Some studios will explicitly say "3 years working on a shipped AAA title in a studio environment". Even for the ones that don't, I think it's a safe assumption that is what they would find ideal.
That being said you can claim whatever you want as experience, I promise you they won't send the resume police after you. Your resume is just an afterthought compared to your portfolio.
As a general rule of thumb. For base level artist positions ignore the years, and look at the aritists working there. Companies don't tend to hire down in skill, they hire across or up.
Can't speak for AAA, but usually at smaller studios any experience (paid or not) is advantageous as it shows that you have experience of working in a team, delivering assets etc.
Look at the quality of work the studio is bring out. Do you feel you can meet that level of work and are currently showing work at that level in your portfolio? If yes just apply, worst that can happen is they say no. But now you got the chance for a interview which you didn't before.
Also have you had any experience you have had working with a team? Talk about it and show it off if yes. Dosnt matter if it was work on a mod, or a small project working with a few team members.
If not just apply anyways since it is easier to teach a good artist how to work on a team, than it is to teach rubbish artist how to be good.
I,ve never done it but hearsay has always been that if you can find a good mod team the experience can be invaluable. A lot of people started out that way in the past.
Don't think too hard about what the ad says, If you really believe you could do the job I think it's ok to at least try and send in your application.
This. Applies for all positions below Senior level. If it is a senior level or above, then obviously they are looking for someone with experience (99.9% of the time AAA exp) under their belt. If it is below a senior position, then I am totally in agreement with what Jonas said. Same goes with education as well, IMO it is all about portfolio and your desire to being an asset for their team.
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That being said you can claim whatever you want as experience, I promise you they won't send the resume police after you. Your resume is just an afterthought compared to your portfolio.
Also have you had any experience you have had working with a team? Talk about it and show it off if yes. Dosnt matter if it was work on a mod, or a small project working with a few team members.
If not just apply anyways since it is easier to teach a good artist how to work on a team, than it is to teach rubbish artist how to be good.
This. Applies for all positions below Senior level. If it is a senior level or above, then obviously they are looking for someone with experience (99.9% of the time AAA exp) under their belt. If it is below a senior position, then I am totally in agreement with what Jonas said. Same goes with education as well, IMO it is all about portfolio and your desire to being an asset for their team.