Comments on: VIDEO GAME COMPANIES THE BEST TO WORK FOR IN BC? http://www.vancityallie.com/2008/12/01/video-game-companies-the-best-to-work-for-in-bc/ (snowboarding blog / surfing blog / Vancouver blog / Canucks blog / photography blog) Thu, 09 Feb 2012 03:16:08 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: TOMS Shoes http://www.vancityallie.com/2008/12/01/video-game-companies-the-best-to-work-for-in-bc/comment-page-1/#comment-98869 TOMS Shoes Mon, 17 Jan 2011 21:00:25 +0000 http://www.vancityallie.com/?p=208#comment-98869 I rattling pleased to find this internet site on bing, just what I was looking for : D too saved to bookmarks . I rattling pleased to find this internet site on bing, just what I was looking for : D too saved to bookmarks .

]]> By: Vancity Allie http://www.vancityallie.com/2008/12/01/video-game-companies-the-best-to-work-for-in-bc/comment-page-1/#comment-757 Vancity Allie Mon, 08 Dec 2008 20:35:17 +0000 http://www.vancityallie.com/?p=208#comment-757 Michelle, I have no idea.. that's a good question! Urban Dweller.. doesn't sound like you have it too bad if you can make some money off of stocks on the side! Sounds like you've got lots of perks! :) vancityguy, yep I see what you're saying. But it also puts you in a good position to be the youngest and still working super hard and being an important part of the organization. That's a good place to be in! Jeremy, yep.. have you ever considered trying to get into the video game industry with your musical skills? Jamie, you're right. It's definitely more about the people and how they are than the actual work environment. I wonder why high tech / video game companies tend to attract that more? The youth? Tawcan, wow 2 hour days would be rough. Good idea to get out and get skiing then... your trips are always epic. Mike Works, I worked for them in a summer between university. Sadly I had to get back to university ;) But yeah it was pretty cool working for them... I got free boxes of cookies and Kraft Dinner and cheese and Jello-O and pretty much everything. Zaskoda, it definitely is volatile and it's not all rainbows and unicorns :) But I still find working for a video game company is awesome despite all that, and I still feel rather romantic about it ;) Michelle, I have no idea.. that’s a good question!

Urban Dweller.. doesn’t sound like you have it too bad if you can make some money off of stocks on the side! Sounds like you’ve got lots of perks! :)

vancityguy, yep I see what you’re saying. But it also puts you in a good position to be the youngest and still working super hard and being an important part of the organization. That’s a good place to be in!

Jeremy, yep.. have you ever considered trying to get into the video game industry with your musical skills?

Jamie, you’re right. It’s definitely more about the people and how they are than the actual work environment. I wonder why high tech / video game companies tend to attract that more? The youth?

Tawcan, wow 2 hour days would be rough. Good idea to get out and get skiing then… your trips are always epic.

Mike Works, I worked for them in a summer between university. Sadly I had to get back to university ;) But yeah it was pretty cool working for them… I got free boxes of cookies and Kraft Dinner and cheese and Jello-O and pretty much everything.

Zaskoda, it definitely is volatile and it’s not all rainbows and unicorns :) But I still find working for a video game company is awesome despite all that, and I still feel rather romantic about it ;)

]]> By: Jeremy Lim http://www.vancityallie.com/2008/12/01/video-game-companies-the-best-to-work-for-in-bc/comment-page-1/#comment-718 Jeremy Lim Fri, 05 Dec 2008 04:24:07 +0000 http://www.vancityallie.com/?p=208#comment-718 @Zaskoda: So very true. That's the point where it comes down to passion and tenacity, I think. And paying the bills. @Zaskoda: So very true. That’s the point where it comes down to passion and tenacity, I think. And paying the bills.

]]> By: Zaskoda http://www.vancityallie.com/2008/12/01/video-game-companies-the-best-to-work-for-in-bc/comment-page-1/#comment-713 Zaskoda Thu, 04 Dec 2008 02:38:51 +0000 http://www.vancityallie.com/?p=208#comment-713 I've worked in the videogame industry off and on for about a decade. It's one of the most volatile industries I know of. Regardless of the economy, there are frequent turn overs. It has it's perks, don't get me wrong... but almost every industry vet will tell you that folks on the outside have a romantic notion and the truth is not so pretty. I’ve worked in the videogame industry off and on for about a decade. It’s one of the most volatile industries I know of. Regardless of the economy, there are frequent turn overs. It has it’s perks, don’t get me wrong… but almost every industry vet will tell you that folks on the outside have a romantic notion and the truth is not so pretty.

