Games Industry

Getting a Job in the Games Industry (updated 11/11/08)

The Bag — Sat, 14 Jan 2006 17:05:03 GMT

Some Links:

Kenn Hoekstra, formally of Raven Software, has a very page about this on his website - http://www.kennhoekstra.com/musings/getajob.html

A website from the people who bring you Gamasutra & Game Developer magazine - http://www.gamecareerguide.com

International Game Developers Association's (IGDA) Breaking-In Site - http://www.igda.org/breakingin/

Gabe Newell on getting into the games industry - http://www.gamecareerguide.com/features/641/valves_gabe_newell_on_becoming_a_game_developer.php

Edge's 2008 how to get into the industry articles - http://www.edge-online.com/magazine/how-break-games-industry

Some comments from me about breaking in on the code side:

All games companies, including Lionhead hire juniors - people without any profession experience, straight out of uni, etc.

When it comes to programming we prefer people with comp sci degrees, because with them there is a level of knowledge we can work from. But this isn't absolutely necessary, especially if you've got experience elsewhere, if you're and can prove it then that's enough.

For other departments a degree is less important, but experience and knowledge is needed - you need a portfolio, a demo reel, levels you've built for game X, etc - you need to show what you can do.

To me this is the most important thing, if you want to work in the games industry you should be doing everything you can to make yourself stand out from the crowd - work on mods, make levels for things, create small games, take part in competitions like Dare to be Digital, etc, etc.

Whatever you can do, do it - don't wait to go to uni or whatever, I started coding games when I was 8 or 9, most of the programmers round here are the same.

We look for people who are talented, passionate, have experience (doesn't have to be pro experience for junior roles) - just doing the minimum, e.g. a degree, isn't enough, you have to make yourself stand out. For example, we got a bunch of CVs from a job fair that LH sent some guys to from students on a games course - all that was on the 10, 20 demo CDs were the same things over and over again, their course work... who stood out there?

You obviously haven't got a passion to work for lionhead if you cant be bothered spending 6 years in education to do so.

as I'm trying to explain in this post just turning up and getting an education isn't enough. If you're going to turn up on our door step looking for a job straight out of uni you'd better be doing additional stuff. And it is possible, many coders around here started at LH straight out of uni, myself included.

From Jon (Stilts) for artists:

As for artists:

A portfolio of work is far more important than any degree or qualification. That's just the way it is (and this is coming from someone with a degree). No one in any art interview ever asked what qualifications I had - they wanted to see my portfolio, and what I could create for their company.

And that's it basically - make the best portfolio of work you possibly can. Strive to be the best, and stand out from the crowd. I got into games from working on Mods for Quake 3, and I think this is a sound route - it proves you can work with a team, to a common goal and even sometimes (shock horror), deadlines!

My biggest piece of advice would be: put all your eggs in one basket. Be the best at one thing. The very best. No one at Lionhead is looking to hire an artist who is " src="/emoticons/g_o_o_d.gif"> at 'a little bit of everything'. Be the best character modeller, or the best texturer that there is. You will be noticed. The rest you can learn if you need to.

Don't forget also, that you can't get away with being a bad artist in the computer games industry any more. Game-art is becoming closer to whatever is in the artists mind. So, in this respect, formal art training is very handy. Take figure drawing classes. ACTUALLY DRAW. You know, the pen and paper. It has no undo.

My last piece of advice, should you take the route to become a games artist, is to fill your portfolio with game-specific work. I would be a rich man if I gained a penny for every mobile phone or bedroom I saw on a showreel. Put your best piece of work at the front of your portfolio, and your second best piece last. Don't fill the middle with rubbish. I'd rather see 5 amazing pieces of artwork, than 15 pieces of average work.

My advice would be to stay in college, and complete a degree. You might get into games and realise it wasn't for you. But similarly, if you have a passion for art, go to art college, work on a portfolio in your spare time, and then join a company. If you're talented, you'll be hired.

