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Life after college is interesting. Sometimes you find you have more time than you could imagine and, other times, you feel so wiped after a day's work, you fall asleep on the couch before you finish dinner.
My post college social life has been extremely varying. It started with months of just gaming and keeping to myself, exploded into a plethora of social events, parties, clubbing, meeting new people, etc, then smashed right down again to sleeping and gaming when I got home.
I somehow got started on Dr. Who, which can take up a surprising amount of time. One or two episodes seems to eat more time than I could expect. And I have found myself with less and less time for games. I partially blame my own lack of motivation to play sometimes and I partially blame phone games, which keep me just amused enough to stay in place, but don't leave me with the same since of victory and accomplishment that more complex games do.
Spring was what seemed to revive my motivation, though. The grey clouds of Seattle have been parting and enabling the sun to drench me in a rejuvenating warmth. I don't think I realized how much the weather was affecting me until it was working once again in my favor.
I suspect the summer here in Seattle will be nicer than it was last year in LA. I still suffer from bitterness over the Riot incident, but the gaming industry is tempting me once again. More job offers, more motivation to dive into the gaming world that I know is so cruel. But, hey! I'm an engineer, right? It can't be too much worse.
What I have learned about the industry over the years is that connections matter. Perhaps they do in every industry, it would only make sense, but the passion and connections that can be shared in the gaming industry seem so much more natural for me. With my jack of all trades skill set, however, I am unsure how to proceed if I do go for this crazy dream. I have been offered both project management and game development positions, both extremely intriguing, but I can admit that I am quite uncertain of their expectations and my own ability to fulfill them.
I do believe I have underestimated my ability to make connections, though. To encourage and grow interest in a game or subject or project or person. I can't say that community work is the most intriguing option out there, but I feel like it may be one that I could excel at.
Perhaps a smaller company is the right choice for me. One where I can grow and develop my skill set as the company needs them, then settle into a specialty or stay as a broad knowledge manager or producer. This is all speculation, of course, since I am still waiting to see where my current employment takes me.
I am still around, however, even if I do not blog or post. I hope you've all been doing well.
 
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Belgium9953 Posts
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Happy birthday, and interesting blog too 
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On May 21 2013 05:43 Riku wrote:+ Show Spoiler +Life after college is interesting. Sometimes you find you have more time than you could imagine and, other times, you feel so wiped after a day's work, you fall asleep on the couch before you finish dinner.
My post college social life has been extremely varying. It started with months of just gaming and keeping to myself, exploded into a plethora of social events, parties, clubbing, meeting new people, etc, then smashed right down again to sleeping and gaming when I got home.
I somehow got started on Dr. Who, which can take up a surprising amount of time. One or two episodes seems to eat more time than I could expect. And I have found myself with less and less time for games. I partially blame my own lack of motivation to play sometimes and I partially blame phone games, which keep me just amused enough to stay in place, but don't leave me with the same since of victory and accomplishment that more complex games do.
Spring was what seemed to revive my motivation, though. The grey clouds of Seattle have been parting and enabling the sun to drench me in a rejuvenating warmth. I don't think I realized how much the weather was affecting me until it was working once again in my favor.
I suspect the summer here in Seattle will be nicer than it was last year in LA. I still suffer from bitterness over the Riot incident, but the gaming industry is tempting me once again. More job offers, more motivation to dive into the gaming world that I know is so cruel. But, hey! I'm an engineer, right? It can't be too much worse. What I have learned about the industry over the years is that connections matter. Perhaps they do in every industry, it would only make sense, but the passion and connections that can be shared in the gaming industry seem so much more natural for me. + Show Spoiler +With my jack of all trades skill set, however, I am unsure how to proceed if I do go for this crazy dream. I have been offered both project management and game development positions, both extremely intriguing, but I can admit that I am quite uncertain of their expectations and my own ability to fulfill them.
I do believe I have underestimated my ability to make connections, though. To encourage and grow interest in a game or subject or project or person. I can't say that community work is the most intriguing option out there, but I feel like it may be one that I could excel at.
