Is self releasing career suicide?
by John Bura · in General Discussion · 06/21/2009 (7:45 am) · 12 replies
Hello everybody,
I am a composer who has always had an interests in computers. I have released a small platform game and I was so thrilled to see that something like torque exists.
I want to work in the industry colloborating with people who are as passionate as I am when it comes to releasing material. I feel that I could go to a college and pay some 30 000 dollars for a course or I could spend a fraction of that and release my own game. I feel that in 1 years time I could learn everything in that course on my own as long as I put in the time.
My major question is that if I make games on my own will I be un-hire able by game companies or would I be more attractive to them?
So far I have found the answer to be 9/10 people would like you to self release. I have also found out that every creative industry is different.
I am a composer who has always had an interests in computers. I have released a small platform game and I was so thrilled to see that something like torque exists.
I want to work in the industry colloborating with people who are as passionate as I am when it comes to releasing material. I feel that I could go to a college and pay some 30 000 dollars for a course or I could spend a fraction of that and release my own game. I feel that in 1 years time I could learn everything in that course on my own as long as I put in the time.
My major question is that if I make games on my own will I be un-hire able by game companies or would I be more attractive to them?
So far I have found the answer to be 9/10 people would like you to self release. I have also found out that every creative industry is different.
#2
06/21/2009 (8:11 am)
One could also assume that bigger the project the more hire able you would be. As long as your project had attention to detail, polish and fineness. 
#3
06/21/2009 (8:46 am)
If one assumed that, one would be correct.
#4
06/21/2009 (9:00 am)
Haha, the way you worded that is awesome. Is it too lofty of a goal to self release a game then try to get a job in the industry? 
#5
06/21/2009 (9:41 am)
a portfolio weighs more than a certificate of graduation, imo.
#6
06/21/2009 (3:21 pm)
@John: It's not too lofty of a goal. But, you need to be reasonable about the size of game that you personally can do. If you set out to duplicate WOW or Oblivion, then you would be developing it for the rest of your life and never complete it. Or, you could work on simpler games like the guy here is working on: app-a-day.blogspot.com/ and get several under your belt. Probably to impress people, somewhere in between is better.
#7
06/21/2009 (7:48 pm)
I feel that way too. Businesses like results and I feel that if you can show that you get results that is much better than having a PHD.
#8
I have no plans to do a WOW type game. I see a lot of people want to do and I feel that it would be too hard for a small team to do.
My goal is to release something like the riddick games. Like escape from butcher bay and dark athena. With Torque I think its very possible.
06/21/2009 (7:53 pm)
Ah sorry for the Double post.I have no plans to do a WOW type game. I see a lot of people want to do and I feel that it would be too hard for a small team to do.
My goal is to release something like the riddick games. Like escape from butcher bay and dark athena. With Torque I think its very possible.
#9
06/21/2009 (11:08 pm)
From someone who's hired creative people, I have to agree with Orion. Portfolios are MUCH more impressive than a degree.
#10
Specifically, would your chances of getting hired at EA be higher or lower.
06/22/2009 (5:13 am)
I still feel that having some education is important. When I look at people I say something like "cool they went to university". But in the end I do feel its more about the portfolio. Specifically, would your chances of getting hired at EA be higher or lower.
#11
But it was my "portfolio" (my mod work) which got me asked to interview in the first place.
06/22/2009 (6:54 am)
Can't say for EA but on previous experience Activision made it plain that no degree = no job. Didn't necessarily have to be in computing though. That might have had something to do with not being a US national, but it also shows that you can stick at soemthing for a number of years.But it was my "portfolio" (my mod work) which got me asked to interview in the first place.
#12
06/22/2009 (6:57 am)
Yeah, working in the US is hard if you are not a US citizen. I find that most places need some kind of Post secondary. 
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