Thoughts (mine and yours) about attending GDC '06...

[dave4shmups]

I was informed by Zakk that GDC is really the place to go for networking for careers in the video game industry, and, indeed, the GDC does have a whole seperate career parvillion:

http://www.gdconf.com/networking/careerpavilion.htm

The problem is, as you can see; most of the attendees have at least some industry experience. I called Aaron, told him who I was and that I have no experience in the gaming industry, and he told me that most companies there are looking to hire mid-seinor level positions-but that it might be a good place to talk to/meet people in the companies who are hiring game testers, etc.

Another problem, though, is that if I apply for a job with SCEA, or XBOX/Microsoft Game Studios, or most of the companies there, I have no money with which to move out to California or Washington-or even anywhere else here in Colorado.

I saw my Psychotherapist today, and she said that she thinks it would be good for me to go, to talk to people from companies-but I didn't think of the money/re-location issue at the time.

So, what do you all think?

[PaCrappa]

Move to western Washington and get a job testing games. I don't think I know anybody that hasn't tested some game or other that we'd all recognize the name of. It's what people do out here. Also, most of the ones that really really wanted to have been able to go on to better positions (sometimes with comfortable pay!) at some sort of gaming company. That last part is NOT easy, even with education and experience.

It sounds like this convention will get you exactly the same thing as moving to Washington: A nonguaranteed but possible opportunity to test games for pay. You will never in a billion years break into any other facet of the gaming industry other than heavy warehouse work without serious education or experience in testing.

Pa

[Thunder Force]

Here is a resource that may be helpful:

http://www.igda.org/Forums/forumdisplay.php?forumid=44

[dave4shmups]

Thanks for the suggestions guys! I would move, but again, I lack the money to do so.

As far as game developing goes, 1) I suck at math, and 2) I have absolutely no ideas for games.

[Vexorg]

Move to western Washington and get a job testing games. I don't think I know anybody that hasn't tested some game or other that we'd all recognize the name of. It's what people do out here. Also, most of the ones that really really wanted to have been able to go on to better positions (sometimes with comfortable pay!) at some sort of gaming company. That last part is NOT easy, even with education and experience.

It sounds like this convention will get you exactly the same thing as moving to Washington: A nonguaranteed but possible opportunity to test games for pay. You will never in a billion years break into any other facet of the gaming industry other than heavy warehouse work without serious education or experience in testing.

Pa

I actually work as a software tester, although the closest I've ever gotten to games testing was an interview at MGS for a contract position back before the Xbox launched. There are plenty of opportunities to test games in this area, although you do have to keep in mind that a lot of them are going to be contract positions (not exactly the most stable thing in the world) and at the entry level, the pay for games testing may not be all that great. I can't really tell you much about games testing specifically, but if you have questions about software testing in general, I might be able to answer those for you.

[dave4shmups]

Well, I have decided that I am going for it! My birthday is May 9th, so this will be my gift! I think it would be good for me to go out there and talk to some companies in the industry-plus have some fun in San Jose! I've read that it has one of the oldest arcades in the US!

I just wonder if I should bring a suit and tie; a lot of those companies are probably semi-formal at best, in terms of dress.