Perhaps a smaller company is the right choice for me. One where I can grow and develop my skill set as the company needs them, then settle into a specialty or stay as a broad knowledge manager or producer. This is all speculation, of course, since I am still waiting to see where my current employment takes me.
I am still around, however, even if I do not blog or post. I hope you've all been doing well.
You are a female in a male-dominated world.
It's much easier for you to make those connections simply due to the fact that your average Game industry worker is more willing to get "buddy buddy" with you simply because of your gender. I'm not trying to be mean or hateful, and i might sound a bit jealous, but i'll admit that it pretty much IS the case.
Simply put a Game designer at Riot, who is male and single cares a LOT more about getting to know you, than they do any male fans/hopeful applicants.
Simply being a woman trying to work in the gaming industry is a big enough plus, just for companies to bring in a bit of variation into their workforce/design process.
IDK its just one of those... I would love to see the viewer #'s regarding videos starring Phreak and videos starring Nikasaur. Phreak knows a lot more, but Nikasaur is a LOT better looking in front of a camera, especially for a video designed to appeal to the 12-35 yr old Male demographic.
IDK just interesting for you to be so jaded and call the industry "cruel" for giving you a job when there are millions of applicants who would trade anything to work in that same industry.
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On May 21 2013 06:33 RaGe wrote:
What happened with Riot?
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...
You refer to "the Riot incident" as something a reader of your blog should know of, yet afaik that's not something you've blogged about. Thought you left them to get a "real engineering job" with that sports equipment company.
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On May 21 2013 06:54 MaestroSC wrote:Show nested quote +On May 21 2013 05:43 Riku wrote:+ Show Spoiler +Life after college is interesting. Sometimes you find you have more time than you could imagine and, other times, you feel so wiped after a day's work, you fall asleep on the couch before you finish dinner.
My post college social life has been extremely varying. It started with months of just gaming and keeping to myself, exploded into a plethora of social events, parties, clubbing, meeting new people, etc, then smashed right down again to sleeping and gaming when I got home.
I somehow got started on Dr. Who, which can take up a surprising amount of time. One or two episodes seems to eat more time than I could expect. And I have found myself with less and less time for games. I partially blame my own lack of motivation to play sometimes and I partially blame phone games, which keep me just amused enough to stay in place, but don't leave me with the same since of victory and accomplishment that more complex games do.
Spring was what seemed to revive my motivation, though. The grey clouds of Seattle have been parting and enabling the sun to drench me in a rejuvenating warmth. I don't think I realized how much the weather was affecting me until it was working once again in my favor.
I suspect the summer here in Seattle will be nicer than it was last year in LA. I still suffer from bitterness over the Riot incident, but the gaming industry is tempting me once again. More job offers, more motivation to dive into the gaming world that I know is so cruel. But, hey! I'm an engineer, right? It can't be too much worse. What I have learned about the industry over the years is that connections matter. Perhaps they do in every industry, it would only make sense, but the passion and connections that can be shared in the gaming industry seem so much more natural for me. + Show Spoiler +With my jack of all trades skill set, however, I am unsure how to proceed if I do go for this crazy dream. I have been offered both project management and game development positions, both extremely intriguing, but I can admit that I am quite uncertain of their expectations and my own ability to fulfill them.
I do believe I have underestimated my ability to make connections, though. To encourage and grow interest in a game or subject or project or person. I can't say that community work is the most intriguing option out there, but I feel like it may be one that I could excel at.
Perhaps a smaller company is the right choice for me. One where I can grow and develop my skill set as the company needs them, then settle into a specialty or stay as a broad knowledge manager or producer. This is all speculation, of course, since I am still waiting to see where my current employment takes me.
I am still around, however, even if I do not blog or post. I hope you've all been doing well.
