Massively http://massively.joystiq.com Massively http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/http://massively.joystiq.com/media/feedlogo.gif Massively http://massively.joystiq.com en-us Copyright 2012 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[The Daily Grind: Would you want to work in the industry?]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/03/19/the-daily-grind-would-you-want-to-work-in-the-industry/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/03/19/the-daily-grind-would-you-want-to-work-in-the-industry/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/03/19/the-daily-grind-would-you-want-to-work-in-the-industry/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Working in the business of making games is the dream of many gamers -- it's a field we love, with a whole lot of obvious perks and the chance at making a permanent impact on the field. Of course, once you dig a little deeper it becomes clear that making games isn't necessarily a fun ride. The field is full of contentious personalities, greedy publishers, "fans" who frequently heckle your every step, and a high profit margin expected with little turnaround time. And let's not forget the very real possibility of having the rug yanked out from under you midway through development.

Still, none of this stops people from being attracted to the field, and those in the thick of it generally wouldn't trade it away even if they had the option. For all the downsides, the rewards are... well... any time you see a game go live that you're proud to have worked on and all of the fans who genuinely like your work. So what about you? Do you want to take part in the up-and-down ride of the game industry, or would you rather just enjoy the end result?

MassivelyThe Daily Grind: Would you want to work in the industry? originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 19 Mar 2010 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>developmentemploymentfansindustryindustry-jobsopinionpersonalitiesprofitspublisherstdgthe-daily-grindworkFri, 19 Mar 2010 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[IRS saves on recruitment costs with Second Life?]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/08/17/irs-saves-on-recruitment-costs-with-second-life/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/08/17/irs-saves-on-recruitment-costs-with-second-life/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/08/17/irs-saves-on-recruitment-costs-with-second-life/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,


Well, we've had some strange news stories come across our desk, but this one certainly ranks up closer to the top of the list. Frank Stipe, the Virtual Worlds & Social Networking Project Manager for the IRS (yes, the Internal Revenue Service, the people you hate every April) has told CollegeRecruiter.com that the company saves millions of dollars by using Second Life as a recruitment opportunity.

IRS Careers Island is not only a job-seeker's resource for more information about the IRS, it's also a race car track where you can drive cars and race your friends! No, we're honestly not joking. As to how the IRS saves money by running this job information/race track island, check out Stipe's full statement after the break!

Continue reading IRS saves on recruitment costs with Second Life?

MassivelyIRS saves on recruitment costs with Second Life? originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 17 Aug 2009 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>collegerecruiteremploymentgovernmentinternal-revenue-serviceirsirs-careers-islandjob-recruitmentjobssecond-lifeMon, 17 Aug 2009 09:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Red5 sends recruitment messages that won't self-destruct]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/12/21/red5-sends-recruitment-messages-that-wont-self-destruct/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/12/21/red5-sends-recruitment-messages-that-wont-self-destruct/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/12/21/red5-sends-recruitment-messages-that-wont-self-destruct/#commentsFiled under: , ,

The adage usually goes "it's hard to find good help these days." And it's all too true in the gaming industry. While other industries may shun players of MMORPGs, game development companies are actively looking to recruit top-notch talent. Competition is tough to get the best developers, especially when the projects they might be working on cannot be revealed. So to break the monotony of typical recruiter phone calls, Red 5 came up with a unique way to get potential employees interested.

Their Golden Ticket system sent 100 developers an unmarked FedEx box. Inside was another box, labeled 1, that featured art from the game under development and looked vaguely like it might have come from a Mission: Impossible set. Then, in a sort of modern Russian nesting doll manner, the potential employee uncovered the full group of five boxes. Within the fifth box was an iPod, personally engraved for that recipient, along with a code to enter on the Red5 website. The iPod, once hooked up with the site, played a personalized message inviting the developer to the Red5 offices to check out the facility and interview. Quite a unique, if paranoia-inducing, way to get new applicants.

MassivelyRed5 sends recruitment messages that won't self-destruct originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 21 Dec 2008 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>employmentmsnbcrecruitingred-5red-5-studiosred5videoSun, 21 Dec 2008 09:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Employers screening WoW players during recruitment?]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/12/16/employers-screening-wow-players-during-recruitment/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/12/16/employers-screening-wow-players-during-recruitment/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/12/16/employers-screening-wow-players-during-recruitment/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,


Would you consider your MMO-gaming habits to be detrimental to your performance as an employee? Lucky for us, we here at Massively are kind of expected to be invested in the MMO world, but it seems that it may be best to keep your playing a secret when looking for other lines of work. Raph Koster picked up on a thread at the f13 forums in which we learn that a recruiter in the online media industry has been told by employers numerous times to straight-up avoid World of Warcraft players. The original poster, who was chatting with the recruiter in question, mentioned some of the positives that can come from playing MMOs, but the recruiter said that none of that mattered to the employers he dealt with and WoW players would not even get a second look.

