What company should i join when Im in video games?

[segarocks30]

What gaming company do you suggest for me to got to when I get older and be joined in the video game industry? Anybody who has worked in the industry please share your experience with me so i know what it is like.Even the question which company treats their employees the best?

[fpstream]

What gaming company do you suggest for me to got to when I get older and be joined in the video game industry? Anybody who has worked in the industry please share your experience with me so i know what it is like.Even the question which company treats their employees the best?

EA treats their employees really well, nice pay for overtime, good labor conditions, etc. Yes, EA is the horse to bet on. Why, in fact why don't you got o EA now? Yes, I'm sure people on this forum would appreciate your help in the game industry.

[anagrama]

Fairchild.

[Garry Silljo]

I say go with the one that actually offers you a job. What makes you think you have your pick of the litter?

[Sniderman]

Mythicon. Their style seems to be right up your alley.

[Phosphor Dot Fossils]

OK...first off...you've got an interesting outline there. Now you need to get some code going. If you haven't already, bone up on your math and computer science skills - otherwise you stand a good chance of never getting off the launch pad. Start keeping an eye on the road ahead, as in toward college courses, etc.; look for schools with game design programs. There are some out there.

Also, there are developer conferences and so on (I think one of our own forum members went to one recently); see about attending those. Make contacts. Network. Get your name out there. You're young, but if you're willing to learn, and you're determined, and you can show that without appearing to be...well...too ankle-biter-like...you can make it happen.

You're not going to get this game made next week, but if you're determined enough to stick with it, next decade is a real possibility.

[njiska]

Make contacts. Network. Get your name out there.

PDF that's the single greatest advice you can give anyone in the entertainment business.

[Falcon]

I say go with the one taht actually offers tou a job. What makes you think you have your pick of the litter?

I was thinking along the same lines. I mean apply at any video game job. It's not easy getting a job at one of those big companies.

[Wavelflack]

Sorry, I was picking on the wrong guy.

[goatdan]

I'll be serious here for a few seconds...

You should look for the people nearest to you that interest you, unless you're willing to relocate. That's a HUGE decision, so take it seriously.

In the meantime, work on building up something. And when I say that, I mean go out and write your own stuff. Code a system that has been hacked, like the PSP or Dreamcast and get something decent working. Don't make a port or an emulator -- companies want to see something original, not someone taking their work and illegally putting it somewhere else. But if you can show up with a halfway decent game for the PSP that showcases new ideas, a lot of companies will know your for real.

And screw any thoughts of the gaming world being nice to work in. You have to put in mega hours to get stuff out on time, in often times as-bad-as-EA conditions. Sadly, it is part of the job.

If you're thinking about it but aren't completely sure, go out and start reading books. I'd suggest Masters of DOOM, as well as Dungeons and Dreamers to get yourself started. They show what the industry is pretty well. Then look online for information. When I was 12, I wanted to be a programmer very badly. But after researching and getting screwed in the industry by the time I was 18, I decided that I would rather not work for someone else. Don't set our sites and close your mind to other opportunities.

And good luck.

[xghstst0riesx]

What gaming company do you suggest for me to got to when I get older and be joined in the video game industry? Anybody who has worked in the industry please share your experience with me so i know what it is like.Even the question which company treats their employees the best?
Not to crush your hopes and dreams, but do you realize how many thousands (or millions) of people there are that want to do the same thing as you?

[Wavelflack]

..and afterwards, I would reconsider and look to the telemarketing industry.

[pacmanhat]

My advice (and this is from someone who's working on a game design degree as we speak):

Don't worry about what company you're going to work for yet. In fact, don't do it at all. There's no way to plan that sort of thing, and the only thing you can do is work hard enough so that when the time comes, you'll have all kinds of offers and jobs. If you truly want to get into the industry, get a degree and go from there. But I assure you that no company is gonna let you in based solely on your desire and passion for games (though that certainly won't hurt you at all in the end).

To summarize, best of luck to you. But be aware that it's a LOT of hard work.

[Aussie2B]

Me thinks you're probably too young and too naive to be thinking of such things just yet. Do you even know a lick of code?

It almost turns my stomach to see all these kids saying "I'm going to work in the video game industry!" It's the equivalent of kids saying "I'm going to be a rock star!" You can't take it seriously. And this is coming from someone who IS working on getting into the industry, but I know what I'm doing. I know that despite all the hard work and unpleasant details, there's no field that would suit me better. I'm also quite a ways into the process of getting a degree in computer science, and I'm a skilled writer, which can help if I ever want to get into gaming journalism. I get practice from working on game reviews and FAQs, and I do translating work and slowly pick up more and more Japanese in case I'd like to get into localization (but I'd need some extensive college education in Japanese for that). I've already put a mountain of work into this goal, so I'm no daydreaming kid.

