Anyway they sound like genuinely nice people and the advice they give gives me hope. When they said they applied through EA jobs it reminded me to check it for any new jobs. Seems there's a testing job. I've applied and will see how that goes.
Anyway they sound like genuinely nice people and the advice they give gives me hope. When they said they applied through EA jobs it reminded me to check it for any new jobs. Seems there's a testing job. I've applied and will see how that goes.
Haha yeah.. Toni was a good sport coming on. I told her people wouldn't mind - and quite the contrary, I think it's a very enjoyable laugh.
I talk to Aaron once in a while and I think I asked him why he isn't making Game Industry Mentor casts as often as he used to... he just doesn't have enough time!
Hey guys. Thanks for sticking with the podcast. We actually get quite a few listeners even though we are on a less-frequent schedule. For now we will leave these in a "as time permits / as needed" basis. Keep sending in your episode suggestions. I try to collect all the suggestions I get and if there is a request we will usually put it on the schedule. The next one coming up is going to be about starting in indie games.
For now, enjoy an episode about QA! It's a pretty important episode and dispels quite a few myths about the job. This has been one of the most requested topics. We cover a bunch of great information! Our guests this episode are Drew McGee - QA analyst, and Jordan Koch - associate designer. I've worked extensively with these two guys at BioWare and I am really pleased to have them on.
A special thanks to Brooks Guthrie - audio editor at BioWare for donating his time to make this episode sound fantastic!!
Not a frequent Polycounter but just wanted to pop in here and send a big thanks your way - and to anyone else that lends you their time to come on the show. Ill throw you a few bucks next pay check to show my support! Im sure time is a bigger factor here than money, but having listened to all of these at least once each I feel like its the least I can do. Thanks
Well if all goes as planned, it will never leave. There are always topics we could go back to and revisit to update the information we have given. I have always planed on these being more of an archived resource. We will always be putting out new episodes with new topics. I guess it's just a matter of when!
Glad you are liking them Thanks for the support guys.
Yeah the audio really is sooo much better. It's kind of embarrassing to be honest. It's hard to go back and listen to the old ones. I feel worst about the first episode for (ironically enough) audio. I bet Scott Morton secretly wants to kill me for that. :P Having an audio guy on the FIRST episode with the WORST audio EVER.
I just listened to the QA episode, it's really interesting. It was once again very awesome
My favorite still is the job interview episode, it always cracks me up the way you guys describe some things. Good stuff
If you liked the job interview episode, Jason Rosenstock (they guy who draws dinosaurs) is going to be on the next episode. We are going to discuss breaking into the indie scene. We're working on getting one well established indie guy and Jason who is just breaking in with his new studio White Whale Games.
Recording a new episode of Games Industry Mentor tomorrow about starting out in the indie game scene. Myself, and couple ex BioWare guys Jason Rosenstock and Alex Thomas (of "The Job Interview" episode fame) will be on along with the seasoned indie dev Adam Saltsman (Canabalt)
If you can go over the best way to spot a bs project that would be super helpful. Me and I'm sure a bunch of other guys here always get people asking us to help with awesome game X where there is no money yet, but once they release and make tons of money everyone will be set for life. Sometimes it's hard to tell if it's worth it or not.
Interesting topic. Definitely another one I'll listen to several times. As for questions, here's mine, even if they may be obvious questions.
What is the biggest misconception about working in independant games (in your opinion)?
What would you have done differently when starting out, if you knew then what you do now?
What sort of resources are there (other than GIM) for beginning indy developers?
That's a good topic, it seems like a lot of people are starting to go this route.
Questions:
- How much does the business side of things interfere with the development side of things?
Is it like in science where a you chase grants and funding 90% of the time and only do actual science 10%?
- Is it something you planned out years in advance? Or did you just jump in and start swimming?
- Is it better to be really good at one thing or mediocre at a handful of things?
- What skills would you say are most valuable?
- It's fun to dream big but how do you balance reality with what you want to do?
I think the biggest issue seems to be that of funding. I always wondered how those indie studios get off the ground to begin with. Seems like you need at least several hundred thousands of dollars just to start.
Sorry guys. I put up the latest episode last night, then and had to run off for some SWTOR launch stuff! I was meaning to put a post up here letting people know. Thanks Ben!
We really got some great information packed into this one, and Adam Saltsman is such a great ambassador for the indie scene. He was able to discuss topics in a very insightful and well articulated manner. Hope you enjoy it as much as I did!
Epic, there hasent been a new episode sense I joined the military, which has been a year and a half. I would listen to these podcasts over and over. Very exited!
Sorry that a new episode hasn't gone up for a while. The last one was the "Indie Games" episode with Adam Saltsman (canabalt), Alex Thomas (The now announced Banner Saga.. which is shaping up to be AWESOME BTW. Some of the best artwork in a game I've ever seen), and Jason Rosenstock of White Whale games who just shipped God of Blades! (Also some of the most creative art I've seen on an iOS game).
