[Video Games] So you want to be a game developer, huh?

I don't necessarily feel this is a game industry problem; this is an internet problem. Anonymity makes the most cowardly people run their mouths to no end. Some people in this forum are a great example. It's a sad truth.

I do agree with the quote from Hepler in her portion of the article suggesting that in the future she'll make sure she raises her children without such a sense of entitlement. That's definitely part of the issue, some kids didn't get the spankings they needed. I know I didn't get half as many as I should have.

 

I've always wanted to be a game developer. I don't like the volatility and relative lack of job security in the field though.

 

Same. Still working on it though! Slowly...but surely.

 

There were many failures to rushed games(Duke Nukem Forever) If only video game companies would learn to not rush your developers into making a "popular hit" game. Or use the "money-making" formula that EA uses; re-releasing the same game over and over again, making minimal or no changes. Really though, all the hate should go to the video game companies,not the puppet game developers. Though, fortunately, there are good video game companies that don't necessarily use these tactics.

 

If you don't like the lack of job security, you should be your own boss! And be an app developer. Besides, you get to have free handjobs from your boss!

 

You forgot the long hours and relative low pay! And if you're at a sweatshop like certain EA studios, well your life will be hell.

 

I'd be pissed too when I chipped in for that kickstarter then saw those PS3 level graphics in the cutscene trailer...

 

You're a developer? What company are you under?

 

12-14? Is that an exaggeration? Are you guys in crunch?

 

If you listed the stress and harassment associated with different professions and industries, I imagine game developer is pretty low. Cry me a river.

 

I used to be game developer. I liked the idea of combining hobby with my job.

It turned out it was not only a crappy job, but also ruined video game for me. In the industry, because there are too many people want to be game developers, you are expected to be paid very little and work long hours. I had health problems as a young man because of this job. If you slip up, people are banging on the door threatening to take your job everyday. I had to switch job, and life has been much better since. And I got to enjoy games more.

If you are a developer, work on something else you are passionate about. The game industry isn't a good one for you guys. Unless, of course, you are really really passionate about games and are willing to work very long hours for very little money, then go for it.

 

12-14 is right on. That used to be my life. I'm so glad I left the industry.

 

I have some game development friends; some work for major companies (Blizzard, Microsoft), others work for smaller companies like yours. Those with the larger ones have nice, stable jobs and are something to be envious of. On the other end of the spectrum are the small game development firms. Those friends of mine have very volatile jobs and have trouble keeping a stable income because company after company folds.

Best of luck to you, and I hope you don't share their fate.

I will say that those looking to go into game development could use a smaller firm as a springboard, but there is a ton of volatility in game developer employment. If you can latch onto a successful company, that's best.

(I'm a business software developer myself, not a game developer; it's also stable.)

 

All over video games? It's not even that serious....

I've never understood the people that are crazy over gaming. Sitting at home and spending half of the day with a headset on and talking to people you don't know seems like one of the minimally-productive things you can do.

I played video games up until college. Then, I grew up and used my time more wisely.

 

Um... videogames are for leisure time. If you have fun with them, they're productive, since fun is the point of leisure time.

 

We don't need to validate our hobby for you. If you don't like it, that's great for you. I work for a software developer full time, have a wife, play guitar, and study martial arts among other things. If I want to play video games for the rest of that time, I'll do it with a smile on my face. It's also probably earned me a lot more money than most other people's hobbies. So to each his own.