Getting started in a gaming career may sound like a distant dream, but these days there are more resources than ever for skilled individuals who want to earn a living by doing something they love.

In 2021, while other businesses were struggling, the video game industry was thriving; in fact, more than half of the American population took to gaming during the pandemic in order to relieve stress and keep their minds engaged. This–coupled with the fact that so many tech companies are offering remote and/or freelance work these days–means that there are plenty of opportunities to get started in a gaming career.

As someone who will need to network and highlight certain skills, having a website can be a major boon for your budding gaming career. Whether you want to start a blog and share info with a targeted audience, share videos of your own gaming experiences, or create an online art portfolio, having your own site is a great way to get noticed and stand out from other applicants once you find a company you’d like to work for.

When you’re ready to get started with a successful gaming career, utilize these tips and steps:

Play video games as often as possible

In order to land your dream job in the gaming industry, it’s important to play as often as possible. Not only that, it’s crucial to get a feel for different types of games, so you’ll need to branch out a bit and try a few that you might not ordinarily go for.

Give yourself some helpful gaming tools

Learning gameplay details and becoming immersed in various visual elements can truly help you broaden your knowledge. If you don’t already have a subscription plan for downloadable games on your preferred console, consider investing in one. Try keeping a journal or spreadsheet that lists the games you’ve played, what you liked and disliked about them, and any other notes that might be helpful in the future.

Learn from other gamers

You might also consider watching YouTube channels that specialize in breaking down games and providing tips on how to tackle levels or solve puzzles. This will both help you learn more about the games themselves and give you an idea of what not to do when you’re involved in game developing, yourself.

Earn an IT degree to boost your skills

While first-hand knowledge of video games is essential if you want to turn them into a career, it’s important to never stop learning about the technical aspects of the field. Technology is ever-evolving, and by earning an online information technology degree, you can boost your skills in areas like:

• Data management
• IT foundations
• Networks

Not only that, you can do it all while still maintaining your current schedule because you can work at your own pace. Look for a degree from an accredited school that offers competitive tuition rates.

Craft a stellar gaming resume

Getting started in a gaming career requires more than technical skills; it also means you’ve got to know how to sell yourself. As someone who will likely be competing with a large number of candidates for a particular job, it’s crucial to learn how to stand out, and you can start by crafting a stellar resume that showcases your skills while proving that you understand what folks in the industry want.

For instance, instead of including an objective–which will likely be similar to everyone else’s–write out a brief summary of your skills and focus on your ultimate goal so that potential employers can easily see why you’re interested and why they should choose you for the job.

Start your own gaming business

With the right skills under your belt, you can start your gaming career by pursuing a job with an established developer, or you might decide to go in an entirely different direction and start your own gaming business. There are several options to choose from, including:

• Starting your own monetized video game blog
• Creating your own YouTube channel full of engaging content for the video game community
• Becoming a video game reviewer for a magazine or gaming site
• Selling digital items

Where to start your business

Washington DC is a great area for a video game business for a number of reasons. First, the city is home to a large number of young professionals, many of whom are gamers themselves. This provides a built-in market for any new businesses that move into the area. Additionally, DC is home to a number of major corporations, including many in the tech industry. This gives video game businesses access to potential customers and partners.

If you’re considering a move to the DC area, there are many rental homes available at a variety of price points. View filterable online listings that include descriptions and photos of homes in your target area.

Market your business

Once your business is covered with the right structure, it’s important to remember that you need to draw in viewers or customers. Marketing is a major aspect of running any business, and fortunately, there are many tools available online these days that can help, from social media ads to email marketing services.

In the gaming industry, it’s crucial to have an internet presence that encompasses more than one area, so no matter where you’ll be doing the bulk of your business, it’s a good idea to boost your brand by promoting it creatively.

Getting started in a gaming career requires some careful moves and deliberate choices, so think about which direction you want to go in. Whether your goal is to start your own gaming business or simply to find a way to earn money on the side while playing your favorite video games, there are certain steps you need to take to bring your dreams to life. With the right moves, you can start a successful career in video games and earn a living doing what you love.

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This article is a sponsored post by Micah Norris, Creator of King-Rom.com