How can you get a job to work for Turbine?

[Doruin]

So how does one go about that? And what types of jobs are there?

P.S Sorry if this is the wrong forum, couldn't really find a better spot.

[Arbalister]

Go Here

[Ichrius]

http://wbgamesjobs

[Sapience]

So how does one go about that? And what types of jobs are there?

P.S Sorry if this is the wrong forum, couldn't really find a better spot.

As other's have answered the how, I'll try to give you some idea of the what.

Most people don't think of game companies as companies, but we are. Any job you would find in any company you'll find here. We have artists, programmers, marketing people, building maintenance people, Quality Assurance, programmers, engineers, customer service, content developers, systems developers, brand managers, network operations people, database administrators, desktop support, project managers, community managers, web develoeprs, ecommerce people,accountants, legal people, human resources, and a dozen others who will be mad at me in the morning because I forgot to list their jobs.

[ANewMachine]

I know it's not listed in that search result, but you mentioned legal folks. Any way to get in touch with them? Looking for a job for 2L summer...

[tessathecat]

As other's have answered the how, I'll try to give you some idea of the what.

Most people don't think of game companies as companies, but we are. Any job you would find in any company you'll find here. We have artists, programmers, marketing people, building maintenance people, Quality Assurance, programmers, engineers, customer service, content developers, systems developers, brand managers, network operations people, database administrators, desktop support, project managers, community managers, web develoeprs, ecommerce people,accountants, legal people, human resources, and a dozen others who will be mad at me in the morning because I forgot to list their jobs.

And I bet very, very few of them get to sit around and play games all day.

[Sardonyx]

I know it's not listed in that search result, but you mentioned legal folks. Any way to get in touch with them? Looking for a job for 2L summer...

There's always this:

Human Resources
HR@Turbine.com

[RJFerret]

And I bet very, very few of them get to sit around and play games all day.

Sapience gets to sit around toying with us all da...erm, night!? 11:01 PM Sapience?

This isn't the first time I've seen you working at a late hour, are you getting overtime? Or does Turbine have a Hawaiian office we don't know about?

[Harla]

I just think Sapience works a lot harder than most people realise...

[giniluv]

Yep he does. Now if the folks working on the unplayable lag issue would do so as well...

[Golledhel]

Hmm... web develoeprs... interesting.

[MilkPudding]

And I bet very, very few of them get to sit around and play games all day.

I think only beta testers get to sit around and pla games all day. I won't be surprised that some of the people don't even play Lotro or any MMO at all.

[Dolnor]

Make yourself desirable to be hired. Whether this is by your skills or your initiative. Make your presentation (which is what a resume/CV and cover really are) stand out and makes people impressed...it will then go to the next hiring level rather than just getting filed away.

Long ago (just after the Wheel was invented), many got their 'foot-in-the-door' by testing games. But now there are millions of people trying that route so you have a lot of competition. But yes, it still can happen. I believe Satine, Tiggs, and others have gone this route and they are still employed in the gaming world (I don't know if Patience went this route or not).

Many community positions are filled by people who first started their own Fansite for games. Their presences were made known and their style/expertise was on display for everyone to see. Eventually, they were approached by a gaming company to run their Community Obligations. Gaile Gray, of ArenaNet, got started this way.

Go to school and become proficient in a game-related skill. Build a portfolio of your accomplishments whilst in school. Create some community-created levels for a game...it doesn't even have to be of the same genre of the game company looking for new talent...they can judge your skills by your creations.

Don't forget networking with everyone on the forums. If you stand out, are a real asset to the company by your presence and postings, you could be approached to help on the forums/community-related events. They may ask for you to volunteer at first...to see how dependable/mature/forthright you present yourself. After a grace period, you'll either be demoted back to a poster or offered a job. Co-oping at a job is one of the best ways to ensure a placement.

Even if you don't get hired at your attempts, continue trying and build up your contacts. Always work on your portfolio, whatever it may contain. Your name will get known and you will be "watched" by the gaming world. Eventually, someone will send you an email or want to talk to you on Skype.

Best thing, don't give up hope and the desire!

TQQdles™,

Dolnor Numbwit
Eternal Newbie

P.s. Yes, I tried to get into the gaming production world. First with Sigil Games (I didn't fit their "culture" <old>) and second with a indie game being developed which is currently on hold.

[Doruin]

Wow, thanks everybody. Of course I don't think I can get job working with Turbine ( Again not enough experience ). But hey it was a try!

[Sapience]

Make yourself desirable to be hired. Whether this is by your skills or your initiative. Make your presentation (which is what a resume/CV and cover really are) stand out and makes people impressed...it will then go to the next hiring level rather than just getting filed away.

