Darla Joy

Hi, I’m Darla. I’m a student living in helsinki. I am a fan of video games

If you think video games can be hard to play, try making 'em.

In "Blood, Sweat, and Pixels," author and Kotaku news editor Jason Schreier’s 2017 chronicle of how video games go from concept to reality, he went so far as to wonder aloud whether "every single video game is made under abnormal circumstances" — once you consider the challenges of interactivity, ever-changing technology, always-evolving tools, unpredictable scheduling and the sheer nebulousness of trying to pin down "fun."

There's no easy-mode setting for breaking into game development, either. The three experts we spoke with about forging a career path — a mix of veteran and emerging talent, all based at video game companies in Austin, Texas — mentioned the need to master complex programming languages and self-direct your own professional development in a competitive job market. But one of the pros noted that merit matters, too, and applicants with strong portfolios and demonstrated skills stand out from the pack.