When I was first starting out in games, I felt a constant, low-level dread every time I showed up to a meetup. I would see a vast ocean of other composers and sound designers, all of whom were more skilled/experienced than me, and all of whom were finding work without a problem.
This problem just got worse when I went to bigger and bigger conferences and meetups and I saw just how insanely skilled and talented everyone else was globally. It felt like the field was just insanely competitive and there was no chance to stand out.
But here's the thing: while the field is definitely saturated, and there are lots of audio designers out there, and it takes forever to break in to the field, I wouldn't necessarily say it's as horribly competitive as many believe.
Here's Why The Game Audio Field Isn't As Competitive We May Think
While there may indeed be a trillion audio designers out there, very few actually focus on doing the tough, but necessary long-term actions that are needed to have an actual career in the field.
These are actions like:
Actually practicing their game audio craft regularly
Sharing their work (in a way that doesn't lead to begging for a job)
Talking to people in and out of their niche (again, without begging for a job)
Finding mentors and teachers to keep learning from, even after they become a full-time pro
Learning to run a business
Learning how to negotiate and actually earn a fair income
Building a mindset that makes them okay with losing jobs, dealing with rejection, and the down moments in their careers
Working on small personal projects to learn new skills
Staying sane (you'd be surprised how many talented people tank their careers through their own self-destructive behavior)
Perhaps most importantly, being incredibly patient with their results. A good creative career takes many years to build.
This may all sound pretty straightforward, and you may even be thinking "...but I do all of that..." Well, my friend, if you do indeed take all of these actions, you are in the top 1%. Just keep going. Over time, you'll stand out just through your sheer consistency.
Alas, this isn't easy
As "simple" as this may sound, breaking into any sort of artistic field isn't easy. It takes a lot of work, a lot of luck, and, most importantly, a lot of patience.
The best clients are constantly looking for the sane, stable people who do all of the above (and more). The thing is, though, very few people truly commit themselves to doing what they can to advance their careers. It's not about destroying yourself doing everything all the time, but about doing what you can with whatever you have access to.
Talk to anyone who's hired in the past, and you'll find that they have a very hard time finding someone to bring on to their team - despite the number of audio people out there. There are plenty of skilled people, but among them, how many are able to work well on a team over the course of years?
As a result, the competition isn't nearly as fierce as we're led to believe. While 1000 people may apply for an audio job, only a bare handful are self-motivated, skilled, and sane enough to really see a project through.
It's simple, but it's not easy. More often than not, having some sort of guide/community to walk you through these processes can help keep you on track. I was very lucky to have my fellow students at Berklee to learn from, as well as my professors to demonstrate how to be a professional in the field. Hopefully, my resources and courses can be a small way to help guide you as well.
Don't Let Saturation Discourage You
Focus on consistent growth, both in your craft and as a pro. Build relationships, stay patient, and keep showing up. Do this, and you'll find yourself rising above the crowd, not through cutthroat competition, or even being "the best", but by being the reliable, skilled professional that this industry desperately needs.
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