Question for Robb

[Shadowforce]

Of course, if anyone else works in the gaming industry they can help me as well.

 

I want to work as a 3D visual artist at a game company someday, but I've heard some pretty bad stuff about the industry in general. A few questions:

 

Is it really so hard getting a job in the industry?

Are stories like that of ea_spouse common for the industry, or just a single unlucky person? It have concerned me a bit after reading the article.

Is it hard work to be an 3D artist?

Is jobs scarce, or is it the kind of job where there is always need for more people?

 

I really hope you or anyone else can help me on my way!

[Freefall]

I've got some friends into that kina thing, its not really there field but its not what you know its who you know. I guess you have been to college to learn that stuff so talk to your teachers there and see if they know anyone.

 

my friends make web sites and touch up pictures and things so i guess its a diffrent ball pond as with 3D work I would think its not so free lance as making web sites. also put together a portfolio of the kool things you have done and send them to everyone from game companys to film CGI guys, you might not get a job but you might get a push in the right direction, or maybe 'your good but got to this uni and we might have somthing for you'

 

S friend of mine recently went to a confrence in London, the talker was the presedent of photoshop. My friend learnt alot but maybe more importantly he can say he has done it, the corse cost him about £250 (about $500 last time i looked) the point is if someone wants him to do some photoshop and he has been taught by the presedent of photoshop there not going to think twice about getting him, i dont know what sort of 3D things you can go to but its well worth looking out for.

 

Its a hard to get your foot in the door of most places you probably want to go to, but be persistant and somthing will turn up, and when it does sent a fat check my way hope this helps!

[SharkTums]

As a 'Game Developer Spouse' I can relate to ea_spouse, but at the same time EA is really the worst of the game company's for reasons like that article! You work really messed up schedules, and it is a hard field to get into, but there are good rewards if you work really hard.

 

Elissa "I'm sure Robb will elaborate more later!" Alvey

[CoasterXtreme]

Ok I am currently going to Full Sail for their Game Design and Development program and from what I have heard is that the game industry is not a nice place right now. We had a speaker come into our class one day and he told us that if you work for Valve you live at Valve pretty much. They tell you that you don't have a family, Valve is your family which is kinda scary.My teeachers have always constantly stressed making connections with as many people as possible because they even said that you alone will not get you a job it really depends on who you know. I have also talked to the placement department and they have shown me that it will be hard to get a job. They told me that they will see what they can do but they are not miracle workers. From what I have heard the game industry is not a nice place but maybe Robb can give you more information about it.

[Meteornotes]

As someone that worked at a game company, and has made money doing 3D stuff, let me add my opinion.

 

A lot of stuff that you read in that EA article is true. EA is probably the worst offender, but all development places have "crunch time". Pretty much any part of the entertainment industry is like this. I used to work in TV, and can tell you stories of sleeping in edit bays between takes on projects. You have to understand, practically everyone on the planet wants to work in entertainment/games, as they think it's "cool". While it may be, it's also work, just like every other industry. You will put in long hours. While things are changing, it will happen at a glacial pace. There are tons of people applying for what (when compared to other industries) are very few positions. Sometimes the pay is great, sometimes it sucks. You have to decide is this something that you really want to do, something where you'll get just as much satisfaction out of doing the job as you do collecting the check.

 

The entertainment industry also is packed with people with lots of enthusiasm but very little business sense, which can also add to the trouble. You need to not only be skilled with your area of knowledge (animation, programming, whatever you do), but have really well developed people skills, and a strong sense of when a situation might be going "bad". The net is full of tales of entertainment houses suddenly going out of business. Job security is not a given in this industry. You may have to move (unless you live in CA) to get your job.

 

And your first job will likely NOT have anything to do with animation! To get in the door, you'll likely have to take a position as a tester, or doing tech support, or some other low-end position, as someone getting a game job right out of school is pretty unusual. Of course, 3D is not confined to games. There's more TV or advertising related work out there. Yeah, most of it will be lame assed logos for bad infomercials that will air at 3AM, but it's production experience, and you'll learn how to get stuff done fast (all TV deadlines are usually defined as "yesterday") and on shoe string budgets. So don't limit yourself to games, at least not right out of school.

 

And the most important thing you can get in school is not software training (if you figure out one 3D program, you can likely teach yourself any of them), it is CONTACTS. The more people you meet, the better. These people can help you in the future. Knowing someone that works at a company can often be the edge you need to get an interview over someone else, especially in the beginning. Do internships, go to Siggraph and other user group meetings, take advantage of any sort of interview programs your school offers, and above all else, learn to deal with all sorts of people. You'll often have to work with people that you would likely not want to have hang around your house, but being able to work with people and be part of a team will be to your advantage later on.

 

OK, I'm sure that's enough of my yammering for anyone. If there's something specific you want to know, or just have general 3D related questions, ask away...

 

dt