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Anyone elses opinion would be greatly appreciated too, I've been asking anyone I can find who would know a little about this. Or feel free to avoid this topic at all costs, no worries

In any case, I'm currently in school as a programmer (not specifically a game programmer, just a software developer) and in a few months I'll be applying for an internship position. Now lucky me, one of the places that are recruiting us is BioWare as game programmers. (Baldurs Gate, Jade Empire, Mass Effect, etc.)

My only problem is that I've talked to former game developers (not just from BioWare) and most say the same thing, game companies take young programmers, and well basically, chew em up and spit em out. BioWare is not known for this, but in recent years they've been leaning more and more towards a corporate feel.

I guess what I'm asking is, would it be worth it to try a career in game development if you're looking for a secure and long term job? Would I do better with a smaller company? Given the choice of staying with ninjabee or moving to a bigger developer, what would you do?

This intern thing is killing me, because I'd love to work in games, but given what I've heard I'm really hesitant about making it my first priority if I could instead intern at a consulting firm or something. At the same time, even though the game industry is known for its poor treatment of programmers (well, from what everyones telling me), would it get better? I was told that with EAs recent wave of lawsuits, the conditions may improve dramatically over the next few years.

Anyways... yeah. Any advice would be appreciated. Sorry for the huge post

Actually, to tell the truth, I'm interested too. I'm actually considering a career in video game programming, of course, I'd have to be prepared to travel elsewhere. Can you name one non-indi game developer in New Zealand?

They do exist, y'know. Just... none that are really notable. Think I saw one of them on that C4 at E3 special. Yeah, now that I think about it, I did.

I know it's not videogames, but isn't WETA based in NZ? That would be pretty cool.

Yeah, Weta Workshop is in New Zealand and indeed, the closest they've got to game developing is the Halo movie.

Great to see you are becoming a game developer Drunky! You will still make us walkthroughs right!

Anyway, I would try it. I really like BioWare as a game developer, but I see how you are saying the are getting more corporate. I really am no expert on the subject, but I am sure the ninjabees here would be.

Oh I would love to try it.

The program I'd be trying to get into that would place me in a job is very competitive, seeing as there are only a handful of jobs at each company. Doing a good job may land me a longer term (if not permanent) position once I'm done school, so I just want to know if I should start early in a game programmer career or just cut down the time it would take me to try for an analyst position.

And of course I'd try to keep making walkthroughs

I just havent had time to even play any games lately. I actually managed to go two whole weeks without touching my 360

Well this is a nice start. I get to interview a BioWare employee, most likely a game programmer.



Now I just need to figure out some more fun questions to balance out all my work related ones. Any ideas?

Ask what game he/she totally geeks out for and/or buys immediately.
Ask what their home setup is like for playing games.
Ask if they could work for one other company besides Bioware, where would they like to work, with whom, and on what. (Okay, so that's kinda work related.)
Ask, skydiving or hot air ballooning?

Hope that helps.

Haha thanks.

I'm really looking forward to this, I get to go to BioWare (hopefully we get a little tour) and the guy I'll be speaking with has worked on Mass Effect.

He probably wont be able to tell me anything, but thats still pretty cool.

That is truly exciting! I'll send lots of positive energy out there for you getting the internship of your choice. Good luck!

Thanks, I actually went to BioWare yesterday and it seems like an awesome place to work. We didnt get a tour (wouldnt want us to see something we shouldnt have, we even had to sign NDAs), but we got to see their public area, like their break room.

It was incredible, arcade games lined the wall, pinball machines, foozball (that how you spell it?) tables, pool tables, and video games everywhere. During their lunch breaks they just play video games.

I didnt get to see the black 360 they mentioned though

Nice. When do you find out more?

I think it's "Foosball" -- and a quick check at wikipedia confirms it.

Actually not for a few months.

Then again I found out my stay there would only be as a game tester Not sure if I want to do that for 4 months.

Well, from what little I know about "the industry", game testing is one of the main ways that people get their foot in the door at dev houses. So don't poo poo it too quickly. Obviously if you are a kick ass tester they would consider hiring you.

Personally, I'd love to test games...but I don't really have a programming/comp-sci background...more a software QA background.

So I'm relatively new to the game industry, but I've been working at NinjaBee for 8 months. I assume you mean you eventually want to be a game programmer in the game industry, rather than a designer or artist, so I'm going to tell you exactly what I was told.

Create a finished project to show off. Nothing is more important to the potential employer, than your ability to finish something you've started.

Try to fit in. Most companies also find it very important that you "fit in" with the people that already work there, but it's more important that you be yourself. So if you're a devout Southern Baptist, probably not a good idea to try and work for Rockstar.

Be persistant. Just sending in your resume and hoping someone will get back to you is a terrible idea. Send your resume, and call them within the next three days to see if they got it, this will show the employer that you are interested in the job. My brother had to call two or three times a week for two months before they gave him a job here. So don't let rejection stop you from getting your dream job!

Also, it doesn't really seem necessary to use game testing as your doorway to the game industry these days. Game testing may get you in, but if you are a good enough programmer and follow some of the basic steps to getting hired, that step is unnecessary.

The most important doorway is you connection to the industry. For example, every time NinjaBee goes on a hiring binge, they will ask us to let them know of anyone we know that can do the job. I got hired here because my brother worked here!

I hope this helps.

P.S. - NinjaBee/Wahoo is always hiring new talent, says so on the website. And FYI, they give us free soft drinks and junk food (way too much of it...).

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Employee #C15-A7B32.x13
NinjaBee/Wahoo Studios, Inc