10 Biggest Misconceptions You Have About Video Game Developers
1. We Stick To Our Roles
One of the most applied-for roles in AAA, I’ve found, is character art. Everyone wants to be a character artist, and the chances of getting into that role tend to be quite limited.
But, it might surprise you to hear, that even landing such a prestigious and sought-after position doesn’t mean you get to just work in your own corner on your own niche of work for good. Especially in smaller teams (and almost definitely in indie teams), your role will be titular only - you’ll be expected to do a ton of work beyond that role, too.
Depending on the size of the team, the work requirement is fluid and nebulous. At one of my previous roles, I worked on user interface, in-world signage, marketing art, and even trailer production... all in the space of the same two weeks. My title was “UI Designer/Artist”.
It’s almost certainly a good idea, even if you have a specific and definitive role you want to work in/as, to diversify your skill set, because you’re going to have your many game dev hands in countless pies very soon, like that popular children’s hero, Unreal Engine Octopus Pie Fondler*.
*Character may or may not have just been something which appeared to me in a fever dream after I’d drunk half a bottle of Glenfiddich.