I actually was laid off at BioWare and now work for Red 5 studios as a world artist. I was wanting to turn the whole layoff process into an episode called "Layoffs"... but didn't have the time amongst all the turmoil. Now that we are settled here in Orange county, I'll try to put one together soon!
Epic, there hasent been a new episode sense I joined the military, which has been a year and a half. I would listen to these podcasts over and over. Very exited!
Oh and the indie game episode was back in December... so it wasn't that long ago. I'll keep trying to add new episodes periodically as time permits.
Hey everyone! I'm back after a bit of a hiatus to discus somewhat of a sensitive topic: Layoffs. As some of you may know, I was recently affected by a layoff myself back in June. Initially I wanted to do an episode while in the thick of it, but that never really happened. Shortly after landing at Red 5 Studios a coworker who listens to the podcast, (and an audio professional!) helped me get it going again! So here it is, the episode about Layoffs. Guests this episode are all coworkers of mine at Red 5: World Artist, Zach Turner; Game Designer, Scott Rudi; and Audio Designer, Daniel Beck.
Replies
Thanks man
Anyway they sound like genuinely nice people and the advice they give gives me hope. When they said they applied through EA jobs it reminded me to check it for any new jobs. Seems there's a testing job. I've applied and will see how that goes.
Haha yeah.. Toni was a good sport coming on. I told her people wouldn't mind - and quite the contrary, I think it's a very enjoyable laugh.
For now, enjoy an episode about QA! It's a pretty important episode and dispels quite a few myths about the job. This has been one of the most requested topics. We cover a bunch of great information! Our guests this episode are Drew McGee - QA analyst, and Jordan Koch - associate designer. I've worked extensively with these two guys at BioWare and I am really pleased to have them on.
A special thanks to Brooks Guthrie - audio editor at BioWare for donating his time to make this episode sound fantastic!!
http://gim.acanaday.com
Well if all goes as planned, it will never leave. There are always topics we could go back to and revisit to update the information we have given. I have always planed on these being more of an archived resource. We will always be putting out new episodes with new topics. I guess it's just a matter of when!
Glad you are liking them Thanks for the support guys.
Sorry Scott!
My favorite still is the job interview episode, it always cracks me up the way you guys describe some things. Good stuff
http://whitewhalegames.com/
He's a pretty funny dude. So I'm really excited to have him on again. He was also on the concept art episode.
What questions do you want answered?
What is the biggest misconception about working in independant games (in your opinion)?
What would you have done differently when starting out, if you knew then what you do now?
What sort of resources are there (other than GIM) for beginning indy developers?
Questions:
- How much does the business side of things interfere with the development side of things?
Is it like in science where a you chase grants and funding 90% of the time and only do actual science 10%?
- Is it something you planned out years in advance? Or did you just jump in and start swimming?
- Is it better to be really good at one thing or mediocre at a handful of things?
- What skills would you say are most valuable?
- It's fun to dream big but how do you balance reality with what you want to do?
- Peter Kojesta wrote a great article about creating a studio and sustaining your team:
www.gamasutra.com/blogs/PeterKojesta/20110224/7084/The_Pilot_Paradigm_How_to_launch_a_new_IP_more_effectively_and_cheaper.php
How does this square with your experience?
I'm looking forward to it very much. How about:
What are some of the pitfalls to watch out for as a Indie developer in terms of game development and also on the business side of things?
What are some good ways to build up a large audience?
There's lot's of great advice in it definitely worth your time.
We really got some great information packed into this one, and Adam Saltsman is such a great ambassador for the indie scene. He was able to discuss topics in a very insightful and well articulated manner. Hope you enjoy it as much as I did!
http://gim.acanaday.com/?p=210
I actually was laid off at BioWare and now work for Red 5 studios as a world artist. I was wanting to turn the whole layoff process into an episode called "Layoffs"... but didn't have the time amongst all the turmoil. Now that we are settled here in Orange county, I'll try to put one together soon!
Oh and the indie game episode was back in December... so it wasn't that long ago.
http://gim.acanaday.com/?p=222
Episode 22: Layoffs
Hey everyone! I'm back after a bit of a hiatus to discus somewhat of a sensitive topic: Layoffs. As some of you may know, I was recently affected by a layoff myself back in June. Initially I wanted to do an episode while in the thick of it, but that never really happened. Shortly after landing at Red 5 Studios a coworker who listens to the podcast, (and an audio professional!) helped me get it going again! So here it is, the episode about Layoffs. Guests this episode are all coworkers of mine at Red 5: World Artist, Zach Turner; Game Designer, Scott Rudi; and Audio Designer, Daniel Beck.
http://www.youtube.com/user/DrSquatzenmilk/videos?flow=grid&view=0
http://www.penny-arcade.com/patv/show/extra-credits
Artists working with designers and how to champion cooperation rather than resentment :P
Someone sounds bitter
also
-Salaries
-Stepping up in positions (junior --> regular --> lead --> supervisor)
-relocating
-networking without coming across as "I want a job!"