Do Any of You Want to Work in the Games Industry?

[pswii60]

Just curious, what kind of job do you do now that you don't have to sit in an office the whole day?

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I'm a Sales Manager, working from home 1-2 days a week and travel the rest, visiting a wide range of industries from oil refineries to pharma, working on technical specifications, doing site surveys, spending time with my team etc. It's a hugely varied job, the days fly by and I love it. But it's not for everyone - I know many people who love the routine of 9-5 (or 8-6 in this day and age), and sitting in an office with their colleagues all day every day. I just can't stand that though, I like to be out and about! But for many who work in the videogame industry, they have such a huge passion for what they do, and they're often so proud of what they achieve, that it's not about the money, and they don't care whether they're in an office or not. Unfortunately that passion often gets exploited by the big publishers, which is sad to see.

 

[Munti]

I'm a Sales Manager, working from home 1-2 days a week and travel the rest, visiting a wide range of industries from oil refineries to pharma, working on technical specifications, doing site surveys, spending time with my team etc. It's a hugely varied job, the days fly by and I love it. But it's not for everyone - I know many people who love the routine of 9-5 (or 8-6 in this day and age), and sitting in an office with their colleagues all day every day. I just can't stand that though, I like to be out and about! But for many who work in the videogame industry, they have such a huge passion for what they do, and they're often so proud of what they achieve, that it's not about the money, and they don't care whether they're in an office or not. Unfortunately that passion often gets exploited by the big publishers, which is sad to see.

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Ah, that sounds interesting. Congrats to this position! :) And thanks for this insight

 

[MysteryQuesadilla]

I think working in the industry would be fun depending on what you do. If you're doing a straightforward office/admin job for a large company it seems like it'd be cool. Something where you're either customer-facing or development or marketing seems like it'd be hell unless you enjoy the (extreme) hustle life.

 

[Mington]

I've always had two dreams.

To see the entire world, live, work and travel in some 50 plus countries. This dream I am achieving.

My other was to work in the games industry. In marketing or concept design. This dream seems unlikely as I just don't know anyone or have the experience required.

So yea I'd love to

 

[Budi]

Yeah I'd quite like it. With my set of skills, I don't see it happening though.

 

[Orb]

For a long time my dream was to be in games coverage, and I have written for a fair number of small outlets, but realistically I don't think I would have the chops to work for one of the big outlets in any real capacity, and at my age, it would be really hard to develop those skills and relationships in a time frame that would make sense for my career.

 

[Ryuhza]

Maybe. I think I'd rather work at the independent development level though.

 

[AzVal]

I would mainly fir money.
For some people its not worth it as they have options that pay similar or better, living in Latam, I have been considering developing indie as I even with poor sales I would probably make more money than what I do now overseeing a system transition and cleaning messes for one of the top 10 global companies.

 

[Suburban Thug]

I did when I was a kid. I remember wanting to go to Full Sail University LOL

Thank god I grew out of that phase

 

[entremet]

Sure. Not making games. That's not my interest.

But marketing, biz dev, developer relations type of thing? Sounds very fun.

 

[Feraligatre]

No.

I used to draw up casts/write stories/plan scenarios (haphazardly mostly) for dreamt up JRPGs as a kid and, in some sense, I do still fantasize occasionally about being able to be a "creative lead" or director of such a project but...I do not have the skill set, do not tell stories people'd much care to hear, can't draw too well, etc. Nor do I want to work at a big publisher or have the skill set for that either.

So I've put those things aside in a box and look at them from time to time. I do name my character in create-a-character games after my favorite characters from my "games" often times though.

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You should believe in yourself more. You won't know if people resonate with your concepts until you make something of them. Find a small group of likeminded people and start work on an indie game, if nothing else than to prove to yourself you can do it.

 

[TeddyShardik]

Nope. I'm not a masochist.

 

[Ωλ7XL9]

:(

My condolences

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I had to go back to school and do a double MS to maintain legal status during my time in the US. When I finally got the H1B visa selected in the lottery system, I was convinced that I am going to definitely land on a job in the games industry since during previous occasions I was denied a job citing lack of visa sponsorship options for contract gigs. Everything was taken away from me and I had to leave USA. If only I could somehow pursue my dreams of working in the games industry in America!

