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[Iaido Sword]

It's just that... oh... oh my god. My brains, you broke them!

Did you notice the new thread title?

If I cared about this stuff, then what Dyack said about GAF's "currencies" would prove his point.

Things like that and calling each other insults on a message board doesn't affect me. Mods don't agree with me, I'm fine with that. It's not like my opinions are wrong since the school exist and I am telling everyone how the program works and the instructors/developers expectations.

 

[noonche]

I'm in it for science.

That, or we're all just waiting for a massive meltdown.

This.

And the fact that if people start believing his brand of crazy we could have a real problem on our hands.

 

[inertiatic]

Haha alright.

Do you mean physical stuff? I've sent a lot of emails.

Yes, pubes and stuff.

 

[Alski]

The meltdown's been happening all day.

And my God, does it taste good on the popcorn.

Your my new favourite poster. :lol

 

[EviLore]

How do I appear arrogant on this subject?

...

If you were professional, you would act like it like the other industry people.

:facepalm

 

[Shouta]

:facepalm

You need several walls of :facepalm

 

[Andronicus]

.....nice thread name change this soo got derailed

 

[Alski]

Yes, pubes and stuff.

If i get pubes it's an immediate hire.

 

[Zoe]

P.S.
my portfolio: http://www.gameshapedrock.com

You may want to rethink frames. That stuff makes some people want to claw their eyes out

I personally don't have a problem with frames, but the site does feel a bit cramped and kind of old school.

 

[blackadde]

despite the fact that iaido is an immensely wooden-headed individual, a lot of good advice has been given in this thread. it is in fact, somehow, one of the most informative threads i've read in months.

 

[Andronicus]

If I cared about this stuff, then what Dyack said about GAF's "currencies" would prove his point.

Things like that and calling each other insults on a message board doesn't affect me. Mods don't agree with me, I'm fine with that. It's not like my opinions are wrong since the school exist and I am telling everyone how the program works and the instructors/developers expectations.

this will not end well

 

[minus_273]

I'm in it for science.

Seriously, it's fascinating to testify the extent to which a certain mindset can cloud the perception of a reality, and how persistantly someone can defend something that is so obviously wrong.

That, or we're all just waiting for a massive meltdown.

this thread is making me remember the first game i ever made. Text adventure game in DOS where the text parser could only understand 3 words combos of: subject verb object to escape from a haunted mansion.

first graphical game was Psycho-Pac the hunter a pac man clone where the power pellet gave you a projectile weapon.

First 3d game was a descent clone mixed with faceball and a badly copied arwing cant even remember the name of the thing.

Yeah, i was 12, had a C compiler, discovered Borland Graphics Interface and not the worlds greatest game designer. Probably thought I was though.

 

[TheClimaxan]

I think both PR and editorial sides are just as in demand for entry-level, since there is some overlap in job requirements.

If anything, there's usually a good chance at getting in editorial as an intern--and if you're in school you should keep an eye out for those opportunities, and not wait till you're out of school to be on the job prowl. At my work now I've seen two editorial intern positions open up. In my last gig we hired 3 editorial interns. Two of the editors I worked with at the time also climbed up from an intern, and have since moved on to work at PR, or for a game company. Also it helps to have some kind of website or blog, as it's an easy way to gauge your writing style and ability.

Thanks for the feedback. Unfourtunately I'm already on the job prowl though. I'm not 100% deadset on entering the game industry, but as a gamer, writer, and student of public relations I'm at least going to explore my options. I've had internships, I write a blog, and I work at my local newspaper, but as you mentioned, those who started their track as editorial interns in the gaming industry already have an advantage. It's definitely nice to hear that those jobs are in demand. That means my constant pestering of companies isn't in vain.

 

[Cmagus]

Well I know there is no saving this thread... and why would ya

But maybe we can lighten it up just a bit and make it a bit more helpful (and student friendly) with a quick and oh so popular question and some answers.

What do you look for in a new hire? Be it a student or self trained?

I don't know if we have recruiters on this forums (or HR) but lets here from artist's and programmers as well, maybe someone may benefit from this?

Or not either way, have a good night (or morning) everyone.

Peace

 

[Iaido Sword]

this will not end well

Uh the part you bolded is true.

