Exploring Careers in the Gaming Industry: ISBN 978-1-6782-0334-4 / eBook: 978-1-6782-0335-1
Kirkus Reviews, October 1, 2022

A brief but thorough guide to those whose work is centered around play.
McCarty notes throughout that collaboration and communication are requisites for gaming careers and that overtime, unemployment, and gender discrimination are real risks, undercutting naïve stereotypes about solitary gamers and easy success. Creative aspirants might become generalist or specialist game artists, designers, or sound designers; programmers implement their vision, while pro gamers play in tournaments, and testers provide quality assurance. Each chapter opens with a sidebar giving useful stats: the number of existing jobs, typical pay, educational requirements, desirable personal qualities, work settings, and future employment prospects (with projections given through 2030). This data is fleshed out in the subsequent text. Readers follow a typical workday and working conditions, noting necessary skills including software proficiency, versatility, physical stamina, and mental resilience. Many specific examples and direct quotations make the job descriptions vivid and credible. Readers see and hear from women and people of color in the industry. Each chapter ends with annotated online resources that will allow interested readers to learn more. Realistic about the downsides accompanying the excitement and fun, this guide will help gamers think about their futures.
An encouraging, frank, and informative overview of an often misunderstood career path. (source notes, interview with a game designer, jobs in the gaming industry, index, picture credits) (Nonfiction. 14-18)

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