One area that is useful if you're a game dev who's been laid off is to continue to make games while looking for other opportunities.
Engaging in game jams and putting work out there is a great way to engage the development community, build long-lasting relationships, and keep the portfolio up-to-date (as well as your skills).
It's a really tough time for devs, but the support I've seen among game devs is a beautiful thing to witness.
As someone else in gaming comms, I'm curious how you'd apply some of the lessons you've outlined in that area. Especially considering I can never (sadly) foresee a time when comms is an in-demand discipline.
Lots I could say about this. After nearly a decade of leading comms on games I came to the conclusion that comms is—however unfairly—a fundamentally more limited career path compared to the generalist marketing track. This was the main thing on my mind when writing that section about "Flexible Positions With Lots of Open Moves." The real potential for communicating and storytelling on the internet isn't limited to any one channel or craft, but comms roles are very often stuck into a corner labeled "social + PR."
I'm speaking in generalities here. There are people who are all-in on comms and crushing it. But I believe even the best and most-respected probably run up against walls all the time due to the industry's parochial view of the discipline and the value it brings.
These are all great points, thanks for responding.
Have you shifted into a broader role since leaving Respawn? If so, did you do any professional qualifications in marketing/brand etc or just use what you'd learned over the years?
Yep have been leading marketing at Odyssey Interactive since I joined in 2021! It helped that over the years I'd slowly been growing from covering "just" comms (which is really social + pr + writing) to also community and influencer as well. That said, going into a marketing director role has been a nonstop process of learning on the job.
A really high value post! Thanks, Ryan.
One area that is useful if you're a game dev who's been laid off is to continue to make games while looking for other opportunities.
Engaging in game jams and putting work out there is a great way to engage the development community, build long-lasting relationships, and keep the portfolio up-to-date (as well as your skills).
It's a really tough time for devs, but the support I've seen among game devs is a beautiful thing to witness.
Completely agree.
Great stuff as always, Ryan.
As someone else in gaming comms, I'm curious how you'd apply some of the lessons you've outlined in that area. Especially considering I can never (sadly) foresee a time when comms is an in-demand discipline.
Lots I could say about this. After nearly a decade of leading comms on games I came to the conclusion that comms is—however unfairly—a fundamentally more limited career path compared to the generalist marketing track. This was the main thing on my mind when writing that section about "Flexible Positions With Lots of Open Moves." The real potential for communicating and storytelling on the internet isn't limited to any one channel or craft, but comms roles are very often stuck into a corner labeled "social + PR."
I'm speaking in generalities here. There are people who are all-in on comms and crushing it. But I believe even the best and most-respected probably run up against walls all the time due to the industry's parochial view of the discipline and the value it brings.
These are all great points, thanks for responding.
Have you shifted into a broader role since leaving Respawn? If so, did you do any professional qualifications in marketing/brand etc or just use what you'd learned over the years?
Yep have been leading marketing at Odyssey Interactive since I joined in 2021! It helped that over the years I'd slowly been growing from covering "just" comms (which is really social + pr + writing) to also community and influencer as well. That said, going into a marketing director role has been a nonstop process of learning on the job.