What are you playing?

dante906v2 — Tue, 06 Jun 2006 19:13:51 GMT

I was wondering what games are you playing right now? Heres mine. Kingdom Hearts2 Fable TLC TM S&E Starwars Battle Front1/2 Warcraft the Frozen Throne. And well.......what are my fellow players playing?

QA testing interview coming up.

TimVanZan — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 17:56:45 GMT

Hello all,

I have an interview for a QA testing position coming up. It’s my first interview for a QA role and I am rather nervous. Anybody out there been in the same situation and willing to give me a heads up?

Any suggestions on how to prepare myself better? Something I should keep in mind as I walk in the door? Particular info to memorize? Specific literature to go over?

I would appreciate any and all feedback.

Dragon Age Originates October 20

fablepower — Sun, 31 May 2009 11:24:50 GMT

Last night on GameTrailers TV, the release date for BioWare's upcoming Dragon Age: Originswas revealed. Players will be able to start ruthlessly swording downed monsters on October 20.

Along with the announcement, EA released a trailer for the RPG that should help answer the question of how BioWare plans to differentiate its game from the Lord of the Rings property: by being totally metal. Not just in terms of music ... or armor, but the brutality and the feel of the trailer make it look rather like the kind of album cover Brütal Legend is emulating. Most people would have just pushed a door open, but the flaming sword/glowing eyes flourish makes the act of door-opening so much more badass. The trailer is available after the break.
Gallery: Dragon Age: Origins

http://www.gametrailers.com/player/49796.html

Joystiq

Replayed Fallout 3 a bit today...

WoollyPenguin — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 14:57:28 GMT

And it was as as I remembered but I noticed something,
Simms.
When Burkes shoots him, We have no chance to save him.
We can't shoot Burkes before that, We would be attacked.
We can't take the bullet.
Were completely -useless- in Megaton except for killing it.

And another small flaw:
We can't hit Butch back when he hits me at my party. Why not?

Your opinions?

top 10 RPG's ever played to this date

avo172 — Thu, 28 Aug 2008 07:08:58 GMT

1.Eldor scrolls 4 Oblivion
2. Fable the lost chapters
3.Mass effect
4.Jade Empire
5. Zelda Aqura of time
6.Daiblo 2
7.Saints row
8. GTA 4
9.GTA San Adreas
10.The Godfather

Modeler/Texture artist

Stapey — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 20:11:51 GMT

If anyone at Lionhead or even anyone else with any experience could answer this question it would be a big help.

What is it like to be modeller in the games industry? How hard is it to find jobs? Many companies require/ask for 3 years of experience or more. Is this always the case are their some exceptions to the rules? Also, where can you get the experience from apart from interships? I have also been told by one games artist that you are also required to do texturing as well for the models. Is this true? Do Lionhead take on people that know Maya or 3DSMax rather than XSI?

Jade Empire Any Good?

fablepower — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 20:23:54 GMT

Seen a couple of videos on Youtube.
Looks nice to play.
Thinking of picking it up for Xbox.
Is it any ?

Overlord II

Orakaius — Sun, 14 Jun 2009 23:46:13 GMT

Done a search and all I found was overlord 1 and a poorly thought out overlord 2 thread

So anyway, I played the demo a few days ago, and I've started following it as I did with overlord 1 when I saw atchoo's topic on it last year or the year before, can't quite remember.

I really loved the demo, but I do miss somethings from the first, I don't particulary like the new sound they've put in to recall minions, like the old one, just sounds more . However I do like the new look of the overlord, especially what looks to be fur or something and the hippie nature elves.

I read abit up on wiki, and it says two more are planned; Overlord: Minions is to be released for the Nintendo DS, which is mainly a puzzle game revolving around controlling minions. And Overlord: Dark Legend on the wii.

Also found that Terry Pratchett the author of the discworld series, well his daughter is the writer of the game, along with others she has written are prince of persia, heavenly sword, and mirrors edge.

I'm amazed at this, and well just thought I'd share a half hour craze.

