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Post by James StarRunner on Jul 28, 2009 14:50:08 GMT -5
I don't know why I'm showing my face again. You guys probably think I'm pretty unreliable...
You'd think I'd still talk to my friends. I'm not used to depression, it's so weird. I'm usually happy go lucky. But since I got the crohn's the chemicals in my head have been so out of whack...
The doctor upped my dosage of 'happy pills' and I think we're all realizing just how bad this case of chronic depression really is. Even with triple my old dose, I still get depressed easily, but I'm a lot better off now than I was before.
Not sure where I left off with my life's news, but it's been a struggle with moving, jobs, and finances. After months of looking, I found a job at Tim Horton's. It stressed me out so bad though that it was making my crohn's flare up again, so I had to quit before the doctors had to do another bowel resection (yay for losing intestines). Then it was off to find another job, which has been really hard as of late due to the economic downturn. We had to downsize and move. I did end up finding another job. Working at a new Movie Gallery location and only got that job because I was already trained.
We're trying our best to catch up on the debt we accumulated while I was jobless and came to the harsh realization that we can't break out of our dead end jobs. So, I applied for the Art Institute of Vancouver for Video Game Design. I did some research and there's lots of companies looking for game designers. The school I'm going to be going to has a 90%+ rate at finding a job in the field for grads within 6 months. All the other ones were stupid and disappeared without a trace before the school could help them.
So now we're frantically trying to do paperwork for school, find a place to live, dejunk and store (more) stuff so we can possibly downsize again to a single bedroom or studio apartment.
But ya, still married and doing well that way, but the rest of life, we're living on the razors edge of sanity.
And congrats everyone on your recent achievements!
I'd like to stay active now, but as I said, things are quite hectic. Well, take care everyone.
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Post by bluebug on Jul 29, 2009 8:19:35 GMT -5
Hey James, Nice to hear from you again. Sounds like you've had a pretty rough go of it. I can't imagine what having Crohn's must be like ... at least when I'm stressed I can just pig out on ice cream ^^;;. At least you've got a plan though, that's the most important thing. It's tough to redirect your life when you thought it was going one way and now have to start all over again. Lots of friends are doing the same thing though - especially with the economy going down the tubes and everything. Hope everything goes well with game design. If you ever need a beta tester, I'll totally be available  |
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Post by Modesty on Jul 29, 2009 16:29:08 GMT -5
Howdy-do James. Hokay before you do lots of crazy stuff with game school Check this stuff out!!! www.gamecareerguide.com/ Click the big getting started banner for the best advice about video game industry besides the stuff I'm going to tell you right now. Companies don't hire game designers right off the bat especially not now, maybe in 2 years when you graduate. Game designer is not an entry level position. Most of them want a few years experience or a few titles shipped. You MAY get that in this particular school, but I would not bet on it. For breaking into the industry here are some things you need: 1) A powerful network - it's one of those "who you know" type industries. (That being said, I do have a contact in Vancouver that works at EA). 2) Passion - my contact in Vancouver actually told me this. PASSION for games is important. She told me that she'd be more likely to hire someone with less skill but more passion than a very skilled unpassionate employee. 3) Time - it depends on who you work for but hours can be a little crazy in production. I've heard that around crunch time you can pull 80-100 hour weeks. (Usually due to poor management). It can be pretty stressful. (And that's an understatement.) I hope I'm not sounding discouraging. (It's just I don't want you to take my job. XD LOL!) And I'm certainly glad to see you back. |
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Post by James StarRunner on Jul 30, 2009 0:20:54 GMT -5
I can't imagine what having Crohn's must be like ... I can't imagine how I survived let alone live with it after. The doctor said I shouldn't have had enough energy to recover after the surgery. I wouldn't wish this disease on any human, no matter how twisted or deranged they were. Ya, I feel like I'm having a mid-life crisis while I'm still in my 20's. Thanks for your hope. I'll see what I can do to see if you can beta test anything. I'm not sure if I can guarantee anything, but I'll try. Click the big getting started banner for the best advice about video game industry besides the stuff I'm going to tell you right now. Thanks for your concern Mod. I'm already well aware of the issues. In one of the first interviews I had, they were making sure I had the ambition. They were very strict on that and made sure I have that drive. I have that ambition. I've been trying to make video games since I was in elementary school. Everything else have been stepping stones. I taught myself BASIC before I even went to junior high and started making text adventure games. I started writing with the intent to make compelling plots, I started drawing so I could bring designs and characters to life, I started voice acting so the characters could speak. I've built my life around someday designing and selling my own game. I know it won't come immediately. I'm satisfied with an entry level job. I'll spend time building up my network and being proficient in the workforce. The admissions director at the Art Institute has given me a very good understanding how things will likely work and that the classes will be tough, being one of the toughest programs they have to offer. I know it's not play all day. I know there will be lots of work involved. But it's always been my dream to show the world the creativity I have to offer. We have mostly everything set. The forms have been sent, application processed, we'll even have a place to live when we get there. Even if I work on games other than my own for years down the road, I will be happy. |
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Post by bluebug on Jul 30, 2009 10:04:08 GMT -5
Sounds like you thought things through thoroughly (that's the most number of "t" words I've ever put together, methinks). Best of luck in your application. And you probably will spend years and years making someone else's idea - probably for most if not all of your career. It's kinda like how I think working at Pixar must be - there's lots and lots of in-betweeners, but only a handful of creative directors. You have to have enough passion for gaming to not mind creating someone else's pet project.
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Post by James StarRunner on Jul 30, 2009 10:45:24 GMT -5
Ya, so it's a good thing I still like helping with other games.  I'll pitch my ideas at some point though. |
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Post by Modesty on Jul 30, 2009 18:37:30 GMT -5
Good...glad you did your homework. (I sure didn't. After all, I went back to school for art originally. XD)
Wow...sounds like the school is srs business.
And when the time comes don't be afraid to add me to your linkedIn. My network steadily grows with game developer type folk.
And keep Gamasutra bookmarked if you haven't already, because seriously it's THE site to go to for game developing.
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Post by James StarRunner on Jul 31, 2009 0:46:23 GMT -5
Ya, the program in the school is crazy serious. It has tons of hiring offices looking at them. Pixar, Disney Interactive, EA Games, Atari, Insomniac Studios, Lucas Arts, ect... The program has a 90%+ success rate at giving jobs in the field students study for within 6 months of finishing (I've yet to find another school that awesome). Asking about the other percent, the director said they took off without leaving contact info. So maybe they found something, maybe not. But finding a job after these classes is practically guaranteed. But ya, I haven't delved through the whole Gamasutra site yet, so I'll be taking a closer look at that as well. What do you mean by 'linkedIn'? Something I should know about? I've definitely heard a good network is important, so let's definitely keep each other in mind. I may be asking for you later for some epic concepts. |
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Post by Modesty on Jul 31, 2009 9:14:01 GMT -5
You need LinkedIn!!! Linked in is a "professional" sort of facebook. Where you store all your professional contacts. This is my LinkedIn page. It's got my resume, my network, recommendations and so on. |
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