Wait, does this mean that there could be indies willing to hire me to work remotely if I have a decent something to show? Screw AAA studios - the thing is, I just want to get started, but it's pretty hard for me to relocate to a country where there are game companies. Also, is there something like a full-time employee working remotely? Please forgive my ignorance and thanks.

>> I just want to get started, but it's pretty hard for me to relocate to a country where there are game companies.

Read the articles at Tom Sloper's site which answer the question many times over.

As mentioed above, to get started you need to either complete a project or two on your own OR move near game companies and look for a job there. The first option, completing a project on your own, can lead directly into a regular job, to starting your own studio or to creating a contracting group.

By saying you are unable/unwilling to move, you cut off a lot of options.

>> Also, is there something like a full-time employee working remotely?

Working remotely works for some companies but not in this industry. Working remotely internationlly is not going to happen anywhere.

At best you might find a game studio that is willing to let you work from home a few days a month once after you have a lot of experience and seniority.

In other words...

This (courtesy of Dan "Obscure" Marchant's sig) is the kind of background you need to have if you expect to make money as a freelancer in this industry. It's the specific collection of experience and wisdom that Dan's bio represents which makes him attractive to people seeking his services.

Freelancing is not a career choice to be taken lightly. There is no safety net. No backup. Nobody to hold the fort if you fall ill. Nobody else to blame when things go wrong. And you're only as good as your last job.

Another point is that freelancers tend to be specialists. No games development company will hire a rank newbie on a freelance basis: it simply doesn't make financial or operational sense. However, they _might_ hire in a specialist tools developer for a few months if they need an editor thrown together in a hurry. That specialist developer is expected to _already_ be fully conversant with all the development tools you throw at him -- training is always done at the freelancer's own expense -- so he can just come in and get to work right away.


(I work as a freelance writer, so my own bio is not directly comparable.)

Quote: Original post by adelamro
Wait, does this mean that there could be indies willing to hire me to work remotely if I have a decent something to show? Screw AAA studios - the thing is, I just want to get started, but it's pretty hard for me to relocate to a country where there are game companies. Also, is there something like a full-time employee working remotely? Please forgive my ignorance and thanks.

Depends on your experience and skills-set.

There are some companies in the casual games sector that may be willing to take you on as a freelancer if you have marketable graphics skills. This kind of work will not be regular, so don't give up the day-job if you have one.

If you have programming skills too, you could consider writing your own small indie games and cutting out the middle man. There is a market for good puzzlers, parlour games and the like, although you'll need to a lot of research first to see what's out there and what's selling well; it's easy for a derivative game to be drowned in a sea of clones, but there are market trends analyses you can perform to avoid the major pitfalls.

Going it alone isn't ideal, but it does give you far more control than simple freelancing would do. Also, if you can find a viable niche market -- e.g. creating casual games localised for your country and its neighbours -- you might find yourself onto a winner.

Don't take my earlier replies as advice to give up entirely, but do take a good, long, _objective_ look at what your strengths and are and play to them, rather than jumping into the freelancing lake in the hope that you can work out how to swim before drowning.

You haven't really given us enough information about yourself to offer anything more than superficial advice, so we don't know if you're really good at art or coding. If your showreel is stunning, consider working in related media such as TV and movies, not just games. Cross-training in this way is a great way to build up specialist skills that make you more valuable as a freelancer.

Regards,

So what I understand from your much appreciated replies is that, in short, working remotely is not for beginners. I apologize for not providing info about myself - I thought it would be better to keep the thread as general as possible. I have a bachelor's degree in computer science, I'm particularly proficient in C++, I'm very comfortable with Direct3D, I have good modeling skills (including texture mapping) and excellent animation skills using Maya (including character rigging), I'm good with the Maya API, and I have moderate drawing skills. Oh, and I live in Palestine... (yeah, I know).

I'm generally insecure about my skills, so each time I used "good" and "excellent" above, I used it with unease. At any rate, I'm almost finished with a "demo reel" demonstrating the above-mentioned skills, but recently I have started to suspect that I'm just pursuing an illusion rather than a dream. You see, I'm more than willing to relocate to the US, but there are a couple of issues which make me hesitant. I assume race and religion shouldn't be an issue in a civilized and sophisticated community of programmers and artists. What I'm concerned about is whether or not I'll be allowed to live in the US or any other country where there are game development companies. I mean, what company will go through the hassle of sponsoring a visa or something like that when it can just hire a local resident instead? Any thoughts?

Quote: Original post by adelamro
I assume race and religion shouldn't be an issue in a civilized and sophisticated community of programmers and artists. What I'm concerned about is whether or not I'll be allowed to live in the US or any other country where there are game development companies. I mean, what company will go through the hassle of sponsoring a visa or something like that when it can just hire a local resident instead? Any thoughts?