I hope this is enough info to get you guys talkin

Hermit

Rage

Orakaius — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 20:52:46 GMT

The new first person shooter from Id software (Wolfenstein 3D, Quake and Doom) with racing and published by EA.

I'm really looking forward to this game, just wondering if anyone else is, it looks sort of madmax/fallout world style its going to be open world, on PS3, 360, PC and Mac.

Its another post-apocalyptic game sure but this one actually got me excited at first glance, where as Fallout 3 I was eased into addiction.

Heres some vids, interview, trailer.

Hermit

Fallout 3 Modding Help

Swordbane85 — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 05:15:38 GMT

In my opinion, Fallout 3 is a pretty decent game and I've already beaten it on my 360 along with all the DLC except for Zeta, however I got my hands on a free copy of the GOTY edition for the PC, and I decided that I will start using some mods, and FOOK came to mind. For those of you that don't know, FOOK is basically the hardcore version of "vanilla" Fallout 3, it brings in over 150 new guns, armor, cranks up the difficulty, adds more textures for blood and guts, etc.

So this is a question for those who know a deal about modding with this game. I went to download FOOK2 and after it downloading and I clicked to run the file, it came up with an error message saying "Failed to read setup engine." Any help on this? Is there some patch or anything I need to download? I'm using Vista Ultimate in case that helps.

Thanks in advance.

Question!

WoollyPenguin — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 21:40:40 GMT

Just a quick question to the devs here.

What is your faviroute non LH video game?

Natal for $80???

captainPATstarr — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 05:54:46 GMT

According to sources speaking with British trade site MCV, Microsoft's Project Natal will be released worldwide in November 2010, and may retail for under $80.

The details apparently leaked during a round of developer visits in the UK, in which Microsoft toured studios showing off the technology.

The same sources reckon 14 games will be available at launch, with 5 million cameras ready for sale on day 1, spread between standalone cameras and 360/Natal bundles.

Most interesting of all, however, is word on the price Microsoft are hoping to charge, with an expected price of £50 in the UK, which is USD$80. One source, however, indicated Microsoft may go even cheaper in an effort to make Natal an "impulse buy", and price it as low as £30 (USD$50).

http://kotaku.com/5402009/rumor-project-natal-launches-november-2010-14-games-might-be-cheap?skyline=true&s=x

If this is true I wont be as upset that Fable III will use natal. But I still hope that itll be optional or for certain jobs. Maybe this will give us a time frame for Fable III since you know Microsoft will want it to be a launch title if possible.

The Dark Mod

Atchoo — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 23:10:40 GMT

I completely forgot to check on this for the last three weeks, so of course they finally released it.

It's a Thief mod for Doom 3. It's absolutely gorgeous and I think they've got the atmosphere spot on. There's also some clever stuff they've done with the physics engine which could really add to the gameplay mechanics. I've only played the training map so far, but I loved it. Even the lock-picking mechanism they've come up with is imaginative and fun

I think I'd even go so far as to say this will be better than Thief 3 once there's a few more maps available. In my mind the movement and game dynamics feel a lot more Thiefy than the last Eidos effort.

Need help??? I lost my black and white 2 booklet, i don't have my codes

harden1 — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 11:16:05 GMT

I had to move and i lost my booklet that had the codes for black and white 2 (my favorite game) is there anyone that can get me going in the right direction so i can ask the right Lionhead team for help..

Please do forgive me, I'am new here

What games are you looking forward to and why?

satansmunchkin — Thu, 18 Sep 2008 23:54:43 GMT

We have a what are you playing?! thread, but not one for the games that you are looking forward to coming out ... I try to stay abreast of all the new games that are coming out, but I do miss them from time to time ... It's something that meant I've never played God Of War or Silent Hill ... and I am unsure weather to pick up (like I did with MGS4) the end game from a trilogy (GoWIII) because I feel I have missed out on the previous games, this of course means that I'll have to go and buy them but I am now worried they'll feel old and dated, especially the original Silent Hill game ...

Anyways, enough waffle, lets see what people are really looking forward to playing, hopefully we can spread some relatively unknown gems around as well.

