Author: by Staff
As employment in the video game industry meets instability, Mary-Margaret Walker, CEO of L.A.-based job recruiter Mary-Margaret Network, said in a new Gamasutra feature that unemployed need to do what they can to stay in the loop. Walker instructed unemployed job seekers to "do something... even if you're doing it for free. Continue to grow your resume," she suggested. "If you have to take a job outside the industry -- and still do something on the side so that you're growing your game development skills -- do it!" Walker continued. "If you're committed to staying in the industry, these are the things you must do... in addition to considering relocation." "[The games industry is] moving very quickly from a niche market to an 'every household' market in which gaming isn't as much a priority as previously," Walker explained. "And, at the same time, instead of paying $60 for a game in a store, people are voting with their pocketbooks on 'free-to-play' games and micro-transactions," she said. "As companies were making decisions on which direction to head, it was the smaller studios who, as always, were more nimble," she added. "Which is why they are hiring while the 'box market' is becoming smaller and smaller." From a recruitment perspective, Walker reported seeing about 60 percent "active" -- or unemployed -- job seekers in today's market versus 40 percent "passive" -- or employed, "just looking" -- seekers. In a good economy, she added, the percentages are typically reversed -- 60 percent passive/40 percent active. For more from Walker and others about the current state of the video game job scene and how to navigate it, read the full Gamasutra feature, available now.
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