OT - Career change advice - Game Designer

deccan · #1 October 27th, 2003, 01:17 PM

Hmm, after that romantic getaway advice thread, I'm beginning to feel sort of silly but anyway, this is lots more interesting...

A couple of weeks ago, I wrote to apply for a job. Now it seems that they're very interested to meet me, and even after I'd explained that I would only be in Malaysia (the place where the company is located) at the end of December, they said that they would be willing to wait.

The position is question is Game Designer with a fledgling company. I have no real experience in this, but apparently they were impressed by my c.v. (which makes for quite interesting reading I must say) and claims about being really into games.

The problem is I have a relatively high-paying job right now, though it's a dead-end one with relatively poor long-term prospects, and taking up their offer would mean earning much less money. The good point is that it'll probably be a lot of fun, plus I get to actually stay in Malaysia which is where my friends and family are after all, instead of jetting off to remote places like Africa and the Solomon Islands.

Any advice?

Anyway, their website is: http://www.phoenix-gamestudios.com/ and their main product is http://www.fungwanOnline.com/html/main.htm

I'd appreciate it anyone could give me any idea if they're any good or if they have a viable business there.

Azselendor · #2 October 27th, 2003, 10:01 PM

Have you pie and eat it too!

Telecommute!

spoon · #3 October 28th, 2003, 01:23 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by deccan:

The position is question is Game Designer with a fledgling company.

It's usually pretty rare to be able to get a job as a level designer (which is what the position sounds like from its description) without any experience, so if you are interested in pursuing a career in the exciting field of video game design, this seems like a good opportunity to get your foot in the door.

Quote:

I'd appreciate it anyone could give me any idea if they're any good or if they have a viable business there.

They seem to be "under the radar", in that there's not much info out there about the game, which seems odd, since it is in beta (maybe its not open beta, not sure...)

I wouldn't take this job if you had a family to feed or something, but if you want to change careers, and don't mind the cut in pay, then go for it. Doing what you love to do is worth more than the stuff money gets you.

deccan · #4 October 28th, 2003, 05:12 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by spoon:
They seem to be "under the radar", in that there's not much info out there about the game, which seems odd, since it is in beta (maybe its not open beta, not sure...)

That's a big question for me as well. They seem to be aiming particularly for the non-Japan, Chinese-speaking Asia market, which explains its low profile in the EU/U.S. and the use of Chinese, and I highly question the economics of that. I just don't want to join a fledgling company only to see it die a year later.

I do think that the "Fung-Wan" license (anyone seen the movie?) has a lot of commercial potential though. Judging from the huge hits movies like "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon" were in the United States, I believe that this stuff, properly developed and marketed, would sell well in the U.S. As it is, it seems to me to be a second-rate Diablo 2 clone developed as an MMORPG.

Quote:

I wouldn't take this job if you had a family to feed or something, but if you want to change careers, and don't mind the cut in pay, then go for it. Doing what you love to do is worth more than the stuff money gets you.

That's pretty much what I thought as well. I agree that it's more important to do a job that you enjoy that one that pays more, particularly when I'm not married and have no children.

Erax · #5 October 28th, 2003, 08:57 AM

It looks like they're trying for the Lineage market. For those who don't know, Lineage is the world's biggest MMORPG, with 10x (yes, TEN TIMES) the number of players that Ultima Online has. It runs mainly in Korea, Taiwan and Japan.

If this company's game meets with any success, you will become very popular - not rich, but at least famous.

deccan · #6 October 28th, 2003, 12:35 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Erax:
It looks like they're trying for the Lineage market. For those who don't know, Lineage is the world's biggest MMORPG, with 10x (yes, TEN TIMES) the number of players that Ultima Online has. It runs mainly in Korea, Taiwan and Japan.

Wow, that's a very interesting tidbit. Thanks. I'll look into it right away. Might come in useful.