CROSSROADS
I realize I haven’t updated my blog in about a week, but I have a pretty good reason.
Last Tuesday, January 27th, the video game studio I work for, Humanature Studios (Nexon Publishing North America), closed down and all employees were let go.
Fortunately, I had known for a few weeks that this was going to happen and I had been mentally and professionally preparing myself. Still — nothing can prepare you to see the faces of 93 other individuals looking shocked, stunned, and heartbroken when the announcement was made.
I have been putting off this post for a long time, because I don’t really know how to write about this.
We had an incredible CEO, Alex Garden. And an incredible team of executives. My boss was amazing; working for him has been a significant turning point in my career. And just about all employees were handpicked from various game studios… making a dream team of video game developers.
So what happened?
Well, as I’ve been saying… no one is safe. The economy affects everyone. Our “parent” company, Nexon, abruptly decided that they no longer wanted to financially fund our North American game studio. There’s nothing anyone can do about that. It’s a real shame. We worked hard and loved our work.
The past week I’ve been helping tear down the studio and sell of the equipment. That was definitely hard to do. The execs managed to put together an incredible full-pay severance package for all of us, so fortunately we will be okay for a few months no matter what happens.
Including the recent Black Box and Propaganda layoffs, this makes just over 700 video game job layoffs in the past 6 months. The market is saturated. It’s hard times for devs looking for jobs right now.
So what do I do?
I feel like I’m at a crossroads in my career. I can either go forward, back, or sideways.
I have been interviewing with several companies over the past few weeks, and will continue to do so over the next two. I was planning on taking a short paid break from working for a while, but I think it will be in my best interests to start working sooner and be double paid for a while.
I’m not sure what direction I want my career to go in at this point. I’m interviewing with a company backed by a huge multinational in Kelowna. And it would be a challenging Global Senior Manager position which would be a step up… but it’s in Kelowna. That poses a problem for being with my significant other, family, and friends. There’s also a position at a software developer in Gastown, that I’m also really excited about… but I need to make sure that there is opportunity for career growth there. There’s also the option of taking a more relaxed easier sales position at a Fortune 500 company I highly respect and have worked for before, but I know that while it may be the best option for me to continue my activity-filled personal life, it won’t help me career-wise.
I want to make the right choice for both my career and my personal life. Is it possible to have the best of both worlds?
I apologize for the lack of updates lately, and for the lack of photos in this post. It just didn’t feel right.
I hope everyone is doing well. I will be updating my blog more frequently now that I’ve been able to get past this difficult post. 
Tags: career choices, closed, Humanature studio, layoffs, studio closure, Vancouver, video game industry
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February 2nd, 2009 at 12:11 pm
Another excellent and relevant post. I’m sorry to read about what’s happened, and am sympathetic as I’ve seen the same carnage in my company as well (and we’re anticipating another round). At the same time, I’m glad to see that you’ve taken it in stride and are able to appreciate the value of your time spent.
To respond to your question with my thoughts on the same topic, I say do what suits you best in the short-mid term. We are still young and can hop back into the rat race without a lot of the concerns that would apply to the generation ahead of us.
If you still have high career aspirations that would take time to build, then the Senior position is an obvious choice. You can always leave a job if it really conflicts with your personal life. A passed opportunity falls in line with the regret of inaction. However, since your post is aptly titled Crossroads, if you really feel you’ve reached one, maybe retreating back to your former firm is the best choice at this point in time.
I’m sure you’ve pondered all the same thoughts, and that it’s near impossible to quantify your choices versus where you stand right now, but putting things into some sort of range, [of pros/cons, commitment level, etc] and then figuring out what level of each you want most, may be a way to simplify them.
So, best of both worlds… maybe we can’t always have both, and just have to decide which one we want more of at a certain time, while keep the other close enough to come back to. Gotta love this balancing act called life =D
February 2nd, 2009 at 12:54 pm
My sympathies on your lost job. No need to apologize on the lack of updates on your blog Allie, there was some good old stuff to go through that kept me busy
All in all take this opportunity to go in the direction your heart wants you to. I know it isn’t easy to figure out but it seems like you have figured it out.
Its been rough in all industries. In our company I made some tough budget decisions and personally decline a raise and offered to lower my wages to keep people employed if need be. We haven’t gotten to that point and I’m hopeful we can weather the storm.
Go wherever your heart tells you and the rest will fall into place, just watch
February 2nd, 2009 at 1:37 pm
Wow Allie I’m sorry
I can only imagine how frustrating to have no say in the matter. I think your ability to look at it as a crossroads is a healthy outlook. Sometimes it’s the forced changes in life that take us in the most interesting directions.
While you can’t surf in Kelowna, you sure can snowboard
and Kelowna is a decent sized airport to get wherever you want to go. I spent time living and going to school in the Okanagan and I loved it – one of my favourite places.
Things have a way of working out for good. Keep the faith!
February 2nd, 2009 at 2:01 pm
Wow Allie that’s heavy…. So sorry to hear about it. I’m sure an intelligent cat like yourself will have no problem finding your path. Just stay positive!
Perhaps a sweet tie-dye shirt will cheer you up?! Hahahaha….