]]> By: Mike Works http://www.vancityallie.com/2008/12/01/video-game-companies-the-best-to-work-for-in-bc/comment-page-1/#comment-712 Mike Works Wed, 03 Dec 2008 19:22:59 +0000 http://www.vancityallie.com/?p=208#comment-712 Please tell me you got fired from Kraft Canada, because if you voluntarily left a position at the maker of the greatest food in the world, I will never forgive you. Please tell me you got fired from Kraft Canada, because if you voluntarily left a position at the maker of the greatest food in the world, I will never forgive you.

]]> By: Tawcan http://www.vancityallie.com/2008/12/01/video-game-companies-the-best-to-work-for-in-bc/comment-page-1/#comment-705 Tawcan Tue, 02 Dec 2008 17:33:45 +0000 http://www.vancityallie.com/?p=208#comment-705 Work & play balance is definitely important. That's why I try to head outdoor as much as possible. I work in a high tech company and we definitely follow that policy. If there's an issue it's not odd to see ppl pulling 12 hours or more. A co-worker of mine used to work at EA before working here and he had told me about the typical work load before the launch deadlines. Work & play balance is definitely important. That’s why I try to head outdoor as much as possible. I work in a high tech company and we definitely follow that policy. If there’s an issue it’s not odd to see ppl pulling 12 hours or more. A co-worker of mine used to work at EA before working here and he had told me about the typical work load before the launch deadlines.

]]> By: jamie http://www.vancityallie.com/2008/12/01/video-game-companies-the-best-to-work-for-in-bc/comment-page-1/#comment-698 jamie Tue, 02 Dec 2008 04:29:05 +0000 http://www.vancityallie.com/?p=208#comment-698 I think the attitude and vibe of colleagues makes the work environment moreso than the industry of the company, where the two are only loosely correlated. However, any fun or entertainment oriented industries are more likely to attract likewise workers. That being considered, it seems the BC Business surveys or readership would not likely include these types of companies. For example, I bet "working" in a touring rock band has some wicked perks. Being the Stanley Cup holding guy is probably the perkiest job one can have. At the same time I don't think the industry determines the environment of the job. One restaurant I worked for had some of the most fun people I've ever met. We had similar perks to the #1 company on the BC Business list (free food, party every week, lax schedule, etc.). Another restaurant was miserable and depressing. Although, a certain video game company (that I don't work for) covers for my gym time so I can play floor hockey every week, which is kind of nice... I think the attitude and vibe of colleagues makes the work environment moreso than the industry of the company, where the two are only loosely correlated. However, any fun or entertainment oriented industries are more likely to attract likewise workers. That being considered, it seems the BC Business surveys or readership would not likely include these types of companies. For example, I bet “working” in a touring rock band has some wicked perks. Being the Stanley Cup holding guy is probably the perkiest job one can have.

At the same time I don’t think the industry determines the environment of the job. One restaurant I worked for had some of the most fun people I’ve ever met. We had similar perks to the #1 company on the BC Business list (free food, party every week, lax schedule, etc.). Another restaurant was miserable and depressing.

Although, a certain video game company (that I don’t work for) covers for my gym time so I can play floor hockey every week, which is kind of nice…

]]> By: Jeremy Lim http://www.vancityallie.com/2008/12/01/video-game-companies-the-best-to-work-for-in-bc/comment-page-1/#comment-697 Jeremy Lim Tue, 02 Dec 2008 03:09:31 +0000 http://www.vancityallie.com/?p=208#comment-697 There's something magical about video games. I grew up on Mario, Zelda, Final Fantasy and then made the jump to all sorts of crazy Japanese imports. Without going into too much detail (for I am already ubergeeky), they were a lot of fun. While I can't design or script a game together, one of my dreams is to score for games and films. More and more as technology push forward, they become full-fledged experiences that engage their audiences far beyond any movie could. I want to be a part of that experience. I want to inspire someone. I can't tell you how many hours I've spent listening to game soundtracks. They're just as deep - if not deeper - than their film counterparts, and they have much more meaning as you encounter them for extended periods of time. I won't comment on the darker side of things, but I think that video companies really know and embrace what their customers want, and thus make happier employees. There’s something magical about video games. I grew up on Mario, Zelda, Final Fantasy and then made the jump to all sorts of crazy Japanese imports. Without going into too much detail (for I am already ubergeeky), they were a lot of fun.

