3 Things I Learned Working in Games

My career in games began in 2006 when I joined the Game Master team for a newly successful game, World of Warcraft. That kicked off a career in the industry that has spanned the last 16 years and, while I learned a ton about making games, I learned even more about myself. Here are three important lessons I learned working in the industry.

What You Want Will Change

Willy Wonka (Gene Wider) famously said…

…Don’t forget what happened to the man who suddenly got everything he always wanted…He lived happily ever after.

So why did this not feel like a happy ending? After working for years in the industry, I had checked all the boxes. I had shipped successful products, had a long fancy title, performed well, and grown in my role. When I had started in games, those had been the hallmarks of success and a barometer by which I could measure my achievements. But in the end, I felt…unchanged. Even empty. It took some self reflection to realize that Mr. Wonka was making an important distinction. Sure, Charlie got a renowned chocolate factory, a huge upgrade in quality of life, and all of the money that presumably came with it… but was that what Charlie actually wanted? If I think back on his journey, he wanted a connection to his family, especially his grandfather. He wanted to have an adventure, to get outside of the tedium of the everyday, and to find a little mystery and magic along the way. He never subscribed to what the others did — that this was his “ticket” to fame, fortune, glamor and gluttony. This is why he was so willing to give it all up in the end. What he wanted, and what others perceived as important, were different.

So, if I didn’t want a chocolate factory (and all the trappings that go with it), what did I want? I had to sift through and reflect on what was important to me, what I valued, and what it meant for my career moving forward. It was then that I could focus on creating short term goal setting that resonated with how I wanted to grow, not what I perceived success to be from the outside looking in. I now make sure that I check in with myself often, and what I want changes a lot, and that is ok! Part of evolving is understanding where you can expand and finding the highest value- add to your life at any given point. It will change with time, with life events, with learning new things. So stay curious, always, and don’t forget to ask yourself if you are actively working toward the happy ending that you want.

Find Your People

Projects will come and go, the studio you work at will change, your role and title will fluctuate. But the relationships you build with the people around you will transcend those things. When I started asking myself what was important to me and how I wanted to map out my career (a la Charlie Bucket), the thing I kept coming back to was the people. I could work on any project and take on any role, but who I was working with made the largest impact in my ability, willingness and dedication to doing good work. I wanted to surround myself with people that I not only enjoyed working with, but who valued the same things I did. Even more importantly, I wanted to be around people I could grow with, who would challenge me in healthy ways and would provide diverse and insightful perspectives. It didn’t matter if I had a corner office or was working on my dream project if I didn’t feel like I was working in a place where I could be my authentic self and have authentic interactions. So I sought those people out, made sure to nurture those relationships, and built a network of talented people that I could trust. Ask yourself, do you want to work with the most talented person in the room or the bravest? The loudest person in the room or the kindest? The most celebrated person in the room or the most tenacious? If you work hard enough, you can find people where those things aren’t mutually exclusive and surround yourself with the best and brightest.

Of course, being able to pick who you work with is a tremendous privilege. For those who are unable to be selective, it’s imperative to find people to surround yourself with that will lift you up and support you. Seeking out sponsors, cheerleaders, and allies is key. Even in an environment where you may have limited choice in who you are collaborating with, ensuring that you have others you can turn to for guidance and support will keep you grounded. It may even open doors for you. Even long after working with some colleagues, the impact that they had on me and my time in the industry was resounding. If you can’t find a space or community to grow in, create your own. Offer to be that support for someone who is also looking for it. In a world where “networking” can have negative connotations, invest in trusted partnerships with like minded people. They will see you through the bad times and the good.

Your Mental Health is the Most Important Thing

Working in games is hard. Working anywhere is hard. But working in games is really, really hard. There are usually long hours, high stress milestones, high stakes, internal and external pressures, and sometimes all of those things cascade down at once. In my less seasoned years, I would weather these things by putting my needs on the back burner. I believed that what I was sacrificing (sleep, time, headspace, health) would make me a better developer and show how committed I was. I was willing to put aside everything in my personal life to ensure that the projects, tasks, and team were successful.

After years of putting myself second, I began to burn out. I ignored personal trauma, left my anxiety and depression unchecked, and told myself to power through. This left me in a state of rapid mental health decline. I stayed in bad situations and became unable to recognize what was healthy and what wasn’t. My judgement became poor, my boundaries non-existent and, while I always did the work, the cost was beginning to show. I felt constantly exhausted and overwhelmed. After waking up one morning and sobbing the entire car ride to work, I knew something had to change. This was not sustainable. I immediately took a mental health day, restarted therapy, and gave myself permission to put me first. No one was going to benefit from me imploding, least of all me.

I want everyone to know that you are your most precious asset. You must protect your mental health fiercely and advocate for yourself, because you are the only one who can. Jobs will always be there and projects will always exist, but your ability to thrive and move through the world with joy and peace should always be your top responsibility. You owe it to yourself and to others to be in the best working order and you will do your best work as a result. Any company that does not value you at your healthiest or acknowledge and support you at your lowest is not a place that deserves you.

My career in games has been a journey and learning to navigate it has taught me so many things. I look forward to the next few chapters and my happy ending is definitely on the horizon.