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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]Lots of kids want to game design. It’s a miserable job — the hours are looooong. It’s a huge industry, though, and the programming skills are useful in lots of area. I’d be fine with my kid studying this sub field  of computer science[/quote]

DC works for Bethesda Software/ Microsoft snd normal 9-6 hours with occasional overtime .[/quote]

Does he have benefits?  And he's been able to keep this job for five years?  I'm just asking because I read the book "Press Reset" and I'm just starting to read "Blood, Sweat and Pixels."  This industry, according to those books, and to a couple of people I've talked to is B-R-U-T-A-L.  Mostly contractor positions, jobs/businesses that close shop overnight or over a few days, may not get paid for the last few weeks before they close shop.  Nearly impossible to buy a home because you end up moving when the business/game goes belly up.  No one lasts past 35 yrs old in the industry.

I would love to hear more from the PP.  I'm not saying these things I posted are in fact the complete situation everywhere -- it's just what was depicted in "Press Reset."  My kid is also hell bent on this as a career.  I am trying to learn more about it.  My kid NEEDS to be in a job that has medical AND dental benefits.  He has some health issues and will be getting dental implants at age 19-ish.  So, he will need to have insurance coverage for life.

I feel like every 15 yr old thinks they want to be a video game designer (like in the past kids wanted to be "professional basketball or football players" -- but not everyone is going to be that).  I am coming to terms with my son working in the industry (even though I don't feel like it is a "solid job").... so long as he gets a COMSCI degree first --- NOT a BFA in Video Game Design.  I'm not down for paying $120k for a BFA in game design.  I'll pay that for a comsci degree -- that he can use in any field that supports him.  But, a BFA seems too limiting.

OK... that's my rant.

Please tell me more about the reality on the ground these days.[/quote]

YES, full benefits and four years in so has vested in the 401k. Started at Bethesda Softworks which was bought out by Microsoft more than a year ago.[/quote]

That's great for your kid but definitely not normal in the game industry. Most people are worked to (or beyond) their breaking point[/quote]

There are good and horrible companies in every industry. This one is growing very fast so a lot of indies became big before they knew how to run a big business. Bad founders always hire HR too late. It is evolving.[/quote]

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