I'm not even out of high school, but I'm really interested in the game industry. I've posted before about a few questions I've had. But, I want to know when people usually get to a place they really enjoy working. I wouldn't expect people working on Hello Kitty's Island adventure to be very happy if they are harboring a dream to develop the next great horror game. How many of you guys really enjoy the game design job you are currently in? And how long did it take you to get there? Did you enjoy the entire journey from your previous occupation to game designer? Thanks for any feedback.

I am currently 26 and I took my current game designer job last year. I enjoy my job immensely. No, I am not working on super huge games (though you would without a doubt recognize the license for the current game I am working on), but I find it fulfilling. When I first started I thought that this job would be more of a stepping stone to "bigger and better things", though my way of thought has changed. Working with licensed IP provides a world of completely different challenges and are equally, though differently, gratifying.

You said, "I wouldn't expect people working on Hello Kitty's Island adventure to be very happy if they are harboring a dream to develop the next great horror game." Yes, this is true if the only thing you want to work on if the next great horror game. If you care more about great game design that working with "cool" genres though, then it doesn't really matter. I'm just ecstatic that I get paid to design videogames all day.

I was just using that "hello Kitty" thing as an example. I was just wondering how long it takes people to get into working in designing games they enjoy. I'm not saying I only want to design horror games,in fact, I don't like horror movies, and I don't see myself attempting to create a horror game. I enjoy a wide variety of games.

That take several factors, specially what sort of game you enjoy to design, you can get into a small 3 person indie team that develop casual games and find that enjoyable, and the other 2 persons could be people that are your friends or friends of your parents and you could get hired tomorrow...

But I bet that if you think that a good project to work is a AAA project, or a smaller project but not far (IE: more simple to create games, like R-Type like, or a puzzle plataformer, or a 2d fighting game with only 12 chars), I bet that you will need to have at least 22 years, since this is the age I think that someone could finish his bachelor degree in "something" that is needed by most companies (some even do not care in what you have a degree, but you need a degree)

More info on that, I suggest you to send a e-mail to Tom Sloper board :) I always see people asking questions akin that one, and he repling (please, read the FAQs before asking, I think that your questions can be already awnsered there)

As others suggested. Its not about age but circumstances. I had my first design job when I was 20. Looking back on that, well two years ago.. It was a great job but not what I really really enjoyed. I'm now closing in on more of a lead type of position at a company that makes games that I find enjoyable. If your really passionate and have great skills it will just work. The variable is who you know and finding the right opportunity at the right time.

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Original post by Blue Lion I was just using that "hello Kitty" thing as an example. I was just wondering how long it takes people to get into working in designing games they enjoy. I'm not saying I only want to design horror games,in fact, I don't like horror movies, and I don't see myself attempting to create a horror game. I enjoy a wide variety of games.

Oh, I know. I was just saying that you might be surprised with what you might find yourself enjoying as a designer. I was appointed as the lead designer on the project I am working on four months after I started to replace the previous lead designer. It certainly has its pros and cons. In general I would have to say that I am happy with what I am doing, but I don't think the lead designer position is the best fit for me and in the future I am going to try and move myself over into a lead content/scenario/level design position.

What you think will make you happy and what will actually make you happy aren't always the same thing [wink]

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Original post by zer0wolf What you think will make you happy and what will actually make you happy aren't always the same thing [wink]

Well said. I find what I enjoy most is fictional writing, not creating game art. Though, I can't complain too much about my current situation. In fact I prefer that I'm not a professional writer or author, as it allows me to write what, when, and where I want without the pressure that my livelihood depends upon it.

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World Planter I've been working at Bungie for a year now

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World Planter Though, I can't complain too much about my current situation

I don't think that second part really needed to be said [wink]

I got my current job as a game programmer when I was 28 (I'm 29 now). It's definitely better than my previous jobs (E-Commerce Development Intern, English Teacher), but it's a bit wearing. The stereotypes about Japanese people working way too long are based on fact.

I'm not sure if I'd say it's an enjoyable game dev job, but it's not bad.

[Edited by - Dark Adept on February 13, 2008 10:35:27 PM]

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Original post by Blue Lion I want to know when people usually get to a place they really enjoy working. How many of you guys really enjoy the game design job you are currently in? And how long did it take you to get there? Did you enjoy the entire journey from your previous occupation to game designer?

I'm a game developer (like in your title), not a game designer (like in your post), so I'm confused as to whether you're asking about designers specifically, or game-dev in general... Anyway...

I got my first (and most enjoyable to date) game-dev job at 20, which is a lot quicker than I expected. I was only half-way through my Soft-Eng degree at the time, so I had to finish it part-time by correspondence.
Unfortunately the company had a spectacular melt-down (IP licenses revoked, lawsuits flying everywhere) not long after I started, which was a bummer.

So now I write game-engines for a giant-evil-money-hungry corporation, which is still an interesting and sometimes fun job, but dealing with all the incompetent people that infest the corporate world is very depressing sometimes...