Break Into Game Development: The Trends & Skills You Need to Succeed — Webinar

The video game landscape is moving fast. With global market revenues forecast to hit US$ 206.5 billion in 2028¹, the opportunities for aspiring game developers are massive, but so is the competition. 

If you are looking to launch a career in this dynamic field, passion for playing games is just the starting point. You need to understand where the business is going and what hiring managers are actually looking for.

In a recent Udemy webinar conducted by Deepak Thakral, VP of Product, three industry veterans shared their insider advice:

• Dan Amrich, Content Editor at Digital Eclipse.
• Dominion Eromosele, Lead Growth Manager at Carry1st.
• Anna Mostyn Williams, Senior Director of Publishing and Partnerships at Jagex.

Whether you are a coder, artist, or marketer, understanding current gaming industry trends and mastering the right skills is your gateway to success.

Four Key Gaming Industry Trends Opening New Career Paths

With all of the competition out there, you need to know what is keeping studio heads up at night. 

Here are four major gaming industry trends reshaping the workforce in this field, according to the experts:

1. AI Revolution 

Artificial Intelligence can feel overwhelming and scary, but experts advise viewing it as a tool rather than a threat. “AI should do mundane things for creative people, not creative things for mundane people”, says Dan Amrich. 

For aspiring developers, the key is learning how to set guardrails around these tools to maintain quality and originality while using them to speed up repetitive tasks.

2. The Discoverability Crisis 

The truth is standing out is harder than ever. Anna Mostyn Williams points out that while nearly 20,000 games were released on Steam last year, the majority of player time is spent on games that are over four years old. 

You aren’t just competing with other games; you are competing with TikTok and Netflix for attention. This trend drives a huge demand for professionals who understand community management and data-driven marketing.

3. Emerging Markets Explosion 

While some western markets are saturated, other regions are booming. Dominion “Dom” Eromosele highlights that the African gaming market is growing at six times the pace of the rest of the world. 

This isn’t just about selling games there; it is about a two-way exchange where talent and content from emerging markets go global. This opens paths for localization specialists and regional producers.

4. Style Over Realism 

For years, “great graphics” meant hyper-realism. However, Dom Eromosele shares a positive shift where players and developers realize games don’t need to look like “actual human beings” to be great. This “creative renaissance” allows indie studios and stylized artists to shine by focusing on unique aesthetics rather than just raw graphical fidelity.

The Importance of Gaming Industry Awareness

Being aware of gaming industry trends is not just about keeping up with the news; it is a critical career skill that differentiates successful professionals from the rest. Why? 

• Candidates who understand trends can explain why a product would work in a certain market based on previous precedents. This depth of knowledge sets them apart from others who possess similar technical or commercial skills but lack context.
• Ignoring trends like AI could leave you vulnerable to being replaced. Being aware of it allows you to set “guardrails” and use it as a tool to speed up your work, ensuring you remain relevant and efficient.
• It helps you identify business opportunities. For instance, if you know that markets like Africa are growing at 6x the pace of the rest of the world, you can pivot your focus to where the audience is actually growing, rather than competing in saturated markets.

Core Skills Every Gaming-Industry Professional Needs

Beyond technical know-how, what gets you hired? Take a look at the expert advice: 

• Problem-Solving & Adaptability

Game development is essentially a series of unpredictable problems. Hiring managers are looking for people who don’t melt down when things go wrong but instead work toward a positive solution.

• The “T-Shaped” Skill Profile

You need deep expertise in one area (the vertical bar of the T) but enough broad knowledge to empathize with other departments (the horizontal bar). For example, a writer who understands the basics of coding can communicate much better with engineers, creating empathy between departments. 

• Data-Driven Creativity

Even if you are an artist or writer, you cannot ignore the numbers. Dan Amrich learned at Ubisoft that “there is no ROI in being a nice guy”; you need data to back up your creative ideas to get leadership support.

Learn more about the skills needed for Video Game Development here: A Guide to Video Game Development: How to Get Started and Build a Career

Five Quick Tips to Break Into Game Development

Knowing the gaming industry trends is one thing; taking action is another. Here are five practical strategies from the experts to launch your game development career.

1. Build, Don’t Just Talk

The most common advice from the experts is simple: show, don’t tell. Dan Amrich recounts advice from a Call of Duty designer: “Don’t tell me your idea, let me play it”. A portfolio of completed, playable projects—even small ones—proves you can execute.

2. Participate in Game Jams 

If you lack experience, Game Jams are your fast track. Dom Eromosele transitioned from a career in environmental management to game development by doing jams every single weekend. In just two months, he had multiple playable titles with his name on them. It is the fastest way to build a portfolio and prove you can work in a team.

3. Strategic Networking 

Networking isn’t just about LinkedIn requests; it’s about genuine connection. Anna Mostyn Williams landed her start in the gaming industry by cold-calling contacts she knew from her film days and asking for an internship. Showing up to events and engaging in developer communities can lead to unexpected opportunities.

4. Technical Mastery: Deep vs. Broad 

Should you learn every engine? The consensus is to master one first. Dom Eromosele suggests gaining deep proficiency in an engine like Unity or Unreal to get your foot in the door. Once you are in, you can branch out. 

Dan Amrich adds that while specialists are valued, the ability to adapt and learn a new tool when a studio shifts direction is crucial.

Learn more about these engines here: Unity vs. Unreal: Which Game Engine is Best for You?

5. Document Your Process 

Don’t just show the final shiny product; show how you got there. Documenting your process—your iterations, your failures, and your solutions—demonstrates communication skills, which are vital for remote and cross-discipline teams.

Your Gaming Career Starts Now

The gaming industry is booming, but it rewards doers, not just dreamers. To succeed, you must combine a solid understanding of current gaming industry trends—like AI and emerging markets—with a relentless drive to build and learn.

As the experts highlight, you don’t need permission to start. Whether it is downloading a game engine, signing up for a Game Jam, or taking a course on Udemy to sharpen your skills, the best time to start building your portfolio is today.

Ready to level up your skills? Check out Udemy’s Game Developer Career Accelerator and start building your future in gaming. 

Sources

1. Global Games Market Report 2025. Newzoo. https://newzoo.com/resources/trend-reports/newzoo-global-games-market-report-2025