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Dogui

Member
Oct 28, 2017
8,813
Brazil
Doing super low budget stuff alone or with 1/2 more people? Definitely.

Working/doing service for an actual dev studio? Nope.
 

Kizuna

Member
Oct 27, 2017
550
Yeah, I am considering transitioning from teaching Japanese (which is fine for now and pays OK, but is not very sustainable in the longer run since pretty much all the payments are handled under the table and you get 0 benefits) to a junior game design position a few years down the line. The entry requirements are pretty much nil over here outside of speaking English and being familiar with a good number of video games, and that pretty much matches the extent of my skills in life (outside of JP).

Too bad pretty much every company in my country churns out nothing but shitty mobile 3-in-Line and farming games. Way worse than the average gacha, both in terms of quality and enormous greed of the publisher. Oh well, at least I'll (hopefully) be surrounded by like-minded people.
 

Evilisk

Member
Oct 25, 2017
2,360
Used to when I was younger. I was always interested in going to a Uni for that kind of thing, but constantly being by everyone told to not do something so specialized just sapped all interest out of me

Well I still want to try QA testing at least once in my life. It's way more likely that I complete something with RPG maker at this point though (note: I've never completed making anything in that program so...)
 

Chromie

Member
Dec 4, 2017
5,247
Washington
QA tester or something like the nintendo treehouse or work for a gaming video channel sounds nice to me, full time dev tho? Nah not for me. Reggies job also is fine by me. So management, pr & marketing.

Why do you all act like that's literally the only thing people can do and work in games? I'd love to work for Blizzard/Nintendo P.R or localization. Must be fascinating being the Treehouse.
 

KneehighPark

Verified
Nov 13, 2017
174
Florida
Yep. 9 months from finishing my CS degree. As I tell my fellow classmates, I'm totally ready to get into a grueling industry that will pay me like half of what I'm worth for twice the amount of hours worked.

And I'm not even joking. I think I'll just work until I'm burned out or until I find a decent company, whichever comes first.
 

jstevenson

Developer at Insomniac Games
Verified
Oct 25, 2017
2,042
Burbank CA
I don't want to sound like an asshole but I don't think I would be very proud of dedicating my life to video games. I would need to seek other avenues of giving back to society and I'm way too fucking lazy for that.

edit: apologies for language

Yeah this comes off pretty asshole-y.

People do what they are passionate about. If someone can do what they love and make a living from it, that's the best possible outcome for their own personal happiness

And at many places you can make games that touch people's lives or entertain hundreds or thousands or millions of people.

Maybe that doesn't seem like a noble cause to you, but believe me, people don't go or stay in videogames because of the money.
 

crack-king

Member
Oct 29, 2017
61
I'm a software engineer and gaming was the reason why I started this whole career, although my current job doesn't have anything to do with gaming. But I have this dream of one day working on a game and publishing it on the playstation store. Doesn't need to be a big AAA game and I wouldn't expect it to be the next indie hit. But just being able to say: Well, this was made by me!

But overall I don't think I would like to work in that environment. I heard the salaries are lower compared to other software engineers and the crunch time in some projects is just horrible. A somehow healthy work-life balance is very important and sadly nobody had yet an idea on how to solve this problem during game development. But maybe one day. But until then I'm still dreaming about my own published game :D
 

Trace

Member
Oct 25, 2017
4,691
Canada
Yea just finished school and I've been looking for a decent design job that isn't in QA for a few months. It's tough to get my foot in the door but I'll keep trying until I find something :)
 

big_z

Member
Nov 2, 2017
7,797
it does make you want to play less games because you spend so much time with them but I don't think it really sucks the fun out of them. knowing how they're constructed is kind of like being able to see the matrix, which I guess can make some games less enjoyable. when you can see the gameplay loop and triggers in advance it can be a pretty boring experience even with a AAA budget. games that attempt something new, are cleverly built or surprise me I find more fascinating and enjoyable.

pay and conditions differ from each company but on average there's a lot of room for improvement in the industry.
 
Feb 16, 2018
2,685
it's not the most reliable career, but it can be really interesting if you like challenges. the types of problems we face in game design just don't exist in other fields

but despite all the doom and gloom, you can at least get paid for making video games. it's harder to get paid for making a new sport or a new board game or some other type of interactive entertainment
 

Azajabar

Attempted to circumvent ban with alt account
Banned
Oct 31, 2017
616
Monk's Cafe
Gaming is my own bubble of escape, if it becomes my life then I will need another escape and I know I will go straight for Heroin
 
Oct 29, 2017
2,398
It was always my dream to get in the game industry; it sort of worked out as I went into game academia instead (game industry or industry-adjacent?). At the time it felt like a small failure (I was the first in my country with a PhD in game design, but no companies at the time who had use for someone that specialized). Now it feels like a dodged a bullet. I get to research, talk about and supervise about 60 experimental student games and play installations a year, but I also have job security, a decent salary (not great but decent) and get to go home at 5 to see the wife and kids. I have a lot of respect (or not?) for people who want to be squeezed out for their passion, but I'm not one of them.

