Talent Play Zone - Issue 15 🎮
Rejection Isn’t the End; It’s Part of Your Story
Welcome to the 15th issue of Talent Play Zone! Hey there, it’s Matteo!
Maybe you’ve heard "no" recently.Maybe you’re still waiting for your first opportunity.Maybe you’re already working in the gaming industry and feeling stuck.
Wherever you are, you're not alone.You’re not wasting your time.You are building something real.
Today’s issue isn’t about hype.It’s about real support you can actually use.
When You Hear "No," It Doesn’t Mean You’re Not Good Enough
A rejection can feel personal, but it often has nothing to do with your talent.
Ubisoft receives around 15,000 applications every month.
Electronic Arts moves about 2% of applicants to final interviews.
Supercell rejects about 99% of candidates, often for reasons that have nothing to do with skills.
You are not being rejected because you are not good enough.It’s about timing, fit, and many hidden factors you’ll never see.
If you didn’t make it this time, it doesn’t mean you failed.It means the right fit is still ahead.
What to Do Right After a Rejection
Feel it.Let yourself be disappointed, but don’t let it define you!
Write down what you learned.Every application improves your story, your skills, and your resilience.
Ask for feedback if you can.Even one honest comment can change everything.
Take action.Apply again within a few days.Keep your momentum alive.
Rejection isn’t wasted, It’s TRAINING!
Proof That the Greatest Faced Rejection Too
FromSoftware almost had Demon’s Souls cancelled. It was considered too strange, too hard, and unlikely to succeed.It later sold over one million copies and launched an entire genre.
Epic Games was close to shutting down in 2011.Fortnite Battle Royale, originally a side project, saved the company and generated over $20 billion.
Nintendo rejected Shigeru Miyamoto’s early game concepts.Donkey Kong, created out of necessity, ended up changing gaming forever.
Their journeys were not clean, easy, or perfect.Neither is yours. And that’s not a weakness, it’s YOUR strength!
If You’re Still Waiting for Your First Break, Here’s How to Keep Moving!
Breaking into games can take six months to two years after school.You are not behind. You are not invisible.
Here’s how to stay in motion:
Join a game jam like Global Game Jam or Ludum Dare.
Share your projects, even if they’re small.
Help out on mod projects, many careers started this way.
Keep learning tools that studios actually use.
You’re not just waiting.You’re preparing.
Every skill, every project, every small step counts!
If You’re Already in the Industry and Feel Stuck, You’re Not Alone
Even after getting in, many people feel invisible, unsure, or stalled.
65% of gaming professionals report feeling "stuck" between two and five years into their careers.
It’s not a sign you’re failing.It’s a sign you’re growing.
Ways to move forward:
Set small goals you can actually reach within months.
Keep your portfolio alive, even when you’re busy.
Network beyond your team.
Teach someone else. Sharing your knowledge helps you grow faster.
You are still leveling up, EVEN when it feels quiet!
The Industry Is Changing and It Needs People Like You
The gaming industry is expected to reach $321 billion by 2026.
Studios are no longer just hiring from "perfect paths."They are looking for adaptability, curiosity, and fresh perspectives.
You don’t have to fit someone else’s blueprint.You have to keep moving, learning, and showing up.
Your story, your background, and your ideas, they matter now more than ever!
You’re Not Walking This Road Alone
Rejection isn’t the end of your story. It’s part of it.
Every tough moment is shaping your resilience, sharpening your skills, and preparing you for the next opportunity.You are not falling behind. You are becoming ready.
If there’s one thing I hope you take from today, it’s this: your journey is still unfolding, even when it feels slow!
What’s new in the gaming industry?
Why Andor Season 2 Feels So Personal (And Why It Matters)
I just finished the first three episodes of Andor Season 2, and it’s powerful.
More than a Star Wars series, Andor reminds us what real resistance looks like; the sacrifices, the struggles, and the courage it takes to stand for something greater.It’s messy, human, and deeply personal.
What I appreciate most is how it refuses to simplify the story.It shows that rebellion isn’t easy or clean, but it’s necessary.
If stories have the power to inspire change, Andor is a masterclass.
3 Million Souls Haunted by Phasmophobia
Kinetic Games' ghost-hunting simulator Phasmophobia has surpassed 3 million copies sold on consoles as of April 2025.
The game launched on PlayStation 5, PSVR2, and Xbox Series X/S in October 2024, quickly gaining popularity among console players after originally finding success on PC.
This console sales milestone adds to Phasmophobia’s already strong overall performance, with over 22 million copies sold across all platforms by early 2025.
The announcement was part of a brief update from GamesIndustry.biz, highlighting the game's continued momentum and success in the multiplayer co-op horror genre.
Source: GamesIndustry.biz
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
A Stunning Debut Full of Hope and Defiance
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, the debut RPG from Sandfall Interactive, tells a powerful story of resilience in a world where no one lives past 33.As humanity faces inevitable loss, the 33rd expedition sets out to break the cycle. They may not survive, but they fight to leave something behind for those who will.
Blending Belle Époque-inspired art, emotional storytelling, and a creative real-time turn-based combat system, Clair Obscur offers a haunting and unforgettable experience about legacy, sacrifice, and hope.
Even if the final act stumbles slightly, the heart, beauty, and ambition of this debut shine through and leave a lasting impression.
Source: Polygon
Fun Fact
What’s Coming Next?
In the next issue, we’ll dive into impostor syndrome, why it shows up when you're doing important work, and how to keep moving forward even when you don’t feel “good enough.”
We’ll cover:• How to recognize impostor syndrome before it stops you• Practical ways to rebuild confidence when doubt creeps in• Why your voice, skills, and story already belong in this industry
What’s one thing you wish you knew before your last application?I’d love to hear your story, your doubts, your wins, all of it.
Your next breakthrough is closer than you think. Keep moving forward.
Catch you in two weeks!