Good luck with everything!
February 2nd, 2009 at 2:45 pm
Hey Allie.
Sorry to hear the news. Sounds like you have some good options, and they’re treating you well, so that is very positive. Now is a tough time to be in the job market for many reasons. Moving for a job is very difficult and I would imagine not worth it if you have to leave behind your significant other. Good luck with the search!
February 2nd, 2009 at 5:47 pm
For whatever the words of a stranger are worth Allie, good luck with everything and I wish you all the best.
I won’t patronize, but getting hired doesn’t teach you much of anything. Getting let go does.
Here’s some food for thought – Fired to Famous
February 2nd, 2009 at 7:38 pm
I can’t begin to imagine what you must be feeling or going through right now. Pretty harsh… however, hasn’t it been said that what doesn’t kill you only makes you stronger? Might be totally cliche and all, so I’ll leave you with what my Grandpa always said to me: “Chris, tough times build character. It helps put hair on your chest.”
Hmm.. maybe you can scratch that hair on your chest thing..
February 2nd, 2009 at 8:10 pm
Hi Allie,
I just read this post and it’s really touched me in a way that I find hard to express. On behalf of the NextGen Player team I want to express our deepest sympathy to you and everyone at the Humanature Studios. I can’t even imagine how you must be feeling now. Even though I must be a stranger to you, over these last few months of following your blog, and you following our blog, I feel strongly impacted by your loss.
It’s actually quite a trying month for me as well, since I’ve been reporting the loss of employment at both EA Black Box and Propaganda Games. I didn’t realize when I started NextGen Player just how trying it would be to comment on the loss of Canadian video game jobs. Hearing your story only makes these stories more real for me.
Allie, I wish you all the best with your career, and I hope you find employment soon. There entire team here at NextGen Player is behind you 100%. Keep us posted on how things go and where life takes you.
Sincerely,
Paul Hunter
Co-Founder
NextGen Player
February 2nd, 2009 at 9:49 pm
Sorry to hear that. Scary time indeed.
If I were you I’d take a few weeks off and go travelling around. Clear your mind and do stuff you haven’t been able to do while working. Once you have a bit of break come back and decide what you want to do next. This way you won’t rush your decisions.
February 2nd, 2009 at 10:52 pm
Been worried about you and your unnatural quietness… I wish you good luck with your interviews, and I’m sure you’ll be happier when you get rolling, whichever direction you decide to go.
Take care.
February 3rd, 2009 at 7:22 am
so that’s the long-awaited post! i understand now the difficulty you had with it. sorry to hear about the company, but i’m glad you’re keeping your spirits up and your options open. i hope you find something you really like…it’s ok to take time to find it than to be stuck in a job you dislike!
February 3rd, 2009 at 9:00 am
find other likeminded people like yourself, draw from your individual strengths and passions and start something. start many things. but if you feel like you need to find something quick to get into so that you have a steady paycheck, go for it. i certainly did. however, i’m keeping all my options open, meeting new people, asking a lot of questions, and exploring new industries/categories that are out of my comfort zone. it is here where i tend to learn new things and provide greater value from my experience. and keep your brain and creativity working during this “down time.” you’ve got readers here that will be interested to see/learn what your next move will be. certainly i will. cheers.
February 4th, 2009 at 2:10 am
Allie, normally in reading of a situation like that my first instinct would be ‘Thank goodness you were released from that job dragging you down’, but I truly can’t see that as the case here for you. You spoke so well of your company and really seemed to love it there. From here though, just know that it gets better for you and that even bigger opportunities are opening up for you right this very moment, because they are. Congratulations on having such a terrific handle on this!
February 4th, 2009 at 5:12 am
Oh no!! Sorry to hear the bad news.. seems there’s a lot of that going around lately when it comes to job loss
You seem like a smart talented girl though with lots more up your sleeve, I have a feeling you will make it through this just fine. Glad to know you have other opportunities lined up, wherever they may take you. Remember, everything happens for a reason.
Oh, and congrats on your photo book! What a cool portfolio piece.
February 5th, 2009 at 8:06 am
I’ve gone through a fair number of jobs in the past few years and all I can say is if you really do feel you are at a crossroads, give real thought not only to what future potential a career has but what you will enjoy doing. I learned the hard way that pay and advancement doesn’t make up for being unhappy 8+ hours a day in the long run. You seem to have a passion for life and naturally you have to balance that with a career. But I’d be cautious about giving too much of what you love up for a job unless you have some passion for it as well.
For what it’s worth.
-justaguy
February 5th, 2009 at 12:43 pm
I think the best way to approach this problem is to sit down and kick back multiple Appletinis.
February 12th, 2009 at 2:34 pm
Hi Allie,
I just discovered your website while doing research for my own post. Sorry to hear about the news, and good luck in the future… (sounds like you’ll be fine). But I have to say I love the content on your site!
I hope you can keep it up!
– Happy New Subscriber
February 22nd, 2009 at 11:55 am
[...] a related post, from someone in the industry here. Update: Then read the author’s own accounts of her employer, Nexon, shutting down. Fantastic blog with a beautiful range of topics, all of which I enjoy. Subscribed.) Information [...]