March 13, 2023
Navigating the gaming industry as a Game Dev can be challenging. The ever-changing nature of the field requires continuous learning and adaptation. However, job opportunities and career sources are spread across different platforms and time zones.
Networking with peers is an excellent strategy to alleviate such hurdles. Thankfully, dozens of Discord servers encourage just that in a supportive and welcoming environment. I’ve gathered the best Discord servers if you’re looking to boost your Game Dev career!
Indie Game Business
The Indie Game Business Discord server is a great all-in-one space for everything Game Dev. Here, thousands of gaming professionals come together to chat, share career advice, and celebrate each other achievements. With dedicated admins, a channel guide, and various roles, onboarding is a breeze. This server has several informative channels for developer resources and game industry news. For expert advice, you can ask in a channel matching your specialization. In addition, there are “job board” and “looking for job” channels to highlight current career opportunities.
I recommend the Indie Game Business podcast and events. It features career discussions with industry professionals, such as Game UX Strategists. On the Discord server, you can stay up-to-date with new episodes. You can ask questions during live podcasts. Indie Game Business events are advertised in the “announcement channel.” They often include networking opportunities, panels, and peer reviews.
Code Coven
Code Coven is a community dedicated to providing marginalized Game Devs with the resources needed to thrive in the game industry. They aim to foster confidence, creativity, and collaboration. After joining this server, you can easily navigate a server and team instruction, guidelines, and role selection. To facilitate networking, Code Coven also offers an “introductions” channel. Furthermore, “advice”, “boost”, and “jobs” forums allow Game Devs to enhance their career while making new connections.
The highlight of this space is the many career resources provided by the Code Coven team. In the “Events” list, you can find all upcoming server workshops. These are short webinar-like learning sessions about UIand UX design, creative writing, and more! Additionally, Code Coven offers more in-depth courses about Game Dev topics. Through server announcements, the team shares course details and how to gain access.
How To Market A Game
How To Market A Game is a Game Dev community of over 1,600 professionals. This is a great option if you’re looking for a smaller space to develop your career. Like the previous servers, How To Market A Game allows you to introduce yourself to peers, network in casual and professional settings, and hone your skills. For job seekers and employers, a job board connects opportunities to fitting talent. The server’s outstanding feature is the many self-promotion possibilities. You can share your work and socials in “share your numbers,” “self-promo,” and “ RT this.” Moreover, content creators can seek gaming collaborations in the “influencers looking for games” channel.
How To Market A Game also shares events and resources in their announcement channel. But not all of those are affiliated with their team. For example, the server has promoted the Game Developers Conference, a premier gaming event in the industry. Noteworthy are the team’s frequent blog posts about specific Game Dev matters. Topics include “When should you launch your game”, case studies, average demo play times, and more! The only downside of this server is that mods and management aren’t easily recognizable from the member list.
Women in Games
Women in Games is one of the biggest Discord communities focusing on providing marginalized genders a safe environment to network and learn from each other. Everyone is welcome on the server. Over 3,000 members actively chat on the space’s many channels. Women in Games has sections dedicated to casual discussion, opportunities, career discussion, and casual gaming. With customizable roles, you gain access to different channels within these categories. This server is built on community activities, so official announcements are rare. Instead, members can share events, jobs, and mentorship opportunities.
The Women in Games server is fantastic for casual networking. Server moderators introduce a “weekly discussion” topic every week to encourage dialogue between the members. In addition, you can share pet and food pictures and memes. Marginalized genders face unique challenges in the gaming industry. So if you ever feel like getting something off your chest, you can do so in the server’s “safe space.”
Final Thoughts
Despite its unique hurdles, the gaming industry is full of supportive spaces and valuable opportunities for Game Devs. Our passion unites us inside and outside the game. I hope this overview inspired you to join some Discord communities and start networking! You don’t have to be active everywhere all the time. But a few fruitful discussions can give you the guidance you’re looking for or help you secure the role of your dreams.
For more gaming career tips, check out our previous article on dealing with Imposter Syndrome in the gaming industry!