You are a female in a male-dominated world. It's much easier for you to make those connections simply due to the fact that your average Game industry worker is more willing to get "buddy buddy" with you simply because of your gender. I'm not trying to be mean or hateful, and i might sound a bit jealous, but i'll admit that it pretty much IS the case. Simply put a Game designer at Riot, who is male and single cares a LOT more about getting to know you, than they do any male fans/hopeful applicants. Simply being a woman trying to work in the gaming industry is a big enough plus, just for companies to bring in a bit of variation into their workforce/design process. IDK its just one of those... I would love to see the viewer #'s regarding videos starring Phreak and videos starring Nikasaur. Phreak knows a lot more, but Nikasaur is a LOT better looking in front of a camera, especially for a video designed to appeal to the 12-35 yr old Male demographic. IDK just interesting for you to be so jaded and call the industry "cruel" for giving you a job when there are millions of applicants who would trade anything to work in that same industry.
I don't really like this post... It completely disregards the fact that the industry is desperately looking to hire more women for very valid reasons. It comes off as "hey, you think you're good at networking but in reality you're a hot dog vendor at an obesity recovery camp."
Don't get me wrong, i've worked with women who are completely hopeless in gaming for various reasons, but i've worked with even more hopeless guys and i can't help but think that if the m:f ratio was evened out, so would the prevalence of hopeless cases on both sides of the colon.
Female game workers might have an easier time getting hired for now, but the spotlight will be on each and every one of them. I've heard of so many cases of sexual harassment as a result of the culture clash that happens when the first girls are accepted into the workforce of an all male studio. While your post assumes that attention is flattering and beneficial (which it indeed may be, if you have the right personality), it carries with it a back side as well.
I don't find it hard to accept that OP is good at making connections/networking, i don't know why you'd go through the trouble of writing that post to disprove it. Make your own blog complaining about the alleged unfair nature of the industry instead if you want, directing your presumptions at someone in particular becomes too personal.
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Connections matter in every industry darling.
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On May 21 2013 09:40 StarStruck wrote:
Connections matter in every industry darling.
Oh darling.
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On May 21 2013 09:55 CecilSunkure wrote:Show nested quote +On May 21 2013 09:40 StarStruck wrote:
Connections matter in every industry darling. Oh darling.
Please believe me.
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Have you considered asking about the expectations? It's kind of a standard interview question.
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you shouldn't think too much about your own ability, if the company is giving you a chance, then obviously they think you have it in you
the exact skill needed will be developed when you start doing the job.
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On May 21 2013 10:38 WaveofShadow wrote:Show nested quote +On May 21 2013 09:55 CecilSunkure wrote:On May 21 2013 09:40 StarStruck wrote:
Connections matter in every industry darling. Oh darling. Please believe me.
I'll never do you no harm.
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On May 21 2013 06:33 RaGe wrote:
What happened with Riot?
In short, they offered me employment months before I graduated, got everything all set up, moved, signed a year lease and then they retracted the offer less than 48 hours before I was supposed to start. Not even by phone call, mind you, by an email.
On May 21 2013 09:23 Thrill wrote:Show nested quote +On May 21 2013 06:54 MaestroSC wrote:On May 21 2013 05:43 Riku wrote:+ Show Spoiler +Life after college is interesting. Sometimes you find you have more time than you could imagine and, other times, you feel so wiped after a day's work, you fall asleep on the couch before you finish dinner.
My post college social life has been extremely varying. It started with months of just gaming and keeping to myself, exploded into a plethora of social events, parties, clubbing, meeting new people, etc, then smashed right down again to sleeping and gaming when I got home.
I somehow got started on Dr. Who, which can take up a surprising amount of time. One or two episodes seems to eat more time than I could expect. And I have found myself with less and less time for games. I partially blame my own lack of motivation to play sometimes and I partially blame phone games, which keep me just amused enough to stay in place, but don't leave me with the same since of victory and accomplishment that more complex games do.
Spring was what seemed to revive my motivation, though. The grey clouds of Seattle have been parting and enabling the sun to drench me in a rejuvenating warmth. I don't think I realized how much the weather was affecting me until it was working once again in my favor.
