Create a game... does payment method matter?
by Sean Brady · in General Discussion · 07/30/2012 (3:13 pm) · 11 replies
Today I had a discussion with a recruiter who asked me this particular question. Now what were you paid for the project you are working for ***********?
Firstly I thought it was kind of strange as I thought it was none of her business and secondly after I told her that it was a tiny sum plus voluntary basis she uttered a sigh like ooohhhhh.... :(
What the hell is going on? The game is developed and out the door. Does it matter if there was a salary or not. Experience is experience isn't it. I hate recruiters. They want everything yesterday and each one wants something different. One wants you to be a well rounded person, one wants a geek who is obsessed over code quality and one wants production monkey who pumps stuff out the door. I am right in being annoyed and confused at this?
Firstly I thought it was kind of strange as I thought it was none of her business and secondly after I told her that it was a tiny sum plus voluntary basis she uttered a sigh like ooohhhhh.... :(
What the hell is going on? The game is developed and out the door. Does it matter if there was a salary or not. Experience is experience isn't it. I hate recruiters. They want everything yesterday and each one wants something different. One wants you to be a well rounded person, one wants a geek who is obsessed over code quality and one wants production monkey who pumps stuff out the door. I am right in being annoyed and confused at this?
About the author
Professional mouth!, getting projects complete is the only problem.
#2
If she wanted to judge you on your portfolio she should look at the product not the income.
There can be many reasons why a product didn't earn like, a million dollars.
07/30/2012 (5:46 pm)
Agreed, in no way can you be judged based on how much you earned on the last project, which btw is none of her business like you said.If she wanted to judge you on your portfolio she should look at the product not the income.
There can be many reasons why a product didn't earn like, a million dollars.
#3
Thank you.
@David,
Should it not be based on the quality of the product? I have never been asked how much I personally got paid for a project by a recruiter ever. NEVER...
07/31/2012 (3:07 pm)
@Lukas,Thank you.
@David,
Should it not be based on the quality of the product? I have never been asked how much I personally got paid for a project by a recruiter ever. NEVER...
#4
07/31/2012 (3:48 pm)
How much are you worth? They need to evaluate your worth to fit you with the right wage. Ability is one part of the equation. Making sure you are worth their time is another.
#5
08/01/2012 (9:21 am)
Fair enough, it just came across as the same thing they do to people applying for a medical degree and medical school over here in ireland, find out your personal situation to keep the dirt out... I probably took it up wrong in some form or another. Cheers.
#6
Recruiters have to think of the brass tax for placement. Most clients using recruiters have the contract rate for the project in mind or for the head count on a project. The contractors such as yourself get measured by either an hourly rate or by a per project basis.
This means your right about measuring quality. None of this discussion really covers the quality of your previous work and definitely calls out that a low quality project that paid you well gets a better reception than a high quality volunteer project.
Not all companies work this way, but many of the big players do.
JD
08/01/2012 (4:20 pm)
Sean,Recruiters have to think of the brass tax for placement. Most clients using recruiters have the contract rate for the project in mind or for the head count on a project. The contractors such as yourself get measured by either an hourly rate or by a per project basis.
This means your right about measuring quality. None of this discussion really covers the quality of your previous work and definitely calls out that a low quality project that paid you well gets a better reception than a high quality volunteer project.
Not all companies work this way, but many of the big players do.
JD
#7
"None of this discussion really covers the quality of your previous work and definitely calls out that a low quality project that paid you well gets a better reception than a high quality volunteer project.
Not all companies work this way, but many of the big players do."
- this explains alot about the current state of the industry.
08/01/2012 (5:09 pm)
Cheers for clarification James."None of this discussion really covers the quality of your previous work and definitely calls out that a low quality project that paid you well gets a better reception than a high quality volunteer project.
Not all companies work this way, but many of the big players do."
- this explains alot about the current state of the industry.
#8
How do you take a profession as interesting as game development and turn it into a boring office job? I don't think I would want to work for a large game developer that does this.
