posted April 10th, 2007 at 12:27 pm
for #6, would a roleplaying game system/universe (or expansion)/rulebook you’ve invented & playtested work as well?
posted April 10th, 2007 at 11:02 pm
Erik- an RPG system would fill that same need. I wouldn’t recommend you submit a 100-page sourcebook, as that’s probably too much content. You probably only need five-to-ten pages that explain how the system works, how combat and conflict is settled, and generally how the game is played. Of course it might be difficult to play a full-blown RPG at an interview.
A fiction writing sample is something I left off my list of portfolio items, but it’s a really nice bonus. It can be baked into any of the other portfolio items, or submitted by itself. Ideally you can show that you understand characters, settings and plot… and how they relate to gameplay.
For example, does the map you create for an existing game fit seamlessly into that game’s existing fiction? Or does it create its own little world, like you’re getting a peephole view into something much larger? Both are difficult to accomplish, and the people reviewing your work will recognize that. 
posted April 14th, 2007 at 5:18 pm
that is very good information ….
I’m also one of those guys who are trying to get into game design..and this info u provided will be of good help. and looking forward to see more of these..
and I’m currently trying for a place in the ‘daretobedigital’ game design competition. wish me luck 
posted April 15th, 2007 at 11:38 am
Best of luck with the contest! Sounds like a great way to get experience with deadlines, requirements, and a team. All important parts of the puzzle.
posted May 18th, 2007 at 1:28 pm
Thanks for the advice!
I was just woundering, as a games designer do you still get time to play games?
posted May 19th, 2007 at 11:31 pm
Ash- well, I make the time to play games. It’s usually late at night after I’m home from work and my wife has gone to bed, or playing handheld games on the train/bus to work. But we also often pull up games at work just to check out a mechanic, remind ourselves how something worked, or just for inspiration.
I also try to take my own advice about playing and thinking about games. I try to play as many games as possible, but when a “big game” comes out pretty much everyone on our design team gets it and plays it. A bunch of us play coop games together. It’s a little sick to work a 10+ hour day then go home and play online with the same people for another couple hours. But it’s still fun.
posted May 24th, 2007 at 6:48 pm
I appreciate the advice you post here about how to get into the game industry, I hadn’t thought to do…any of it. I saw you mentioned in an issue if EGM, and decided to look you up here. I wasn’t even interested in your newest game project (Stranglehold I believe.) But knowing your working on it, will make me turn a second glance to it. It’s much appreciated once again.
- Ryan.
posted May 28th, 2007 at 1:49 pm
With regard to the written game design, when you say “original” do you mean the story that it tells as well as the mechanics and such? Should I avoid proposing any kind of ‘licensed’ game or one that uses an existing IP. Say I had an idea for a game based on a comic or TV show?
Would having multiples of any of the things you list be bad, is it possible to have too much in the portfolio regardless of quality?
And when you say design a card game, do you mean using a normal 52 card, 4 house deck or something with cards of it’s own, like a collectible card game?
posted May 29th, 2007 at 10:51 pm
Well first off, when you apply for a job carefully read the instructions for submitting your portfolio. If a studio says to submit at least three map samples, absolutely make sure you have three samples in the format they want. The best way to get disqualified is to not follow their directions. Anything else you submit is gravy.
An easy way to “sneak” extra material into your portfolio is to put it all online. You can load a website full of as many design samples as you want, but only email in what the company specifically asks for. Any studio worth their salt will check out your website along with your submitted works, so make sure to include a URL with your resume.
The issue of submitting content based on your own original IP versus an established one is pretty complicated. Some studios won’t accept any original works, as they feel it puts them at legal risk. So again make sure to read what each studio is looking for in a portfolio submission. If you really want to submit a game concept based on an established IP, that’s fine, but I’d recommend you only send such ideas to the studio that owns the IP.
