Working in the games industry is a dream job, and with ECTS here, we decided to find out how hard it is to get a job playing games all day. Can't be that hard, right? Right?
David Nicol

Allow my self to introduce... shuffle ...myself. My name's David and I'm a Future Gamer reader just like you. Having recently found myself at a good University, but on the wrong course, it has come to pass that it's time to get a job. Doh! In an attempt to soften this mighty blow I thought it a good idea if I actually enjoyed my chosen career. After a quick rifle through the draw marked 'Things I like to do', I reached a decision - I would very much like to make games for a living. Well, wouldn't we all?

But where should I be looking and why should I be given a job in the world of games anyway? Well, my drawing skills aren't exactly stunning, so I don't think I'll be trying to get a job in the art department. I could be a programmer, but having had a brief taste of it during my time at university, which has given me a basic understanding, I can safely say that although it's a fine and noble art, it's not for me.

So what's left? Well, I don't think I'll be able to get into the top-level areas like designing and producing just yet as I haven't got the experience required, though in a few years, who knows? A more realistic place to start would be testing - playing games all day and getting paid... sweet! Although there's more to it than that, you have to evaluate every aspect of a game, from the playability and graphics to the overall feel, as well as searching for bugs. Testing is also a good start towards bigger and better things.

But all the talent in the world won't help you if you don't know where to look for work. Local papers are unlikely to be of much use. A better place to start would be the back pages of Edge, but this month there was an alternative - ECTS at Olympia in London. Not only are there stands from a couple of the specialist agencies, but there's also (funnily enough!) an abundance of developers there, all talking shop. What better place for an enthusiastic and determined gamer to try to launch his career?