I have read most of the 'sloperama faq'
1. I know the faq says I need to move to where the jobs are, but realistically right now I can't.
2. Secondly, and most importantly, I really want to work in game design mechanics, or possibly level design. I was just never very good at programming. My art skill is quite low,
3. How can I prove my worth? Design documents and one-pagers are nice, but they wont get me a job. [/quote]

1. Okay. So you'll do it later, when you can. Is that not obvious?
2. Okay. So you need a breaking-in path, not programming, and not art. Find another one.
3. By building a portfolio. And a portfolio website. Work on some amateur/indie projects.

In regards to moving what I mean is, even one day when I have a great portfolio together, should I relocate first? In your faq you mention that I really need to live where the jobs are, but because I have bills, it would be quite difficult to move without a job already setup. Yet I know that my chances are slim to none if the company has to worry about relocation and anything else associated with it.[/quote]

It seems to me that you acknowledge what I said, yet you reject what I said. Am I wrong?

I thought my "location, location, location" advice was very clear. If I did not make it clear that you have to "move first," then could you please, please, please help me figure out how to state it more clearly?

Or are you just saying "but it's too hard"? (Is it that my advice actually is as clear as I thought it was, but you're rejecting it because what I'm saying you have to do is inconvenient?)

YOU CANNOT SIMPLY REMAIN IN THE CITY OF MY BIRTH AND EXPECT TO GET HIRED IN THE GAME INDUSTRY unless you can find a local game company, or start one of your own.

My other question was about the portfolio itself. As long as its clear that my portfolio isn't a game submission, are a few one-pagers acceptable (in addition to other material).[/quote]

You have to find a workable entry pathway other than design. You have to create an online portfolio. You have to participate in amateur/indie projects. You have to get creative to solve the unsolicited submission problem. (I thought I stated all that already. My apologies that I apparently did not.)

Thank you Tom! Your FAQ has been incredibly helpful![/quote]

I don't think it is, since your follow-up questions indicate that it has holes. Maybe you can offer wording that I could have used that would have made it clearer for you? Pretend that everything you don't want to believe is actually true, and help me state it in a way that doesn't leave room for doubt. You'd be doing me a really big favor.