<p>My son tells me that a game developer company is actively/repeatedly recruiting on his campus for both interns and job candidates. He tells me he dislikes the company, however, because of their strategy of nickel-and-diming customers for extras throughout gameplay. Under no circumstances would he work for this company.</p>
<p>My question is: how badly do your kids want to work in this industry? Would they pursue any game design opportunity or only those that specifically appealed to them?</p>
<p>Could be right, palier, however, many industries are going that way now, and young people are told they should not expect to work for the same company for long periods of time. The major chemical company I used to work for hires BS chemists on a contract basis and lets them go in tough economic times, but it has also changed some to salaried workers with benefits. The future is uncertain in other areas also.</p>
<p>Lorem, I don’t think that particular practice would deter my S from working for a company.</p>
<p>Except Mamabear, that the game industry is known to be the absolute worst of all those contracting companies and breaking dreams, as well as massive amounts of hours required some of which aren’t even legal and which then lets them go, sometimes by just locking them out of the building.</p>
<p>The game industry is a fail or survive business, to thrive you need to have connections.</p>
At this point, my son would just be happy if he received a reply for any of the intern applications he has out there. So yes, he’d pursue any opportunity that would get him in the door.</p>
<p>Every industry has its tough transitions. Gaming is in the midst of a transition. Keep your options open and keep aprised of the direction the industry is heading. Unfortunately many schools are not in touch with current realities of the marketplace so be aware and be willing to hustle. I suggest all college kids create a LinkedIn page and start to build their professional network.</p>
<p>My S is at DigiPen in the RTIS program which stands for Real Time Interactive Simulation. It is a BS in computer science. This major prepares him for a future in many fields, even though it is game-based. He works on a team with a designer, an artist and an computer engineer. The curriculum in this major is heavy on math, physics, and CS (programming) which should prepare him for a number of careers, not just games.
Honestly, I don’t see games leaving us any time soon. There will be jobs in the industry. Sure some companies will be folding while new ones are starting up. But still I am glad he is in a degree program that does not lead only to a job in the game industry. (though that is where he thinks he wants to be at this point)</p>