In this episode of The Talent Game Podcast, I chat with Amir Satvat, Business Development Director at Tencent Games and founder of a thriving community that has supported over 3,000 individuals in finding roles in the gaming industry. Amir shares his late-blooming journey into gaming at the age of 38, the transformative power of networking, and the critical role of empathy in both personal and professional interactions. We dive into his creation of a comprehensive job resource, fueled by community feedback and data analytics, that is shaping how job seekers navigate the hyper-competitive gaming job market. Amir also provides insights into the future of gaming talent hubs and the importance of building long-term, meaningful relationships in this dynamic industry.

Takeaways

• Community-Driven Success: Amir’s community has helped thousands of job seekers by combining empathy, data analytics, and collective insights to navigate career challenges in the gaming industry.
• Networking is Key: Building authentic, long-term relationships—not transactional ones—is vital for job seekers to succeed in the gaming world.
• The Power of Empathy: Empathy during interviews and interactions reveals deeper candidate values and fosters more meaningful professional relationships.
• Adaptability in a Competitive Market: The gaming job market is tough, especially for entry-level positions, but diversifying applications and leveraging data can improve outcomes.
• Global Talent Trends: Emerging markets are shifting the geographic landscape of gaming talent hubs, opening new opportunities worldwide.

In this episode of The Talent Game Podcast, I speak to Andy Ross, an experienced recruiter with over 13 years in the tech and gaming industries. Andy discusses his career journey, from working with tech startups to transitioning to leading a headhunting firm in the rapidly growing video games sector. The conversation dives into the nuances of hiring in tech versus games, the evolving traits of top talent, and the industry's future, highlighting trends like web gaming, AI, and the democratization of game development tools. Andy also shares his perspectives on fostering creativity, collaboration, and adapting to the changing landscape of recruitment and technology in gaming.

Key Takeaways

• Top talent values empowerment, ownership, and autonomy, with hiring practices differing significantly between tech startups and game studios.
• The games industry is shifting from a historically secretive culture towards greater collaboration and accessibility.
• Trends like web gaming, AI, and cloud technology are reshaping the future of gaming and game development.
• Andy focuses on strategic recruitment and advisory roles, using open-ended questions to uncover candidates’ career stories.

In this episode of The Talent Game, we hear from Emma Gomersall, Lead Talent Partner at Multiplayer Group (MPG) and member of their Diversity, Inclusion & Belonging Committee. Together, we explore practical steps companies can take to foster a diverse and inclusive culture in gaming, emphasising how even small actions can make a significant impact. Emma shares examples of both cost-effective and budgeted initiatives that help drive inclusion, like using gender decoders in job descriptions and establishing employee resource groups. The conversation underscores how MPG’s approach to diversity not only cultivates a more equitable environment but also supports higher productivity and profitability.

Takeaways

• Building a culture of diversity, inclusion, and belonging is essential in the gaming industry to drive innovation, creativity, and employee well-being.
• Simple and affordable initiatives, such as applying gender decoders in job descriptions and forming employee resource groups, can promote inclusivity.
• Data indicates that gaming companies with gender-diverse leadership are 21% more likely to see improved profitability and productivity compared to less diverse competitors.
• An inclusive culture significantly boosts employee retention, satisfaction, and productivity, ultimately benefiting the company’s financial performance.
• Diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging are increasingly valued by candidates, with 76% of job seekers prioritizing these factors when evaluating job offers.