Personally at the moment I am looking forward to getting my grubby hands on Mirrors Edge the most, it just looks beautiful ... and has such an intreauging interface that if they pull it off will be one of the most novel playing styles on any game.

I'm also looking forward to Dead Space, a lot ... They have this "animated comic" that sets the scene for it and I flicked one on thinking "yeah this'll be crap" and it wasn't ... the fact that it is a blatant rip off of Aliens just means that you KNOW the story is going to be I'm not really that fussed about the whole "zero-G" aspect that they keep tarting about, but considering Doom 3 was such a let down for me, then I think that Dead Space might just be the game I thought Doom 3 would be ... It reminds me of The Suffering in a strange way, not sure if anyone else played that game, but it seriously freaked me out! Well worth a go if you can find it.

The more I see of Little Big Planet, the more new pairs of underpants I need to buy it looks that ! Words cannot express how much I can't wait for that game.

Another one would have to be Final Fantasy XIII I ordered it for the PS3 way back, so that is the format I will stick with I think ... I am a Final Fantasy fanboy and have every single one of the games ... V, VI, VII, VIII and IX for the PSone, X, X-2 and XII for the PS2 (and I don't include XI because it isn't really final fantasy it's just an MMO in the guise of Final Fantasy ...) and I have picked up I and II for the PSP and III and IV I have kicking about somewhere as well, might be on the DS? not sure though ... Anyways, there's the reason I want XIII ...

On top of that I discovered Fallout 3 yesterday and realised I had missed out on another series of games from my own inability to follow new releases (it's a long running problem ) ...

I'm also intreagued to see what MAG has to offer ...It has the potential to be insane and do away with all the problems normally associated with an online multiplayer for an FPS ... I mean 256 people is enough to mean camping isn't really and option and it could also mean that luck comes into it as much as skill as well (like in a real war).

Anyways, that's my wishlist, wondering what everyone else has on theirs ...

assassins creed no.2

icechild — Tue, 07 Apr 2009 15:30:18 GMT

remember a while ago i was begging for an assassins creed sequel well look at what i have found on ign today

http://uk.ps3.ign.com/dor/objects/14302494/assassins-creed-2/videos/ac2_trl_teaser_040609.html

it shows absolutely nothing but its cool and its proof that there will be a sequel soooo....yay

ps3 or 360

skormsweasel — Wed, 11 Mar 2009 23:41:09 GMT

Well my 360 died and I have considered buying a ps3 instead of chancing onother RRoD, but I dont know which one to choose, there are to many fanboys giving biased arguments so please dont turn this into a xbox rules or xbos sucks thread Thanks.

What was the best game franchise that totally blew it?

ExpiredRascals — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 18:47:48 GMT

Well it is pretty much what the title says, what do you think is the game franchise that started off completely amazing and then blew it?

I'll start it off with Halo: Halo 1 was one of the best games of all time, I still play it, but Halo 2 started the downward slide into Halo 3 and Halo Wars (both of which I regret to say I play, but have crappy stories and only decent multiplayer)

Invitation for the Animator Day on Mexico (Peter Molyneux or someone else)

cirilo1000 — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 20:47:36 GMT

Hi, my name is Sebastian Rodriguez, and I'm from Mexico.
I'm studying Animation and Digital Arts and we're planning an event for the animator day on april 1st.
I wrote this e-mail because I want to invite you to come for the celebration day.
We're looking for some someone to could do a congress about animation and videogames.
At the beginning, I have the idea about Peter Molyneux could come, but I guess its going to be hard. Even if is someone else, we really appreciate he/she could come.

I'll be waiting for your answer.

Sebastian Rodriguez Siordia.

PS: Sorry for my english.

the witcher

icechild — Sun, 18 Oct 2009 23:19:37 GMT

i have recently investid in a copy of the witcher specail edition, and insofar i have decidid that it is awsome. plenty of depth, a great story, uniqe combat, and a great big helping of cleavedge. any way, i was wondering if anyone else on this fourum has played this great, and by now a little obscure, game. ?

