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[kyoya]

So, these two job openings caught my eye at the GungHo Online Entertainment website. GungHo, based near Los Angeles county, is seeking someone (preferably with Japanese bilingual ability) to do all of this work for $12 an hour? GungHo made over a billion dollars in 2014 from Puzzle & Dragons.

Is this pay the norm for entry-level positions in the video game industry?

Assistant Community Coordinator
103 - Production – El Segundo, California
Position Level: Entry-level

FLSA Status: Non-Exempt

Hourly Rate: Regular rate $12 per hour / Overtime rate $18 per hour

About us:

Located in Southern California, GungHo Online Entertainment America Inc. is the U.S. subsidiary of the Japanese game company GungHo Online Entertainment, Inc. Publishing titles across multiple platforms ranging from console to handheld and mobile, our group is comprised of veterans from various aspects of the industry brought together by one simple thing: a love of gaming.

What you’ll be doing:

Assist community management across company titles.
Stay abreast of the concerns and issues of both official and unofficial communities by employing thoughtful and genuine moderation practices.
Curate and generate content for players to engage with based off of player feedback and communication with product teams.
Manage both website, social media, and other content management systems to provide up-to-date information on the state of games to the player base.
Report on the state of the community using established documenting methods, relevant metrics, and KPIs.
Communicate creatively and effectively to help generate excitement and enthusiasm among fans.
Edit and proofread text to ensure a high standard of quality is met before deploying messaging.
Edit localized text or assist in translation to be submitted to product team.
Be the face of the company by assisting in official livestreams.
Edit images according to the needs of stakeholders and good design practices.
Collaborate with product teams to provide feedback on game builds.
Qualifications and desired experience:

Japanese bilingual skills are a plus.
Bachelor’s degree in a related field.
Experience working with social media and marketing concepts.
Well-versed writer and communicator.
Ability to keep current on top grossing games and what makes them successful.
Proven track record of generating results in a data-driven environment.
Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
A strong writer with great attention to detail.
Passion for games!
Why you want to work here:

At GungHo, we’re enthusiastic about creating fun games and we’re always looking for talented individuals with whom we can share our passion. We’re in a startup phase so we have a highly collaborative, playful, and laid-back culture where everyone wants to work together to get things done. Everyone is a true specialist in his/her own field so you will constantly learn new things from your fellow coworkers while sharing your own knowledge with them.

Perks:

100% employer-paid health insurance
401(k) with employer match
10 vacation days, 5 personal days & 5 sick days per year
Monthly catering
Gym access
Spacious and sunny deck
Lots of scrumptious snacks!

Link: https://gungho.bamboohr.com/jobs/view.php?id=21

Assistant Product Coordinator
103 - Production – El Segundo, California
Position Level: Entry-level

FLSA Status: Non-Exempt

Hourly Rate: Regular rate $12 per hour / Overtime rate $18 per hour

About us:

Located in El Segundo, CA, GungHo Online Entertainment America Inc. is the U.S. subsidiary of the Japanese game company GungHo Online Entertainment, Inc. Publishing titles across multiple platforms ranging from console to handheld and mobile, our group is comprised of veterans from various aspects of the industry brought together by one simple thing: a love of gaming.

What you'll be doing:

Liaison between the Japanese development teams and GungHo America’s production team for a live operations title.
Responsible for monitoring product updates and maintenances.
Request information required for social media and marketing efforts.
Share fan feedback with Japanese development teams.
Accurately translate informational material from written Japanese to English and vice versa.
Provide feedback on marketing materials.
Check accuracy of in-game messaging.
Check accuracy of messaging on all official channels.
Work with the community manager to provide a helpful presence for the fans.
Public appearance in live streaming broadcasts may be required.
Editing of art assets may be required.
Attend live game events in-state and out-of-state and interact with fans.
Qualifications and desired experience:

Japanese bilingual skills are a big plus.
Bachelor's degree preferred.
Flexible to work overtime hours as needed.
Flexible to work night shifts as needed for game updates and maintenances.
Willing to travel for business as needed.
Proficiency with Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
Eagerness to learn and grow in the video games industry.
Passion for games!
Pluses:

Familiarity with Adobe Photoshop and handling video equipment.
Experience working on mobile free-to-play titles and operating live ops games.
Proven track record of generating results in a data-driven environment.
Strong public speaking and presentation skills.
Why you want to work here:

At GungHo, we’re enthusiastic about creating fun games and we’re always looking for talented individuals with whom we can share our passion. We have a highly collaborative, playful, and laid-back culture where everyone wants to work together to get things done. Everyone is a true specialist in his/her own field so you will constantly learn new things from your fellow coworkers while sharing your own knowledge with them.