All the big publishers: EA, THQ, Activision, Lucas Arts, etc have no problem hiring and relocating foreigners. Probably 10% of the people at my office are here on foreign work visas. The games industry right now is _starving_ for engineers (well technically starving for experienced engineers). If you have a good resume, good grades, etc it's not super duper difficult to get a job. Ideally you'd find a game company close to you at which to start, or relocate to somewhere close to a game company.

[EDIT: another technique that people use is: find any job that will give you a work visa close to the companies at which you actually want to work. Once you relocate, try over and over and over again until you get the job you actually want. Quit the original job. Take the one you want]

-me

Quote: find any job that will give you a work visa close to the companies at which you actually want to work.

You mean not in the field of game development? Like what? Please, any information is more than appreciated.

Quote: Original post by adelamro
So what I understand from your much appreciated replies is that, in short, working remotely is not for beginners. I apologize for not providing info about myself - I thought it would be better to keep the thread as general as possible. I have a bachelor's degree in computer science, I'm particularly proficient in C++, I'm very comfortable with Direct3D, I have good modeling skills (including texture mapping) and excellent animation skills using Maya (including character rigging), I'm good with the Maya API, and I have moderate drawing skills. Oh, and I live in Palestine... (yeah, I know).

Don't be fooled by the mainstream media: they _love_ bad news. They'll even make it up if they have to. Yes, there are ignorant racists out there, but you'll find idiots in _any_ country. You don't have to be white to be a racist.

Quote:
I'm generally insecure about my skills, so each time I used "good" and "excellent" above, I used it with unease. At any rate, I'm almost finished with a "demo reel" demonstrating the above-mentioned skills, but recently I have started to suspect that I'm just pursuing an illusion rather than a dream. You see, I'm more than willing to relocate to the US, but there are a couple of issues which make me hesitant. I assume race and religion shouldn't be an issue in a civilized and sophisticated community of programmers and artists. What I'm concerned about is whether or not I'll be allowed to live in the US or any other country where there are game development companies. I mean, what company will go through the hassle of sponsoring a visa or something like that when it can just hire a local resident instead? Any thoughts?

There is a massive skills shortage in the Western gamedev industry, so that's not an issue. It's the details you need to worry about: The US has a number of developers, but they do make it very difficult to get in. You might want to take a look at other nations, either as your main choice, or possibly as a stepping stone to moving to the US at a later date.

A large percentage of hits each year are UK-developed. This country is a little more open to immigration, although it's worth bearing in mind that the cost of living can be insanely high in or near London and housing is especially expensive. Make sure you do some research before settling on a particular salary package if you choose this one.

France is also worthy of consideration if you have their language in your arsenal. Many of the EU's major publishers are based here. (The UK only has a few publishers left.) The French have a reputation for being stand-offish and almost arrogant, but this isn't really true. France also has a large Arabic-speaking population, so you may find it easier to make contacts there.

Alternatively, you could try Canada as a destination. EA, Babel Media and a bunch of other developers all have studios there and the cost of living is generally quite low. It may also be a better jumping-off point if you're absolutely set on moving to the US at a later date, although this isn't something I'd guarantee in the present climate.

Don't rule out countries closer to Palestine, such as India. The West outsources quite a bit of work to India these days, so you may find it worth working there for a while first to build up some industry experience and fill up your CV. It'll also help you gain some useful contacts.

Finally: a good showreel will certainly do wonders for your employability as a graphics artist or animator. However, make sure you tick all the right boxes. I won't deny that it _is_ harder to get a job in another country, since there is a fair bit of paperwork involved and nobody likes doing that if they don't have to. That means you have to get everything absolutely bang on target if you're to stand any chance of getting a job abroad.

If you're unsure about your showreel's quality, try posting a link to it -- compress it first! -- on a freebie website. You can also use such a website to post links to sample code. That'll give people here and at your potential employers' a way to assess your work without worrying about posting DVDs halfway around the world.

A showreel is less important if you want to get work as a programmer, but code quality is. Make sure your code is commented. Show that you can _finish_ what you start -- a very important skill that many tend to forget.

Most important of all: good luck.

Thanks. I'm not really set on moving to the US - I just want to make games for a living. Also, I don't think I will start learning to speak Indian or French now. Britain, as you've just said, is too expensive for me. Canada, however, sounds good.

So my options are (after finishing my showreel and making sure it's good):

1: I could get a visiting visa, pack and go to the US (or Canada) and spend a couple of months looking for a company that would hire me and give me a working visa even though I have no prior professional experience.

2: I could, from home, throw my CV and showreel at various companies by e-mail and hope they like it and hire me either to work remotely or to give me a work visa so I can relocate.