Maybe a serious games company someday. They usually have normal working hours too.
 
Oct 31, 2017
173
Zagreb, Croatia
All my life I want to work on developing the game. Right now I work in similar industry (software development company, betting games and software) and also write reviews for gaming portal, so let's say that I'm preparing myself for this step. Really would like to work as game designer as I have experience in similar jobs (was working as UX designer and product manager, right now I'm head of platform).

I'm a software engineer and gaming was the reason why I started this whole career, although my current job doesn't have anything to do with gaming. But I have this dream of one day working on a game and publishing it on the playstation store. Doesn't need to be a big AAA game and I wouldn't expect it to be the next indie hit. But just being able to say: Well, this was made by me!
Something like this, it doesn't need to be big, just to say one day that I worked on game X.
 

Deleted member 8784

User requested account closure
Banned
Oct 26, 2017
1,502
I'd be interested, but the hit to salary and work-life balance compared to my job as a regular software developer means I'm out. I don't see why anyone would anyone take such a cut for doing the same job (and even then, you won't walk into anywhere decent for your first gig).
 

Deleted member 21709

User requested account closure
Banned
Oct 28, 2017
23,310
I don't want to sound like an asshole but I don't think I would be very proud of dedicating my life to video games. I would need to seek other avenues of giving back to society and I'm way too fucking lazy for that.

edit: apologies for language

So tell us, what is your contribution to society?
 

Deleted member 2254

user requested account closure
Banned
Oct 25, 2017
21,467
Used to want to program games for a living, but hearing about the crunches, the pressure and the frequent closures, I nope'd out real quick. I currently work in IT and write for a gaming website as a hobby-ish thing, which is fine by me, at least I can have a life.
 

DHR54

Oh well.
Member
Oct 26, 2017
686
Canada
I have a great idea I wanna make before I die. Never worked in the industry, always wanted to but the work conditions sound awful. I'm also not mobile enough to fit the needs. I still wanna try though.
 

Laser Man

Member
Oct 26, 2017
2,683
Not anymore, when I was younger I thought it was an appealing idea... now I wouldn't want to even if I get paid more than I do in my current job (which is highly likely as I get paid scraps). I'm not even playing games as much as I used to and my interest in the medium became way more specific, there is tons of stuff I wouldn't want to deal with at all.
 
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sschol

Member
Oct 27, 2017
455
I always wanted to growing up and even though I've sort of left it behind, it's stuck with me. Double-majoring in Japanese and English sorta makes me feel like I'm destined for localization. I think I could do more than that (scenario writing is the big one) but it would have to come with at least partial anonymity. No way am I putting my name in gamers' ears anytime soon, no way no how.
 

FancyPants

Banned
Nov 1, 2017
707
What the hell is going on with the first page of replies here? You guys have a pretty f-ed up view on the industry if you think it's a grueling hell for the people working there.
 

Jerry

Banned
Oct 26, 2017
2,064
Not anymore.

Getting harassed by alt-right types on one side and leftist zealots on the other doesn't sound like fun.
 

Deleted member 176

User requested account closure
Banned
Oct 25, 2017
37,160
Nah. Wouldn't want to deal with crunch/programming, wouldn't want to deal with "gamers".

What the hell is going on with the first page of replies here? You guys have a pretty f-ed up view on the industry if you think it's a grueling hell for the people working there.
At least for me, it's because of the stories we see every few months about how the industry is a grueling hell for the people working there.
 

Duffking

Member
Oct 27, 2017
5,708
I've been working as a designer for half a year and a researcher for about 3 and it's good work and the pay is decent for me. I can't speak for those working at big, "AAA" devs, but at the smaller studios things seem good. At the larger ones I've been to it seems there's a general desire to avoid the problems the industry is known for as far as I can tell though, at least in the UK.

Harrassment from alt-right communities is unlikely to affect 99.5% of employees, though if you take a more public facing role it could be a problem.
 

unicornKnight

▲ Legend ▲
Member
Oct 27, 2017
13,194
Athens, Greece
Yes I d love to be one of those lazy devs who spend most of their day playing games and doing other fun stuff like table tennis, massage and only work for like 2-3 hours, releasing bugged games with lack of content that make billions by selling lootboxes!!
 

AaronWatermelon

Designer at Rocketwerkz
Verified
Oct 28, 2017
54
Nah. Wouldn't want to deal with crunch/programming, wouldn't want to deal with "gamers".


At least for me, it's because of the stories we see every few months about how the industry is a grueling hell for the people working there.

Studio by studio basis. The only time I've been told off at work is for "working too much". My boss applauded me when I took a day or two (or five) off for Destiny 2.
I know that's an exception to the case, and I'm very fortunate.

I love my job and I don't see myself doing anything but this. I've made great friends, shared great memories and even when things get a little tense - when you put a game out for people who appreciate it, it's a kickass feeling that makes it all super worth it.
 

KillLaCam

Prophet of Truth
Member
Oct 25, 2017
15,388
Seoul
I did. But it seems like it'd ruin games for me. Not because of anything negative though, I just dont think I could do games at work all day and then go home and play games lol.