Perks:

100% employer-paid health insurance
401(k) with employer match
10 vacation days, 5 personal days & 5 sick days per year
Monthly catering
Gym access onsite
Spacious and sunny deck
Lots of scrumptious snacks!
Link: https://gungho.bamboohr.com/jobs/view.php?id=20

 

[The Lamp]

Yeah that pay seems pretty low. The benefits are a little bit better.

A bachelor's degree and all those responsibilities and bilingual for $12 an hour though? Lol fuck that. Man this industry has problems.

 

[RustySpoon]

10 vacation days, 5 personal days & 5 sick days per year

Norm or not, that is absolutely abysmal.

edit: I think I read that wrong (maybe?). Is it 20 days off, or 10 split 5 and 5? I work in education and vacation and personal days are the same thing.

 

[The Lamp]

Norm or not, that is absolutely abysmal.

Yeah, it's sad that that's kind of normal for the US. It's awful.

 

[Instro]

Seems scummy given the requirements. I feel like there is some kind of f2p joke to be made here, but I can't quite put it together.

 

[Wagram]

Yeah that pay seems pretty low. The benefits are a little bit better.

A bachelor's degree and all those responsibilities and bilingual for $12 an hour though? Lol fuck that. Man this industry has problems.

It's not just the games industry my friend. The entire system is fucked.

 

[Imperfected]

No, that's completely abysmal, especially with cost of living in California.

 

[Alucrid]

at least you get time and a half when they crunch you to death

 

[Admiral Woofington]

Norm or not, that is absolutely abysmal.

I mean I worked in an industry that paid better and they still only essentially have me 5 vacation days and 12 sick days.

Just switched to another that gives more, it's still bad though.

 

[ShdwDrake]

That looks not worth. I get paid more and have better benefits and all I do is make sandwiches.

 

[Gitaroo]

22 an hours is decent, for 12 bucks you might as well work at walmart or something.

 

[friskykillface]

$12 an hour with a degree is pretty bad, since most likely loans x rent are a priority for people , not to mention food and etc

10 "vacation" days is such a pain to see, jeez

 

[Zack Zavage]

Lol fuck that. Man this industry has problems.

That's exactly what I was thinking.

 

[fernoca]

Norm or not, that is absolutely abysmal.

Well, the average job is 5 vacation days per year...if you ask for them and they allow it. So it seems to be more than usual.

But maybe because I've done a lot more and clean bathroomd for $7 with a BA, that doesn't seem as "bad". Not in the "game industry" though.


*****

This positions seem to be more related to PR rather than actual development of the games, which in other jobs vary from rates to this per hour to contracts. Since is not every day that said person would be preparing presentations and doing live shows.

Would be interesting to see the salary of the developers.

 

[Saganator]

Costco pays higher starting out, better benefits too.. eh, maybe not just saw the perks.

 

[Mattakuevan]

That's abysmal in california, probably elsewhere too but especially bad here.

You could get more money managing a fast food place with less responsibility.

^ Or that, some retail will pay more than that for a normal position.

 

[HomerSimpson-Man]

WTF at all that work and responsibilities with a bachelor's for $12/hr with little time off benefits?

Yeesh!

 

[NotMyUsername]

Norm or not, that is absolutely abysmal.

edit: I think I read that wrong (maybe?). Is it 20 days off, or 10 split 5 and 5? I work in education and vacation and personal days are the same thing.

I'm reading that as twenty total. And that's better than I get at a Fortune 100 company.

Pretty sure that's 10 vacation days, 5 sick days, and then they're given 5 personal holiday. My work place is 15 vacation/sick days (don't have a sick bank) and 4 personal holiday. Seems alright with me but I guess people outside the US might think this is still low?

 

[L.O.R.D]

It's seems okay for me,i am a teacher in elementary school and they give me $3 for hour.

 

[120v]

in cali, yeah, that's pretty bad

if the entry pay is probationary it could be argued as decent elsewhere

 

[ShinMaruku]

I would argue for skills like that 35-40 a hour would be more commensurate. But it's a position where people probably settle for that to get into the industry.

 

[Akim]

Can you even live in California on $12/hour?