The future of gaming.

Sovvolf — Mon, 24 Aug 2009 19:51:15 GMT

Please don't be misled by the title, this thread isn't about your thoughts on what the future of gaming is going to be, I think that subject as probably been discussed to death in the Natel section, that and the fact that I lack the brains to come up with thread about the inevetiablity of the ever changing gaming industry, Instead this is a thread about up and coming games that are on there way out, maybe not so far in the future or maybe as far as next year and such. I do realise we have the "Games you are looking forward to thread" but in this thread here you don't necessarily have to be looking forward to the game to post about it and discuss it, I got the idea for this thread from looking at the Section 8 and Dante's Inferno threads and thinking maybe we should just put them all in one big pot, I hope you enjoy this thread although to tell you the truth this thread could go either mostly due to the similar nature of the other said thread.

Pirates of the Caribbean: Armada of the Damned

I've just been looking at this game on wikipedia and it looks like it could bode well, it's a free roaming pirate game for all those people here who always wanted to be a pirate and even though it's set in the Pirates of the Caribbean world it is set before the events in the old Prequel sort of thing they do in games these days, the game despite being set in the same world as Pirates of the Caribbean it is (apparently) not connected in any other way to the events that happened in Pirates of the Caribbean, which to me is a big positive given that it's less likely to make any messy plot holes, in the sense that some of the lovable characters from the Pirates of the Caribbean series convenieantly bump into our new hero and have a jolly quest with him but for some reason every one tends to keep quite about it in the movie.

Though I did find some thing in the description of this game and would one of you please tell me if this sounds sort of familiar

"The game will give players a character who has a predetermined appearance and personality, and based on their actions, the player will shape the character. Choices the player makes in the game will change the appearance and personality of the character. The game's main focus is to allow players to choose how their character is seen in the world.This will allow some players to be more feared while some are just more respected."

Lol, I wonder were they got that from lol, that aside I'm sort a looking forward to what this game could become.

Are you sick of exploits used by the game industry for you to unlock full content?

Fata1moose — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 00:56:29 GMT

Me personally I'm sick of the game industry making me pre-order games or play a previous one to unlock full content of a game.

Such examples being.

Halo 3 ODST - Unlock Sargent Johnson by per-ordering ODST
Assassins Creed 2 - Unlock weapons by playing the PSP version
Battlefield Bad Company, unlock weapons by playing a previous battlefield game.

That is just a few off the top of my head and there are no doubt more. This exploit for money has been growing in the past few years. I don't mind extra content with LE versions because that makes more sense but to make you cough up 10 dollars just for a character or buy a previous game to get a weapon is just plain stupid. I won't buy these things however for the record, but I should not have to in the first place.

Sacred 2...any good?

Sovvolf — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 19:15:23 GMT

I've just got a couple of quid for doing a little job for some one, £43 to be exact (now to most of you that may not be much, to me however an (unexploded student) that's pretty much the holy grail) now I don't have much new equipment to buy, maybe some new chin pads but I can make them last, so I was thinking of getting my fish and ornament and maybe treating my self to a video game. I keep seeing a game called Sacred 2 on the shelves at the local video game store and well it looks interesting but I'm not %100 sold, I've looked at the reviews and they rate it at about 7.9 and such mainly mixed positive I think so that hasn't convinced me to or not to buy the game, so I would like to hear from my ever trusted forum dwellers what they think about this game, would you buy it?, is it (in your opinion) any . Please hurry with the sharing of your ideas I don't like to rush people but well I might pick up the game tomorrow if your responses are overall positive.

Ho and it's the 360 version btw.

Question (Hopefully a Answer from someone at Lionhead)

DLGaming — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 21:26:22 GMT

Hi guys, just a quick question. When developing your latest games what kind of computer did you use.

Apple Mac or Desktop..

Any answer would be greatly appreciated, as i am looking into the gaming industry and what computer experience i would need.

Much Appreciated,