I don't wanna get tired of games
 
Oct 26, 2017
3,201
Belarus
Working in game development is my childhood dream, but unfortunately i'm not very good at programming, and in my region IT companies doesn't need workers with my skills, such as writing stuff, drawing 3D stuff and level designing stuff.
 

Necron

▲ Legend ▲
Member
Oct 25, 2017
8,292
Switzerland
Nah, I think it would ruin the hobby part of it. Still, a small part of me would love doing creative work (concept art) for video games, though.
 

Majinkezz

Member
Oct 29, 2017
172
I work in PR for a well known publisher and honestly I think I have the best job ever ... SUPER fun and varied with a great work/life balance and not just take but a lot of give too.
 

AngryPuppy

Member
Oct 27, 2017
411
I probably had notions in my youth like many in this thread, I dabbled in mapping for half-life mods but was never particularly good at it.
I'm in software development now, working for a financial institution and while it'd be cool to work on a project I have a real passion for, even if I had the chops I'd not be able to consider it due to the changes in pay, job security, need for relocation and potential for unhealthy work/life balance.
 
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Jolkien

Member
Oct 25, 2017
3,758
Anchorage/Alaska
I'd love to but with my background it would be somewhere as QA or lead QA something around those line and it probably pays a lot less than in making at the moment.

If it was pretty similar to how much in making I'd think about jumping in
 

HypedBulborb

Banned
Oct 31, 2017
1,921
Damn, I am currently doing a Game Development study but reading this thread hasn't really motivated me lol...

:(
 

Ramathevoice

Member
Oct 26, 2017
2,930
Paris, France
I work as a translator, I've actually worked for a medium-sized games company in the past (think licensed free to play mobile/browser games from 4-ish years ago), and I wouldn't mind doing so again or graduating to a bigger company's localization team :)
 

Jacknapes

Member
Oct 26, 2017
3,173
Newport, South Wales
Maybe in the media, where press trips to play/demo games are possible.

Otherwise, no. I play games as a method of relaxing after a days work. I wouldn't want my hobby ruined.
 

Amakusa

Member
Nov 2, 2017
509
Never again, unless I finally get to make my own game. And that's not even high up on my priority list. Not anymore, that is.
If you think fanatic gamers can be annoying, wait until you hear some Junior Producer or Game Designer trash-talk like he's invented gameplay just to fuck up another project.
 

Chibs

Member
Nov 5, 2017
4,507
Belgium
Marketing could be fun I guess, but as developer? Never in a million years, the stories I've heard over the years...
 

Grailly

Member
Oct 27, 2017
402
Switzerland
If an opportunity showed up I would pursue it, maybe I would even accept a slightly lower salary to work in the business; I'm not ruining my life over it, though
 

Snack12367

Member
Oct 28, 2017
3,191
I was for until recently. I worked in a UK games lab compliance testing Xbone games. It was kind of shit. We had to do about 8 hours a day, escorted everywhere, not enough space.

It was my time in the trenches and I remember the people well, the environment was fucking awful.
 

-PXG-

Banned
Oct 25, 2017
6,186
NJ
I've done some QA work. Worked for GameStop (I don't think that counts lol) for two years. Did a little community management too years ago. But still, nothing serious or notable.

I used to want to make a serious plunge, but my interest has waned significantly. Lack of stability and job security is a huge factor. Entertainment, fan driven industries are kinda bullshit too. It's just so unpredictable at times. It just doesn't seem sustainable.

My brother works in film and television. I don't know how he does it, based on what he tells me. I know a lot of devs too. Bless all of them. The devs I know are wonderful people.

Sometimes I want to still give it a shot, but I'm just too scared to take that risk. I just don't know. I'm afraid if failing and afraid of putting all of my eggs in one basket too. Plus, as many have mentioned, I don't want to sour my love for a hobby I enjoy so much.
 
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Deleted member 37739

User requested account closure
Banned
Jan 8, 2018
908
Yeah this comes off pretty asshole-y.

People do what they are passionate about. If someone can do what they love and make a living from it, that's the best possible outcome for their own personal happiness

And at many places you can make games that touch people's lives or entertain hundreds or thousands or millions of people.

Maybe that doesn't seem like a noble cause to you, but believe me, people don't go or stay in videogames because of the money.

Absolutely. As an industry, it's not always what you'd expect, and it's not necessarily a place to make your fortune, but you get to work with a medium you're actually passionate about - work closely with products and services that actually excite you.

Like any job, it comes with it's fair share of BS (especially working within the larger corporate structure), but it still has plenty of charm and that's not something you find in every job.

Plus, if I left, I'd have to actually start paying for games again and that would make my wallet cry.

I used to when I was growing up. These days...not so much. I already lead a busy work life, not sure I can handle the stress of the games industry.

I'm posting this from my desk - not every role is high pressure. You just need to find the right department.
 

Pancakes R Us

Member
Oct 27, 2017
8,345
I used to when I was growing up. These days...not so much. I already lead a busy work life, not sure I can handle the stress of the games industry.