.

Michael E. Moore is a 24-year veteran of the game industry. For the first 10 years (1979-1989), he designed, developed, and produced board games (mass market, role-playing, and military simulations). He then moved into computer games as a designer and producer, working for such publishers as Infocom, Activision, and 3DO. In addition, he helped start up several game development companies. Over the years, he designed and produced such games as Circuit's Edge, Shanghai II: Dragon's Eye and BattleTech II: The Crescent Hawks' Revenge for Activision, SpellCraft for ASCII Entertainment, and The Shadow of Yserbius/Fates of Twinion and Alien Legacy for Sierra. Michael joined the Game Software Design and Production Department at DigiPen Institute of Technology in January 2003 and taught game design and project management to undergraduate and graduate students. He acted as department chair for 3 ? years. Michael was born in Minneapolis, MN, and received a double B.A. in English and Communication Arts from St. Mary's University in Winona, MN. He received an M.A. in Communication Arts from Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, IL. With assistance from Jen Sward, he wrote a college textbook on game production, Introduction to the Game Industry (ISBN 0-13-168743-3).

Jeannie Novak is Lead Author and Series Editor of the widely acclaimed Game Development Essentials series. Through Indiespace, an interactive entertainment company she founded in 1994, she provides consulting services for game developers and other creative professionals. Jeannie is Program Director of Game Art & Design and Media Arts & Animation at the Art Institute Online. She has developed and taught game courses at UCLA, Art Center, DeVry, Westwood College, ITT, UC Berkeley, and Santa Monica College. Jeannie holds a BA in Mass Communication from UCLA and an MA in Communication Management from the Annenberg School at USC. She serves on the MMOG and Online Excellence committees for the Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences.