Games Industry Mentor

Episode 17: The Job Interview

Aaron — Thu, 03 Jun 2010 05:30:25 +0000

Hey! We're back and talking about job interviews! Special guests this episode are: Jason Rosenstock - contract environment artist at BioWare, Mike Sheidow - senior environment artist at BioWare, and Alex Thomas - cinematic designer at BioWare. I'm really happy with the quality information this episode provides, so give it a listen!

Apologies for the inconsistent audio quality. In an attempt to make things easy, we did our best using one central microphone, which didn't turn out too hot. Perhaps our future efforts using a central mic will be more successful.

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If you have been enjoying these episodes and would like to support Games Industry Mentor, swing by the donation page! All funds go directly to site hosting and podcast equipment. Thanks!

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The opinions shared during Games Industry Mentor are simply the views of individuals who work within the games industry, and in no way represent opinions of the studio or company that may employ those individuals.

Games Industry Mentor or the individuals who share their opinions, do not guarantee successful placement within the video games industry through following the advice heard on the program.

Hiatus

Aaron — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 16:45:18 +0000

So I've been neglecting writing this post because frankly, it really bums me out. So I apologize for not keeping everyone in the loop sooner.

I have been running into difficulties completing the podcasts due to a handful of reasons, not the least of those being a broken laptop, a baby on the way, and work. I'm not sure when I will be able to replace my laptop, but that seems to be the biggest hurdle for me right now. So I regret to inform listeners that I will be going into a bit of a hiatus.

I want to make it clear that I always expected this hiatus would come sooner or later once we started running out of developer jobs to talk about, or covered enough topics. I anticipated Games Industry Mentor would simply fall under a type of "standby" status, awaiting enough suggestions for another topic, and update out of date information as the industry matures. Unfortunately all of this is just happening a bit sooner than I would like, as there were a couple more topics I would like to have covered.

Like many of you, I am an avid podcast listener - and nothing frustrates me more than a podcast I love falling into a seldom published schedule, so I apologize for that as well. I hope you realize that it's not due to a lack of interest in the podcast, I have always felt passionate about helping people find advice on how to break into this industry - and that hasn't changed. I eagerly look forward to covering new topics and finding the time and resources to produce more episodes when appropriate. Hopefully that knowledge is some consolation while waiting for episodes, or for your topic to be covered.

Please keep writing in with your suggestions, and thanks for all the support!!

- Aaron

Episode 16: VFX and UI

Aaron — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 04:54:37 +0000

Two for one! This episode we talk about both VFX and UI! Our guests this episode - Michael Voigt, Lead Interface Artist at Bioware, and Bryan Erck, Lead FX Artist at BioWare. It can be a bit difficult finding good information about these jobs, so don't miss this one! I should mention that we had some recording difficulties during the first part of the podcast, so I apologize for the strange audio interference.

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If you have been enjoying these episodes and would like to support Games Industry Mentor, swing by the donation page! All funds go directly to site hosting and podcast equipment. Thanks!

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Games Industry Mentor or the individuals who share their opinions, do not guarantee successful placement within the video games industry through following the advice heard on the program.

Episode 15: Community Management

Aaron — Fri, 19 Feb 2010 00:26:56 +0000

This episode we discuss what it takes to be part of a community management team! I am joined with Sean Dahlberg, Community Manager at BioWare Austin, and Chris Mancil, Director and Community Manager at Trion World Network.

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If you have been enjoying these episodes and would like to support Games Industry Mentor, swing by the donation page! All funds go directly to site hosting and podcast equipment. Thanks!

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Games Industry Mentor or the individuals who share their opinions, do not guarantee successful placement within the video games industry through following the advice heard on the program.

Episode 14: Online Communities

Aaron — Wed, 03 Feb 2010 20:01:27 +0000

This episode we discuss some great online resources and how they can help you with your career in game development. Joining me this episode: Rob Galanakis, BioWare Senior Tech Artist & founder of tech-artists.org; Adam Bromell, Head Administrator at polycount.net, & Artist at Relic; As well as Dave Traeger, Senior Editor at moddb.com & desura.com

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If you have been enjoying these episodes and would like to support Games Industry Mentor, swing by the donation page! All funds go directly to site hosting and podcast equipment. Thanks!

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Games Industry Mentor or the individuals who share their opinions, do not guarantee successful placement within the video games industry through following the advice heard on the program.

Episode 13: Which studios are right for you?

Aaron — Tue, 19 Jan 2010 20:25:21 +0000

Which studios are right for you? This episode we focus on answering just that! Our special guests are Christian Sheppard - Animator from Junction Point / Disney Interactive, and Colin Greenhalgh - Environment Artist at Budcat Creations. We cover plenty of important topics including different types of work culture, making an educated assessment of a studio's work culture, relocating, cost of living, and more!

My toddler Mickey did his best to get his voice (more like screams) heard on this episode, so apologies for that. Luckily since Christian is working at Junction Point he knows how to handle Epic Mickey situations.

Ba-dum bum pish! I'll be here all night folks.

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If you have been enjoying these episodes and would like to support Games Industry Mentor, swing by the donation page! All funds go directly to site hosting and podcast equipment. Thanks!

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Games Industry Mentor or the individuals who share their opinions, do not guarantee successful placement within the video games industry through following the advice heard on the program.

Episode 12: Programming 101!

Aaron — Wed, 23 Dec 2009 05:49:53 +0000

This episode we finally get to the long awaited programming 101 episode! Thanks for your patience on this one. As you may have guessed, programmers are some of the busiest folks in game development, so special thanks to Edgar Glowacki and Aaron Otstott (Principal Server Programmer and Principal Client Programmer at BioWare) for making this episode happen! They used up a good chunk of their lunch, then rushed off to meetings. Again, much appreciated guys. We get a ton of great information - everything from making sample games, to finding programming experience when you're green, so pay close attention!

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If you have been enjoying these episodes and would like to support Games Industry Mentor, swing by the donation page! All funds go directly to site hosting and podcast equipment. Thanks!

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Games Industry Mentor or the individuals who share their opinions, do not guarantee successful placement within the video games industry through following the advice heard on the program.

Episode 11: The IGDA

Aaron — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 14:30:52 +0000

Sorry for the delayed release on this one - but better late then never I guess. This episode I sit down and chat with Rodney Gibbs and Amy Goldenburg from the IGDA to talk about what the organization has to offer for those breaking in. We discuss a lot of interesting topics including best ways to network, how to start up your own IGDA group at school, and plenty more. If you have ever wondered what the IGDA is all about - this is a must listen.

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If you have been enjoying these episodes and would like to support Games Industry Mentor, swing by the donation page! All funds go directly to site hosting and podcast equipment. Thanks!

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Games Industry Mentor or the individuals who share their opinions, do not guarantee successful placement within the video games industry through following the advice heard on the program.

My “breaking in” story.

Aaron — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 20:22:16 +0000

Shame on me. I recently had someone mention that I haven't ever shared my own breaking in story! I thought it would be a good idea to share that, which will be heard on the next episode. However, if you would like a more detailed explanation about how I broke in, or would like to read a bit more about environment art in general, head over to Take Initiative, where they recently put up an interview I participated in.

Episode 10: Animation

Aaron — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 02:34:40 +0000

This episode we sit down with a couple great friends of mine: Mark How, Principal Lead Animator at BioWare, and Mookie Weisbrod, Senior Animator at BioWare. These guys are some of the nicest and helpful individuals I know, and I'm sure all you animators will get plenty of awesome info from this one! So far this is one of my favorite episodes, so don't miss it!

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If you have been enjoying these episodes and would like to support Games Industry Mentor, swing by the donation page! All funds go directly to site hosting and podcast equipment. Thanks!

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Games Industry Mentor or the individuals who share their opinions, do not guarantee successful placement within the video games industry through following the advice heard on the program.