10 Teams, 7 Consistent Quarters
Enrichment
Gold Level
First HomeTeam Git Commit
This refers to making a change to remote team project files. HomeTeam's Quick Start Onboarding includes a demonstration video for how to do this.
HomeTeam Code/Blueprint Credit
Made a creditable code contribution to a HomeTeam project. Could be Unity C#, JavaScript, Unreal C++, or GodotScript. Doesn't need to be major, but it's also not just a tiny tweak or fix.
HomeTeam Art or Audio Credit
Contributed art and/or audio to HomeTeam game. Includes 2D or 3D, sound or music. Sometimes referred to as asset creation in industry, but we don't love that term.
HomeTeam Design or Writing Credit
Level or puzzle design, in-game dialog or opening story sequences, or related aspects of building out and communicating the world to the player.
Met with a Support Trainer for Project Help
Scheduled personalized help or lessons related to HomeTeam projects with specialists who have industry background or relevant teaching experience.
Consistent Contributor / 1x Game Changer
Participated on HomeTeam projects at least 8 of the 13 weeks in a quarter. No one gets assigned work in HomeTeam, so this involves being proactive.
2 Quarters Consistent Contributor
Participated on HomeTeam projects at least 8 of the 13 weeks in a quarter for two quarters, for a half year total (not necessarily consecutive).
4 Quarters Consistent Contributor
Participated on HomeTeam projects at least 8 of the 13 weeks in a quarter for two quarters, for an entire year total (not necessarily consecutive).
8 Quarters Consistent Contributor
Participated on HomeTeam projects at least 8 of the 13 weeks in a quarter for two quarters, for 2 years total (not necessarily consecutive).
12 Quarters Consistent Contributor
Participated on HomeTeam projects at least 8 of the 13 weeks in a quarter for two quarters, for 3 years total (not necessarily consecutive).
16 Quarters Consistent Contributor
Participated on HomeTeam projects at least 8 of the 13 weeks in a quarter for two quarters, for 4 years total (not necessarily consecutive).
Credits on 15+ HTGD Games
Contributed on over 15 released HomeTeam games, including in smaller roles. May reflect a preference for variety, supporting others, or specialization.
Created Educational Content
Some experienced members pass on what they've learned by writing ebooks, giving video talks, hosting workshops, etc. Most tend to keep these materials internal among members.
Role Improving HTGD Community for Others
Directly improved the developer community. Includes Community Ambassadors, hosting weekly coworking for a game, establishing a new group, or finding a role as part of the offical Support Team.
4 Non-Lead Core Team Roles
Career
Silver Level
Main Non-Lead Role on 2+ Games
Core contributor, other than the lead, on 2+ games - in HomeTeam, so freeware created on 2-6 month schedules and released, not jams or unfinished.
Target Job Description Identified
Identified one or more job descriptions they weren't yet qualified for to use as a checklist to focus what they work on next.
Main Non-Lead Role on 4+ Games
One of the few core contributors for at least 4 released HomeTeam games. Games aren't counted for this if they were involved in a smaller way, or if they were the lead.
Portfolio Prepared and Reviewed
Met with the Lead Trainer Chris, typically several times, to develop and/or refine their related online portfolio.
Main Non-Lead Role on 6+ Games
One of the few core contributors for at least 6 released HomeTeam games, not including if they were the lead on the game.
LinkedIn Cleanup and Review
Met with the Lead Trainer Chris to arrange, clean up, and strategically position themselves with LinkedIn.
Met with Adv. Career Trainer
Met with one of HomeTeam's Advanced Career Trainers, either for a studio path (Rob Coble, formerly Full Sail) or indie (Jake Birkett, 2 decades indie).
Applied to 4 Related Jobs
Applying to 4 isn't enough to find a role, but it is enough to get past overthinking picking a first one expecting it to work, and sufficient momentum to continue applying.
Attended Meetup (External)
Most major cities have periodic gatherings of game developers, but especially post-pandemic some of these can still be found happening remotely.
Attended Conference (External)
Attended a conference with an industry focus. GDC is the major one, but there are others elsewhere. PAX can be, depending on what someone does there.
Related Degree, Bootcamp, Career Credential
Not required for HomeTeam or all industry openings. For people who have it we know it can be an advantage for the career search.
Games Event or Community Organizer
Involved in making events happen that celebrate gamedev or brings gamedevs together. Includes GDC CAs, meetup hosts, local IGDA board, etc.
Got a Gig or Industry Job (External)
Landed a freelance or a employee role related to game development. For details refer to this person's LinkedIn page or custom portfolio site.
Gave an Event Talk (External)
Gave a presentation at an industry event. This doesn't need to be an in-person event, for a full hour (a lighting talk counts), and we include other formats, such as being part of a panel.
Not a HTGD Team Lead (yet?)
Leadership
Bronze Level
Met with Lead Trainer
Met with HomeTeam's founder about charting a path forward and/or preparing to lead a remote team project.
Pitched a Remote Team Game to Lead
Made a prototype, set a schedule, did a presentation, and coordinated remote teammates. If this page doesn't indicate any releases yet, then they're still leading their first game.
Led 1 Released HTGD Game
Released an original freeware game on a 2-6 month schedule with 3-20 contributors.
Led 2 Released HTGD Games
Pitched and led to release at least 2 freeware games on 2-6 month schedule with 3-20 contributors.
Led 3 Released HTGD Games
Pitched and led to release at least 3 freeware games on 2-6 month schedule with 3-20 contributors.
Led 4 Released HTGD Games
Pitched and led to release at least 4 freeware games on 2-6 month schedule with 3-20 contributors.
Led a 2.0 (Built on Past Release)
To better practice polish and world building some leads choose to pitch a new project atop key parts of one that they already released.
Co-Led a Remote Team Project
Experienced members can choose to lead a project together, which comes with a mix of new advantages and tradeoffs.
300+ Web Plays on 1 Game Led
Itch analytics confirm a web playable game this member led in HomeTeam got over 300 plays. This puts it in the top 10% of HomeTeam games.
50+ Downloads on 1 Game Led
Lower than the web play goal since it's hard to get people to run native builds anymore. Itch analytics confirm a a game this member led in HomeTeam had over 50 downloads.
Industry Festival Submission (External)
Prepared a game for submission to a festival such as IndieCade or IGF, and went through with it. This can include games members make together outside of HomeTeam's framework.
Press/Review Coverage for a Game
A game they led in HomeTeam was featured in an article or video review. For example, Nethercard Kingdom, led by Kornel in HomeTeam, was in PCGamer.
Led a Game in a Showcase (External)
The game submitted for a public or industry was selected to be shown at IndieCade, IGF, etc. This can include games members make together outside of HomeTeam's framework.
Led a Non-HomeTeam Game Team
Served as the lead on a game made outside of HomeTeam. This doesn't apply to solo projects, though team jams or group school projects fit.