I *love* my job.
polycounter lvl 19
And I'm one of few of my friends or family whom can truly say that. I'm not sure why, though. Sure, I love playing videogames. I'm a gamer, that's obvious. But so are a lot of my friends and they don't work in this business, or have interest in it. There's a number of reasons why I love my job...
One reason why I love it like I do is the work and collaboration it had taken to get here. I never went to school for this, in fact, I dropped out of school to "teach myself" what I do. And from that, from bugging most of you and learning along side an entire COMMUNITY of others, I've gained relationships and friendships that doesn't come with most professions out there.
I think the true realization of 'this is me, this is my profession' came when I landed my first in-house job. To be around people that are not only like-minded as me, but ALSO love their job thats something I think is truly precious to someones livelihood.
What would I say is the greatest aspect of being in this business? I've asked myself that quite a bit lately, as it all seems really good, but I think I finally found it: I feel like a kid again at least once a day. I had an awesome childhood (videogame fueled) and at least once a day I read something about a game that excites me (although now its for different reasons than when I was younger). Nevermind the characters that are around now that were when I was young (Mario, Sonic) adding to the nostalgia I get, but the excitement of hearing of a new game, new technology, new studio, new people is so refreshing. I'm still a fan boy. I get really excited, still, for game releases. I guess thats where the feeling of 'being a kid' comes from.
Anyway, this is turning in to a blog post and I really just wanted to get my feelings down as to why I love my job and this industry.
One reason why I love it like I do is the work and collaboration it had taken to get here. I never went to school for this, in fact, I dropped out of school to "teach myself" what I do. And from that, from bugging most of you and learning along side an entire COMMUNITY of others, I've gained relationships and friendships that doesn't come with most professions out there.
I think the true realization of 'this is me, this is my profession' came when I landed my first in-house job. To be around people that are not only like-minded as me, but ALSO love their job thats something I think is truly precious to someones livelihood.
What would I say is the greatest aspect of being in this business? I've asked myself that quite a bit lately, as it all seems really good, but I think I finally found it: I feel like a kid again at least once a day. I had an awesome childhood (videogame fueled) and at least once a day I read something about a game that excites me (although now its for different reasons than when I was younger). Nevermind the characters that are around now that were when I was young (Mario, Sonic) adding to the nostalgia I get, but the excitement of hearing of a new game, new technology, new studio, new people is so refreshing. I'm still a fan boy. I get really excited, still, for game releases. I guess thats where the feeling of 'being a kid' comes from.
Anyway, this is turning in to a blog post and I really just wanted to get my feelings down as to why I love my job and this industry.
Replies
I get paid to make toys!
Aside form that, I enjoy making environments, props and guns.
the entertainment industry is what separates us from the animals, well that and thumbs and a myriad of other things... but we're here to give people something to do. and thats awesome. when people have nothing to do they do things like play choking games and listen to creed, two things that are entirely not awesome.
on top of games being really wicked in general, being around people like you is so great. working under a someone who will jump into a quick game with you and explode some torso is something else for sure.
the only thing i can think of that doesn't give me the tingles about my job is that when the cards are down and we get hit with a flood or some global problem; nobody's gonna need game-devs, they're gonna need farmers and doctors
although, if we get hit with skynet and/or zombie-cyborg-werewolves we will know EXACTLY what to do.
Hell, I used to do the same stuff I do at work as a hobby in my spare time. Pretty awesome having a hobby become a profession.
(honestly, congrats on getting into something you love)
I agree though, if you make your work out of your hobby you never have to work anymore :poly108:. (dutch saying)
You know the one.
Long story short..i love what i do for a living.
*And if you get my Avatar name you would know why this would be an added bonus
I'm with you Adam. My family keeps telling me I'm lucky, so many people hate their jobs. But then again, life is what you make of it.
I googled "Adams Mom" and this is the first image it gave me:
EQ loves the man-ass.
Just kidding. I love my job and I don't hate people... mostly. So why then do I still feel like I am being selfish? Is this the price I pay for a cushy job making mostly benign entertainment experiences? Why do I feel as if I need to justify my art?
Your thoughts would be appreciated.
Although it isn't a job in the game industry, my job does allow me to continue my graduate studies and raise a family in decent sized city. Of course, there is a part of me which wishes I'd really stuck with pursuing a career in the games industry. In fact, it is likely one of those regrets that I'll never be able to completely shake.
I suppose I must have read too many posts about 80 hour weeks with little time for family, which scared me off from truly committing to that line of work. Wanting to be the Little League dad, the Boy Scout leader, the involved parent and available husband, I just began to fear that the requirements put on an artist just wouldn't allow for that. While the change in focus has been a tough pill to swallow, I am thankful that I still have Polycount and the friendships I made in being a part of this community. No job, industry or otherwise, could ever replace the fun and excitement I get from being a part of Polycount.
Thanks for posting, Adam! I love see the excitement you and others like you have for what you do!
But this is one of the reasons why i refuse to say i make "game art", let alone "art". I make "games". and am involved down to the finest details, and that's pretty damned ace. Especially considering that these days shit loads of people play these games, and flickr members send me messages (well, one member anyway) saying they recognise my icon from the games they've played, and kids you see on trains and planes are playing them with big stupid sloppy grins on. That's not because of the graphics, it's cos the game is a giggle, and i know i've done plenty to contribute saliva to the grin.Yeah. Happy with that
yeah.. that's an issue. but there will always be Paris Hiltons in the world so rest assured.. there's people that are actually not doing anything for humanity.... at all...
Seriously though, on topic, my 2nd day at my 1st gig and im loving it!
-caseyjones
I like my job