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Needing Information and Advice

jthompson166 · 2010-07-21T18:37:28

Let me begin by thanking you for looking into this post, it is greatly appreciated. I am currently a student in a game design program and have almost earned my bachelors. I am posting because I am passionate about this industry and greatly wish to be successful, and to help in achieving this success I would greatly appreciate some information and advice from any seasoned professional in this industry. I am asking that any professional who is willing to answer a few simple questions to fill out the questionnaire below. I would appreciate responses to every question asked, but if you are at all uncomfortable answering any question please keep in mind that you are in no way required to do so.It should be stated that gaining this information is actually for a school project. So my intentions are purely academic.I would like to add that it is my aspiration to become a game producer, as I am just as much a businessman as a game designer. And to help in facilitating this I plan on continuing my education and getting a masters in business.1. What is your name? Title and surname are adequate. (i.e. Mr. Smith)2. What position and/or title do you currently hold in the game industry? (i.e. art director, audio technician, etc.)3. How many years have you worked in the game industry?4. What are some titles that you have shipped which you would consider notable?5. As I said before, it is my aspiration to become a game producer, and to help in achieving this I will be pursuing a masters in business (possibly through night school). I also plan on finding a job in the industry and working while going to school in order to gain at least two years of experience by the time I graduate. Would you consider this a wise course of action or would you suggest something else?6. If you answered yes to question 5, and keeping my career goals of a producer in mind, what would be the wisest entry-level position for me to pursue while going to school? (i.e. art, QA, etc.) And why? Please note that the position of a programmer is not an option with my skill set.7. In any afore-mentioned entry-level positions, how much can I expect to earn as a yearly salary? And how many hours a week can I expect to work?8. I currently have several games and numerous art assets in my portfolio. Keeping my career goals of a producer in mind, what should I push in my portfolio to speed myself along that road? 9. It has been suggested that gaining a job outside of the industry in the form of a management position might be more beneficial to me than getting a grunt job such as QA. The only problem I have with tis logic is that it gyps me out of time which I can claim as industry experience. What are your thoughts?10. Do you have any advice or comments that you would like to add?Thank you for taking this time out of your busy day. Your help in this matter is deeply appreciated.[Edited by - jthompson166 on July 21, 2010 1:24:19 PM]

Games Career Development Business

Started by jthompson166 July 15, 2010 07:32 PM

22 comments, last by jthompson166 13 years, 11 months ago

Tom Sloper

17,211

July 21, 2010 02:45 PM

To be a producer, you really really really need video game experience. QA experience is excellent for that. It's really really hard to break in as a producer with nothing but external management experience. I know a lot of producers who started in QA. I don't know any who started as managers in some other industry. Did you read the producing FAQ yet?

-- Tom Sloper -- sloperama.com

Sphet

631

July 21, 2010 03:14 PM

Quote: Original post by Tom Sloper
To be a producer, you really really really need video game experience. QA experience is excellent for that. It's really really hard to break in as a producer with nothing but external management experience. I know a lot of producers who started in QA. I don't know any who started as managers in some other industry. Did you read the producing FAQ yet?

Tom, it must be different where you work. In our studio, and the studio I was at before, a producer really needs management experience, scheduling experience, and people skills.

In my opinion, a good producer understands how to work with the other area leads (technical, art, QA, audio, design) to establish whether the quality bar is being met. The area lead is responsible for quality & scope. It's the producers job to make sure the project gets done on time and on budget.

jthomson166, you'll find opinions differ. Why not contact some local studios and see what they have to say?

Tom Sloper

17,211

July 21, 2010 04:29 PM

Quote: Original post by Sphet
In our studio, and the studio I was at before, a producer really needs management experience, scheduling experience, and people skills.

You can get that and display that in QA. Most producers do.

-- Tom Sloper -- sloperama.com

jthompson166

100

Author

July 21, 2010 06:37 PM

Original post by Sphet
Quote: Original post by Tom Sloper
jthomson166, you'll find opinions differ. Why not contact some local studios and see what they have to say?

I'm definitely seeing that. And I think that's excellent advice, especially since I'll probably be trying to break out in my current area first.

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