The Power of Jamming Out

I attended Global Game Jam this weekend and it truly reminded me how many people are driven to make games. Not just make games, but possibly work with strangers whose ideas may clash with their own. Global Game Jam is a crazy experience especially for those who haven't worked at a studio such as myself. Everyone has to sync together and help out. Your artist doesn't know GIT? Well, here's a chance to explain it to them and give them a leg up on other artists when they graduate school. You also never know who will show up or what opportunities appear. At the end of the session, there was a chance to submit resumes to a game studio interested in the people who joined this year's jam. Some people are tired and don't want to attend such an event. It's understandable. But, the gaming industry is a luxury industry and not a requirement for a living. The result is that it is very competitive because it's not a requirement. In my experience in luxury industries, you're up against the people living and breathing on improving that skill which makes them stand out who are not going to go down levels to work on mundane everyday tasks. The people at these jams who show up every year are the ones who have endurance and will probably help the industry grow. So, if you love what you do then do it. Breathe it. Live it.