I suspect the summer here in Seattle will be nicer than it was last year in LA. I still suffer from bitterness over the Riot incident, but the gaming industry is tempting me once again. More job offers, more motivation to dive into the gaming world that I know is so cruel. But, hey! I'm an engineer, right? It can't be too much worse. What I have learned about the industry over the years is that connections matter. Perhaps they do in every industry, it would only make sense, but the passion and connections that can be shared in the gaming industry seem so much more natural for me. + Show Spoiler +With my jack of all trades skill set, however, I am unsure how to proceed if I do go for this crazy dream. I have been offered both project management and game development positions, both extremely intriguing, but I can admit that I am quite uncertain of their expectations and my own ability to fulfill them.
I do believe I have underestimated my ability to make connections, though. To encourage and grow interest in a game or subject or project or person. I can't say that community work is the most intriguing option out there, but I feel like it may be one that I could excel at.
Perhaps a smaller company is the right choice for me. One where I can grow and develop my skill set as the company needs them, then settle into a specialty or stay as a broad knowledge manager or producer. This is all speculation, of course, since I am still waiting to see where my current employment takes me.
I am still around, however, even if I do not blog or post. I hope you've all been doing well.
You are a female in a male-dominated world. It's much easier for you to make those connections simply due to the fact that your average Game industry worker is more willing to get "buddy buddy" with you simply because of your gender. I'm not trying to be mean or hateful, and i might sound a bit jealous, but i'll admit that it pretty much IS the case. Simply put a Game designer at Riot, who is male and single cares a LOT more about getting to know you, than they do any male fans/hopeful applicants. Simply being a woman trying to work in the gaming industry is a big enough plus, just for companies to bring in a bit of variation into their workforce/design process. IDK its just one of those... I would love to see the viewer #'s regarding videos starring Phreak and videos starring Nikasaur. Phreak knows a lot more, but Nikasaur is a LOT better looking in front of a camera, especially for a video designed to appeal to the 12-35 yr old Male demographic. IDK just interesting for you to be so jaded and call the industry "cruel" for giving you a job when there are millions of applicants who would trade anything to work in that same industry. I don't really like this post... It completely disregards the fact that the industry is desperately looking to hire more women for very valid reasons. It comes off as "hey, you think you're good at networking but in reality you're a hot dog vendor at an obesity recovery camp." Don't get me wrong, i've worked with women who are completely hopeless in gaming for various reasons, but i've worked with even more hopeless guys and i can't help but think that if the m:f ratio was evened out, so would the prevalence of hopeless cases on both sides of the colon. Female game workers might have an easier time getting hired for now, but the spotlight will be on each and every one of them. I've heard of so many cases of sexual harassment as a result of the culture clash that happens when the first girls are accepted into the workforce of an all male studio. While your post assumes that attention is flattering and beneficial (which it indeed may be, if you have the right personality), it carries with it a back side as well. I don't find it hard to accept that OP is good at making connections/networking, i don't know why you'd go through the trouble of writing that post to disprove it. Make your own blog complaining about the alleged unfair nature of the industry instead if you want, directing your presumptions at someone in particular becomes too personal.
I am quoting this post because I agree with the response, but, before I continue, I want to point out some things:
1) Phreak does balancing, QA, design, commentating, AND community interaction due to his high ELO and his WC3 days. Nika just does community interaction and is passionate about creative writing, etc. Rather difficult to compare the two, they have extremely different jobs and passions outside of just LoL itself.
2) I called the industry "cruel" due to the long work hours and high demands. Which is true. Ask anyone in it. This is, of course, similar to engineering work, which has long hours and high demands. They are not cruel for giving me a job, I have no clue how anyone read it like that.
As for my connections, some were made from mutual attraction, but more were made from shared interests and friends. For instance, I became good friends with Diggity, a name many of you are familiar with. This connection was made through common friends and our mutual interest in League of Legends. It was certainly not due to attraction and he treats his male and female friends similarly.
The magical thing with connections is that they grow exponentially in number, so the few I started with grew quickly
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In short, they offered me employment months before I graduated, got everything all set up, moved, signed a year lease and then they retracted the offer less than 48 hours before I was supposed to start. Not even by phone call, mind you, by an email.
Holy shit, that's fucking bullshit.
