[deangiberson]

I was a game developer for various AAA studios for many years and did many, many interviews for new hires. The number one thing that companies will look for is knowledge (you will be tested on this) the next is drive (you have to show that the company should take a chance on you). These things are no different than any other job.

Luckily there is a very simple thing you can do to hone the first and show the second. Make a game. Don't piddle around with an engine, don't read and talk about how you could do this and that if you were given a chance. Make a game. Make it small and completable. There is not a single thing stopping you from just making a game.

Find a genre you like and make a clone, then extend one area with a new idea. Or a clone that show you understand a specific technical area. Or create a mod for an existing game, hack new functionality into Minecraft, or change a control scheme in Half-Life. Just make something you can show, then show it.

A point though, you will find it easier if you pick an area to specialize in. Saying you want to get into the games industry is like saying you want to play in a band. What instrument do you play?

Most game studios don't hire many generalists without experience. So pick one area that you are willing to work at for 3-5 years and double-down. Then find a way to show 1) you've done your homework at a base level 2) are willing to sit-down and do the work.