Video Game Careers Demystified: Trifecta of Game Makers, Athletes, and Ecosystem in a Thriving Industry

Coming from someone who doesn't consider himself a gamer (even though I engage daily in my two favorite mobile game apps), I found myself completely enthralled with the breakdown of the industry from the beginning of the book. My mind was spinning (in a good way) with a world I never viewed from the perspective that the book immediately provided. I can only imagine the enthusiasm, hope and direction this book would give any remedial gamer!I was lucky enough to play a "game" for a living for 8 years. Unfortunately, the physical requirements eventually eliminate that boyhood dream. I used to play videos games religiously in my late teens and throughout my 20s. I mean the real games like , Techmo Bowl, FIFA, Madden, Tomb Raider, Lego anything and my favorite...Earth Worm Jim! Now my son plays videos games religiously with the advent of online gaming as a means of socialization. He's kicked around the idea of somehow finding a profession in the gaming industry. I heard about this book from a friend and was reading it to get educated on the professional possibilities that could exist for my son. I love how Michael Change "demystified" the notion that you have to be an engineer, scientist or coder to find a lucrative opportunity in the gaming industry. However, what Video Games Demystified does is offer you the deepest insight into a world that could allow you to play a game (or be involved in creating games) for a living, and find where your strengths and passion offer the longest runway ! For many people gaming is a passion. This book will give you unprecedented direction on where to go with that passion, use someone like Mr. Chang as the most viable and accessible resource, and be fearless in pursuing the multiple opportunities that exist in the gaming industry. Aside from all of that, it is a great and easy read!

A little bit about myself before I get into this review, I've been a gamer for 25 of my 30 years on this planet and played pretty much every genre of video game out there - from sports games to political simulators, idle games to MMORPGs, text-based to VR. So this book caught my interest right away and I went to purchase it. When I started reading it I was really drawn into the whole world of the video game industry and felt immersed in the stories told throughout the book.Reading this book is like entering Willy Wonka's factory and getting a tour of all different type of possibilities. Generally the book is broken up by different sections covering different parts of the journey to become a member of one of the fastest growing and most exciting industries in the world. There are interviews with veterans of the gaming industry, fun and illuminating anecdotes from the author, and other important insights.What impressed me most about the book is the way that the book is written, it uses archetypes from video games, quizzes, and other different types of written content to educate the reader. The book is written in a flowing and accessible way. Overall I would recommend this book to anyone who is interested in the video game industry. Whether you are a gamer, looking to start a creative profession, or curious I'd highly recommend this book. 10/10 A+ book.

I bought this book so I could check it out to see if my 14 year old son could benefit from reading it. He enjoys playing interactive video games online and has fantasized about the notion of turning that into a career at some point in the future. He is well aware there are some in the gaming industry making a significant income and he wonders how. So I bought this book to read to see if it would be something beneficial to my son. Immediately I could see that it is full of incredible insight from someone who has worked/lived/excelled in the gaming industry. Full of valuable information and also lots of fun behind the scene stories about several industry insiders. I quickly handed the book over to my son so he could start reading. He's pretty into it (...which is saying a lot for a teenage boy these days). He's learning a lot about what it takes which should help him if he decides to go in the gaming direction. I highly recommend you get this book if you have a child interested in gaming as a hobby/career.

You are all about games. Maybe you just like playing games. Perhaps you dream of making a career out of it. But your <insert person> (grandparent/parent/teacher/sibling/friend) think it's just a waste of time. They dismiss your dream of working as a gamer as unrealistic. They think you are crazy. They think it is stupid. How do you prove them wrong? Well, throw this book at them! Course before you do that you should read it first.Writing is never easy and entails exposing yourself for all the world to judge. In this book, Michael Chang has told the world who he is and what he is about with great honesty. It is well written and easy to understand. A book worth having for any gamer. If nothing else, you can always hand people a copy and say, "you should read this before you judge me."

I highly recommend this book. It is well written and a powerful tool for anyone wanting to inform and educate themselves in becoming a video game professional. Michael Chang gives the reader the opportunity to walk in the shoes of a video game professional. His passion for this field is contagious and cones through in his style of writing so that you can see, hear and feel the excitement of what it's actually like to work on a video game project. working on a video game project. When you are finished reading this book, you will have what you need to understand what it takes to develop or publish a video game and KNOW that you can do it. Follow your passion and follow through with your dream. Thank you Michael Chang!!!!!!!

I've always wanted to work in the game industry, but didn't think I had the engineering or artistic skills to do so. I love how this book covers all kinds of people and roles that I had never thought of before.The book was easy to read with a very casual and inviting tone. It made me feel that perhaps it's not too late to reconsider a career in gaming!Note to the author: I think it would be a great idea to put out a mini-documentary series to go along with the book!

As someone wanting to break into the Gaming world this has been a really insightful read, and I imagine it would be just as much so for anyone in the gaming industry already, who wanted to see a different perspective. I took away some great questions that will help me build my goals for this year, and some amazing detail on the ins and outs of the gaming world.I'd highly recommend for anyone wanting a better idea of what it's like to thrive and survive in the world of games, and those seeking inspiration and empowerment in moving into, or around, the industry.