This post was originally written in Italian by Paolo Gambardella. It has been translated by an AI agent and may contain inaccuracies.
Breaking into an industry from the outside has become incredibly hard. And that goes doubly for games, especially if you’re not in a geographically convenient spot — far from London, Montreal, Amsterdam, or whatever hub happens to be hot right now.
Dreaming is fine. But you have to be practical.
The best way to find work is to already have some. A portfolio that speaks for itself, a real project to show, a recognisable voice. If you don’t have work, you have to make your own.
Sitting there sending out CVs and waiting for replies isn’t a strategy. It’s a way of feeling busy while actually standing still. You’re better off using that time to work on a personal project: a prototype, a public write-up, a series of posts — something that actually exists in the world.
The periods when you can’t get your foot in the door are periods to use, not to endure. Develop your voice. Build things. Talk about what you’re learning.
It’ll matter later. Trust me.