Motivation!

 People often ask me what it takes to get into the game industry. In a lot of ways it boils down to one important factor… Motivation! Most of the people that I know in games, films, music, comics or entertainment have a similar trait. They are (or at least were) motivated to do something. They were willing to learn how to do something new by trying and then continuing to try. That first step is key because without it there will be no other steps.

You don’t need anything to get into the games industry other than pure and simple motivation. Every single person doing anything that contributes to the creation of something new didn’t know how to do it before they started.

If you want to be an artist you don’t need to know how to draw or to 3D model. You need to motivate yourself to try! There’s no excuse for not trying. If you want to learn how to design then just design something. You will never succeed in learning how to do anything if you aren’t motivated enough to just do it. Jimmy Hendrix was a shitty guitar player… when he first picked up a guitar. He was willing to try where others might have given up. He still had to practice and he had the self-motivation to do just that.

If you say something like I can’t be a programmer because I don’t know how to program then you are temporarily forgetting that one key ingredient. Motivation makes it happen. The only difference between those that do and those that don’t is motivation. You can’t learn without action! Don’t wait for someone else to tell you what you need to do! Don’t wait to learn how to do something before getting started! Stop making excuses about how you don’t know how to do it or that you can’t! Jump into action and try, then try more, then continue until one day you realize that you have accomplished your goals and you’re now doing what you wanted to do in the first place.

The funny thing about the games industry is that playing games and overcoming challenges requires the same skills as making games themselves. Lots of games challenge you and only through determination and motivation will you progress. The same resolve is required to learn the trade. The only difference is that games reward you with sounds and images that someone else created for you. Learning a trade rewards you with things you create yourself!

Practice, practice, practice, practice! Every attempt brings you closer to success. You can do anything you set your mind to. Just stay motivated and good things will happen!

Here’s a great interview with Jordan Mechner and Eric Chahi where Mechner talks about the 1 3 2 method. Give it a read; you’ll be glad you did! http://www.gamasutra.com/view/feature/4239/the_auteur_forum_mechner_and_.php

If you’re in the industry or trying to get into it for the first time remember this one thing. Stay motivated and keep going. You’ll get there eventually!