I've been developing video games in MMF for several years now, and I really enjoy it. But oddly enough, I've never considered getting a job in the game development industry.
This is because all the games I play are produced by Japanese companies--Square-Enix RPGs, Nintendo games, Treasure action games, etc.; and articles I read about the game development industry always seem to be centered around mainstream M-rated American FPS games and the like. So I imagine that, if I were to get a job in the American game industry, I wouldn't be able to make the kinds of games that I like.
Is this a misconception? Because to be totally honest, I practically know nothing about the American gaming market. I've always assumed that this is the way things are, and as a result, I've never looked into game development careers very seriously, always looking more into animation careers.
Well I personally think that if you were get hired by any video game company it would be more of a 'draw what we tell you do draw' then a 'draw whatever you feel like'. I think that is the key differance between working for company and being being an indie developer.
Although on the other hand, it's not impossible to find a company that has an record of of making games you'd be interested in working on. In fact I remember there was an American made DS game that was said to have a 'Chrono Trigger vibe' to it. However the final product was a joke; had a ton of bugs, poor gameplay, and suspected of using ripped artwork.
The bottom line is, if you have the talent, I'm sure you can get a job in gaming. However, just keep in mind you might not have a lot (or any) creative control of your artwork. Also, research a company before considering applying for a job with them.
Yeah, research a company. Not all American companies make M-Rated games, but they do have different approaches to games.
But sometimes, having experience in a game company really helps you when you apply for another company. It's very unlikely that you'll get a job with Square-Enix or Nintendo right of the bat. But being in any game company and showing that you have professional experience really helps when you want to apply for one.
Also, I wouldn't suggest a job in the games industry. It's an overall bad job with bad employers, and there's plenty of employers who are as heartless as drug dealers. It's quite depressing and kills a lot of passion. If you want a fun job, I think an animation career would be better. But if you really don't mind all that, there's nothing wrong in trying. There's a lot of demand for talented people.
Disclaimer: Any sarcasm in my posts will not be mentioned as that would ruin the purpose. It is assumed that the reader is intelligent enough to tell the difference between what is sarcasm and what is not.
Also, I wouldn't suggest a job in the games industry. It's an overall bad job with bad employers, and there's plenty of employers who are as heartless as drug dealers. It's quite depressing and kills a lot of passion. If you want a fun job, I think an animation career would be better. But if you really don't mind all that, there's nothing wrong in trying. There's a lot of demand for talented people.
Bobby Kotick for instance: ""the goal that I had [at Activision]...about 10 years ago was to take all the fun out of making video games."
"The head of Activision Blizzard--one of, if not the, largest game publishers, known for such hits as Guitar Hero, Call of Duty and World of Warcraft--noted that the company's incentive program "really rewards profit and nothing else," adding that "skepticism, pessimism, and fear" are used to keep employees "focused on the deep depression.""
O_O ok wow that sounds... worse beyond what I could've imagined...
But yeah, I was thinking that if I did go into game development and wanted any kind of creative control over what I was making, I'd probably be best off becoming an indie developer.
How does indie development work though? Are there any professional sites where I can find out more about it? And is it something you can actually support yourself with financially, or something you have to do on the side?
I gather if you worked for a smaller company the ethics would be different from what they have at Activision / Blizzard but yeah. That's what you could potentially be heading into.
http://www.tigsource.com/ is a large indie based community and I've seen one of the games from a competition there with half a page in PCZONE about it.
I've not really researched this so I'm sure someone else will able to expand on / tell me I'm wrong about this
I have more have a Japanese taste too. I don't think I like any of the Australian games companies though, they all make contract games like Barbie/shrek/movie games or other such crap. Which is why I left my games course cause it was taking me places I didn't want to go.
Why not just move to Japan. They might hire you, unless they're racist then they won't. If you can't get a job in Japan become an Indie Game Developer.
Lol, I don't think that's likely, unless you have a reputation, or at least some experience. They could hire you and fork out extra money for you to get a working visa, and hoping you're not an illegal immigrant, or they could hire an equally good Japanese guy. Now if you worked with some American companies for a few years, you'd have a few years of experience and could actually get a job with a foreign company
Disclaimer: Any sarcasm in my posts will not be mentioned as that would ruin the purpose. It is assumed that the reader is intelligent enough to tell the difference between what is sarcasm and what is not.
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Edited by NMasutaa
