Personal Reflections on the Tabletop Games industry
Where do you want to work?
When it comes to the job I would like to do and the type of company i would like to work for, I would prefer to find work for an Independent studio for either Tabletop or videogames. I like the smaller scale of a team, I feel like you would have a much tighter relationship between your co workers and from what I have experienced in the small team projects we've done this year, I like feeling like my role actually matters. On top of this I feel that Indie teams cover more experimental projects and themes, They don't have those rigid styles that triple A companies tend to have and it means that I get to work on a variety of different things during my time working for the company, and on top of this it could offer me the opportunity to try roles outside of my main job role. I do understand however there isn't as much security in my role as there might be in a larger company, and that I might not earn as much as I would working in a company with a larger budget. For me personally though, I'm ok with not making reams of money, I enjoy doing something creative and seeing how I can contribute to a larger project, so sacrificing a larger pay for the opportunity to work on more unique projects is a good trade off for myself personally.
What role do you want to do?
The main role I would like to do is either a video game concept artist or an illustrator for Tabletop roleplaying games. This direction interests me as I enjoy making and playing roleplaying games in my free time and my favourite kind of art to make is art relating to worldbuilding and explaining all the details in a setting. From my experience of looking at many TTRPGS that are on the market, I feel that [aside from some very large titles such as Dungeons and dragons] a lot of TTRPG art explores a wide range of styles that isn't always that highly polished look that is seen in so many games, I really like this aspect and I would like to be able to stretch my artistic ability in the future by putting myself out of my comfort zone to try new styles and techniques. I like to work on a range of things at any one time, and this is why I think I would be better suited to concept art than splash art. Concept art allows me to make a lot of rougher more conceptual pieces that don't rely on me pouring hours and hours into one single art piece. I think for me, a major reason why I am now wanting to lean more towards tabletop games art rather than videogame art is I just don't have the experience in playing videogames like I do with tabletop games, It is something I am really passionate about and I hope my passion would help me in the future to make the sort of games I would like to play. I think the lack of experience in videogames means that I might have a harder time making assets for something that I don't really understand that well.
How many jobs are available to you in these roles, and where can you find them?
Looking at the tabletop games industry in comparison to the Videogame industry, I feel that it is probably much easier to get into TTRPG illustrating and publishing in comparison to the videogames industry. There is such a wide variety of examples of tabletop games out there that cover so many topics, and the teams making these types of games are usually small and likeminded. I think getting yourself involved with these circles at Networking events could certainly help my chances of getting into this industry, talking to some people at a recent event i attended, it seems TTRPG writers are always on the lookout for new artists, and so i think if i develop my style a bit more to make it more appealing this might also improve my chances of getting a job. Aside from networking events, Linkedin and Artstation are always a good place to look for jobs, though it is important to remember that concept art is a highly sought after role, and is generally difficult to get into so I will have to make myself known and build up an eye catching portfolio that will help promote myself. Although i would never want to make this my main form of income, I think the fact i have already started building a small business with my friend making roleplaying games is also a smart move, we aren't making anything major, just little passion projects, but talking to people at this event made me realize most of these individuals who now own their own businesses or are popular in this industry started out in the same way me and my friend are. They started doing just small things, attended events, made contacts, and through those contacts were able to find jobs that further spread their reach, this develops into more jobs, more reputation in the industry and eventually into them breaking through into popularity. I think this is really inspiring and hopeful to know that there is a possibility of getting a job in this industry.
Below are just a few listings for concept art jobs within the games industry, I was able to find these with just a quick search on Artstation and Linkedin.
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| Artstation Jobs |
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