Game Republic hosted an early careers panel at the Careers Conference on the 18 June at Sheffield Hallam University -the event included 1-2-1 portfolio reviews, career roundtables, a pitching room and expo (pictured), as well as talks and panels. The event formed part of Game Republic’s annual event programme supported by its Official Partners Red Kite Games, Barclays Games and Creative and Xsolla.
The panel on Early Careers and starting out in the games industry was chaired by Game Republic’s Dr Jackie Mulligan and included Ian Goodall, CEO of Aardvark Swift, Lauren Sears, from Wushu Studios and Jordan Thorpe, Co-Founder and CEO of Snappy Gurus. Michela Vilinskis, a recent first class honours games graduate attended the event, and summarised her takeaways from the event.
The panel covered a number of topics surrounding early careers which included aspects like things that they might have done differently, transferable skills and preparation tips for graduates to help build success in their early careers. Here’s a few of the top takeaways …
What might you have done differently in your early career?
Ian Goodall opened the discussion by saying he wished he had sought investment earlier when building Aardvark Swift. This, he said, would have allowed him to achieve what he has today much faster — and possibly even more. His point highlighted the importance of exploring all available options and not being afraid to ask for help.
Jordan Thorpe offered a more personal insight, reflecting on the ever-present nature of imposter syndrome in the games industry. He noted that knowing this earlier might have helped him feel more confident starting out. Dr Jackie Mulligan summarized the point perfectly with a quote from Carrie Fisher:
“Stay afraid, but do it anyway. What’s important is the action. You don’t have to wait to be confident. Just do it and eventually the confidence will follow.”
This served as a strong reminder of the value of taking opportunities even when self-doubt creeps in.
How would you describe the current landscape for juniors entering the games industry?
Lauren Sears emphasized that graduates can still take important steps even in a challenging job market. She encouraged students to be proactive network on LinkedIn, connect with studios and recruiters, and apply early when roles open up. She also advised looking beyond the games industry to related fields that use similar technology and skills, warning against tunnel vision when job hunting.
“There are so many roles outside of development, just because you aren’t making games doesn’t mean you can’t be adjacently supporting them”- Lauren Sears, Wushu Studios
Ian added that the industry is in a transitional phase, with studios struggling and many experienced professionals flooding the job market. While this makes things more difficult for new graduates, he remains optimistic: the industry will stabilize, and with that, more opportunities will emerge.
The panel agreed unanimously on one thing: networking and feedback are essential. Engaging with professionals and seeking out constructive input can make all the difference.
What should graduates know to better prepare them for their early careers in games?
As a recent graduate himself, Jordan Thorpe spoke about the importance of building resilience. Feedback, he said, isn’t always what you want to hear — but learning to take it on board helps you grow in confidence, improve your skills, and become a better communicator. He stressed the value of asking questions and not being afraid to seek help.
Lauren added that game development is inherently an iterative process — meaning tasks are done repeatedly and refined over time. Understanding this, she said, helps graduates embrace repetition and learn from it. Ian added an insight about the importance of feedback
“Feedback is a gift, and that’s how it should be treated”- Ian Goodall
If you were graduating right now, what would you do next?
Jordan and Lauren shared several practical next steps: focus on making connections, ask for feedback, and above all, keep doing. Participate in game jams, keep your portfolio updated, and develop your soft skills — qualities that Lauren especially emphasized as being vital. Jackie further emphasised their points stating that feedback from studios often focused on a lack of soft skills being displayed which led to candidates being unsuccessful.
The panel concluded with an overarching message: Show your passion. Whether it’s your love for games, your creative skills, or your personal interests, showing genuine enthusiasm in your applications can help you stand out and get noticed.
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