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[Holammer]

Pocketpair, the guys behind Palworld weed out applicants without Steam.

"Pocketpair has planners submit screenshots of their Steam game play history. (First of all, people who haven't played Steam at all won't pass the document screening.) In the interview, we ask them to explain the game mechanics of the titles that rank high in their Steam playtime, why they think those specific mechanics were adopted, and what makes that title stand out when compared to other games in the same genre. Pocketpair is recruiting game creators who are true Steam gamers!"

"Just to add some clarification: We also ask people who are playing a large number of games on PS5, Xbox, etc., to submit those as well! However, if the number of Steam games played is 0, we basically pass on them (we want our colleagues working at the company to be playing indie games that are only available on Steam)."

Source:

Palworld developer Pocketpair requires game designer candidates to provide screenshots of their Steam libraries and playtime, according to CEO - AUTOMATON WEST

Joining a discussion among devs on X, Pocketpair CEO Takuro Mizobe recently shared some tidbits about how the company hires game designers

automaton-media.com

 

[Skifi28]

There's being a fanboy and then there's this.

 

[Zacfoldor]

"Just to add some clarification: We also ask people who are playing a large number of games on PS5, Xbox, etc., to submit those as well! However, if the number of Steam games played is 0, we basically pass on them (we want our colleagues working at the company to be playing indie games that are only available on Steam)."

 

[Mortisfacio]

we want our colleagues working at the company to be playing indie games that are only available on Steam

I don't hate it. There's some really addicting indie games out there that only exist with some success because of the Steam ecosystem.

 

[Punished Miku]

Absurd.

Especially in Japan, could probably pick multiple legendary Nintendo designers with 0 games in their Steam library.

 

[Magic Carpet]

I judge people on neogaf based on how many final fantasy and souls threads they make.
1 or 2 seems like a normal person
3 or more your a nut case.

 

[poppabk]

Absurd.

Especially in Japan, could probably pick multiple legendary Nintendo designers with 0 games in their Steam library.

Not taking people from Nintendo might be a plus for PocketPair in particular.

 

[GrayChild]

Based.

Having a large Steam library is the ultimate badge of gaming prowess.

 

[Kacho]

Based Mizobe. Any gamer that hasn't played on Steam is sus.

 

[The_hunter]

Should be a requirement to work at game companies to link your gaming profile of your platform of choice.

 

[Magic Carpet]

I'm glad they don't want to see my GOG library, I redeemed all those free adult games.

 

[pudel]

Its somehow understandable (but also a bit weird). Their game was a huge success...mainly because of steam.

 

[lughnasadh123]

Seeing a Gabe purity test wasn't the thing I was expecting to read about today.

 

[poppabk]

I'm glad they don't want to see my GOG library, I redeemed all those free adult games.

They are checking playtime - you didn't play them did you?

 

[Dacvak]

I'm surprised you need any qualifications at all to work on Palworld.

 

[Magic Carpet]

They are checking playtime - you didn't play them did you?

Running benchmarks, I swear.

I'm surprised you need any qualifications at all to work on Palworld.

You have to have a own a certain number of Pokemon plushies and DVD's.
5 foot Gardevoir automatic hire, moviing expenses included.

 

[BennyBlanco]

Based

 

[IDKFA]

Pocketpair, the guys behind Palworld weed out applicants without Steam.





Source:

Palworld developer Pocketpair requires game designer candidates to provide screenshots of their Steam libraries and playtime, according to CEO - AUTOMATON WEST

Joining a discussion among devs on X, Pocketpair CEO Takuro Mizobe recently shared some tidbits about how the company hires game designers

automaton-media.com

Complete nonsense.

Why should an applicant be disregarded because they only have a console? They could still answer the question about gaming mechanics and how the indie game stood out from the crowd.

 

[DonkeyPunchJr]

I also judge people based on their Steam library.

 

[AJUMP23]

Better than judging on handshake.

 

[Angry_Megalodon]

Certainly, people who haven't unlocked all the endings of Hitler Waifu or Shower with Your Dad Simulator can't be called true gamers and wont enrich PockerPair with diverse gaming experiences.

 

[nowhat]

Shower with Your Dad Simulator

...I'm not going to google that. I'm just going to imagine you made it up, haha, good one. Now I'll insert my fingers into my ears and close my eyes. Lalalalala, can't hear or see you!

