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For once my blog update won't be about art (kind of)!
I'm currently under a (pretty nice) situation where I'm choosing where to intern over the summer. I've always wanted to work in the games industry, and after a lot of hard work and a little bit of luck I've gotten offers from various companies.
At the top of my list sits Blizzard Entertainment and Activision. For a little logistical background, I live about 20~30 mins from Activision and 1+ hrs away from Blizzard. Hourly pay isn't an issue with either internship, and both positions are production positions. I'm currently a junior in college, so my ideal plan would be to intern at one of these companies and transition into a fulltime job at one post graduation.
Now I realize that since this is TL.net, Blizzard will likely have more support. However, my senior year I have the good fortune of being a part time student due to the amount of credits I came in with. Since Activision is much closer, I might be able to intern there part-time. With Blizzard, this is impossible due to distance.
To summarize: Acitivision offers more accomodating logistics (closer, maybe part time during the year), but Blizzard is...Blizzard.
My question to you, TL, is what you guys think of both companies. They're both huge names in the gaming industry, and I'm thrilled to have the opportunities and the luxury of choosing extended to me. I have to decide soon though, and I've already thought long and hard about it. Some outside input from you guys would be great!
Thanks!
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work for the parent. it gives you broader options to work either at the parent company after graduation, or one of its subsidiaries. working for the subsidiary doesnt translate as well going up or sideways (you are more specialized, if that is even possible).
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As an ex-employee of Activision, I have to say.... PICK BLIZZARD!!!
Especially if you want to transition into some sort of creative role in the games industry. You will NOT be able to do so at Activision (or any publisher). You will be pidgeon-holed into a very limited skill-set, and be responsible for some really shitty decisions that come down from above...
In the games industry, you are always better off (no matter what you want to end up doing) picking working at a developer over a publisher. Always, always, always.
Good luck!
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Go with Activision. It has a more diverse portfolio of projects that you will find interesting, and they have a ton of wealth. However, if you are a hardcore Blizzard fan, go there if you are willing to commit an hour of driving each day-it's a lot, trust me.
On April 12 2012 09:58 KSKaleido wrote:
As an ex-employee of Activision, I have to say.... PICK BLIZZARD!!!
Especially if you want to transition into some sort of creative role in the games industry. You will NOT be able to do so at Activision (or any publisher). You will be pidgeon-holed into a very limited skill-set, and be responsible for some really shitty decisions that come down from above...
In the games industry, you are always better off (no matter what you want to end up doing) picking working at a developer over a publisher. Always, always, always.
Good luck!
TAKE THIS GUYS ADVICE! Testimonials are very important, and as such, go to Blizzard.
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I would pick blizzard, but I have a sever hatred of Activision for many reasons so yeah >>.
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I would only recommend to work in the games industry if I hated you.
I don't hate you.
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On April 12 2012 10:04 Thaniri wrote:
I would only recommend to work in the games industry if I hated you.
I don't hate you.
What this guy says is pertinent. When you join up, you will have to spend many, many hours playing games in pre-alpha. Games that have the same level all over again and are buggy as all heck. You will report these bugs. You will give input on the game. No one will listen, and whatever protests you make will fall on deaf ears.
You will not be allowed to exercise creativity until you work for a long time in a company, no matter your qualifications or expertise.
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Oh, relax, guys. It's not so bad.
Especially not if you get to work at a company that has creative control over their IP, like Blizzard does. It can be very fun, and very rewarding to be a part of a project that all the developers are excited about and pour their hearts and souls into making it the best they can...
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Game Developers reportedly work double overtime when a project is close to deadline
with no pay.
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You probably shouldn't talk unless you've actually worked in the industry IMO...
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On April 12 2012 10:38 KSKaleido wrote:
You probably shouldn't talk unless you've actually worked in the industry IMO...
I've met interns who worked at big-name companies, ones that were at PAX. I told them that I wanted to go into the industry, and they gave me a whole lecture, which I paraphrased.
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Where these interns working in QA? The repetitive bug testing and long hours are synonomous with QA, which is not what my internship would be.
Thanks for all the feedback so far guys 
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Working in QA really sucks, for obvious reasons.
Working on the programming side of game development also really sucks, and you should take the time to read up on it before you make a decision. Activision isn't as notoriously bad as EA games, but nevertheless you should be prepared to be treated like shit by management.
That being said, working as an intern has the great advantage of giving you good exposure to the environment and letting you talk to other people working there before you're forced to make a real commitment; maybe in the particular department/division/specialization that you're looking at it's a great job and the exception that proves the rule.
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I'm going to say Blizzard, I feel that Activision will sour you on the industry. Blizzard may just make you love it more. But that's just my feelings based upon my hatred for activision and my love for blizzard. i dont think the extra travel time to work will be that big a deal if you are enjoying your work more. Heading home from a good day of work and getting there an hour later will feel better than having a bad day at work and getting home an hour earlier.
But then again I have no experience with either. It will really depend on the department and the team within the company. There are probably teams within each company that have it better than others and teams within the companies that are better to work for. I am currently Interning at RIM, and i feel that the fact that my team is cool really helps
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On April 12 2012 10:38 KSKaleido wrote:
You probably shouldn't talk unless you've actually worked in the industry IMO...
I talk to CS graduates/students, because that's what I want to do when I get in to university. 3 of them worked at video game companies, and say that they work overtime with no pay, have limited creativity and a lot of stress.
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Where are you going to college, if you are comfortable saying?
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if torte lini is saying blizz then you gotta go for sure : )
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On April 12 2012 11:24 QuothTheRaven wrote:
Working in QA really sucks, for obvious reasons.
I'm currently working as a temp in QA with a printer company, and i gotta say, unless you really enjoy repetitive tasks, don't sign up for QA work
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Blizzard. I worked there. Activision is a shithole publisher. DON'T GO THERE! All your dreams and wishes what to learn and what to do will be demolished once you start working for a publisher as an intern. It's basically being a haircutter and do your intern there. In the beginning you dream of cutting hair. In reality you make coffees. Clean the floor full of hair and in general do things nobody else wants to. Got it? I think, yes 
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EPT