It's not like anyone else is a student of that school and knows how the program works.

 

[balohna]

You may want to rethink frames. That stuff makes some people want to claw their eyes out

I personally don't have a problem with frames, but the site does feel a bit cramped and kind of old school.

The thing with the frames is to make sure the site loads quickly. Two out of the three frames only load once, and the content of the other frame should load fairly quickly as well since it's mostly text (there's one image, but it'll cache after the first time... and it's only one image). Flash websites look cool and all, but if an HR person on a 5 year old Dell can't get it to load they would probably just close the browser.

 

[Somnia]

This thread gets an A+ for laugh factor. I feel sorry to all you guys in the industry for this thread

 

[Duckhuntdog]

Oh my people skills are great. Instructors think I'm a great guy, I work well with people. I'm fine.

I'm here saying that game schools like the Art Institute are a great place to start getting into the industry. Why anyone would disagree is beyond me.

If your people skills are great, this thread has not been a good show of it.

I can understand your willingness to defend schools. But really, you have to learn to be quite, listen to others, and take direction.

That's just my observation. If I had to say, would I want to work with you on a team, my answer would be no.

 

[Zoe]

The thing with the frames is to make sure the site loads quickly. Two out of the three frames only load once, and the content of the other frame should load fairly quickly as well since it's mostly text (there's one image, but it'll cache after the first time... and it's only one image). Flash websites look cool and all, but if an HR person on a 5 year old Dell can't get it to load they would probably just close the browser.

You should be able to approximate a frame-like look with css without worrying about things slowing down. You don't need to go all-out Flash.

 

[inertiatic]

Uh the part you bolded is true.

It's not like anyone else is a student of that school and knows how the program works.

Oh sorry, I misread your post.

For a moment, I thought you had written "Hey, It's not like there's anyone who actually knows what he's talking about except me".

The thing with the frames is to make sure the site loads quickly. Two out of the three frames only load once, and the content of the other frame should load fairly quickly as well since it's mostly text (there's one image, but it'll cache after the first time... and it's only one image). Flash websites look cool and all, but if an HR person on a 5 year old Dell can't get it to load they would probably just close the browser.

Not too sure, but the menu on the left the site would probably make the site look a bit cleaner and tidier.. I guess.

 

[balohna]

You should be able to approximate a frame-like look with css without worrying about things slowing down. You don't need to go all-out Flash.

Your ideas are intriguing. I would like to subscribe to your newsletter.

 

[Nex Superne]

This guy HAS to be a joke account.

How can someone have such blinding arrogance from attending some 2 year trade school? There's plenty of sound advice in this tread, and you're doing an excellent job trashing it without a second thought.

This thread is just painful to read, and if that was the point, bravo!

 

[MC Safety]

If your people skills are great, this thread has not been a good show of it.

I can understand your willingness to defend schools. But really, you have to learn to be quite, listen to others, and take direction.

That's just my observation. If I had to say, would I want to work with you on a team, my answer would be no.

A little stab at reading comprehension would work wonders, too. Man ...

 

[TDG]

This guy HAS to be a joke account.

This thread is just painful to read, and if that was the point, bravo!

I've suspected the former for a while. The latter is not true, this thread is hilarious, not painful!

 

[Andronicus]

Uh the part you bolded is true.

It's not like anyone else is a student of that school and knows how the program works.

I'd like to believe that you are just misinterpreting what you've been told, because some devs have informed you that your train of thought doesn't pan out.

This guy HAS to be a joke account.

How can someone have such blinding arrogance from attending some 2 year trade school? There's plenty of sound advice in this tread, and you're doing an excellent job trashing it without a second thought.

This thread is just painful to read, and if that was the point, bravo!

yeah, first thought that came to mind is this has got to be shawn elliot from 1up screwing with us

 

[Zoe]

Your ideas are intriguing. I would like to subscribe to your newsletter.

You should probably hop over to the OT side. There have been a few website threads in the past week or so.

 

[Iaido Sword]

If your people skills are great, this thread has not been a good show of it.

I can understand your willingness to defend schools. But really, you have to learn to be quite, listen to others, and take direction.

That's just my observation. If I had to say, would I want to work with you on a team, my answer would be no.

