Gaming is the world’s biggest entertainment sector. From the meteoric rise of mobile gaming to the proliferation of online casino platforms, no matter where you are in the world, games have become everyone’s favorite thing to do.
Because the gaming sector has grown so rapidly, we’ve seen a sharp uptick in the demand for talented human resources. Gaming companies, tech specialists, and the esports sector have all witnessed tremendous growth over the past few years.
Whether it’s virtual reality, augmented reality, or both, investments of all kinds are being pumped into every corner of gaming. The combination of increased demand for talent and significant growth of profit margins have the potential to create a saturated market, which is why we’re here to provide you with four things to look out for when recruiting in the gaming sector.
1. The bigger picture
From a financial perspective, video gaming accounts for more gross revenue than movies and music combined. The majority of relevant studies you can find online, point to a rough average of approximately 3.5 billion gamers in the world. Thanks to the rapid advancement of mobile gaming technology, the latest games can now be played on-the-go, from anywhere, and at any time.
Developments in virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) have led to mixed reality (XR), where elements of both VR and AR are combined to create an all-encompassing virtual experience. Pre-built personal computers (PCs) are becoming viable alternatives to home consoles. No matter where you look, gaming technologies are creating all sorts of job opportunities.
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2. Understanding trends
Game developers and creative designers remain in short supply, but you may be surprised at where exactly the majority of the demand originates. Of all job searches related to gaming, the highest by far are in the pre-built sector and VR tech development. Many job seekers are looking for internship positions, indicating a desire for growth in these sectors more than others.
Behind pre-built PCs and VR, soundtrack composition and video game journalism are the next most-searched keywords related to gaming employment, followed by game coaching. In terms of future investments, the aforementioned keywords can be used as indicators to navigate the shifting landscape known as the gaming industry.
Software engineers account for roughly a third of all open employment opportunities. User experience (or UX) designers come second in terms of demand, with analytics-related professions rounding out the top three in-demand jobs. Couple this knowledge with the most-searched trends and an overall perspective begins to develop.
3. Eyeing the competition
In order to understand how one becomes a successful gaming recruiter, it’s imperative to understand how the best recruiters have found and managed their success. Aside from a healthy dose of self-awareness, being able to assess your competition is a highly useful skill to possess. By taking note of your peers’ successes and failures, you set up your recruitment strategies with a solid foundation.
Sony’s Playstation division has some seriously talented staff across their many development studios. Not content with resting on the laurels of success, the company’s Youtube channel regularly uploads career and internship videos, as well as additional videos showcasing their current talent and notable achievements.
Bungie is one of the few development companies that has successfully broken away from a major publishing house. The company’s website has a career page filled with blog content, studio tour schedules, and current opportunities. There are even moderators on all social media platforms.
Playstation and Bungie are but two examples of notable success. In both cases, the main reason for success is being able to understand your target audience. This observation applies to any industry, regardless of whether it’s related to gaming, recruitment, or any other industry.
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4. Learning the lingo
If you’re recruiting coders, it’s wise to know the difference between different programming languages (such as C++, Golang, and Javascript). VR developers will know the difference between an HTC Vive and an Oculus Rift, and so should you. Not to sound pedantic but, aside from the odd exception, you would be surprised at the level of knowledge many recruitment agencies operate with.
We’re not saying technical experts are the only people suitable for recruiting. Basic knowledge of your target recruitment sector is more than sufficient but, when it comes to knowledge, one can never truly have enough. Take the time to research your chosen recruitment field and the benefits will become evident soon enough.
Aside from future trends, fundamental knowledge, and technical familiarity, a minor aspect we haven’t mentioned is decision-making. For instance, should you aim for VR recruitment, PC composition experts, or both? The answer will depend on the scope of your recruitment operation. Budget, staff, and experience will all factor into your decision. Take the time to figure out how to maximize your success rate and the rest of your strategy will typically end up falling into place.