Wow, the last few weeks have been a roller coaster.
Three weeks ago I was unemployed hoping that a job lead I was perusing would actually come through.
It did, and then two weeks ago I had my first day on the job right as the team I joined was finishing up one milestone and jumping forward toward their next; a very important one.
Now, today, I just finished my second week in my new position with my head a bit spinning at how much things have changed, and how much I still have to learn.
I really enjoy working again.  It felt fantastic to step into an office and work with a team of people all focused on producing a fantastic product. I am very blessed for this opportunity and really would like to see it turn into a long term deal.
Now moving forward I might blog about my general feelings about how work interacts with other parts of my life, but this blog will stay a place for me to ramble on about games, movies, books, tv, etc. that I consume or interact with. It is not a behind the curtains look into my position at work with me going on with details about my work, ramblings about specific office stuff, or making comments about my company’s titles.
Time now to return to get to writing a game based post.
MrAnderson Job Search, Musings jobhunt
Job Offer Verbally Accepted!
I am so very, excited and thankful.  Thank you to all my friends and family that have been praying and encouraging me throughout this time of unemployment.
Work starts on Sept. 1, which only gives me a few days to actually try and enjoy some “time off” before I jump right in to a bunch of work.
MrAnderson Job Search, Musings jobhunt
Over the years when I have interviewed at game studios I almost always get asked a few questions that are used, I guess, to find out more about an applicants gaming history/passion. For some reason these questions make me crazy, because they seem to me more like a question people would answer over coffee or drinks and not during a phone interview.
Thus today I finally decided to sit down and answer some of them for myself, simply to finally have my answers down in one place.
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MrAnderson Games, Job Search, Musings Design, Games, jobhunt, MMO
Yesterday I stumbled upon a FlyFF and Rappelz, both of which are several years old and yet for some crazy reason I downloaded them. Today after installation and account creation I played both for a very short bit, during which I took a few notes.
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MrAnderson Free2Play, Games, Job Search, Runes of Magic Free2Play, MMO
This is part 4 of my ongoing “Operation Contacts†campaign. A campaign in which I am attempting to gather some contact info for real people at places I have either already sent resumes to, or places I am interested in working at.
Today’s target: NCSoft West
I have been impressed with many of the products their studios have produces, and over the last three weeks I have added several positions my profile with them. At least two of those positions are still listed on their jobs page; QA Testers, and Sr. QA Tester. I believe I could fill either of those roles and would be very willing to move for them.
The first of the positions is particularly interesting to me since it looks to be at Carbine Studios; the studio where Tim Cain is currently at. There has not been much news on what the studio is working on, but given NCSoft’s focus on MMOs that genre would be a safe bet and one that very much excites me. I am very curious to know about what they are working on, but with Mr. Cain involved I would probably take the job even without knowing more information.
The other position, from the description, sounds like one working on on going content for an existing MMO; my guess would be City of Heroes. This is a game I played a lot of when it first launched, and still greatly enjoy. It has one of the best character/costume creations systems in the industry, one I literally spent whole nights messing with, and is a game I would be happy to help continue to support.
So as usual, if anyone who happens to stumble upon this knows anyone I could contact directly at NCSoft West, or Carbine Studios to talk a bit about these positions, please email me.
Thanks.
MrAnderson Games, Job Search, LOTRO
This is part 3 of my ongoing campaign “Operation Contactsâ€; attempting to gather some contact info for real people at places I have either already sent resumes to, or places I am interested in working at.
Today’s target is Southpeak Games. They have a “senior” and “experienced” tester positions posted on their website either of which, I believe, I would be a great fit.
These postings interest me for two big reasons; exposure to testing on a variety of different consoles and the office is local. While there are many companies I would move for, not having to move is a huge bonus I have to consider. (Plus it makes personal meetings much easier) I would really like an opportunity to actually chat with someone at SouthPeak about me filling a role there, so if anyone has a name or email address they could share please pass it along.
Thanks.
MrAnderson Games, Job Search
Today is “Operation Contacts†part 2. My campaign to try and gather some addresses of real people I can contact at places I am interested in talking to about job, or I have already sent resumes to.
Petroglyph
I took a look at their site when I got a tip they were looking to fill a position that I would be great in; Production Assistant. The job sounds great; the responsibilities match what I would like to be doing and the listed requirements match me very well. I also knew a friend of mine had interviewed with them and was very impressed by them, and that sealed the deal for me. Resume sent.
That was about three weeks ago and since then no response at all. I am not even sure if someone actually received my email. If someone out there has a contact email for a real person at Petroglyph, please drop me a note. I promise I wont badger or stalk them. I just want to ask about the position’s status?
MrAnderson Games, Job Search
On the job search front, I keep sending resumes out to what mostly feels like impersonal machine hive minds and not actual people looking to hire someone. This makes me sad, since every place I apply to I would love to work at.
So today I am going to actually start linking this site and officially launch “Operation Contacts” campaign in an attempt to gather some addresses of real people.
First up – Bioware Austin:
Yesterday I submitted my resume into the EAjobs site, applying for a Tester position down at BioWare Austin. The site gives very little feedback that I am not even sure if my application will ever reach an actual person down at the BioWare offices. So if anyone out there has a contact for anyone at that BioWare office, please contact me.
Next up – Turbine:
Yes, I can see that they don’t have any QA tester, Community Management, In-game support, or a heck “someone to brew fresh cups of coffee” jobs posted currently on their website, but I am not letting that stop me. Please contact me. if you can provide me an email address of someone I could send a little note to.
MrAnderson Games, Job Search