 

[Driggonny]

Lolno, I wouldn't look forward to being abused by management and harassed by consumers

 

[FantaSoda]

Yes but not in development. I am a data analyst with a few business degrees. I would love to work for a major publisher and have access to real data about how the current strategies employed in the market are actually panning out. Specifically, I would love to work for like an EA or Ubisoft and see how the trend towards fewer games has affected risk assessment when they green-light a new title.

 

[Deleted member 20852]

Not really. I am a developer but in a completely different field, and the types of technical problems you solve in game development don't seem that interesting to me. Game design is a much more interesting field to me, but I don't really have the type of skill set one would need for that.

 

[Ωλ7XL9]

Damn, that sucks. I feel sorry for you. :'(

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I swear man I had the opportunity sealed. The QA managers from the studio who interviewed me were convinced of my passion, enthusiasm and vibrant personality. A god damn third party contracting vendor who was supposed to give me the contract to work for the studio denied me, telling me bluntly that they are unwilling to work with those who are on H1B visa. The studio then asked me if I could become a permanent resident aka green card. I am like whaaat, it's taken me almost 5 years with double MS programs to get the damn H1B lottery selection in my favor and now you're asking me to become a green card holder. That's going to take a decade or more due to the messed up immigration system. You're making it sound so easy as though green cards are sold in gas stations, it isn't. The process is long and arduous. One of the questions I was asked during the skype interview put a big smile on both QA managers and on my face when I responded. "So what according to you is the greatest game of all time?". I am constantly torn between three games, one of which was made by the studio interviewing me. Yet without a seconds hesitation I said "xyz game" and gave reasons for it. You'd all seen my name in the credits of their game that came out, ah man. My dreams of seeing my name in the credits of a game that I obsessed about would have been accomplished. Wish I was born American!

 

[GarthLordOfTheSith]

I'd love to write about gaming, honestly. But I don't think I'd be that good and I wouldn't even know where to start lol

 

[LiK]

Yes.

 

[Billy Awesomo]

No, I enjoy being an indie dev. I worked in triple A for a few years in gaming and got burnt out by it. I am not going back to that kind of schedule ever again. I am thankful for the experiences I gained from it but, yeah, triple A gaming dev schedule can die in a fire. (I hate crunch time!)

 

[Doom_Bringer]

I programmed two small games for Android and iOS last semester and it was an enjoyable experience. I would love to code more games on my own. I want to learn Unity as well.

 

[Rocketz]

I'd work as a Data Analyst in either information with the games or sales data.

Making games? Nope.

 

[LostLink]

I'd like to work as a story/scenario writer, art director. But I know that the chances are not encouraging.

 

[Deathman]

I currently do and don't see myself ever wanting to work in another industry. The people alone make it all worthwhile

 

[Haubergeon]

When I was a kid my two dream jobs for when I grew up were to make games, and be a chef. Turns out both of those dream jobs tend to be overworked grind-fests with tons of turnover. Was a pretty big bummer when I came of age and realized it.

 

[Treestump]

I sure would. Either as a story writer or on level design/art director. I'd like to think I could come up with some interesting and new stories and locations in games. Not expecting to actually do it but you never know.

 

[Wulfric]

I wouldn't mind being a concept artist for a few years.

 

[inner-G]

I'm a graphic designer and video editor. I currently work in higher education but have worked in the financial sector before and would be interested in working for a game studio, provided it has good benefits, retirement and isn't too crazy with deadlines. I'm sure being a designer at one is a bit different that trying to fix bugs in the code.

 

[jahasaja]

I would love to! So far it is only a hobby (only released one game) but it would be amazing to make a hit game and be able to work full time in this creative medium.

The fact that I am a indie developer for around 6 years have not made me enjoy playing video games less.

 

[hydro94530]

Have been in it for the last 21 years and now I'm looking for work outside of it. I'm over it lol.

 

[Painguy]

Fuck no. Until they have proper pay and worklife balance i aint touchin that shit.

 

[PopsMaellard]

I'm a graphic designer and video editor. I currently work in higher education but have worked in the financial sector before and would be interested in working for a game studio, provided it has good benefits, retirement and isn't too crazy with deadlines. I'm sure being a designer at one is a bit different that trying to fix bugs in the code.