While I can’t design or script a game together, one of my dreams is to score for games and films. More and more as technology push forward, they become full-fledged experiences that engage their audiences far beyond any movie could. I want to be a part of that experience. I want to inspire someone. I can’t tell you how many hours I’ve spent listening to game soundtracks. They’re just as deep – if not deeper – than their film counterparts, and they have much more meaning as you encounter them for extended periods of time.

I won’t comment on the darker side of things, but I think that video companies really know and embrace what their customers want, and thus make happier employees.

]]> By: vancityguy http://www.vancityallie.com/2008/12/01/video-game-companies-the-best-to-work-for-in-bc/comment-page-1/#comment-693 vancityguy Mon, 01 Dec 2008 23:42:22 +0000 http://www.vancityallie.com/?p=208#comment-693 Cool post Allie. Being a thumb-jockey, I considered (briefly) going into the video game industry myself out of school, but ended up in finance instead. Work-life balance? It's a fairy-tale where I work. I'm the youngest by an average of 30 years in my office, and my duties are determined by things that don't really give a damn about what I want to do on any given weekend. The best (worst?) example was a day where I started at 6 AM on a Thursday, was on a plain to Regina at 4 PM, sat up all night in a hotel pouring over geology and access maps, being at the government office the next morning, getting on another plane to Toronto for a ad hoc meeting on Saturday at noon, and then back to Regina for a Monday AM meeting about permitting issues...and back in the office on Tuesday for regular duties (they let me sleep in until 8 AM though, generous hearts that they are). I like it, and I do well, but greed is really what drives my industry and greed, well, it never sleeps. Happy to hear the video game industry is more relaxed though. Cool post Allie.

Being a thumb-jockey, I considered (briefly) going into the video game industry myself out of school, but ended up in finance instead.

Work-life balance? It’s a fairy-tale where I work. I’m the youngest by an average of 30 years in my office, and my duties are determined by things that don’t really give a damn about what I want to do on any given weekend.

The best (worst?) example was a day where I started at 6 AM on a Thursday, was on a plain to Regina at 4 PM, sat up all night in a hotel pouring over geology and access maps, being at the government office the next morning, getting on another plane to Toronto for a ad hoc meeting on Saturday at noon, and then back to Regina for a Monday AM meeting about permitting issues…and back in the office on Tuesday for regular duties (they let me sleep in until 8 AM though, generous hearts that they are).

I like it, and I do well, but greed is really what drives my industry and greed, well, it never sleeps.

Happy to hear the video game industry is more relaxed though.

]]> By: Urban Dweller http://www.vancityallie.com/2008/12/01/video-game-companies-the-best-to-work-for-in-bc/comment-page-1/#comment-691 Urban Dweller Mon, 01 Dec 2008 21:48:35 +0000 http://www.vancityallie.com/?p=208#comment-691 Great post! Yeah my bro works for EA, he could be basically roll out of bed and go to work and no one would care (unless he stinks lol). The work life balance is the key, especially for our generation. The older generation in some of the other companies you mentioned don't get that. The corporate culture is laid back and fun. At the same time deadlines have to be met. My bro does work weekends sometimes but he loves what he does so he doesn't mind. He's also very young and single so not many personal commitments right now for him. I work in a similar company culture (not in the video game industry, food and beverage), come when you want and leave when you want as long as you get your stuff done. We get benefits, free parking (which is huge downtown) and many other perks. We can also wear whatever we want, however I still like the corporate attire from time to time. To me work life balance is important. I also don't like to be micro managed and I don't do the same for the staff I supervise. The money is important but not the be all and end all, besides I trade stocks while I work and make more money in a week than I would in a month sometimes. Thats my 2 cents :) Great post! Yeah my bro works for EA, he could be basically roll out of bed and go to work and no one would care (unless he stinks lol). The work life balance is the key, especially for our generation. The older generation in some of the other companies you mentioned don’t get that.

The corporate culture is laid back and fun. At the same time deadlines have to be met. My bro does work weekends sometimes but he loves what he does so he doesn’t mind. He’s also very young and single so not many personal commitments right now for him.

I work in a similar company culture (not in the video game industry, food and beverage), come when you want and leave when you want as long as you get your stuff done. We get benefits, free parking (which is huge downtown) and many other perks. We can also wear whatever we want, however I still like the corporate attire from time to time.

To me work life balance is important. I also don’t like to be micro managed and I don’t do the same for the staff I supervise. The money is important but not the be all and end all, besides I trade stocks while I work and make more money in a week than I would in a month sometimes. Thats my 2 cents :)

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