Some of the reasons cited for the rejections include bad sleeping habits, and an inability to give 100% due to a wandering mind -- presumably wandering to the next Azerothian adventure. Poor WoW has been taking all the heat lately, but it's doubtful that the fans (nor Blizzard) care too much about the bad rap. When it comes to your next job-hunt though ... we're not going to tell you to lie or anything like that, but just be a little wary of the chatty interviewer when they ask if you've checked out the latest WoW expansion, kay guys?

MassivelyEmployers screening WoW players during recruitment? originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 16 Dec 2008 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>blizzardemploymentjob-huntingjobsrecruitmentworld-of-warcraftwowTue, 16 Dec 2008 11:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Turbine is seeking new headquarters and additional developer talent]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/07/07/turbine-is-seeking-new-headquarters-and-additional-developer-tal/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/07/07/turbine-is-seeking-new-headquarters-and-additional-developer-tal/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/07/07/turbine-is-seeking-new-headquarters-and-additional-developer-tal/#commentsFiled under: , ,


Turbine Entertainment, the creators of MMO titles Asheron's Call, Dungons and Dragons Online and Lord of the Rings Online landed $40 million dollars in investment a few months ago. Speculation has run rampant on what console MMOG the company is developing, but now we know where some of that 40 million is being spent.

The Boston Globe is reporting potential tax breaks for video-game development studios based in Massachusetts and spoke with Turbine chief financial officer, Peter Faubert regarding the proposed legislation. Game development is booming in Massachusetts and it turns out Turbine is looking for a new headquarters in the Boston area since they have outgrown their studios in Westwood. Faubert goes on to say that Turbine plans to add an additional 100 staff to Turbine's burgeoning ranks by the end of 2009. Many employment opportunities are available on the official Turbine INC. website, but any indication on the specifics regarding a new project is cleverly kept covert.

MassivelyTurbine is seeking new headquarters and additional developer talent originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 07 Jul 2008 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>acasherons-callddodungeons-and-dragons-onlineemploymentjoblord-of-the-rings-onlinelotromassachusettspeter-faubertthe-boston-globeturbineturbine-incMon, 07 Jul 2008 19:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Cryptic is hiring ... but for what?]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/05/23/cryptic-is-hiring-but-for-what/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/05/23/cryptic-is-hiring-but-for-what/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/05/23/cryptic-is-hiring-but-for-what/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Cryptic Studios has announced that they're hiring people "to work on our upcoming next-gen MMOGs." This alludes to Jack Emmert's earlier remark at GDC 08, when he mentioned a "secret sci-fi project". And now that it's clear that Cryptic is growing, it just adds delicious fuel to the fire.

A look at their Current Openings page reveals that every department has openings, which is good for would-be respondents, but reveals nothing for clue-seekers. As always, we'll let you know as soon as anything leaks, but this blogger dares to hope for the official resurrection of Star Trek Online.

[Thanks, Christine!]

MassivelyCryptic is hiring ... but for what? originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 23 May 2008 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>cryptic-studiosemploymentgdc08jack-emmertsecret-projectstar-trek-onlineFri, 23 May 2008 14:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Champions Online dev discusses how to become a game designer]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/04/19/champions-online-dev-discusses-how-to-become-a-game-designer/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/04/19/champions-online-dev-discusses-how-to-become-a-game-designer/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/04/19/champions-online-dev-discusses-how-to-become-a-game-designer/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

'Heretic' on the Champions Online developer blog, has posted a short piece on how to "break the wall" and become a game designer. The factors involved are fairly obvious once given consideration, but it's always worth going over them again, to refresh one's memory.

Among the important issues are getting experience in a related, or "parallel" line of work, such as programming or art; noting that there are few available design positions available, and these are typically filled from within the company; and remembering professionalism, courtesy, responsibility, confidence and diplomacy as important assets for any employee.

Continue reading Champions Online dev discusses how to become a game designer

MassivelyChampions Online dev discusses how to become a game designer originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 19 Apr 2008 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>adviceartataribreaking-the-wallchampions-onlineemploymentgame-designhereticprogrammingSat, 19 Apr 2008 11:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Want to build a dungeon?]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/01/25/want-to-build-a-dungeon/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/01/25/want-to-build-a-dungeon/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/01/25/want-to-build-a-dungeon/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,


If you've ever wanted to work on an MMO here's your chance. Providing you have the appropriately mad programming skillz that is.The folks at Dungeon Runners are looking for a few good men and/or women to help them on a little construction project... expanding the sprawling dungeon complex for DR. They're looking for a Programmer and Senior Programmer to come and join the crew in NCsoft's Austin office.

So if you think you have what it takes check out the employment entries, polish up your resume, dust off the construction tools... and good luck!

MassivelyWant to build a dungeon? originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 25 Jan 2008 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Austindungeon-runnersemploymentncsoftprogrammerswantedFri, 25 Jan 2008 17:00:00 EST