Of course, there are companies that I secretly wish I could work for, but in the end, I know I'll eventually move back to my home state, Washington, where opportunities abound, at least as far as the selection of companies go.

[Avenger]

yeah I don't know if I'm taking your post the wrong way or something, but I doubt very much you'll be able to go out there and pick which company you get to work for. I myself am going into a Game Art and Design program next month, and I can honestly not see myself doing anything else. As long as I am doing what i love (making games), and I have enough money to survive, I dont really care who I work for, I just want to be a part of the industry, and maybe one day I'll have a choice of who I want to work for. But if your serious about making games...just do whatever it takes...its just like any other job in the end.

[unbroken]

What gaming company do you suggest for me to got to when I get older and be joined in the video game industry? Anybody who has worked in the industry please share your experience with me so i know what it is like.Even the question which company treats their employees the best?

EA treats their employees really well, nice pay for overtime, good labor conditions, etc. Yes, EA is the horse to bet on. Why, in fact why don't you got o EA now? Yes, I'm sure people on this forum would appreciate your help in the game industry.

a buddy of mine worked at EA for a bit, he said it was one of the worst job experiences of his life. if i were going to go into the game industry, i would probably go with a good american company like bungie or something.

[Sylentwulf]

What gaming company do you suggest for me to got to when I get older and be joined in the video game industry? Anybody who has worked in the industry please share your experience with me so i know what it is like.Even the question which company treats their employees the best?

Have you ever replied to one of your own threads?

I'd have to say, how about concentrate on getting a degree first, then, when you get multiple offers pouring in from all the places you apply to, bump this post.

[Half Japanese]

The best advice I can give you (both smart-ass and genuine):

Pay attention in school.

[calthaer]

If you don't want to be a code-monkey that burns out of the industry in five years like everybody else, then I'd suggest working for a real software company and then making your demos on the side as you get experience.

[fpstream]

What gaming company do you suggest for me to got to when I get older and be joined in the video game industry? Anybody who has worked in the industry please share your experience with me so i know what it is like.Even the question which company treats their employees the best?

EA treats their employees really well, nice pay for overtime, good labor conditions, etc. Yes, EA is the horse to bet on. Why, in fact why don't you got o EA now? Yes, I'm sure people on this forum would appreciate your help in the game industry.

a buddy of mine worked at EA for a bit, he said it was one of the worst job experiences of his life. if i were going to go into the game industry, i would probably go with a good american company like bungie or something.

That was sarcasm, EA treats their employees horribly.

[Slimedog]

When I was in college, all I wanted to do was work in the gaming industry. I made games and demos and I got my degree, but the more I hear about working in video games, the less I want to spend my life working under those conditions. Now I live 5 mintues from EA and if I was looking for a job, I would apply at McDonalds first.

[njiska]

When I was in college, all I wanted to do was work in the gaming industry. I made games and demos and I got my degree, but the more I hear about working in video games, the less I want to spend my life working under those conditions. Now I live 5 mintues from EA and if I was looking for a job, I would apply at McDonalds first.

Yeah but that's hardly fair. I mean it's like saying i live 5 minutes away from a concentration camp. If you were near a better company like Ubisoft Montreal or Silicon knights things would be different.

[mgriff]

I plan to go into accounting so I can go to almost any company in any industry

[PS2Hawk]

stop writing bullshit if you dunno jack about the gaming industry jobs. I assume you want to become a game develoeprs, I am just finishing up my first semester in Video Game Development program, I have 2 weeks left.

EA ? UBI SOFT ? both are cock sucking fucking assholes.

in August I went to IGDA meeting here in downtown toronto. (International Game Developer Association)
Toronto Star was here luckily to write a column on game developers.

EA development team is pretty much like MS's dev team. They treat their employees like shit, expect them to work late and don't pay for over time.

If you want to start, I saw start with a small company who is working on a big projects. And after you have working on one game, even if it sux, you will know how things work. then you move up one step and try to join better after your contract is over.

my journalism teacher gave me one advise though:


When you go for your interview, and you see a shower in the development building... RUN AS FAST AS YOU CAN..

[Wavelflack]

Because you don't like showers?

[PS2Hawk]

Because you don't like showers?

lol are you 12 or 13 ?
shower means they want you to stay over night work over time.. big time developers take newbies and burn them out..

