When contemplating the games industry, the focus is often on the individuals and companies directly involved in game development, leading to the misconception that it exclusively caters to those with hard technical skills.
However, with the UK’s gaming industry alone valued at £7.05 billion in 2022, according to the UK Consumer Games Market Valuation, there are numerous facets of the industry that extend beyond core game development.
For those aspiring to enter the gaming sphere but are concerned about lacking technical skills, there are plenty of non-technical roles available, many of which are creative and offer competitive compensation.
A panel at EGX 2023 brought together professionals from various roles, demonstrating that even organizations connected to different sectors contribute significantly to the gaming industry.
What are some non-technical roles in games?
For individuals seeking a career in games that don’t involve direct game development, there are several roles to consider.
Drawing from the experiences of panelists, these roles encompass providing funding to game companies, handling marketing and PR for games, and cultivating communities to foster interest in gaming or gaming-related careers.
Funding games
The process of creating games, particularly when forming a team or engaging in extensive research and development, necessitates financial resources. Numerous organizations play a crucial role in providing funding for such endeavors.
Chris Filip, an international business development fund manager for the British Film Institute’s UK Global Screen Fund, allocates funding across various screens, including film, television, and games. His day-to-day involves evaluating applications, discerning opportunities, and staying abreast of industry trends.
Similarly, Nicole Stewart Rushworth, serving as a marketing director at Digital Catapult, an innovation agency for advanced digital technology, contributes to securing funding for diverse projects, including those involving VR, AR, and other emerging technologies.
Games PR
Ensuring a game reaches its intended audience is as vital as the development process itself. Games PR plays a crucial role in creating awareness, not only through advertisements and media outreach but also in building positive communities.
Ella Hagi, a campaign director at agency Yrs Truly, engages in various creative tasks, such as conceptualizing and designing campaigns tailored to different clients. Her responsibilities range from researching content creators and collaborating with them to organizing events and conducting interviews.
Community management
Community management, often associated with developers interacting with player communities, is equally essential on the business side. Initiatives like Hub175, an inclusive inter-university community network, focus on helping individuals enter gaming careers through social events.
Tanya Kapur, founder and CEO of Hub175, emphasizes the importance of creating a supportive community within the games industry. For indie developers, spaces like The Pixel Mill, a co-working space funded by Northern Ireland Screen, provide valuable opportunities for collaboration and learning.
Leela Collins, as a program producer, contributes to supporting this community through various activities, including workshops and funding assistance.
Skills required for non-development roles
While the day-to-day responsibilities of these roles vary, certain soft skills are universally essential. Effective communication, interpersonal skills, and time management are paramount, particularly for roles that involve multitasking and collaboration with diverse clients.
Organizational skills are crucial, especially for roles that require versatility and involve working with different clients. The ability to manage emails efficiently is a common thread among the panelists, underscoring its significance in these roles.
Tanya Kapur stresses the importance of communication, as it ties into networking, building trust with indie studios, and managing relationships with funding providers. Hagi adds that soft skills complement technical skills, facilitating smoother processes in the industry.
Advice for entering support roles
Despite these roles not directly involving game development, Kapur recommends participating in game jams, even for those with limited or no experience in making games. Game jams provide valuable insights into the overall process, encouraging methodical thinking and fostering teamwork and project management skills.
Networking emerges as a key factor in entering support roles. Collins highlights the importance of reaching out, attending events, and networking, which can lead to new opportunities.
They also emphasize the significance of showcasing dedication, as demonstrated through organizing events and building credibility within the industry.
Hagi suggests approaching networking with a clear purpose, ensuring that requests for advice or time are specific and well-defined. Building relationships, learning from others, and providing mutual support are central to effective networking in the gaming industry.