| There are a lot of video gamers out there who | | | | may be very good at playing games, most |
| are very serious about their passion. In fact, | | | | industry jobs will require you at the very least to |
| some of them are so into gaming that they have | | | | be able to analyze, discuss, read and write about |
| even considered working for a company that | | | | your gaming experiences at a very high level. |
| designs video games. Yes, it's true that such "get | | | | Writing courses are essential for this - especially |
| paid to play games" type jobs are available. | | | | ones that focus on analytical writing. |
| Before you decided to pursue a job in the video | | | | If you're planning on getting into video game |
| game industry though, you should know that | | | | design, that's another story entirely. For design |
| there are some strict requirements you'll have to | | | | positions, you'll have to first complete college level |
| meet. Here are three of the biggest hurdles you'll | | | | programming and design courses. Not only will you |
| face. | | | | have to pass these courses, you'll have to pass |
| 1. Age Requirements | | | | them with very high grades. This is because these |
| Although there are many skilled video game | | | | types of positions are very competitive. |
| players who are still in their early and mid teens, | | | | 3. Previous Experience Requirements |
| the fact is most companies in the industry will not | | | | Even if you can pass the first couple of hurdles, |
| hire anyone under 18 for an in-house position. For | | | | many of the top video game industry jobs will |
| one thing, these companies have to consider tax | | | | only hire and pay you if you can show proof of |
| and labor laws that are strict about the age of | | | | previous experience first. Because of this, you'll |
| employees. For another, despite how much you | | | | probably have to start out by first working for |
| love gaming, chances are if you're under 18 years | | | | smaller companies, or building up resume |
| old, you haven't completed the high-level courses | | | | references. For example, if you write freelance |
| required for most of the positions that will allow | | | | game review articles and get them published in |
| you to get paid to play games. | | | | major gaming magazines, a portfolio of your work |
| 2. Education Requirements | | | | will give you an edge when you apply for a job |
| What kind of courses do you need? Although you | | | | with a larger company. |