Questions about the game industry from a newbie
polycounter lvl 9
Hey everyone,
I was recently told this by a person who has worked 22 years in the industry. That If I do not have a game out in the next 4 years I will not / never get a job in the games industry.
I am currently 26. I do not have a published title to my name. Is what he said true?
I also have some learning disabilities. He said that "Okay, so your not going to work for any company".
I am not sure what to think...
I thought that the game industry was about "If I could do the work I could get the job?"
I am not sure what to think or what even do if I don't get a published title out in the next 4 years. Let alone my learning disabilities.
I am currently wanting to be an artist for Smaller Indie Studios in my local area. But I am not sure what to think anymore.
Polycount is any of this true?
- HeadClot
I was recently told this by a person who has worked 22 years in the industry. That If I do not have a game out in the next 4 years I will not / never get a job in the games industry.
I am currently 26. I do not have a published title to my name. Is what he said true?
I also have some learning disabilities. He said that "Okay, so your not going to work for any company".
I am not sure what to think...
I thought that the game industry was about "If I could do the work I could get the job?"
I am not sure what to think or what even do if I don't get a published title out in the next 4 years. Let alone my learning disabilities.
I am currently wanting to be an artist for Smaller Indie Studios in my local area. But I am not sure what to think anymore.
Polycount is any of this true?
- HeadClot
Replies
Hey Direwolf - I am not seeking any position. This is someone that contacted me and started talking to me.
I would like to publish my own game. I am an environment artist or I like to think so.
Is any of this true?
It might ring true for big studios with a tight budget, but I'm not so sure. What sort of learning disability do you have, mate? If you don't mind my asking. Is it very severe?
I do not mind you asking.
I have high functioning Autism and bipolar disorder. They do not get in the way at all. In my opinion but that is me.
Edit: Also thank you for the info.
Would the disabilities be a problem? If you have any questions about me feel free and hop into the polycount G+ Hangout. I am there currently.
As I see it, more important skills you will need are managing your time, your team and your project progression.
"Aw, man. This guy has the exact skillset we need and is so much better than any other candidate-- but he's 30. Welp, let's hire that new grad, wasn't he, like, 20?"
As long as you have the skillset needed, you have a good attitude and get the work done, then you shouldn't have a problem; especially not with smaller studios.
Stick with what you want to do. As long as you're smart about it, you'll make it work.
The bipolar and autism also dont matter if they dont manifest in a way where people find you difficult to work with, but i wouldnt mention either in an interview if not asked.
Demanding decent hours, decent pay, decent benefits
Normally due to things and people you've picked up along the way and now rely on you for those things. With a higher cost of living comes higher salary requirements, mortgages, car payments, kids, those aren't cheap. Once you cross 30 you might start thinking about retirement, even though it's another 30-40 years off. You might be in a serious relationship and have a kid or two that might pull you away from work.
Having a life outside of work
Some places love to pay a fixed salary amount and then hope that you love work so much that you work a ton of overtime and don't notice you aren't being paid because you're married to your job.
Wanting stability
With age and experience comes the bitter memories of being laid off and having to live like your a poor college student all over again. People who have been down that path before tend to see it coming and that can tip off the other people who don't which might spark a mass exodus.
Fragile egos
If you are older than the person doing the hiring you might be viewed as a threat to their authority and superiority, especially if you know more about a particular aspect that they aren't all that well versed in.
Basically you might be clued into how the sausage is made, but that is only a concern at places that are probably horrible to work at and you probably want to stay away from anyway. Any decent place won't care about those things and will hire talent when they see it.
If the only thing you have going for you is "I'm young, naive and willing to be taken advantage of" then you probably need to work on your portfolio some more.
With that said the only things that I have ever seem be factors are the following:
1. Are you a bad ass artist (This is the first test, just be awesome at art)
2. Are you respectful to other people. (On all levels above and below your position)
3. Can you handle feedback (Seriously can you handle someone killing your babies, with the understanding that everyone wants the product to be the best it can)
There are more than those three but right there alone is the golden triangle of getting a job at a game studio. Age and other factors aside just be an amazing artist and human being and it will all work its self out.
"People over 30 want higher pay." If you're starting in an industry, you should expect starting salary. It's not rocket science. It's exactly like a fresh grad with an inflated ego asking more than they're worth. Just don't do it.
"Your personal life is a factor." As Mark said, if this is a problem for a company, you don't want to work there. I could write a whole paragraph on why, but basically your s.o. might be around in 30 years, your job probably wont.
"Older people don't have that 'spark'." This is complete BS. All you have to do is be engaging in the interview. It's especially easy if you're talking to another like-minded person because you can nerd out a little bit. If you're having problems with your energy level at 30, it's a medical thing and you need to re-evaluate your lifestyle.
From what I've seen, the idea of 30 as an age barrier is generated mostly by people approaching retirement (60-65), because that's when they were probably married and starting to have kids. They're forgetting that the generation before them did things a decade earlier and that our generation will live longer and (hopefully) healthier. You're also approaching a VERY crowded field at the end of a recession. Two major factors this person probably didn't have to deal with.
In terms of learning disabilities, if you can do your job than no one can say anything against you. I know three very accomplished graphic designers who are colorblind for example. My first college roommate, a metal worker, is so dyslexic that I had to help him register for courses. He's a damn good artist though and owns a jewelry studio in Brooklyn.
Also you should watch this, specifically at 3 minutes:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KlUMrzwmbyo