 

[Instro]

It's seems okay for me,i am a teacher in elementary school and they give me $3 for hour.

umm...??

 

[The Lamp]

It's not just the games industry my friend. The entire system is fucked.

Yes well there are other issues that add to my qualms with the games industry, like the shoddy journalism, the sexism, etc.

I made $11 an hour as a part time graphic designer as a college student in TX, and I didn't even have a BS degree yet. Pay described in the OP for California is way low.

 

[BennyBlanco]

you could make that at a grocery store, have more vacation time, and be in a union

what a joke

edit- I just looked at an old pay stub and was making more than this in college slicing up bologna at a grocery store deli in 2011

 

[TheAssist]

Crazy how they demand so much and offer nothing in return.

"10 vacation days, 5 personal days & 5 sick days per year"

As a european I laughed and cried at the same time.

I have 31 vacation days (6 day week though) and when I'm sick, well then I'm sick and still get paid. Its not my fucking fault.

This just seems crazy to me.


edit: whats the difference betwenn vacation and personal day? When happens when you are sick and run out of sick days?

 

[Mattakuevan]

Can you even live in California on $12/hour?

For example, the average rent for a one bedroom in San Diego is about $1550. So the answer is noooo.

 

[neoemonk]

Crazy how they demand so much and offer nothing in return.

"10 vacation days, 5 personal days & 5 sick days per year"

As a european I laughed and cried at the same time.

I have 31 vacation days (6 day week though) and when I'm sick, well then I'm sick and still get paid. Its not my fucking fault.

This just seems crazy to me.

Best I ever had was 20 days. It was called PTO - paid time off. Vacation, sick, personal day, whatever. All comes from the same bucket.

 

[godhandiscen]

Seems fair for the responsibilities. Most of what you will be doing is posting status updates and commenting in forums/social media. Also, proof reading translations here and there.

Do you honestly expect to make more than that for an entry level position with so few responsibilities?

 

[KodaRuss]

The 100% employer paid health insurance is good. Everything else is abysmal. Bilingual requirement at $12 an hour what crap

 

[Zeth]

Seems like a community manager job, many of which are unpaid - so it's not exactly shocking.

 

[friskykillface]

how much do companies pay to manage their social media accounts?

 

[Gilby]

12$?! I wish! That's actually higher than I got paid last year while working for a certain very large company.

 

[CatPee]

I get paid $12.25 plus cash tips to make coffee full-time in a grocery store and have a little more paid time off in exchange for "gym access", "scrumptious snacks", and "spacious deck".

There's something very fucking wrong with those job listings.

 

[fernoca]

Seems fair for the responsibilities. Most of what you will be doing is posting status updates and commenting in forums/social media. Also, proof reading translations here and there.

Do you honestly expect to make more than that for an entry level position with so few responsibilities?

Wondering that too.
The first job basically amounts to what moderators in here do for free* (*outside the perks and the millions in bonus that Evilore gives to them).

The other one is that, but with some more editing and involvement with people.

This are basically jobs to start and get to know people and move on for the most part. Then again I'd be happy with either. Technically have all the requirements, except japanese. XD

*****

But I'm in Puerto Rico. Where you start and mostly stay at $7.25 and the US is planning on lowering the minimum wage to $4 to everyone inder 25, because of the fuckups of our government.

 

[MisterSamMan]

This is just sad and unfortunately, I'm sure there're plenty of qualified people willing to jump for this position because they don't know how much they're actually worth.

 

[godhandiscen]

Wondering that too.
The first job basically amounts to what moderators in here do for free* (*outside the perks and the millions in bonus that Evilore gives to them).

The other one is that, but with some more editing and involvement with people.

This are basically jobs to start and get to know people and move on for the most part. Then again I'd be happy with either. Technically gave all the requirements, except japanese. XD

Exactly, they are basically paying you $12/hr to do what many shills do here already in their spare time for free.

The requirements seem excessive, but there won't even be enough work to fill your day, which is why they will also task you with some proofreading here and there. You have to work off hours because it is a communications position for the game industry. AKA, you might post a tweet here and there after 5PM, or over the weekends when people are actually browsing for gaming news.

 

[Corpekata]

There's a third job on the site that's basically a generic Customer Service Rep type job for the same pay. Aside from requesting, but not requiring Japanese, I don't think it's THAT insane for a entry level CSR or community manager type job.

The product one though seems low.

I'm not sure I'd see the postings as indicative of the industry, they mostly seem like general entry level office jobs besides the Japanese stuff.

