Who here works in the gaming industry?

[Kraig]

I'm just curious... I'll guess I'll start:

Was with EA Canada and in December 2005 made the switch to Vivendi Universal who owns: Blizzard Entertainment (WoW, Starcraft, Diablo), Radical Entertainment (Hulk, Simpsons Hit & Run), High Moon Studios (Darkwatch and more to come), Massive Entertainment and Swordfish Studios.

Who else?

[dj_soo]

been in the industry for 7 years now. Started at EA and took a bit of a hiatus doing web work at Blast Radius and am now in the games division at Nokia originally making N-Gage games and now have switched to making all-out phone games.

[Kraig]

Originally Posted by dj_soo

been in the industry for 7 years now. Started at EA and took a bit of a hiatus doing web work at Blast Radius and am now in the games division at Nokia originally making N-Gage games and now have switched to making all-out phone games.

Dope! I had no idea. We have our wireless division in France hiring. ;-)

Actually the mobile/PSP division is looking for people at Radical as well. Just a thought.

[dj_soo]

heh - maybe i'll send you a resume - what positions are you looking for? :)

I actually turned down a position at Radical a couple years ago cause they weren't offering me enough money :o

actually, it was more like I was called back for my resume, they asked the kind of salary i was currently making and what i'd expect. After telling them, I never heard from Radical again :P

[Kraig]

Originally Posted by dj_soo

heh - maybe i'll send you a resume - what positions are you looking for? :)

I actually turned down a position at Radical a couple years ago cause they weren't offering me enough money :o

The inudstry has changed considerably over the past couple of years. You know your value and know what you can do. That said, Radical is hiring and needs experienced peeps.

I don't handle the hiring for Radical however I can personally hand over your resume to the recruiter that does.

kraig.docherty@vugames.com

[dj_soo]

well shit. I guess I should get to resume-updating :-\

[Kraig]

Originally Posted by dj_soo

well shit. I guess I should get to resume-updating :-\

In this industry bro, one should ALWAYS have their resume updated! ;)

[dj_soo]

yea yea, I know, I know :P

[Hero.Skye]

Are both of you guys game designers? Im planning on doing some sound design courses in van after the summer so i get into the gaming industry myself. Any advice?

[dj_soo]

the industry is cutthroat, with brutal hours and expectations. Also has some of the lower pay averages unless you get much higher up in the field.

Also, unless you're really good at working it and schmoozing, it's a lot harder to move up on pure talent and work ethic.

That being said, you do get to play with great toys and work on games which is kinda cool at first.

Best thing to do is make as many contacts as you can in your field. People tend to jump around from company to company so having someone know who you are (as well as having a good impression of you) helps in securing positions a lot.

Keep in mind it's not just who you know, you still have to be good at what you do, but having the contacts really helps you get your foot in the door.

[Kraig]

Originally Posted by dj_soo

Also, unless you're really good at working it and schmoozing, it's a lot harder to move up on pure talent and work ethic.

Keep in mind it's not just who you know, you still have to be good at what you do, but having the contacts really helps you get your foot in the door.

^^ This is the case with pretty much any industry!

[dj_soo]

well... yea...

but you'd be amazed at how many fresh-faced recent grads don't understand that :)

[stringbeans]

Originally Posted by dj_soo

been in the industry for 7 years now. Started at EA and took a bit of a hiatus doing web work at Blast Radius and am now in the games division at Nokia originally making N-Gage games and now have switched to making all-out phone games.

hey i was the prototype manager at nokia a few years back. i had to manage all of the prototypes that were being made (which included the n-gage at the time) and i got really good at tony hawk on the n-gage heh

[Kraig]

Originally Posted by stringbeans

hey i was the prototype manager at nokia a few years back. i had to manage all of the prototypes that were being made (which included the n-gage at the time) and i got really good at tony hawk on the n-gage heh

You still at QA Labs?

[Kraig]

Where the shit did Marty end up?

[dj_soo]

I was at QA labs for about a year and a half myself but switched to nokia full-time...

[yoshi242]

hey what positions u guys work at ?

does game testing sucks ?

[dj_soo]

^ for the most part - yes. I've been doing it for years and have gotten myself in a sweet management position in testing with really good pay and benefits but on the whole, being a games testers means low pay, low respect, and shitty hours.