I don't see it as learning. I see it as "my way or the highway". My opinion is shut down by the industry experts even though my school and my opinion is backed up by industry experts.

I do believe that some of the posters are at disbelief that the developers are in direct involvement with the school. Everyday, I find it amazing that I'm being instructed from the developers.

You don't know me and I don't know you, so you can't form an opinion based on a message board. If we met in real life without knowing our handles on GAF, I'd work well with you if you have the same drive to be a great developer.

 

[balohna]

Ah lawd, looks like this thread's antagonist goes to the same school I went to.

Idaio, are you in GAD or VGP? What quarter?

 

[Cmagus]

One more post

Your ideas are intriguing. I would like to subscribe to your newsletter.

Balohna, I think this article written by the crazy (but very talented) Jon Jones will help you a lot with how you design your portfolio, PLEASE give it a read - http://www.thejonjones.com/2005/10/07/your-portfolio-repels-jobs/

EDIT: Sorry Balohna, I had the wrong link in there... now it's fixed. ENJOY!

 

[Mercutio]

This guy HAS to be a joke account.

How can someone have such blinding arrogance from attending some 2 year trade school? There's plenty of sound advice in this tread, and you're doing an excellent job trashing it without a second thought.

This thread is just painful to read, and if that was the point, bravo!

What terrifies me is the thought of him in an actual crit in school, or in dailies later in life. I can't even imagine what he'd throw through the projector if presented with actual objective critique.

 

[Duckhuntdog]

Haha alright.

Do you mean physical stuff? I've sent a lot of emails.

Yeah. Companies aren't going to look for you and emails only go half way and you can get lost in the mix. Take THE BEST levels, layouts, documents, everything you have done and put it on a CD or DVD and mail it.

Emails can easily end up in the delete bin, actual physical media, will probably at minimum get looked at once.

 

[Zoe]

Balohna, I think this article written by the crazy (but very talented) Jon Jones will help you a lot with how you design your portfolio, PLEASE give it a read - http://www.thejonjones.com//2005/10/your-portfolio-repels-jobs.html

Four-oh-Four

 

[minus_273]

Well I know there is no saving this thread... and why would ya

But maybe we can lighten it up just a bit and make it a bit more helpful (and student friendly) with a quick and oh so popular question and some answers.

What do you look for in a new hire? Be it a student or self trained?

I don't know if we have recruiters on this forums (or HR) but lets here from artist's and programmers as well, maybe someone may benefit from this?

Or not either way, have a good night (or morning) everyone.

Peace

not games industry but im sure the same thing applies, if you are going to be a programmer its sound fundamentals of CS. People can list all kind of BS on their resumes but outside of architecture and language specifics, if you HAVE to know data structures, algorithmic analysis and basic computational complexity theory like the back of your hand. The quality of all your code depends on it.

 

[quaere]

The bottom line is these course's are implemented to make a profit, then use any leftover money to teach the students the basics, and hopefully touch on some fundamentals, that's it. Hopefully it teaches them about networking too, but the core experiences one recieves as an Artist, Programmer Designer etc. is out their in the job world

Fixed

 

[Cmagus]

Aw what the hell...

Ok well try this link instead - http://boards.polycount.net/showthread.php?t=39516

Polycount is your friend

 

[element]

Specialists are usually never in-house and are contracted out. A generalist will find jobs easier.

my entire studio is nothing but specialist.

 

[EviLore]

I do believe that some of the posters are at disbelief that the developers are in direct involvement with the school. Everyday, I find it amazing that I'm being instructed from the developers.

Really entering joke character territory here.

 

[balohna]

You believe this, huh? Wow. Thankfully the VFS grads I've come across - meaning the ones that actually get hired - don't have that sort of attitude at all. I hope you take the time between now and graduation to check yourself. Good luck.

Most AI grads don't have this attitude either.

I don't want to sound sour or anything, but a lot of VFS students/grads I've met seem to kind of look down on AI. When I mention I went there they usually kind of laugh to themselves and say things like "Oh yeah, how'd that go for ya?"