3: I could work with a team from the Help Wanted section on a smashing project and hope that somehow it will get me a job. I don't know, maybe by making good relationships with someone on the team who could, like, eventually get me hired somehow.

4: I could become a farmer and sell my computer to buy manure and seeeeeds.

I'm sorry if I'm being too naive and ignorant. Maybe it's just hopeless.

Quote: Original post by adelamro
Thanks. I'm not really set on moving to the US - I just want to make games for a living. Also, I don't think I will start learning to speak Indian or French now. Britain, as you've just said, is too expensive for me. Canada, however, sounds good.

So my options are (after finishing my showreel and making sure it's good):

1: I could get a visiting visa, pack and go to the US (or Canada) and spend a couple of months looking for a company that would hire me and give me a working visa even though I have no prior professional experience.

2: I could, from home, throw my CV and showreel at various companies by e-mail and hope they like it and hire me either to work remotely or to give me a work visa so I can relocate.

3: I could work with a team from the Help Wanted section on a smashing project and hope that somehow it will get me a job. I don't know, maybe by making good relationships with someone on the team who could, like, eventually get me hired somehow.

4: I could become a farmer and sell my computer to buy manure and seeeeeds.

I'm sorry if I'm being too naive and ignorant. Maybe it's just hopeless.

No! That's the wrong attitude to have. I appreciate that Palestine isn't exactly a fun place to live at the moment, but you'll never change that by just throwing in the towel and not even trying. Yes: it'll be hard. Yes: you'll want to give up sometimes. The trick is to push through right through the depressing blues and out into the cheesy Europop music beyond.

So...

Option 1 is out. You don't have a career yet, so your CV won't have much to offer. Your showreel would have to really stand out if you're going to convince someone to take you on.

Hint 1: Avoid the clichés. Especially spaceships. _Everyone_ does spaceships. If you must do spaceships, make them all-singing, all-dancing spaceships in pink dresses performing a Gilbert & Sullivan opera.


Option 2 is always worth trying, but post your CV and showreel to your website first and let others have a look at them.

Hint 2a: EXPECT CRITICISM. Nobody expects you to be perfect first time out -- although it'd a pleasant surprise if you were. Don't post your stuff expecting everyone to fawn over you as if you were the greatest artist since Lenny Of Vinci.

Hint 2b: IGNORE ALL CRITICISM THAT IS NOT CONSTRUCTIVE. This is an open forum with people of all ages and all degrees of experience, from none to loads, posting here. There will be arseholes and egotists who will try and talk you down, but there will also be a few experts who actually know what they're talking about. Those experts will know enough to be able to tell you _why_ something isn't right instead of just typing "IT IS TEH SUXXOR!" Ignore the marching morons and listen to the voices of reason.

Hint 2c: KEEP YOUR SENSE OF HUMOUR. Game development is bloody hard work and the rewards aren't always that great. You will -- I guarantee this -- spend at least one development cycle on a game you hate with a deep and burning passion. (I worked on "Championship Manager 2: Amiga". I _know_ pain!) You will have to fight through these projects and survive them. Once you've got at least one major flop under your belt, only then can you be admitted into the hallowed ranks of the Grizzled Cynical Veterans Club.

Option 3 is actually a Very Good Idea(TM). However, do pick your team with care. You'll want to go for a team that actually feels professionally run, with a good vibe. It's hard to put one's finger on exactly how you can tell this from a couple of emails with the lead, but it can be done:

Hint 3a: AVOID FAKE "CEOs". On the Internet, anyone can claim to be the boss of a multinational corporation. Any group that is stuffed to the gills of "CEOs" and other pseudo-management types, but contains nobody who actually claims to be doing any work, is a group to avoid.

Hint 3b: RESEARCH, RESEARCH, RESEARCH. GDNet is full of teams working remotely. They do NOT always fail! (Check out EDI for an example of a successful indie team.) Nevertheless, many such teams do fall apart. These are usually easy to spot if you do your research. Don't be disheartened if you do pick a dud: it happens. Think of it as a learning process and a way to hone your character judgement skills. "People" skills like these are well worth cultivating: Professional game development is usually a team process and you'll find such skills useful in any office environment.

Hint 3c: THE TRICK IS TO FINISH THE DAMNED GAME, GUYS! It matters not one jot that the game looks amazing if it doesn't get finished. Professional developers place huge store on _completing_ projects. This means not just doing the cool bits, but also the boring menus and fully debugged installers. Prove that you can take care of the details as well as the big picture.


I won't dignify Option 4 with a response.

If game development was easy, everyone would be _doing_ it... instead of just talking about it in these forums. It's a challenge. It's bloody hard work and it can be utterly thankless sometimes. But when it all comes together... that's when you realise that the light was worth the darkness.

Regards,