Weekly News 33/21

Open jobs & Recruitment:

 New releases 

• Andreea Sava is asking on behalf of EGDF what could be ten good reasons to invest in Finland on iOS & Android
• Saku Vesamäki asks how could they proceed while looking for a job. They most confident skills are in programming with C-Sharp in Unity, more specifically mechanics in 3D Space. But Saku has also solid skills in sounds and music.
  • Jani Pääjärvi gave some excellent tips with a help of  (Ville Sorsa, the audio lead of Control):
    some tips on demonstrating audio stuff/skillz:
    Sound effects:
    – The best way to demonstrate your skills in this, is to grab an existing game trailer, and re-create all the audio effects in it, then make a video out of the result.
    – Of course if you have your own game, you can grab videos out of that as well – but laying your stuff on top of existing trailer is a good, condensed way of expressing who you are as a sound effect artist.
    Composing/music:
    – In games, music is very much composed for certain needs in the game, to boost certain emotions that the developers want to convey to the player.
    So, yes you can demo a piece of music, but it would be better to demo a piece of music that would fit that particular game, or that particular phase in the game
    – (Tip from Jani) So eg. choose an existing trailer, or gameplay video that you’d think your music would fit, and replace your music to that video. It’s very quick to evaluate then if the music “makes the video better” or not.
    – Also good to understand, that out of 10 audio guys in the game development, maybe one is a music composer, and 9 are sound effect artists. So getting a game music composer job is way harder, than getting into effects.
    Overall:
    – Portfolio in the web would be good. “Show the best pieces you’ve done, and explain a bit about the process of getting there.

    Screenshots are good, videos are great. Sounds like you might have a small game demo already available to grab those shots, or if not – maybe finalize one from your game – then grab shots to show what you can pull off.”

    + “People may disagree, but for me one finished game, no matter how small, proves more than 20 unfinished ones. Same with other pieces, them being art or story or music or whatever.”
    – Ville shares my opinion that one should share fewer, but good pieces to demonstrate the skills. One finished piece is better that 20 unfinished ones – even if being a short one.
    – The length of stuff to show can/should be short.
    No need to do a 5 minute long trailer or song – 30-60 seconds should be enough to grab ones attention – if it’s good stuff, it will spark interest during that time.
  • Joni Finne also recommended portfolio on website about the work done. Joni reminded that game play videos are always good. And  education/degree is also good idea.
  • Emmi Hattunen  is adding to the gameplay videos this: “If you want to separately showcase your music skills one idea could be to remake a song or a theme that happens in a part of the game and replace the original music with your remake. But like I said just an idea I wanted to put out there. Also game jams are always golden for developing skills and getting even more portfolio material: https://itch.io/jams”
  • Janne Matias Joensuu reminds about the importance of networks; “If you knew the right people, you’d already know who to ask for guidance, or would’ve seen someone talk about these types of things in an online platform or in a face-to-face situation. Lack of networking was one of the things holding me back when I was in a similar situation.
    The trick to networking is that you should get to know people first, and then see if there are opportunities to help or receive help later, instead of trying to get to know people with the intention of asking them for help ASAP. So look for spaces and events where you get to know game industry people, and perhaps help others out, and worry about the rest later. There are local IGDA events. Some are held in physical locations, but in these times many are held online. Volunteering to help with events can be a good way to network.
    Game jams and student projects are another great way to meet people. Look up game jams, and join them if you have the chance. Alternatively, find schools that have game development programs, and contact them to ask if they 1) have ongoing student projects that 2) don’t have any music yet. Then find a student game project you like and make some music etc for it.” Janne also reminds that there are mentorship events and programs, which are specifically organized so that people interested in joining the industry can get advice and feedback.

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