Feature: 'What Game Companies Want From Graduates'

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Game education site Game Career Guide has a new feature talking to recruiters from notable game companies like EA, Insomniac Games, and THQ about the best university courses and qualifications for getting hired to be a game developer.

In it, there's plenty of relevant feedback, with the following exchange illustrating some of the issues at play in the game school market at current:

"EA's Colleen McCreary notes that she feels "not all students are suited for the traditional academic experience and it's nice for those students to have options," though adds that EA encourages students "to pursue more traditional academic degrees that allow for an emphasis on game development."

She also comments of the rise of some TV-advertised mass market 'game schools': "Our concern with for-profit institutions is that students may not learn the fundamental the tools for understanding and solving complex issues," she says. "We are most likely to hire someone who has a BFA or MFA from a traditional art college and a BS, MS, or PhD in Computer Science for our entry level artist and software engineer positions.""

In addition, Insomniac's Angela Baker also weighed in on ways that they recruit developers:

"According to Baker, one of the most important qualities for a graduate applicant to have when applying for work at Insomniac is "talent." Like THQ, the company place ads for entry level positions on their website, as well as "reaching out to the schools," as a way of reaching the most promising candidates.

"Talent is talent," she reiterates. "I would hate to think that we are passing up someone fantastic because they are new to the video games industry. We have all our candidates that we are interested in take a test, and that tends to equalize the playing field. An applicant's skills are going to be on display, not a fancy resume. Of course though nothing is better than actual studio experience - so internships are always a great way to start. That is why Insomniac offers a summer internship program."

You can now read the full Game Career Guide feature on the subject, with more from notable HR professionals on what they look for when hiring into the game industry (no registration required, please feel free to link to this feature from external websites).

By Beth A. Dillon
March 15, 2007 03:00:00 AM PST


www.gamecareerguide.com/news/13096/feature_what_game_companies_want_.php

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Got game? What the gaming industry looks for in you



For the high school seniors out there, you've already come to that point where you can look forward to college. In hope or in dread, we can't help you there. Alistair Wallis of GameCareerGuide.com could, though. Although addressed to college seniors rather than high school seniors, "What Game Companies Want From Graduates" helps the shiny-faced, wet-ears high school senior, too. After all, you've got four years to prep yourself to be the kind of guy that Ubisoft wants, right?

The article features interviews with gaming industry recruitment people from Electronic Arts, Insomniac Games, and THQ, and demands the Read link below. Long story short, however:

• (At least EA) encourages the traditional educational route: the hard work through a regular collegiate degree. "Game schools" are nice, too - although the idea is so new as its impact in the industry is, well, "unclear." (We can presume that the first batch of graduates from these courses have more than their merits and skills to prove, but their alma maters, too).
  
  • (Hey, just be glad Harvard won't be on the top of the most wanted list in this department anytime soon - but don't tell Harvard.)
  
  
• The industry loves people with a passion for the industry (duh): make sure this is reflected in your course work (as much as you could) and internships.
  
• Flexibility is key, Kim - not to mention good interpersonal skills, diligence in the work, creativity and talent (not to mention endurance). But, as Insomniac's recruitment/staffing chief puts it, they've got no "cookie cutter" in their recruitment office (at least for Insomniac). There really is no mold of sorts to fit - it comes back to the passion and the talent, really.
  
• Individual companies often have individual requirements (depending on shortages of personnel in key areas, key projects in the pipeline, etc.).
  
• When you finally decide to submit that application, or sit down for that interview: do your research, bring your "A" game. Demonstrate how you can stand out of the crowd - you know, like making your own games, for example. Well, the PSP, NDS, and XNA homebrew communities down here have that one nailed.
  

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