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On May 21 2013 10:38 WaveofShadow wrote:Show nested quote +On May 21 2013 09:55 CecilSunkure wrote:On May 21 2013 09:40 StarStruck wrote:
Connections matter in every industry darling. Oh darling. Please believe me.
o-O Is there something going on between you two? :3
As for my connections, some were made from mutual attraction, but more were made from shared interests and friends. For instance, I became good friends with Diggity, a name many of you are familiar with. This connection was made through common friends and our mutual interest in League of Legends. It was certainly not due to attraction and he treats his male and female friends similarly.
I was refering to referrals/references not what you're alluding to lmao. It is very weird that Riot would retract their offer in 48 hours of advance. You did sign an offer sheet, right? I wonder how many candidates they had. Anywho, I've got lots of work because I have a good repertoire with all the people I've worked with and they like my style. It's great because I never have to worry about finding work again.
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United Kingdom16710 Posts
On May 21 2013 14:39 Torte de Lini wrote:Show nested quote +
In short, they offered me employment months before I graduated, got everything all set up, moved, signed a year lease and then they retracted the offer less than 48 hours before I was supposed to start. Not even by phone call, mind you, by an email.
Holy shit, that's fucking bullshit.
There's got to be some legal recourse here. That's just a pile of stinking shit to do to someone.
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On May 21 2013 22:12 StarStruck wrote:Show nested quote +On May 21 2013 10:38 WaveofShadow wrote:On May 21 2013 09:55 CecilSunkure wrote:On May 21 2013 09:40 StarStruck wrote:
Connections matter in every industry darling. Oh darling. Please believe me. o-O Is there something going on between you two? :3 Show nested quote +As for my connections, some were made from mutual attraction, but more were made from shared interests and friends. For instance, I became good friends with Diggity, a name many of you are familiar with. This connection was made through common friends and our mutual interest in League of Legends. It was certainly not due to attraction and he treats his male and female friends similarly. I was refering to referrals/references not what you're alluding to lmao. It is very weird that Riot would retract their offer in 48 hours of advance. You did sign an offer sheet, right? I wonder how many candidates they had. Anywho, I've got lots of work because I have a good repertoire with all the people I've worked with and they like my style. It's great because I never have to worry about finding work again.
It was a contractor position (they try everyone out as a contractor for 3 months before hiring them in the entry level positions). Thus, I had no offer sheet, only the contract, which I had signed, but which was not going to be signed by them and finished until I came in to finalize the paperwork on my first day.
I may have been still able to pursue some kind of legal action, but I was so heartbroken and upset about the whole situation, I tried to just ignore it.
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I would report it to the right authorities (some working/employment organization) with the associated documents.
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On May 22 2013 02:52 Riku wrote:Show nested quote +On May 21 2013 22:12 StarStruck wrote:On May 21 2013 10:38 WaveofShadow wrote:On May 21 2013 09:55 CecilSunkure wrote:On May 21 2013 09:40 StarStruck wrote:
Connections matter in every industry darling. Oh darling. Please believe me. o-O Is there something going on between you two? :3 As for my connections, some were made from mutual attraction, but more were made from shared interests and friends. For instance, I became good friends with Diggity, a name many of you are familiar with. This connection was made through common friends and our mutual interest in League of Legends. It was certainly not due to attraction and he treats his male and female friends similarly. I was refering to referrals/references not what you're alluding to lmao. It is very weird that Riot would retract their offer in 48 hours of advance. You did sign an offer sheet, right? I wonder how many candidates they had. Anywho, I've got lots of work because I have a good repertoire with all the people I've worked with and they like my style. It's great because I never have to worry about finding work again. It was a contractor position (they try everyone out as a contractor for 3 months before hiring them in the entry level positions). Thus, I had no offer sheet, only the contract, which I had signed, but which was not going to be signed by them and finished until I came in to finalize the paperwork on my first day. I may have been still able to pursue some kind of legal action, but I was so heartbroken and upset about the whole situation, I tried to just ignore it.
Whenever you feel upset, remember that there's always a creepy guy on the internet that would be glad to give you a hug.
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EPT
