Viewing Thread:
"Who is actually pursuing a career in the games industry here?"

The reason I posted it here and not in chat was to avoid the influx of people who reply saying they want to be game designers, yet have no idea on how to go about it. But seriously, if you are considering/pursuing the games industry as a career, what things have you done/learnt so far, and which area are you looking in?

Rickoss wrote:
> I actually had a go at making games once, with Direct X. Made half a
> game, but that's all.

So why didn't you finish it?

I wouldn't want to be associated with NOM.

Valentino Rossi wrote:
> There is a Emap jobs website www.tastelifegetpaid.co.uk vacancies do
> pop up but obviously are very popular and the response is amazing.

Hmmmmmmm interesting stuff. I'm too young to work right now though. If you could persuade some of the people at NOM to retire in about 8 years time when I will be looking for a job (That's after uni and stuff). Thanks ;):D

phi11ip wrote:
> The tag, as in my tagline?
>
> Someone called me a saint.
>
> I christened myself St. Phi1.
>
> Easy!
>
> :c)

That was me you see, which is why I was curious enough to ask.

Back to the journalist bit;

I worked at Motorcycle News for six years (part of EMAP) we were on the same floor as NOM, they were a good bunch and would let me try any games I wanted in my lunch hour etc.
Usual thing with a monthly mag, play games for three weeks, then write all articles, take screenshots etc in the last 7 days before deadline !

There is a Emap jobs website www.tastelifegetpaid.co.uk vacancies do pop up but obviously are very popular and the response is amazing.

The tag, as in my tagline?

Someone called me a saint.

I christened myself St. Phi1.

Easy!

:c)

Yes. Can I ask how you came up with the tag?

The thing is, soooo many people want to be involved in the games industry.

There's far too much competition.

Hmmm, game developers don't do it solely for the oney and publicity - they do it because completing a game is seriously satisfying. If you wanted to be popular in the industry, then journalism is probably the best route. Ten years ago if you were a standalone developer with new ideas then there was a good chance that you would become popular (Darling brothers, Peter Molyneux), but nowadays, it's virtually impossible. That's why I think it's not possible anymore to have "another" Miyamoto.

If you want money, then be a database administrator. Top money, but who wants to look after databases for most of their working life???

Being a journalist and actually making games have their up sides and their down sides. You'll have a much higher chance of being recognised if you have your picture in magazines next to your reviews but the pay isn't so good. On the other hand if you go into the games designing part of it you'll get more money but will never be more than a name on a list of credits at the end of a game. Of course games developers don't get asked to things like E3 or whatever it is but they are more than happy to invite journalists for good publicity.