Let's find me a new job!

[Margalis]

So, today I put in my notice at work and will be leaving in the next 2-6 weeks.

My recent experience is in Java but i also have C/C++ experience. I have done a fair amount of different game-related programming work but have never worked for an actual game company. I have a Masters in Computer Science with concentration in graphics.

So...recommend me some game companies. I don't follow these things as closely as I used to, I don't really have a good idea anymore of what the landscape is like. I want to work at a place that makes something interesting and hopefully fun. (As in, I don't want to work at a place that just remakes Midway Classics or puts out awful games that everybody hates)

Also if anyone has any advice specific to applying for game jobs I would be happy to hear it.

[Trippy]

Where do you live now and are you willing to relocate?
What sort of graphics programming have you done? Was any of that for your Master's Thesis/Project?
Are you willing to work on Java mobile games?

[Margalis]

Where do you live now and are you willing to relocate?
What sort of graphics programming have you done? Was any of that for your Master's Thesis/Project?
Are you willing to work on Java mobile games?

I currently live in Cambridge, MA, I may be willing to relocate.

The graphics programming I have done was OpenGL, terrain rendering, collision detection, etc. I haven't done anything with any technology new in the past 3-4 years like shader languages and such. My Masters was on various collision detection schemes and their relative speed and usefullness.

Am I willing to work on Java mobile games? That is a tough one. I guess the answer is it depends. I don't really like working on things that are really simple like basic puzzle games and things like that. It really depends on the games I guess.

---

Let me further add this: At the company I am leaving I am a techinical lead and make good money, but I realize what I do now (Java programming) is likely to be unrelated to the job I am looking for. (Other than the aforementioned Java mobile games, which I would probably kick all kinds of ass in) One of the things I am going to start doing is brushing up on my C/C++, its tough for me because in a way I would be looking for an entry-level type of position. But I am aware of that. I am willing to start on the ground floor (of programming, not QA) as long as there is the opportunity to prove myself and move up.

I think I am an excellent engineer but it's also foolish to expect that someone will hire me as a C++ main engine programmer, even though I could probably do the job. So I would be happy with a "tools guy" sort of position as long as kicking a lot of ass as tools guy could eventually get me into something different. I am also interested in design but I see a formal role for that being years and years away. One of the reasons I am leaving my current job is that I do something pretty specific that is not widely applicable (Java 1.1 compatible programming) that is not that related to what I would ideally do (games programming) and looks pretty bad on a game programming resume.

I do have a number of various hobby projects that I've worked on over the years, so that's a plus.

[Strazos]

Get a portfolio together, then we can talk. From what I have heard/read, being able to give tangible, functioning examples of your abilities is a must. If you want a job doing C/++, crank out some....things in that language.

Just a thought, but good luck. I could use a new contact to leech lewts from. 

[Trippy]

I currently live in Cambridge, MA, I may be willing to relocate.

Well living in Cambridge helps since there's a ton of game companies in that area:

http://www.bostonpostmortem.org/bostongamedev.htm

Other states with a lot of gaming companies include California, Texas, Washington and I think Maryland.

Am I willing to work on Java mobile games? That is a tough one. I guess the answer is it depends. I don't really like working on things that are really simple like basic puzzle games and things like that. It really depends on the games I guess.

A lot of money is pouring into the mobile gaming publishing market from VCs which in turns trickles down to the mobile gaming development houses. Trip Hawkins's new company, Digital Chocolate here in the San Francisco Bay Area, is an example of such a company.

I do have a number of various hobby projects that I've worked on over the years, so that's a plus.

If those are demoable that helps a lot. Otherwise like Strazos said you should put that stuff together into a portfolio you can show to game companies.

[Llava]

Portfolio will help a lot.  Brush up and be ready for a test, it's not uncommon for companies to give those for programming jobs... especially, I would imagine, a higher up programming job.

If you haven't already, check out the job listings on gamasutra.com.  There are a ton of game programmer positions.  That'll give you a place to start and you can check out some of the companies on your own.

Also keep in mind that you could use your Java expertise as a bridge.  So you're not in the game industry right now.  Go work at a company that makes largely Java games as the tech lead.  Then you've got "Game Tech Lead" on your resume.  Might be faster than working up the ladder, might not, but either way it's a decent alternate route.  This gives you titles published with you as the tech lead right off the bat, and years of experience as a tech lead in the game industry.  The individual language used is less often specified in the ads, so the experience should get you in the door and your skills should get you the job.  Assuming, of course, you keep up with C++ enough to have the requisite ability.

Disregard or not at your discretion.  I've never applied for a programming position with a game company, so grain of salt and all that.

[Krakrok]

Blizzard is hiring in Irvine, CA.

[HaemishM]

Don't work for EA.

[Viin]

[yay - necro post -  ]

If anyone is interested in working in Mountville, PA or Denver, CO we just had a buncha positions open up.

Find info here: http://www.timewarner.com/corp/careers/jobtools_us/index.html
Search in Denver and Mountville to see the job openings.

[schild]

Oooh oooh and let's find me a job. Preferably one where I can spend most of the day web browsing with roughly 1-2 hours worth of actual work. I KNOW there are people here who can point me in the right direction.

[cevik]

Oooh oooh and let's find me a job. Preferably one where I can spend most of the day web browsing with roughly 1-2 hours worth of actual work. I KNOW there are people here who can point me in the right direction.

No problem:

http://forums.f13.net/index.php?topic=5806.0

[schild]

Oooh oooh and let's find me a job. Preferably one where I can spend most of the day web browsing with roughly 1-2 hours worth of actual work. I KNOW there are people here who can point me in the right direction.

No problem:

http://forums.f13.net/index.php?topic=5806.0

You must be really bored to troll so explicitly 3 times in one day.

[cevik]

Oooh oooh and let's find me a job. Preferably one where I can spend most of the day web browsing with roughly 1-2 hours worth of actual work. I KNOW there are people here who can point me in the right direction.

No problem:

http://forums.f13.net/index.php?topic=5806.0

You must be really bored to troll so explicitly 3 times in one day.

My code is finished and tested, I am waiting on the slow guy to finish his code, so we can merge and pass certification.

ETA:  But I believe what I'm saying, so I'm not a troll, just a fanatic.

[Margalis]

This is hilarious. Just today I was remembering back to when I quit my job.

I ended up getting a new boss 2 days before I was set to leave and he was better so I re-joined. 

[Triforcer]

I live in Cambridge Mass as well.  We should get together and discuss politics sometime 

[Ironwood]

Will it be a BYOB* party ?


*bring your own bat.

[Miguel]

For some reason 'Bring Your Own Bible' popped into my head. ;)

[Yegolev]

My company is always hiring for something, but chances are it's not your dream job.  I think we have some permanently-open spots for security guards.

[Bunk]

Well, my company is actually hiring for quite a few postions right now (new products on the verge of release).

Good solid company if you happen to live in Western Canada.

http://www.topproducer.com/Careers/listings.asp

Just let me know before you apply - they put in one of those $500 refferal dealies recently. :)

[Yegolev]

I found out that someone I know has headcount for two SAP BASIS techs.