 

[Jon Shafer]

Well, in spite of the great derailing of this thread, something I would like to mention for the sake of those still reading for its original purpose is that there's no single standard for how game companies work or hire. Small indie studios might need a few talented generalists with a strong passion while huge companies working on the next $50 million blockbuster only want specialists with years of experience. Someone might get in with no degree and a sweet mod while another guy makes it with a masters in CS and a third a certificate from a game school. The only common element is putting in the hard work and sticking with it. I think standardization would do the industry good, but for now there's still no clear-cut path in. I will say that networking can be hugely important though. For that reason I think the modding/community involvement route is great if you have the interest and dedication. You can work on some great portfolio pieces and you make a name for yourself with the developers of your favorite game(s)... assuming you do good work, of course, but that goes without saying . That combination can make you an awfully attractive hire, even with no degree or prior professional experience.

Jon

 

[clashfan]

I don't see it as learning. I see it as "my way or the highway". My opinion is shut down by the industry experts even though my school and my opinion is backed up by industry experts.

I do believe that some of the posters are at disbelief that the developers are in direct involvement with the school. Everyday, I find it amazing that I'm being instructed from the developers.

You don't know me and I don't know you, so you can't form an opinion based on a message board. If we met in real life without knowing our handles on GAF, I'd work well with you if you have the same drive to be a great developer.

Do you attend Devry?

 

[Mercutio]

Really entering joke character territory here.

He... he is real right? You guys have a button to check for that, don't you? Something that sends robot spiders to investigate?

 

[balohna]

I don't see it as learning. I see it as "my way or the highway". My opinion is shut down by the industry experts even though my school and my opinion is backed up by industry experts.

I do believe that some of the posters are at disbelief that the developers are in direct involvement with the school. Everyday, I find it amazing that I'm being instructed from the developers.

You don't know me and I don't know you, so you can't form an opinion based on a message board. If we met in real life without knowing our handles on GAF, I'd work well with you if you have the same drive to be a great developer.

You misinterpreted something somewhere down the line. I went to the same school you go to and from what I've read I can tell you that what you say you've been told is not what I've been told. If you're one of those kids that never leaves and plays Gundam on the mezzanine I'm going to facepalm so hard.

 

[inertiatic]

You misinterpreted something somewhere down the line. I went to the same school you go to and from what I've read I can tell you that what you say you've been told is not what I've been told. If you're one of those kids that never leaves and plays Gundam on the mezzanine I'm going to facepalm so hard.

That would be the cherry on top.

 

[Bearillusion]

I suggest you apply for a job at the Gamecube Hut first. Lots of industry types hand out there and it's good to have contacts in the industry.

 

[minus_273]

Most AI grads don't have this attitude either.

I don't want to sound sour or anything, but a lot of VFS students/grads I've met seem to kind of look down on AI. When I mention I went there they usually kind of laugh to themselves and say things like "Oh yeah, how'd that go for ya?"

what exactly are AI or VFS? googling for AI games is kind of useless and VFS is freaking virtual file system..

 

[Duckhuntdog]

I see it as "my way or the highway".

Well there is your problem right there. My way or the highway doesn't work within a group of creatives and very few designers can even command that type of power. Compromise, listening, taking direction. I have found that to work and a key to success.

You don't know me and I don't know you, so you can't form an opinion based on a message board. If we met in real life without knowing our handles on GAF, I'd work well with you if you have the same drive to be a great developer.

I don't know you, but the unfortunate truth is that opinions can be based on what you say on a message board. You may be a great person, you could work well with others, but you aren't SHOWING this.

 

[White Man]

I told you people to just admit his school was the best ever, but noooooooo don't listen to me. Now it's a couple hundred posts later and you're also going to have to concede that he is a very charming and likable person in order to appease him.

 

[balohna]

what exactly are AI or VFS? googling for AI games is kind of useless and VFS is freaking virtual file system..

Sorry, Art Institute (of Vancouver) and Vancouver Film School.

 

[Duckhuntdog]

what exactly are AI or VFS? googling for AI games is kind of useless and VFS is freaking virtual file system..

AI = Art Institutes
VFS = Vancouver Film School.

I think.

 

[Somnia]

I told you people to just admit his school was the best ever, but noooooooo don't listen to me. Now it's a couple hundred posts later and you're also going to have to concede that he is a very charming and likable person in order to appease him.

I wouldn't have gotten to laugh at him if they did that though =/