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I'd imagine being a visual designer at a publisher or developer is a lot like being a designer at a marketing agency. As someone who has worked in both a university environment as well as multiple marketing agencies, and most recently at a marketing agency, the two are vastly different. The benefits aren't great, retirement isn't really something you think about because you know it's not a job you'll have for longer than 3-4 years, and deadlines are plentiful and aggressive. Working in higher education is so chill comparatively.

I'd like to get into it, but it seems like the most "fun" and realistic venue of getting into games is as a content producer on the media side, and I have no idea how you get into something like that without a connection. I think I'm a reasonably talented designer and I'm incredibly hard working; and I still haven't been able to find a new design job in the city I moved to because I have 0 connections.

 

[Grunty]

Only as an actor. One of my dreams is to have the opportunity to voice and/or motion capture some characters in games. Other than that, I just don't have the skills necessary to be involved in any other part of the industry nor do I have much interest.

 

[ChoklitCow]

I'm 36 and think about it constantly. Would love to be in the HR side of things and recruitment. I have a ridiculously specialized Masters though, and even though I have ample transferable skills (hiring, onboarding, supervision, etc.) I would have to effectively restart with a MBA.

Wish when I was younger I would have jumped into the programming side of things. Don't sell yourself short, folks. I love what I do, but I still settled.

 

[finalflame]

I've worked at some of the most desired companies to work for in the industry. My personal view is working on games doesn't necessarily make work more rewarding.

I prefer working in other parts of tech.

 

[Sparks]

I do and it's pretty great. It's not as bad as a lot of people make it out to be, there are definitely places where it's NOT great, but you can find some good ones.

Also doesn't ruin my hobby, because I'm not playing games all day. I'm making art and stuff. It's actually satisfying getting away from it and playing a completed polished product that is done and I can enjoy it.

 

[Theta]

As an independent or freelancer developer, yes.

Working for big coporations thereby lacking creative control and having to abide by objectives set by executives, no.

 

[entremet]

I've worked at some of the most desired companies to work for in the industry. My personal view is working on games doesn't necessarily make work more rewarding.

I prefer working in other parts of tech.

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Developer?

 

[Xeontech]

Most people here should spend a few weeks at a game studio, the thread quality would improve a fair amount once there was a better understanding of how games are actually made ;)

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Seriously. 100% this.

 

[Windu]

i prefer to keep my hobbies separate from my work. so no.

 

[Colloco]

I would love to work at a huge gaming company...doing what I do now, maintenance.

 

[GungHo]

No. Dealing with ERPs and business applications both from the dev and supervisory end have crushed my idealism. I am barely hanging on with reinventing guardrails for massive cloud adoption. Trying to make it "fun" along the way and failing the public would make me go Mosquito Coast.

 

[Deleted member 11517]

Yeap, game / bug tester. But to my conditions.
Give me a week or two with a given game I'll find 100s of bugs and glitches that regular testers would never find seemingly.

But they don't need this that's what consumers and patches are for nowadays sadly.

 

[bry]

I think being a community manager would be cool.
Being able to try to address people's concerns and pass it along.
When fans feels and you're able to play a silent in acting on it, it probably feels satisfying.

 

[finalflame]

Developer?

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Project management on game development teams, yes. Occasionally program management for certain engagements. Once upon a time localization.

I think being a community manager would be cool.
Being able to try to address people's concerns and pass it along.
When fans feels and you're able to play a silent in acting on it, it probably feels satisfying.

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One of the most underpaid and under appreciated roles in an already underpaid and under appreciative industries.

 

[iFirez]

I don't want to work on games directly but I'd love to do in studio video series, trailers, graphic design and such. It's probably the closest I'd want to be to a game in terms of having an involvement in it. (A side note: I am a video editor and animator in my day to day life)

 

[Ascenion]

Not as a developer no, they don't make the money I'm looking for. On the business side of things yes. It's all about the money at the end of the day. I'm a corporate man. Corporate Activison or EA would be the dream if I was forced.

 

[Mercenary09]

Been writing about games for around 3 years now and I enjoy it. I don't think I'd want to actually get into making them but doing something like PR or Marketing would probably be fun and something I'd enjoy.

 

[kittens]

Nah, I don't want to work on computers.

 

[Chaos2Frozen]

Can I be an EA investor?