As someone who's navigated the complex landscape of the gaming industry for years, from launching major titles in Southeast Asia to organizing large-scale esports events, I've observed a recurring pattern among talented managers. They often fall into the trap of silent competence, expecting their hard work to speak for itself. But in the fast-paced, highly competitive world of gaming, this approach rarely leads to the promotions they deserve.

The Common Pitfall: Silent Competence in the Gaming Industry

Many gaming industry professionals believe that if they work hard, meet their KPIs, be great teammates, and live the company values, promotions will naturally follow. While these are indeed important aspects of your job, they're often just the baseline expectations in our industry.

During my time at Riot Games, I saw numerous talented individuals who excelled in their roles but struggled to advance their careers. The gaming industry moves at lightning speed, with new technologies, trends, and challenges emerging constantly. In this environment, simply meeting expectations isn't enough to stand out.

The danger lies in assuming that your work speaks for itself. In reality, your superiors are often juggling multiple priorities and may not have the full picture of your contributions. This is especially true in larger gaming companies where your immediate manager might not be the only decision-maker in your career progression.

The Strategic Approach: Actively Championing Your Career

To truly advance your career in the gaming industry, you need to take a more proactive approach. Here's what I've seen work for successful professionals:

1. Tell your manager about your goal: Be clear about your career aspirations. During my career, I've had numerous conversations with team members who were surprised to learn about opportunities they could have been considered for if they had only expressed interest earlier.
2. Document how you are S-tier: Keep a record of your achievements, especially those that go above and beyond your job description. In the gaming industry, where projects often move quickly, it's easy for great work to be forgotten if it's not highlighted.
3. Demonstrate how you add value: Don't just do your job well; show how your work contributes to the bigger picture. Whether it's improving game mechanics, enhancing player experience, or streamlining development processes, make sure your impact is visible.
4. Say No to extra work that distracts you: This can be challenging in an industry known for its crunch culture, but it's crucial. Focus on tasks that align with your career goals and demonstrate your readiness for the next level.

Balancing Act: Focusing on Career-Advancing Work

Remember, not all work is created equal when it comes to career advancement. While it's important to be a team player, you need to be strategic about where you invest your time and energy.

1. Learn to say 'no': This doesn't mean becoming uncooperative. Rather, it's about prioritizing tasks that align with your career goals. When I was leading teams, I always respected team members who could articulate why certain tasks might not be the best use of their skills or time.
2. Align your efforts with promotion criteria: Understand what's valued at the next level in your organization. Is it technical expertise, leadership skills, innovation, or something else? Focus on developing and demonstrating these qualities.
3. Self-advocacy is key: In the gaming industry, where creativity and innovation are highly valued, don't be afraid to champion your unique contributions. Share your ideas, take initiative on projects that showcase your skills, and make sure your achievements are known.

Throughout my career in gaming, from my early days in advertising to launching major esports scenes, I've seen that those who actively manage their careers are the ones who tend to advance more quickly. They're not just doing their jobs well; they're strategically positioning themselves for the next level.

Remember, in the gaming industry, your career is like a game itself. You need to understand the rules, develop your skills, and strategically navigate challenges to level up. Don't just play the game - play it to win.

So, are you ready to take control of your career progression? Are you prepared to champion your contributions and not just your conformity? The gaming industry offers incredible opportunities for growth, but it's up to you to seize them.

And speaking of seizing opportunities - do you add eggs to your instant noodles? It's a small addition that can significantly enhance the experience, much like how these career strategies can elevate your professional journey.

If you're feeling stuck and unsure how to work your way up to that next promotion, don't hesitate to reach out. Your next career level-up might be just a conversation away. After all, in the world of gaming, sometimes the best power-ups come from unexpected places!