Building a Game Dev Portfolio That Gets You Hired

March 13, 2025

Game devs with strong portfolios are 3x more likely to land interviews. Your resume? Forget that. Your portfolio shows what you can do. This article provides the blueprint for a game dev portfolio that demands attention.

Understanding the Purpose of a Game Dev Portfolio

A portfolio isn’t a dump of work; it’s a laser-focused presentation of your skills. Employers use it to quickly size you up and see if you’re a fit.

Portfolios are essential: they prove you can walk the walk. A resume lists skills; a portfolio shows them.

What are employers looking for? Relevant skills, problem-solving, and a grasp of game dev principles. They want to see you can handle the heat.

Tailor your portfolio. A programmer’s portfolio looks different from an artist’s. Be a specialist.

A portfolio is professional. A personal website? That’s for cat photos. Keep your portfolio tight.

Choosing the Right Projects to Showcase

Focus on quality. Showcase your best work, even if it’s just a few projects.

Prioritize quality. Include only projects you’re proud of. Stuff that makes you look good.

Select relevant projects. Align your projects with the job you want. Show them you’ve got what they need. A photograph of a winding river carving its way through a vibrant green valley under a clear blue sky

Balance personal and collaborative work. Show you can work solo and play well with others.

Work-in-progress projects? Use them sparingly. Focus on polished aspects and label them clearly. Honesty works.

Presenting Your Work Effectively

Presentation is everything. Make sure your portfolio is visually appealing. Make sure your portfolio is easy to navigate.

Use high-quality visuals. Clear screenshots and videos. Make your work shine.

Write concise descriptions. Focus on the technical and design challenges you tackled. Keep it brief.

Highlight your role. State your responsibilities in team projects. No credit hogs.

Provide context. Explain the project’s goals, tools, and challenges. Set the stage. A photograph of a detailed, moss-covered rock face in a tranquil forest with dappled sunlight

Structuring Your Portfolio for Maximum Impact

Structure is key. A messy portfolio is a turn-off. Make it easy for employers to find what they need.

Choose the right platform. Personal website? Online service? PDF? Pick what works. GitHub Pages and ArtStation are good options. A comprehensive game development platform like Wayline can also help you streamline your workflow.

User-friendly layout. Clean and intuitive. Don’t make them hunt.

Optimize for different devices. Desktop and mobile. Everyone’s on their phone.

Include a clear call to action. Contact info and a link to your resume. Make it easy to hire you.

With the structure in place, the next step is to fill it with content tailored to your specific role. If you’re unsure where you fit in the game dev landscape, maybe understanding What Does a Game Dev Really Do? will help you decide.

Showcasing Specific Skills by Discipline

Tailor it.

Programmer: Code samples, GitHub repos, and solutions to technical problems. Show clean, efficient code.

Artist: Character models, environments, UI, and animations. Make it visually stunning. If you’re looking for quality assets to showcase your skills or even use in your projects, consider checking out a resource like Strafekit. For example, showcasing your texturing skills on a model like Buto could really make your portfolio stand out.

Designer: Game design documents, level designs, and gameplay prototypes. Prove you can design a fun experience.

Audio Designer: Sound effects, music, and interactive audio implementation. Make it sound amazing. A photograph of a vast, sandy desert landscape at sunset, with long shadows stretching across the dunes

Getting Feedback and Iterating on Your Portfolio

Your portfolio is never “done.” Keep improving it.

Share your portfolio on platforms like r/gamedev on Reddit, The GameDev.tv Discord server, or Polycount forums to get targeted feedback.

Solicit specific feedback. Ask targeted questions. Is this easy to understand?

Analyze website analytics. See what’s working. Numbers don’t lie.

Continuously update. Add new projects and skills. Stay current.

Common Portfolio Mistakes to Avoid

Don’t screw this up. Avoid these common mistakes.

Irrelevant or outdated projects. Only include your best work. Kill the rest.

Lack of context. Explain your contributions. Don’t make them guess.

Low-quality or unfinished work. Polish everything. First impressions matter.

Typos and errors. Proofread. Twice. Nothing says “unprofessional” like a typo.

A portfolio is important, but it’s not everything. Networking is also key to landing your dream job.

Beyond the Portfolio: Networking and Online Presence

Actively participate in relevant online communities. LinkedIn and other platforms are also important. Build a professional presence.

Attend industry events. Meet people. Shake hands. Make connections.

Contribute to open-source projects. Get experience and visibility. Give back.