 

[PSFore]

Explains why the Game Pass version was such garbage

 

[thief183]

We do the same... we check the type of games someone play to understand what type of person he/her is, for example if you see a guy with 1k hour on factorio we know that person is gonna be a better worker than someone that plays a ton of games for 20 minutes each. Obviously noone knows we do this.

It is a system similar to to the handshake or the waiting time in a room.

 

[LakeOf9]

developer making completely facile games has a completely clueless recruiting process

Makes sense I guess

 

[Holammer]

Complete nonsense.

Why should an applicant be disregarded because they only have a console? They could still answer the question about gaming mechanics and how the indie game stood out from the crowd.

When you have 100s of applications, there's gonna be brutal weeding and let's face it, someone in game development without a Steam account? That a red flag even in Japan.
There's clearly something wrong with that person, so just file that application in the round archive.

 

[Rentahamster]

My employment is nigh on guaranteed. My Steam library is impeccable and I can deftly explain the complex gameplay elements of Tokimeki Memorial 1 though 44 as easily as shaving a brand new hamster.

 

[ReyBrujo]

Only way to filter out Nintendo ninjas I guess!

 

[Durin]

Maybe a bit much for restricting to PC in Japan, but if you're gonna work at an indie studio...yeah, you should probably be playing that stuff on Steam or consoles instead of just AAA.

AAA don't even really do those survival games much as a genre at all. I like the idea of testing people on the games with the most playtime, because if you can't even explain mechanically why they're good, you probably aren't going to make anything good yourself.

 

[IDKFA]

When you have 100s of applications, there's gonna be brutal weeding and let's face it, someone in game development without a Steam account? That a red flag even in Japan.
There's clearly something wrong with that person, so just file that application in the round archive.

How is it a red flag? Maybe they can't afford a PC and are content with just a console? Maybe they have a PC, but just use GOG or Epic?

I love Steam as much as the next guy, but suggesting it's a red flag if somebody in game development doesn't have a Steam account is some real elitist shit.

 

[March Climber]

Odd, I thought the comments here would be a bit more supportive.

They are using one of the methods of weeding out the 'tourists' from their company.

 

[Holammer]

How is it a red flag? Maybe they can't afford a PC and are content with just a console? Maybe they have a PC, but just use GOG or Epic?

I love Steam as much as the next guy, but suggesting it's a red flag if somebody in game development doesn't have a Steam account is some real elitist shit.

Not afford a PC? It's literally THE tool of the trade, for every aspect of it.
Pocketpair started funding & publishing indie games last year, they want people with finger on the pulse and the bleeding edge is on Steam.

 

[IDKFA]

Not afford a PC? It's literally THE tool of the trade, for every aspect of it.

Maybe they just don't use Steam maybe a console is their primary source of gaming.

Pocketpair started funding & publishing indie games last year, they want people with finger on the pulse and the bleeding edge is on Steam.

Nah, that's just nonsense. Requiring a Steam account as a hard gate for the interview is bizarre. They should be looking at skills, not just if you have a Steam library full of indie games.

By doing this, they're excluding potentially excellent candidates who might work primarily on consoles or mobile, or like to keep work/play separate.

It's just a very odd to me. I get that if you want a job in the game industry then you need to be passionate about games, otherwise why apply in the first place. However, If you went for a job in the film industry, nobody would be checking your UHD blu ray collection to see if you're a film buff. A publisher wouldn't demand pictures of your personal library or to see your Kindle before considering an interview.

We'll have to agree to disagree with this one.

 

[Punished Miku]

Odd, I thought the comments here would be a bit more supportive.

They are using one of the methods of weeding out the 'tourists' from their company.

Just change it to literally any other system. Its absurd to suggest that a talented game designer has to have Steam or else they're worthless. One of the dumbest things I've ever heard. As a company you can find a game for inspiration and bring it up to ask people to check it out after they're employed. Indie games are plentiful on every system and almost all indie games utilize familiar gameplay systems found in countless other games available on all systems.

I dont have Steam. Am I not even a real gamer? I've played literally hundreds of indie games and experimental art games. I play over 200+ games a year.

 

[March Climber]

Requiring a Steam account as a hard gate for the interview is bizarre. They should be looking at skills, not just if you have a Steam library full of indie games.

To be fair, they never stated it was their sole requirement.