Applying to LucasArts with your great idea for a Halo spin-off, or to Bungie with an awesome Star Wars strategy game won’t do you much good. Showing that you know and love a company’s universe can be a feather in your cap, so long as you’re 100% OK with the possibility of your idea getting used with or without you. Just do your homework ahead of time, know who owns what, and submit accordingly.
As for the card game design, any old card game will do, be it based on a standard deck or one of your own creation. When you get invited for an interview bring along whatever’s needed to play the game, be it cards or dice. The studio might not ask to play your game, but you should be prepared for anything. They just might come in handy to show off some on-the-fly design skills, or help kill some time in-between interviewers.
posted June 12th, 2007 at 9:27 am
Excellent information!
Re: the sample small game - you mention that a simple 2D Flash game will do. I might be extrapolating this a bit, but would you say the “less is more” route is preferable (a simple, clean game that shows off your skill set but isn’t too fancy)? In terms of “wow” factor, is it good to be a show-off, or is that totally unnecessary if you have solid skills?
posted June 12th, 2007 at 11:33 pm
The most important thing is that the games in your portfolio are fun. If you can totally nail the fun part, then that’s awesome. But beyond that, put in as much wow as you have time and energy for. Even though we designers like to think we can be completely objective, we’re still human… which means we’re influenced by pretty things, shiny things, and things that sparkle. Oooohhh… sparkly.
But a word of warning, I’d much rather play a fun, simple game submitted than a game that’s fun, but doesn’t look pretty or professional. There’s a really fine line between something looking simple and “prototype-y” on purpose, and something looking unfinished. I think the “best” prototype graphics are the ones that almost look like a visual style of their own, like the Half-Life 2 “orange maps.” 
posted June 27th, 2007 at 10:55 am
thankyou so much, i have made a portfolio that consists of an unreal tournement GOTY (1999) level but will upgrade it to 2004, is it usefull to have a second portfolio showing the process incase asked?, and also my portfolio shows examples of my work in illustrator, photoshop, indesign and things like that, shall i keep them in or is it too much?
thankyou, i apreciate this help.
Laurence Berry, applying for university in UK.
posted July 2nd, 2007 at 12:32 am
I’d probably include the graphic design samples in your online portfolio, but not in an initial submission to a studio. Unless of course the position you’re applying for calls for graphic design.
posted August 6th, 2007 at 8:22 am
Thanks for the advice. Although your advice is pretty, simple and obvious in most cases eg, expectations of a “big boss man”. I’m beggining to believe that this whole industry is like a cult of some sort. Why cant I just go into the industry with my simple human instincs and original “un-corrupted mind” ? Cheers, Luke.
posted October 30th, 2007 at 4:53 pm
Thank for the advice Mr. Curry. This will really help me out in my never-ending pursuit to get into the gaming industry. I appreciate the help. By the way, I did not know that you helped make stranglehold. That is a great game! Keep on making great games. - Marlon
posted June 19th, 2008 at 8:27 pm
Hi! I was looking over your thoughts on portfolios, and it’s pretty helpful. I’m beginning my 8th quarter as a game design student at the Art Institute of Pitt, and I’m noticing that the portfolio that we must create is quite different from what you have suggested. There’s a massive list that includes game design docs, storyboards, extensive artwork consisting of life drawing, character concepts, props, creatures, environments, etc, character models fully unwrapped,textured and rigged, vehicle models, props, environments, various animations, and a final presentation consisting of a fight scene. However, amidst all this, there is no actual game required of us, and we aren’t required a board game either. My question is, with the amount of work we have required already, will it be sufficient enough to get in the industry?
posted June 20th, 2008 at 10:56 pm
Zak,
It sounds like your program’s portfolio is tailored towards artist jobs. This is awesome if you’re looking to work in the industry as an artist, and many studios need level designers that can not only make a fun level, but also make beautiful levels. If your goal is to apply for game design jobs right after school, I’d definitely recommend that you try to compliment your art portfolio with some level design samples, or anything else from the above lists I’ve mentioned.
Best of luck,
Patrick