Ask me about the Video Game Industry

cbloom · #1 02-14-2007, 06:05 PM

Thought there might be some interest in this & there hasn't been an ask me in a while.

I can answer questions about making video games, how to get into the industry, what it's like, some insider dirt.

My qualifications : worked in video games (programming & managing) for about 10 years, made games for the PC, PS2 and XBox, worked indirectly for EA, Microsoft and Sony.

I won't tell you the titles I worked on or name people close to me, but otherwise anything goes.

italianstang · #2 02-14-2007, 06:06 PM

What are the titles you worked on?

blackize · #3 02-14-2007, 06:09 PM

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I won't tell you the titles I worked on

[/ QUOTE ]

This thread is worthless without titles

Reef · #4 02-14-2007, 06:13 PM

ever worked as a video game tester? if so how was the experience? if not, do you know anyone who did and what was their take of it?

Innocent Kitty · #5 02-14-2007, 06:14 PM

What's the general pay like when you first sign on as a programmer?

Genz · #6 02-14-2007, 06:17 PM

How can a game concept like "Manhunt" make it through all the instances a game has to go through before it is released onto the market. Ok, there are awfull underground games and stuff. But this game is a Rockstar Games XBoX-title.

Miss Pink · #7 02-14-2007, 06:18 PM

How do you get into the industry? Are there any entry level jobs with no experience required?

tshort · #8 02-14-2007, 06:20 PM

Where did you go to school?

Was your first job in the video game industry? If no, what work did you do before?

What parts of development did you work on?

cbloom · #9 02-14-2007, 06:20 PM

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ever worked as a video game tester? if so how was the experience? if not, do you know anyone who did and what was their take of it?

[/ QUOTE ]

I was never a tester. Programmers don't often start as testers, but a lot of designers do. Testers usually love their job at first but quickly grow to hate it.

There are generally two types of testers : guys with no ambition who just want an easy decent paying job (these guys suck), and guys who really love video games and want to move into design. The latter guys put in extra effort and are a pleasure to work with and usually wind up getting an opportunity to contribute more.

Also, being a tester differs widely at different places. At Microsoft testers are treated well and respected, they get a lot of say in the design of the game. At EA it's a brutal grunt job and you're totally sequestered away from the developers.

cbloom · #10 02-14-2007, 06:22 PM

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What's the general pay like when you first sign on as a programmer?

[/ QUOTE ]

Very low generally, because so many people want to get into the industry, but it moves up quickly if you're good. I've seen it as low as $30k/year entry level, but average is probably $50k if you have a decent degree or something to show.