How to Start in Game Development: Advice From Ubisoft Philippines

Your Skills Can Transfer. Your Portfolio Has to Show How.

In an interview after a tour of the Taguig office, Ubisoft Philippines‘ representatives discussed what they look for in aspiring developers and how to get started. Their advice places practical skills and portfolios ahead of having a conventional games-industry background.

Careers, craft and conversations with developers

Follow interviews and practical reporting from people working across the games industry.

Start Small, Practice, And Build A Portfolio

Jam Gatan, the studio’s HR manager for talent management, said a portfolio is the starting point. Aspiring developers should also follow Ubisoft Philippines‘ social channels, since opportunities appear there regularly, and keep working on their skills. She pointed out that there is plenty of learning content online, and the advice is simple: “practice your craft,” do what needs to be done, and the doors will stay open.

The studio is also open about backgrounds. Gatan said Ubisoft Philippines cares less about where candidates come from than about where they want to go and the kind of person they want to become. She added that giving back is part of the studio’s culture, with regular chances for people to engage with the team.

Art Director JP Tan acknowledged that the amount of knowledge and skills involved in game development can feel overwhelming. His advice is to “start small,” focus on whatever passion you have, and turn it into practical experience and examples, which is exactly what the studio looks for in candidates and applicants.

Every Discipline Has A Place

You do not have to be a game developer already. Tan said the studio looks for transferable skill sets that can carry into game development, and for people whose skills fit the team, whether they are a modeler, a texture artist, a technical artist, or a project manager. Passion and problem-solving are the core skills, he said, and with both you can succeed in the games industry.

That range matches the studio itself. Ubisoft‘s careers page says the Taguig studio has more than 100 people across art, design, programming, animation, quality assurance, and other roles, and it has an Interns and Graduates section for people just starting out.

What Working At The Studio Looks Like

The same page lists health coverage, life insurance, and dental and optical packages, along with growth options like overseas training, in-house mentorship, and fully paid online courses. Perks include an on-site arcade, gaming areas, and a studio-wide esports tournament.

Where to Look for Opportunities

To find current opportunities, applicants can check Ubisoft‘s advertised vacancies and its Interns and Graduates information. Ubisoft states that it does not accept open applications, so prospective candidates should follow the listings for roles suited to their skills.

For more about Ubisoft Philippines‘ contributions to games, read our earlier report on the Filipino developers behind Assassin’s Creed Black Flag Resynced.

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