There are so many factors involved in choosing a job. The above for me would probably be way further down the list than the project, the tech, the vibe I got at interview, the location. So many factors. If all of those things were equal in a choice of two, I would probably go with the established. It would look better on a resume and besides, gone are the Bullfrog and early Rockstar days of a tiny team of devs striking it rich with one hit. The industry just doesn't work like that anymore.
I think that always depends. Say you have three interviews, one at an established company, and two at startup companies. Your first is with the established company that has had numorous hits so you would be rather safe there.
Your second is with a startup company that is producing a game that has already flooded the market. Frankly speaking, this may be safe but are you going to buy the first person shooter from the start up company or the established company. I would buy the established companies fps over the startups only because they are generally better. This might mean this start up company is going to go under so why would you want to work there rather then to get your foot in the door.
The third is with a startup company that is taking a chance and creating the type of game that no big developer wants to because their market is safe. If your interview goes well and you sign an NDA giving you a chance to look at what has already been created and possibly play it. Well now, does this game bring a fun sense back into the video game world. Could you see people buying this with the proper marketing technique. If you think this game is going to go through really well then I would say go with this company.
If its between a start up company doing a game that has been done to death versus an established company doing a game that has been done to death then I am going with the established game company for the job security.
I'd rather contribute to a startup, than be expendable in an establishment. I'd go with jec's third option, and do all I could to help that sell. In fact, that's what I'm aiming for. Call me crazy. The little guy can do some great things with the right talent. Someone's gotta keep things fresh so EA can follow.
Its the game, not the amount of time the company has been in bussiness. Assuming however that established people are making same old stuff and startup companies are making new things, than I choose startup.
How about an established company that has multiple projects and smaller teams? You get both the relative stability of an established company, but also the ability to make a meaningful contribution to your specific project. Pipe dream you say? Dunno, that's pretty much the situation i've been in the last two (counting my current) jobs and it's definitely working for me.
startup, but with some exceptions...
i think you should ask lots of questions on your interview, like what the owners backgrounds are, what other games have team members worked on, profit sharing and so on.
i recently left an established, fairly large company, and now i work for a small start up. the additude is completly different and they are more about fixing what sucks about the industry, where as large companies seem to have the "if its not COMPLETELY broken, dont fix it" mentality. all the team members have been in the industry for a long time, the owners were both big heads at activision and the art director has been in the industry for 20 years! so far it has exceeded my expectations of what a game company can be. and at only 30 people i know everyone in the company and i talk to the owners everyday. i never talked to the owner of my last job, i dont even think he knew my name, let alone what i even did in the company. i feel more like a part of the team and less like a cog turning a gear keeping the machine going. another big plus of a small upstart is profit sharing. i know lots of small companies that have made great games and get bought out and everyone on the team walks away with fairly big pockets. this is not always the case as some teams have greedy owners, but really as a startup thats one way to attract good talent is by giving them a chunk of the company when they get hired, then you feel like your not just making some game, your making your game. there is no corporate bullshit, i dont have to be in untill 11, i mean realistically i dont even have to be in then i just feel bad coming in later, but my hours are totally up to me. since its a small company i get bought lunch and dinner if i am still around on a regular basis, and its good food too, not just crappy pizza or a burger. AND i make more than double what i did at the large company. from my current expereance, i will never work for a large company again.
Replies
Your second is with a startup company that is producing a game that has already flooded the market. Frankly speaking, this may be safe but are you going to buy the first person shooter from the start up company or the established company. I would buy the established companies fps over the startups only because they are generally better. This might mean this start up company is going to go under so why would you want to work there rather then to get your foot in the door.
The third is with a startup company that is taking a chance and creating the type of game that no big developer wants to because their market is safe. If your interview goes well and you sign an NDA giving you a chance to look at what has already been created and possibly play it. Well now, does this game bring a fun sense back into the video game world. Could you see people buying this with the proper marketing technique. If you think this game is going to go through really well then I would say go with this company.
If its between a start up company doing a game that has been done to death versus an established company doing a game that has been done to death then I am going with the established game company for the job security.
Scott
i think you should ask lots of questions on your interview, like what the owners backgrounds are, what other games have team members worked on, profit sharing and so on.
i recently left an established, fairly large company, and now i work for a small start up. the additude is completly different and they are more about fixing what sucks about the industry, where as large companies seem to have the "if its not COMPLETELY broken, dont fix it" mentality. all the team members have been in the industry for a long time, the owners were both big heads at activision and the art director has been in the industry for 20 years! so far it has exceeded my expectations of what a game company can be. and at only 30 people i know everyone in the company and i talk to the owners everyday. i never talked to the owner of my last job, i dont even think he knew my name, let alone what i even did in the company. i feel more like a part of the team and less like a cog turning a gear keeping the machine going. another big plus of a small upstart is profit sharing. i know lots of small companies that have made great games and get bought out and everyone on the team walks away with fairly big pockets. this is not always the case as some teams have greedy owners, but really as a startup thats one way to attract good talent is by giving them a chunk of the company when they get hired, then you feel like your not just making some game, your making your game. there is no corporate bullshit, i dont have to be in untill 11, i mean realistically i dont even have to be in then i just feel bad coming in later, but my hours are totally up to me. since its a small company i get bought lunch and dinner if i am still around on a regular basis, and its good food too, not just crappy pizza or a burger. AND i make more than double what i did at the large company. from my current expereance, i will never work for a large company again.