Who exactly is the recruiter? What is their function and relationship to you, the company you are interested in, etc? I am confused as to why there is a middle man.
08/02/2012 (10:08 am)
Quote:this explains alot about the current state of the industry.It sounds like a lot of companies are producing code mills.
How do you take a profession as interesting as game development and turn it into a boring office job? I don't think I would want to work for a large game developer that does this.
Who exactly is the recruiter? What is their function and relationship to you, the company you are interested in, etc? I am confused as to why there is a middle man.
#9
Thats the majority of software jobs are, sit down, keep pumping out assembled software based off the same fundamentals again and again. I may as well be doing database applications but prefer game development. I don't mind working for the mills at the moment as I need a job hahaha...
Applied for a job then recruiter who was handling it contacted me. Why people use recruiters, no idea but I am sure they have their reasons but I am passed caring.
Can't name names here, many eyes on the internet and people talk. I contacted the recruiting company a few years ago trying to get some guidance and didn't bother from then on but after applying for job they were handling, the recruiter came on phone and gave me the third degree in a way I found unnecessary. There was no particular company interest just the role, gameplay programmer.
08/02/2012 (10:47 am)
Quote:It sounds like a lot of companies are producing code mills.
How do you take a profession as interesting as game development and turn it into a boring office job? I don't think I would want to work for a large game developer that does this.
Thats the majority of software jobs are, sit down, keep pumping out assembled software based off the same fundamentals again and again. I may as well be doing database applications but prefer game development. I don't mind working for the mills at the moment as I need a job hahaha...
Quote:I am confused as to why there is a middle man.
Applied for a job then recruiter who was handling it contacted me. Why people use recruiters, no idea but I am sure they have their reasons but I am passed caring.
Quote:Who exactly is the recruiter? What is their function and relationship to you, the company you are interested in, etc?
Can't name names here, many eyes on the internet and people talk. I contacted the recruiting company a few years ago trying to get some guidance and didn't bother from then on but after applying for job they were handling, the recruiter came on phone and gave me the third degree in a way I found unnecessary. There was no particular company interest just the role, gameplay programmer.
#10
Good luck in securing a funding source. I hope you can find one that creates a positive atmosphere to work in.
I kind of enjoy database work. That is probably because I don't do it very often.
08/02/2012 (8:02 pm)
No, did not want names. Just wanted to understand job function. They gave you grief over a job they were handling? Did that recruiter feel like they owned your application? That is wild. It seems like the recruiters are creating hostile workplaces before you even get the job. :)Good luck in securing a funding source. I hope you can find one that creates a positive atmosphere to work in.
I kind of enjoy database work. That is probably because I don't do it very often.
#11
Job Function: Gameplay Programmer
Requirements:
- Proficient C++
- Experience with Scripting languages
- Knowledge of 3D Math
- Minimum 1yr experience
I think thats it really. It was for six month contract role.
------------------------------------------------------------
The grief was not because they were handling the job I have no idea really, probably because they had to do their job and investigate my background. Having to actually work is terrible. :)
Cheers Mr. Carney and take care.
08/03/2012 (9:36 am)
(I am trying to remember...)Job Function: Gameplay Programmer
Requirements:
- Proficient C++
- Experience with Scripting languages
- Knowledge of 3D Math
- Minimum 1yr experience
I think thats it really. It was for six month contract role.
------------------------------------------------------------
The grief was not because they were handling the job I have no idea really, probably because they had to do their job and investigate my background. Having to actually work is terrible. :)
Quote:Did that recruiter feel like they owned your application?Probably...
Quote:Good luck in securing a funding source. I hope you can find one that creates a positive atmosphere to work in.Thank you and I hope so too, right back at you.
Quote:I kind of enjoy database work. That is probably because I don't do it very often.Similar situation here, I always link it to electronic shelf stacking. Don't know why hahahaha...
Cheers Mr. Carney and take care.
Associate David Montgomery-Blake
David MontgomeryBlake