Question 1

What is Mashak?

Accepted Answer

Mashak is the platform and professional community for Jewish game developers worldwide. It's where you find game dev jobs, studio profiles, game jams and meetups, professional articles, and indie creators showcasing their work. The platform is free and open to anyone working in game development: programmers, artists, designers, producers, composers, students, and QA.

Question 2

How do I find game development jobs?

Accepted Answer

Mashak's job board aggregates active gamedev positions across the global Jewish game dev community, from three-person indie studios to large mobile companies. Filter by role (programming, art, design, audio, production), technology (Unity, Unreal), location (remote, or on-site hubs like Tel Aviv and Haifa), and experience level. Outside the platform: follow local game dev groups, join active Discord servers, and show up at meetups. Many roles get filled before they go public.

Question 3

Which studios make games in the Jewish gamedev community?

Accepted Answer

Major studios in the community include Playtika, Moon Active (Coin Master), Plarium, TabTale, Crazy Labs, ILYON, Papaya Gaming, and console/PC studios like Playside, Studio Cradle, and Tailwind. Many of them are based in Israel, one of the community's largest hubs. Alongside the big players are dozens of indie studios worldwide building original projects. Mashak's company directory lists them all with info on culture, size, and open roles.

Question 4

How much do game developers earn?

Accepted Answer

Compensation depends on role, experience, and company size. In Israel, one of the community's largest hubs, a junior programmer at a mid-sized gaming company typically starts around ₪15–20k/month, a mid-level engineer ₪22–32k, and senior/lead roles ₪35–55k and up. Artists and designers track similar ranges with more spread. Large mobile companies (Playtika, Plarium, Moon Active) tend to pay more than indie. Many Mashak listings show salary ranges openly.

Question 5

Where can I find game jams?

Accepted Answer

Plenty of them. Global Game Jam runs every January/February with hubs worldwide, including Tel Aviv, Haifa, Jerusalem, and Beer Sheva. Alongside that there are local jams run by IGDA chapters, design schools, and holiday-themed events. Mashak tracks them all at /game-jams, the fastest way to find the next jam and meet potential teammates.

Question 6

Where can I learn game development?

Accepted Answer

Several paths depending on level and style. In Israel, one of the community's largest hubs, options include a game design B.A. at Shenkar or HIT, animation and digital art at Bezalel, programming tracks with game specializations at HackerU, Elevation Academy, and SV College, and international campuses like Full Sail. For self-learners, Mashak's community runs peer mentoring and active Discord servers, plus there's a growing Hebrew-language YouTube ecosystem covering Unity and Unreal.

Question 7

Can I work remotely in gamedev?

Accepted Answer

Yes, and the share has grown since 2020. Most large companies offer hybrid models (2–3 in-office days a week), and some indie studios are fully remote. Remote roles are marked on Mashak's job board, and you can also filter via /jobs/remote. Contractors also have plenty of opportunities with companies worldwide looking to hire from across the community.

Question 8

Do I need Hebrew to work in gamedev?

Accepted Answer

It depends on the company. Most large mobile studios work in English, partly because teams are international and partly because the products target global markets. Studios based in Israel usually speak Hebrew day-to-day, but code docs and player-facing work are in English. English speakers can absolutely find roles, especially at companies with global products. Olim (immigrants) working in this industry is very common.

Question 9

How do I build a network in gamedev?

Accepted Answer

The community is close-knit and people know each other, so investing in relationships pays off. Showing up to meetups (IGDA chapters, Unity nights, studio events), participating in game jams, and keeping an active LinkedIn portfolio all work. Mashak concentrates the global Jewish dev community in one place: a member directory, regional groups, and public profiles. That means recruiters can find you even when you're not actively looking.

Question 10

What's the most popular engine among Jewish game developers?

Accepted Answer

Unity is still the dominant choice, especially in mobile, which leads much of the community's market. Unreal Engine is less common but growing, mainly in smaller AAA studios and PC/console projects. Godot is gaining traction in the indie community. Beyond engines you'll see the usual tool stack: Blender, Maya, Substance, Figma, Jira. You can filter Mashak's job board by Unity or Unreal to find studios that match your stack.

Frequently asked questions