Presuming of course that they aren't strict on actually needing a BS and speaking Japanese. If those are actually required, that's lowballing.

 

[Foffy]

That's hilarious to see.

All of the work, skills, and effort one has accrued to even meet their requirements, and you're being paid so abysmally.

Sickening to see how normal this type of situation is in America. Many people work the hardest in the developed world here, but get very little to show for it today. It's like we're technically a developed world, but with standards and qualities of a developing world. There are far better examples to show this, too.

 

[Quadraphonic]

401k matching... for a $12/hr job.

I'm sure all people making $12/hr put money into their 401k.

 

[Az987]

Well hey, at least you'll get a raise if the minimum wage in California goes up to $15 an hour.

Or you could quit and go work at McDonald's and make the same amount of money.

 

[Onaco]

I made $11.85 working at Walmart in Electronics a few months ago (the pay just increased in March). My new job pays $15. What the fuck is that bullshit?

 

[Kieli]

Uh. A Bachelor's degree + bilingual in Japanese + office-type work = $12/hour?

It reminds me of that posting where you needed a Master's of Science + research work + published papers for a lab tech position that paid $8/hour.

 

[Fahzgoolin]

Crazy how they demand so much and offer nothing in return.

"10 vacation days, 5 personal days & 5 sick days per year"

As a european I laughed and cried at the same time.

I have 31 vacation days (6 day week though) and when I'm sick, well then I'm sick and still get paid. Its not my fucking fault.

This just seems crazy to me.


edit: whats the difference betwenn vacation and personal day? When happens when you are sick and run out of sick days?

from what i have heard, Europeans have a better standard for time off/PTO/sick days/holidays than here in America.

 

[darkinstinct]

I'm reading that as twenty total. And that's better than I get at a Fortune 100 company.

Pretty sure that's 10 vacation days, 5 sick days, and then they're given 5 personal holiday. My work place is 15 vacation/sick days (don't have a sick bank) and 4 personal holiday. Seems alright with me but I guess people outside the US might think this is still low?

Well, we have mandatory 24 vacation days (30 if you're working six days a week) and basically unlimited sick days, all fully paid. And still manage to have a great living standard, the best social security system in the world and one of the biggest economies in the world. Most companies offer 35 vacation days if you have a degree. So, yeah, a bit on the low side, US. 😉

 

[BudokaiMR2]

Yeah it's pretty shit, but not that rare. The qualifications are a bit much but it really isn't a job that demands much skill or expertise.

Gaming companies around the world are always willing to let go of employees and replace them with cheaper entry level people doing the exact same thing.

I was paid around the same amount when I joined a company as a full-time project manager/translator and they even expected people to work over-time for free at that point.

And when I was later in charge of a department I had to fight tooth and nail with HR to justify paying people what averaged out to just a few dollars higher than that.

 

[balohna]

EA starts testers at minimum wage or slightly above and promotes sparingly.

 

[TheBryanJZX90]

I would argue for skills like that 35-40 a hour would be more commensurate. But it's a position where people probably settle for that to get into the industry.

Do you really think an entry level job as a social media manager is worth over $80,000 a year?

That's hilarious to see.

All of the work, skills, and effort one has accrued to even meet their requirements, and you're being paid so abysmally.

Sickening to see how normal this type of situation is in America. Many people work the hardest in the developed world here, but get very little to show for it today. It's like we're technically a developed world, but with standards and qualities of a developing world. There are far better examples to show this, too.

They aren't asking for much in the skills department. Japanese ability isn't even a hard requirement, just a "plus." Other than that, any kind of liberal arts BA is enough, and every single college grad should have more than enough experience with social media to be able to meet what the job posting asks.

Edit: That being said this js still a very low rate of pay and you will definitely need a roommate or three if you're living in LA. Just wanted to push back at some of the over exaggerating re the job requirements.

 

[Malakai]

Didn't California pass a bill last year making employers have to give workers 1 sick day per 30 days work? Just looked it up it is 1 hour of sick leave for every 30 hours worked after the employee first 30 days.

 

[StrongBlackVine]

Well, we have mandatory 24 vacation days (30 if you're working six days a week) and basically unlimited sick days, all fully paid. And still manage to have a great living standard, the best social security system in the world and one of the biggest economies in the world. Most companies offer 35 vacation days if you have a degree. So, yeah, a bit on the low side, US. 😉

I need to move to Europe.