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Abstract

7">Since the 1940s (starting with Nim), video games have been pushing the boundaries of what’s acceptable both technologically and culturally. They aren’t the only industry we have to thank for major cultural upheavals and shifts, but they’re one of the major players.If you’re like me, you know that this is an industry you belong in.You might love storytelling, how immersive the medium is, or the fact that the game industry is always pushing boundaries. Whatever the reason — you know it’s for you.This is a time of fear for most people — who knew we’d wind up in the middle of a real-life apocalypse?Not me.Not you.But games make us better than we were before. They remind us that during times like these, we have to band together.So if you’ve been doubting yourself, I want to remind you: keep working.A lot of people are going to lose hope during this time, but I don’t want you to be one of them.Now it’s more important than ever to think about your game career. Don’t forget to reach out to people who have similar goals to you — video games are about sharing, about creating something beautiful together. They’re about offering — as Ariel from The Little Mermaid puts it— a part of your world.The game industry isn’t going to be slowing dow

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n any time soon, and neither should you.<h1 id="7893">COVID-19 is teaching us that we are stronger than ever</h1>You’re still standing. You’re still doing good, even if you feel like you’re failing.Remember, that’s what nightmare mode is all about: surviving.I wasn’t alive during the golden age of arcade games, or even during the '80s. But stories about the industry surviving the game crash of '83 and coming out stronger on the other side reminds me that we’ve always pushed through times like these.We have to remember that everything we enjoy today began as an experiment.The market was public, starting with computer and arcade games. Then it was headed for home with consoles that you could hook up to your TV set.It worked beautifully. We can now step into new universes from the comfort of our living room. Better yet, with the advancements in programming and with so many free resources available, we can begin making games at home.So don’t wait.Gamers are the recipients of all those who have gone before us, mistakes and all. A new industry was born because of those who refused to give up, despite the setbacks they encountered.It may feel like we’re playing on nightmare mode, but we can use this time as an opportunity.Game on.</article></body>

Gaming

Now Entering: Nightmare Mode

COVID-19 & your new gaming career

With COVID-19, it feels like we’re in full-on nightmare mode. If you thought getting a gaming job was hard before, you might think it’s going to be impossible now.

This article from The Washington Post has good news for you:

At least at a financial level, the giants of the video game industry — including Microsoft, Nintendo, Twitch and Activision — have thrived in the conditions created by the pandemic. In April, Microsoft disclosed that the number of subscribers to its Game Pass service (think Netflix-for-gaming) cracked 10 million. Among those subscribers, Microsoft reported a 130-percent increase in multiplayer engagement across March and April. Last week, Nintendo announced sales of its Switch console were up 24 percent year-over-year, while its new game, “Animal Crossing: New Horizons,” had sold 13.5 million copies since its release in late March.

— Noah Smith, The Washington Post

Since the 1940s (starting with Nim), video games have been pushing the boundaries of what’s acceptable both technologically and culturally. They aren’t the only industry we have to thank for major cultural upheavals and shifts, but they’re one of the major players.

If you’re like me, you know that this is an industry you belong in.

You might love storytelling, how immersive the medium is, or the fact that the game industry is always pushing boundaries. Whatever the reason — you know it’s for you.

This is a time of fear for most people — who knew we’d wind up in the middle of a real-life apocalypse?

Not me.

Not you.

But games make us better than we were before. They remind us that during times like these, we have to band together.

So if you’ve been doubting yourself, I want to remind you: keep working.

A lot of people are going to lose hope during this time, but I don’t want you to be one of them.

Now it’s more important than ever to think about your game career. Don’t forget to reach out to people who have similar goals to you — video games are about sharing, about creating something beautiful together. They’re about offering — as Ariel from The Little Mermaid puts it— a part of your world.

The game industry isn’t going to be slowing down any time soon, and neither should you.

COVID-19 is teaching us that we are stronger than ever

You’re still standing. You’re still doing good, even if you feel like you’re failing.

Remember, that’s what nightmare mode is all about: surviving.

I wasn’t alive during the golden age of arcade games, or even during the '80s. But stories about the industry surviving the game crash of '83 and coming out stronger on the other side reminds me that we’ve always pushed through times like these.

We have to remember that everything we enjoy today began as an experiment.

The market was public, starting with computer and arcade games. Then it was headed for home with consoles that you could hook up to your TV set.

It worked beautifully. We can now step into new universes from the comfort of our living room. Better yet, with the advancements in programming and with so many free resources available, we can begin making games at home.

So don’t wait.

Gamers are the recipients of all those who have gone before us, mistakes and all. A new industry was born because of those who refused to give up, despite the setbacks they encountered.

It may feel like we’re playing on nightmare mode, but we can use this time as an opportunity.

Game on.