Kell: I was a bit unsure on that, but was in a hurry. Don't know if not being in a hurry would have made much of a difference...

Wrath: maybe you're better of being picky choosey and not getting in as an entry level piss-ant than just jumping in, 'cause HEY! it's game development!

That statement is quite correct for some people in some situations (and it sounds like you're one of them), but others are willing to endure a little prison-lovin' to one degree or another, for a more-or-less limited period of time, solely in order to get into game development. I'm not saying that's right or wrong, but it's reality at the moment.

My first job in this industry was three hours away from my house. I would say goodbye to my wife on Monday morning, sleep on the floor under my desk (literally) on a thermarest pad for four nights, and then come home Friday evening. I did that for almost two years while I made Q3 levels in the evenings and expanded my portfolio. Thank God there were on-site showers.

Does that make me a stupid fuck? Maybe. But I'd do it again. I love making games. 

hey, I'm not trying to piss in anybody's face, if you feel you're ok with it, fine by me. the thing for me though is, I've done that once, and I don't feel like doing it again for just any little buttfuck outfit... If I were to be part of a start-up myself, able to influence my own and others work situation, I'd probably take alot of under-the-desk nights. and I'm not trying to be mr. game development here, I spent a year and a half in the industry -- but I think if I'd get back in today, I'd be way more valuable than a freshman -- 18 months can be much of an experience, they were for me. so, yeah -- I'm choosey, I can afford to be because one, I'm not desperate. And two, I'll bring something to the table.

The thing though, is that when you're being pissed on, chances are you'll get out sooner rather than later. my advice to anyone looking to get into the industry is to either make sure it's a good place -- don't take any shit just because you're doing games -- or don't fucking get in. get an education instead, and polish your portfolio in the evenings until you can be choosey. 

I have another semester left here at Central Michigan University and would really like to break into the industry but I'm lost. I'm getting a degree in Info Tech with a Multimedia speciality, and a minor in Journalism. I figured while the journalism minor won't be too appealing, it will still look good with employers cause it will show I know how to write well. (Sham don't say anything cause I know what you're thinking)

Are there internships or anything? I've looked and I just get lost. There isn't anyone on campus that I can get advising on for this profession, which is rather lame considering it's a multibillon dollar business. Most everyone who has been around since Qboard has gotten in, so what advice do you guys have? Help a 22 year-old kid would ya? 

many companies have interships, and that's a great way to break in if you're up for it.

my advice to anyone looking to get into the industry is to either make sure it's a good place -- don't take any shit just because you're doing games -- or don't fucking get in. get an education instead, and polish your portfolio in the evenings until you can be choosey.

Exactly, see if the place has good people you like working with. EA will scoop you up and eat your soul if you 'just want in the game dev industry', but then you'll be in and out. Other smaller companies can also put the whips to their employees and you want to be sure to avoid that... big questions to ask are 'what time am I required to be at my desk daily?' and 'how well do you guys deal with crunch times?'. be sure you're not required a 12 hour day with crunch all the time.

any game you work on can be rewarding also... as long as you're not just 'the guy who makes the seats that a placed by anouther guy into the statium a modeler made to place on the field some other guy made'... go for a company that let's you do things and you can make decisions on wht you're doing, what it does, etc etc. being a cog isn't what you want. 

Where would one look or call? A quick glace through Monster.com for video game seemed to bring up some stuff, but they are mostly just positions, not internships specifically. I actually need to complete an internship to get my degree so that's specifically what I am looking for.

I figured, and based on the discussion above, I can't be choosey cause I'm just an entry level grunt with only amature experience, nothing on a shipping title. 

Just email a bunch of companies you know (using whatever their jobs@ or whatever contact is given for such) with your resume asking if they offer any interships 

I'm choosey, I can afford to be because one, I'm not desperate. And two, I'll bring something to the table. Good for you. Seriously. <--Not sarcastic in the slightest.

I think we're making the same argument from slightly different starting points. Bottom line: Be as picky as you can afford to be.

(Prod, my biggest advice is simply Make Cool Shit. Using most-recent tech/engine is usually a good thing. You do that and you will get hired; assuming you're at least able to communicate via rudimentary grunts and plants don't wilt from your unwashed bod. :) If your Shit's Cool enough, you *can* be picky.) 

I agree with pjw -- go make something. I applied for a job at EA, just kinda hoping I might get in on a long shot, but I realized my best maps were Quake maps, and that probably isn't going to fly for potential employers. So right now I'm down in the trenches, hurling brushes like they were grenades, trying to win the war.

Prod -- we all know you. The best advice for you mate is to just not think or worry about all this stuff before you've even put a map together. Go make some cool stuff, and the jobs will follow. 

forget about gamedev, even tho u supposedly dont mind some anal fun, journalism is far better 

As someone says "Making chairs or shoes" etc won't help you in the long term. So if you find yourself in that situation, the company is putting their interests ahead of your career then I would start looking for another job immediately.

Don't bother feeling loyalty towards them. Leave as soon as you can. They will do the same to you.

Personally - I wouldn't bother, making games can be extremely stressful and unrewarding especially if you are working on a shit or average game (which you probably will be given the odds). I would just stick to playing games if.... I could go back in time. 

We Are Currently Looking For A Mapper Texture Artist For Our Upcomming Game Terror Xero
if you might be interested and would
like to find out more email me at alienheretic@earthlink.net
Subject: Terrror Xero
and ill fill ya in on the details 

 

http://www.supervillainstudios.com/enlist2.htm

Super Villain Studios is looking for a level designer. They want some experiance with 3D Studio Max, plus some level design experiance... which basically translates to any of you Quake guys who have at least some experiance with Max and a handful of levels to show off, this would be a good opportunity to get in somewhere. It's full time, so you'd be moving out to California, where the sun is warm and the babes are hot, woo woo! 

http://gamesindustry.biz/content_page.php?aid=6953

"as much as I don't like what's been said about our company and our industry, I recognize that at the heart of the matter is a core truth."

ie: it's 100% true and I can't find a way to contradict it. 

Don't worry about getting into gamedev Prod. Just enjoy mapping and they will come to you. 

where the sun is warm and the babes are hot and the rent is high and the mud is sliding and the earth is quaking and the governor is Austrian 

I'm looking for a web designer to create a portfolio site for my current and future level design work.

If you are interested, please email me (bdwooding -at- gmail.com) with examples of your work, business terms etc. 

i'm writing an email btw, everyone shutup 

The VOD hath spoken, anyone who even dares open an e-mail client/webpage will feel the full wrath of Russian Vodka crazed arse raping! 

Vondur Of Death? 

News taken from PlanetQuake:

Splash Damage (Enemy Territory: Quake Wars), are currently looking to hire an Animator, Gameplay Programmer, Texture Artist and a Level Designer. These positions are full-time salaried with excellent benefits, and based in their offices in London, England.

Jobs URL = http://tinyurl.com/d36qs 

NOW they're hiring a level designer. I was kind of intrigued by the idea of moving to London but a month ago all they needed was a texture guy. 

You'd have to ride the bomb riddled Tube. 

Anyone create maps for Quake 3 for a fee? If so, how much? 

1000$ a map.

Cash up front.

I have guns if you mess around.