Thinking outside of the box as a Unity Dev ?

Hi everyone !

I'm writing this message because I'm a bit stuck as a Unity dev right now. If sharing this can help me or anyone else...

It's been around 2 years i'm using Unity now. First through some internships, then after I got my degree, in a real job's project for a year.
Here is the thing, I've been working exclusively for services company. They were delivering VR/AR applications for clients, nothing related to video games.
I must say I like the idea to use Unity to develop non-game experiences. Unfortunately, jobs like that are pretty rare.

Few years back, I could have chosen to work as a C# .Net dev, maybe I would have more job opportunities now...
But I love working on Unity, the environment, the C# language, I just enjoy it. I believe I specifically chose Unity because I like the artistic aspect of it, even as a programmer.
I've been through low level programming (assembly, C) during my studies but I didn't like it much. I like the fact that as a Unity dev I have a direct impact in a 3D/2D environment and instant feedback. Nothing too abstract, if you see what I mean.

So now I'm not a game dev, and I can't find a job as a "non-game dev" while using Unity.
For a game studio my portfolio is too empty. For a C# .Net job my skills in .Net is pretty limited.
Does any of you guys make a living with unity without being a game dev? Is that something doable without being programmer/designer/graphist at the same time?
Is it possible to be a professional unity dev and think outside of the box to make new projects ?

Thanks if you've read all of this crap.

Cheers,

Chefty

P.S. If you can relate to this story, some feedback would be appreciated

 

maybe try unity other uses like ar/vr and arcitectual engineering?

 

I did try that, most of my professional experiences are from VR/AR app development on Unity. Like I said, there is not many job offer...

 

Do you have a nice big portfolio?

Otherwise you should keep broadening your skillset, doing assets games etc. When that job does get discovered by you, you want to have the skills they can't say no to.

 

Thanks for replying guys,
Unfortunately, my portfolio is pretty sad to see... just two small unity games.
I see what you mean, and I'm working on it. However, my original question still remain: can we make a living without being a game dev in Unity? I there some famous unity projects out there which aren't video games?
Maybe I was hoping some people would testify.
Sorry if I my first message was unclear...

 

i see lots of jobs for XR+Unity (non game related), i'd guess it would be easy to get work on that field..
and personally have worked on enterprise/b2b unity apps (xr, mobile apps, desktop apps, simulators) over 10 years..

 

The company where I work creates software now using Unity, purely non-game based applications. We talk to a webapi, print via star printers, take credit card payments via handheld card machines - all via unity. However, when I joined the company 7 years ago they were using winform / wpf, and we have since moved to Unity, after I pushed for it and proved it would work in one app, we now use it for all our software.

However I would be in the same boat as you if I were to ever move jobs.

 

Everything I have come across is counter to the points you make. I work in the AR/VR/XR non-games industry using unity as my day job as senior developer, and there are more jobs for AR/VR/XR unity than any other type when doing searches in UK. Almost every company and its dog need developers with that skillset. I definately do not agree that there are "few jobs" in this field.

You need a portfolio, you need a clear and concise CV, you need some sort of accessible github with examples of good production quality code, but this is the same with all jobs. If you have those, then your main issue is finding the jobs and you should start by contacting recruiters. If your just doing job searches yourself then you will find few to none as most of these companies use recruitment agencies so their vacancies are not often public.

Source: looking for my next job myself at the moment and so far after 1 day searching I have been contacted by 3 recruiters with 7 different roles. Last time I was looking a couple years ago was much the same, and since then the market for AR/XR/VR has grown a lot.

To answer your question, yes you can make a living without being a game dev and I have been doing it since the moment I left university right up until now without any issues finding jobs. I am certain once you actually get a decent portfolio together, that you will find jobs too. But start by talking to recruiters, its their job to find you good roles. Dont leave the searching to yourself.

 

Yeah I know a ton of people using Unity without any form of game development. They do things from database stuff, to simulators, all sorts. Half of them haven't used Unity before, and are hired from various places.

They're just damn good developers, all-round problem solvers. I'd say a lot of them do not have engine-specific bias.

But why are you targeting non-game jobs and restricting yourself to just one (usually game) engine? What logic is there in this?

 

@mgear and @AshleyBates and @GameDevCouple_I thanks for the those messages, that's some good motivation.
However, @GameDevCouple_I I fear we're not facing the same job market. It sounds like UK could be an exception. I'm now searching in France but also in Berlin and I don't find so many opportunities as you said. I do search myself (linkedin job, glassdoor, indeed, monster, etc.). I'm also getting regularly in touch with recruiters but whenever I'm mentioning Unity they are talking video game jobs...
Knowing you've been building a carrier on this reassure me. I'm still a rookie, and I've been graduated a year ago, but I'll try to fill up my portfolio/github with good stuff ASAP.

 

@hippocoder I would not claim to be such a good developer.
I've always wanted to avoid to work in game industry because of the many prejudice it has. Most of the game dev I met told me about the "you work for passion, not money" mindset often present in this work. Which can lead to extreme work conditions (another debate). Apart from that, I would like to try. But as you said before, I need to add some project to my portfolio to compete in this world.
About other game engines, I just have a good feeling with Unity. I prefer just to focus on it to increase my skill and knowledge.

 

I have a lot of family in france as I am quater french, and have a house there. No the market is no different, lots of my friends and family have found jobs in france with unity with ease. You really just need to get a good portfolio together.

If recruiters are talking about video games, then apply to those jobs and keep trying with new recruiters. I cant understand why you are looking for unity jobs but turning down game opportunities. Take everything that comes your way and at least 1 interview eventually will lead to a job opportunity.

This isnt meant to sound mean but: If you have a negative perspective like that you are not going to get very far. You wont get a job by constantly saying "I dont have the experience, or portfolio or X for that". Do what you can to get ready and then go for it. If it fails, keep trying while you use what you learned to improve your chances next time.

What, you think I walked out of university with no unity experience and just found a job easily? It took the same dedication I describe above, and not once was I hurting my chances by telling myself "I cant get that job because of XYZ reason"

What you said about the conditions and prejudice in games industry is mostly based on a very old working model that most studios have moved away from. At this point it sounds like you are making excuses when you should be going for it, let the experience determine that, not what you have "heard". If you dont work in the industry, why are you coming up with reasons not to work there? Try it and then decide. Or dont get a job in unity. This middle ground where you want a (first!) job in unity but are being selective is not going to work out.