The Hunt for Talent: What Do Game Recruiters Look for in a Developer?

Summary In this episode of the Gamers Change Lives podcast, host Tom Leonard dives into e-sports and game development careers with Darren Butler, a gaming recruiter, and Oliver Collier, a gameplay programmer at Endreams. They explore their unique journeys into the gaming industry, covering what recruiters seek in developer candidates, the importance of research, and how networking can pave the way to success. The conversation also touches on the shift toward hybrid and remote work models and the adaptability required for various roles. Butler and Collier discuss the diverse demographics of game developers, noting that many professionals balance industry demands with family responsibilities, challenging traditional stereotypes. This episode offers listeners an insightful look at the recruitment process, industry culture, and essential skills for navigating the evolving landscape of game development. Takeaways E-sports can create jobs globally. Every job in gaming has a unique story. Recruitment should be candidate-centric. Game development roles require specific technical skills. Networking is crucial in the gaming industry. Job applications can be numerous; persistence is key. Understanding game development involves art, design, and programming. Researching the industry is essential for career success. Induction days help new hires integrate into the company culture. The gaming industry is evolving with new opportunities. The onboarding process can significantly impact employee integration. Face-to-face contact during onboarding fosters better relationships. Remote work has increased in the gaming industry post-COVID. Hybrid working models are becoming more common in the industry. Job flexibility is crucial for many individuals in the gaming sector. The average age of game developers is trending older. Many game developers have families and responsibilities. Networking events are vital for community engagement. The gaming industry is adapting to new work environments. Onboarding experiences can vary greatly between companies. *  *  * Featured in this episode:  Darren Butler is a freelance talent agent specializing in the games industry, with 7 years’ experience finding the best Coders, Designers and Artists for some of the biggest games studios in the world. Linkedin : https://www.linkedin.com/in/darren-butler-recruiter/ Oliver Collier Oliver is a Gameplay/Tools Programmer with over three years of experience working across studio and doctoral research game development projects. I specialise in C++ and UE4/UE5 development, most recently I've worked on building a bespoke content management system for use in large scale Game Dev and QA Testing. Previously I also worked on an immersive digital representation and learning toolkit for BCU's GFA program with an internal development studio as part of a doctoral research project. As a programmer and technical designer I've worked on projects using a variety of industry tools and languages including Unity, Unreal, C#, and C++. I have multiple degrees from universities in both the UK and USA, including a BSc Honours in Video Game Development from BCU and a BA in History from Arizona State University/University of Birmingham. Additionally, I have 10 years of experience working in the Education industry as an educator and was involved with various robotics programs for over 10 years as well. Linkedin : https://www.linkedin.com/in/oliver-collier-9776851b8/ Portfolio : https://gamedevportfolio.co.uk Discord: Discord - Oliverc2250#1331  Xbox - oliver2550   *  *  * Please subscribe to our podcast wherever you are listening to this episode. Leave us a rating and a review if you like our content for others to discover what we are doing. And tell your friends! CONNECT WITH US ELSEWHERE: Visit our website at https://www.gamerschangelivespodcast.com/ to learn more about our program, our blog, and sign up for our emails to be notified of upcoming episodes. Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/GamersChangeLives  Twitter: https://twitter.com/thegclpodcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gamerschangelives/ YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC8TRl42z9cbMyZMhcpNo0cw TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@gamerschangelives   PRODUCTION: Creator and host: Tom Leonard (Italy) - https://www.linkedin.com/in/tomeleonard/ Executive Producer: Reginald Nsowah (Ghana) - https://www.linkedin.com/in/reginald-nsowah-09352929/ ABOUT THE SHOW: Play Games. Create Jobs. Change Lives. This is a show about how to build an esports business from literally anywhere in the world where each week we showcase the journey of esports entrepreneurs and others to learn how they solved a particular problem that everyone will ultimately face. Thanks for listening to The Gamers Change Lives Podcast!