Visiting a game studio?
This may sound dumb but here's the deal. I'm going over to Poland in September, my brother lives there and we are going to see the beautiful Zakopane mountains. So as he lives in Warzaw i thought that it would be uber-cool if i could visit some of the awesome game studios there, even just to drop my portfolio and CV. I'm very interested about the idea of moving to Poland and getting a game industry job in there. Like from People Can Fly or CDProjectRed *drool*
So the questions are:
- Have you ever visited a game studio? Maybe just to drop cv/portfolio etc..
- PCF are working on the next GoW, so they probably will shoot me on sight, right?
- Do i have any kind of chance of getting inside to the studios, maybe meet some people, ask about jobs, living in poland, throw them with my portfolio..
- How the whole thing usually works in game companies..
I've been in only one game company as visitor.
It was with school class but it was great to meet people and see how the whole thing works there and ask about internships etc..
So the questions are:
- Have you ever visited a game studio? Maybe just to drop cv/portfolio etc..
- PCF are working on the next GoW, so they probably will shoot me on sight, right?
- Do i have any kind of chance of getting inside to the studios, maybe meet some people, ask about jobs, living in poland, throw them with my portfolio..
- How the whole thing usually works in game companies..
I've been in only one game company as visitor.
It was with school class but it was great to meet people and see how the whole thing works there and ask about internships etc..
Replies
Oh yeah, i forgot to mention.. of course i would contact them before and ask about the possibility of it :poly136:
I mean, to drop off a CV/resume, sure, you can drop by and do that. But if you're expecting to talk to someone or get a tour or what not, set it up before hand. It's just courtesy, really.
Thanks. Any pointers who i should be in contact with? Who deals with this kinda stuff in the game companies?
Good luck!
anyone in prerelease wont probably have time and earlier on wont want to show anything...
post release people are usually a bit more relaxed and have time...plus no massive secrets lying around
Who knows i may be wrong ,but its a bit unusual.
Most likely. I had to NDA when i was visiting couple of times a small local mobile game company that offered me a possible job.
So i guess in a big company they would throw it right at you.
Your best bet would be to call, or email them.
Good luck!
(Small local mobile studios =/= mid/large studio working on console or AAA title)
there was supposed to be a big meetup in warsaw this year but it didn't happen yet. i think there was no clear organizer so the event will only happen once some people take up the shitty task of organizing it.
i recall there are few guys from CD Projekt and People Can Fly on that forum, so it's possible that they also appear on meetups. this could be your chance to talk to them. or if not them then maybe some guys from smaller studios.
Whoa, thanks for the tip! I'll check that out. (and thanks for everyone else for the feedback too)
I met this one CDPR artist at Nordic Game so i could ask from him too about possible meetups and other stuff..
The only people that ever get shown around here are publisher/business big shots and the rare journalist.
I can understand why some employee who volunteered to give me and my classmate seems so hurry back then ( when I was in college)...
Well getting a tour isn't the thing that i would want but just to meet someone like company recruiter/HR/someone in person there and give them my portfolio/CV. I don't expect them to treat me like i'm the prince of finland or anything..
edit:
And do game companies really consider other game industry artists, wanting to work for them, and meet as "random visitors" or "tourists"?
It's not likely that they're going to be assholes about it, but everything you want can be done through email. These people are busy and it's not their job to tend to random people who walk in, wanting a job or networking.
That said, you should still shoot them an email and ask about meeting face to face. Or just to get in contact.
I always prefer meeting people face to face rather than email, so that is the one thing why i would like this to work out.
Also it would be huge motivation boost to work on portfolio if i could get green light to meet someone in there.
You have to understand that game companies get tons of applications, the large majority of those isn't even worth a second look at their portfolio. The number 1 requirement for letting someone come to the studio and talk about employment, is that their portfolio is deemed adequate (apart from actually having a job opening).
I haven't looked at your portfolio so I'm not saying you are inadequate or something, but I hope you understand what I mean. People's time at the company is valuable, so there has to be a barrier for entry, otherwise any self-proclaimed artist could come over and have a chat.
That said, nothing is stopping you from having an informal lunch outside of work hours with people from a company: people have gotten their job like that before. Just don't be awkward about it I guess.
I mean hey I would like to tour Blizzards campus because from the pictures I have seen it looks absolutely beautiful but if im not interviewing there or have a friend there to let me come to the studio chances my charming good looks wont get me past the front door
Just because people sign an NDA saying they wont say anything dosnt mean they are actually going to hold up to that. You could be someone from IGN or something just looking for a scoop on the next game for all they know.
Also artists or HR having to talk to people coming to the studio takes time out of there day from doing what there suppose too, there job making a video game!
That would be more than awesome.
I'm not sure if i even got that joke, but it made me laugh hard :poly136:
My technique: Find someone who works in your discipline for the studio on linkedin, and email them saying you'll be in town and would be really cool to meet a fellow game developer. I know it helps that because of my website many times these people already know of me or my tutorials, but I think it could work with even a beginner with a decent portfolio. Most of us game developers enjoy making friends and meeting other dedicated developers of our discipline.
I've never asked for a tour of the studios, that's always been the other person volunteering. Mainly I wanted to meet up with the people much more than I wanted to see the interior of a studio, but often times people are proud of where they work, or think it'd be a good idea for you to meet other developers right after work or for a lunch break.
That's a dangerous attitude to have.
Normally people will have built up a strong/competitive portfolio before trying to meet a recruiter or HR employee in person. A portfolio that usually caters toward the studio or style of game they'd like to work on.
Showing up with an underwhelming portfolio and expecting to get an opportunity at a studio like PeopleCanFly or CDProjectRed can set you up for dissapointment. Worst case scenario, it leaves a bad first impression.
However, having those points of contact so that when you do improve and try again can be beneficial in some way. Being able to put a face to a name can go some way, but you've got to be able to produce.
Wow, thanks! This really gave hope for me and is 100% what i was trying to say all the time.
That im more into meeting people than getting a tour or something..
I already contacted the one artist from CDPR in LinkedIn about it.
Wait what? For wanting to work harder on my portfolio and to prove my skills and wanting to work for them?
if you want to work harder then simply do it, regardless of getting or not getting green light to meet devs. this way even if you don't meet anyone your portfolio will still get better and increase your chances in future.
you don't know when or where you'll end up meeting some game devs and getting opportunities. so why not make sure that no matter when you meet them, you can always show them a portfolio that displays 100% of your abilities.
I'll be in Poland next week! I'll post if something similar happens there..
I can recall a few times some random stranger has shown up at the door to drop off a resume and want to check out the building. it was creepy and they were denied. Its like asking a girl for butt sex after shaking her hand for the first time. well, maybe not, but you don't want to turn into "that guy" for the devs to joke about so setting up a more professional connection is best. also.. don't show up in a suit or tie.