[calthaer]

Waveflack is definitely not 12 or 13.

Prepubescent teens are the people who still use "lol" all over internet message boards.

[Avenger]

Waveflack is definitely not 12 or 13.

Prepubescent teens are the people who still use "lol" all over internet message boards.

lol

[googlefest1]

my mom said video games will take me no where, look at me now!

[davepesc]

The industry is exactly like that commercial: 2 guys playing a game co-op, sitting shoulder to shoulder, even though there is plenty of room on the couch:

Hot female boss: "How are the graphics coming on that game? I have another I need programmed."

Doofus #1: "We hust finished level 2 and need to work out a few bugs on level 3"

HFB: "OK" *leaves*

[Captain Wrong]

What gaming company do you suggest for me to got to when I get older and be joined in the video game industry? Anybody who has worked in the industry please share your experience with me so i know what it is like.Even the question which company treats their employees the best?

In all seriousness, you might want to get a better grasp on the written language before you even think about being "joined in the video game industry." As has been noted, there are literally tons of people wanting to work in the industry, and I guarantee communications that look like they were belched out by a spam bot are not going to get you anywhere.

[NE146]

The industry is exactly like that commercial: 2 guys playing a game co-op, sitting shoulder to shoulder, even though there is plenty of room on the couch:

Hot female boss: "How are the graphics coming on that game? I have another I need programmed."

Doofus #1: "We hust finished level 2 and need to work out a few bugs on level 3"

HFB: "OK" *leaves*

LOL That commercial is the most dufus evah x_x

[TheRedEye]

You know, I started typing a very honest reply about the best approaches to "getting in," but I realized I wasn't answering his question.

So, in response: well, with all the credentials you've listed, your portfolio, your professional demeanor, your grammar skills, and your winning attitude, you can go wherever you want. Why don't you go take Miyamoto's job?

[fpstream]

Because you don't like showers?

lol are you 12 or 13 ?
shower means they want you to stay over night work over time.. big time developers take newbies and burn them out..

I think that was sarcasm too. Where has the lost art gone?
Ya, I love that commercial, we need to tighten up the graphics in level 3. My mom said video games would never get me anywhere. Guess what? She was right. Anyway, I like all the sarcastic responses. Several ideas, like someone mentioned you could take over Miyamoto's job, Sid Meier is burning out, Will Wright is retiring, and Molyneux will surely give you control of Lion Head once he knows about you. The industry is open to you!

[Rabid Peanut-Butter]

Why does everyone assume that to work in the Video Game Industry you have to program??? There are lots of areas in game development to pursue: programming, art, sound, producing, etc.

Anyway, the best advice I can give is to work hard, get involved in some Mods or other independant game projects and network, network, network (the people kind ;) )!

[Diatribal Deity]

When I was working for a video game store chain many years ago our staff befriended one of the department heads from Looking Glass Technologies (highly touted developers of System Shock, Flight Unlimited, Thief, etc...) One of my fellow employees with nothing more than a high school degree and little to no work experience presented a portfolio of his artwork to him, and within a week he was hired.

Previously, before I had met this connection, I had called them up to inquire about a game tester position. After hearing I had worked for that particular store, they were ready to hire me on the spot but let me know the pay would not be great, and the hours would be very long and would include many weekends. He also warned me it would be very monotonous and stressful as I would have to deal directly with some of the programmers. My commute would also have been pretty brutal (traffic-wise). So ultimately I opted not to dive in but the opportunity was there. In hindsight this would have been a great opportunity as many game testers have gone on to much bigger and brighter things.

From personal experience I can tell you that Looking Glass spared no expense in throwing some great parties and treated its employees very well. Of course they are now out of business due to lavish spending and little interest in their later products despite having some of the best talent in the biz.

My point. Connections, connections, connections. And if your working for a company that treats you well, your probably working for a company which is close to going out of business. LOL

[NintendoMan]

Have you ever replied to one of your own threads?

Damn, I was just thinking the same thing!
No, don't think he ever has!?

[Aussie2B]

Why does everyone assume that to work in the Video Game Industry you have to program??? There are lots of areas in game development to pursue: programming, art, sound, producing, etc.

Yes, but every job in the industry requires a lot of talent and skill, which the topic creator appears too young to have. Not to mention just about everything requires a degree.

But regardless, you're gonna have a tough time getting a job in the industry if you can only draw on paper or play an instrument. Even if you're not coding, you still need to know a lot about computers and how to use complicated programs.