Long ago (just after the Wheel was invented), many got their 'foot-in-the-door' by testing games. But now there are millions of people trying that route so you have a lot of competition. But yes, it still can happen. I believe Satine, Tiggs, and others have gone this route and they are still employed in the gaming world (I don't know if Patience went this route or not).

Many community positions are filled by people who first started their own Fansite for games. Their presences were made known and their style/expertise was on display for everyone to see. Eventually, they were approached by a gaming company to run their Community Obligations. Gaile Gray, of ArenaNet, got started this way.

Go to school and become proficient in a game-related skill. Build a portfolio of your accomplishments whilst in school. Create some community-created levels for a game...it doesn't even have to be of the same genre of the game company looking for new talent...they can judge your skills by your creations.

Don't forget networking with everyone on the forums. If you stand out, are a real asset to the company by your presence and postings, you could be approached to help on the forums/community-related events. They may ask for you to volunteer at first...to see how dependable/mature/forthright you present yourself. After a grace period, you'll either be demoted back to a poster or offered a job. Co-oping at a job is one of the best ways to ensure a placement.

Even if you don't get hired at your attempts, continue trying and build up your contacts. Always work on your portfolio, whatever it may contain. Your name will get known and you will be "watched" by the gaming world. Eventually, someone will send you an email or want to talk to you on Skype.

Best thing, don't give up hope and the desire!

TQQdles™,

Dolnor Numbwit
Eternal Newbie

P.s. Yes, I tried to get into the gaming production world. First with Sigil Games (I didn't fit their "culture" <old>) and second with a indie game being developed which is currently on hold.

This is a fantastic post. We have a number of people who took the "foot-in-the-door" approach and started out as part time QA and are now full time developers. Tolero, Frelorn and myself all fit into the "start a fan/community site" or "network with everyone and become an asset" mold.

Getting yourself high on the company radar in a very positive way is a great way to be the first person mentioned when someone in some random meeting says, "Who do we know who..." If nothing else it can help when you apply for private preview programs, or other special exclusive access.

Dolnor, don't let age get in the way. I'm 43. Keeping driving, you'll find a fit!

Dourin, don't get discouraged due to lack of experience. Find some way to do what you want to do, even if it's just as a hobby. And the "foot-in-the-door" approach works wonders here. Once you're in, you can learn what you need to know and what experience or talents you need for the job you really want.

And yeah, I work crazy hours.

[Arbalister]

This is a fantastic post. We have a number of people who took the "foot-in-the-door" approach and started out as part time QA and are now full time developers. Tolero, Frelorn and myself all fit into the "start a fan/community site" or "network with everyone and become an asset" mold.

At least 3 others...2 of whom I think are still with Turbine...started off as members of the Asheron's Call volunteer program, too.

[Galuhad]

Working for Turbine would be incredible, would mean I get to work my hobby into my job. Not sure how my family would feel about me moving to the US though.

[Nindolvoth]

Being on the lotro team at Turbine would be the most EPIC job in the world!!!!

[CraZYMuffin-IPC]

Being on the lotro team at Turbine would be the most EPIC job in the world!!!!

It sure would : o)

I have been submitting my resume to various Turbine positions for about a year now, no response back yet. Guess I need to change my approach (portfolio/coverletter/resume).

Some good info in this thread.

[Dotlbeme]

Dude, even if they did hire you, it would still be WORK. You won't be allowed to slack off all day playing games. You will end up like Sapience, answering e-mails at 11pm

[Sunimod]

Working for Turbine would be incredible, would mean I get to work my hobby into my job. Not sure how my family would feel about me moving to the US though.

I can rain on this parade a little bit. I've been doing video game QA for a few years now, and I've learned it's a bit risky to mix your hobbies and work too closely. With a few exceptions, I've found it difficult to go back and play a game I've worked on. For example, I was on a project and was moved to another before the ending of the game was implemented. Years later, I still haven't seen the ending, simply because I've played through the start so many times that I can't bear to do it again.

I'm not saying it isn't awesome to work in the game industry, but it will definitely change your perception of games as a hobby. The "foot-in-the-door" approach is right on. I went from Dark Age of Camelot's Team Lead volunteer program, to temporary QA at another company, to a full time QA Lead position. I've hired and worked with people who got in as temp QA with no experience, and have since moved on to permanent QA, design, programming, and production positions at a wide variety of companies.

While the idea of playing games all day at work sounds great, the reality is much more one of playing broken games, and is often much more documentation of issues than actual game play.

[Arbalister]

I can rain on this parade a little bit. I've been doing video game QA for a few years now, and I've learned it's a bit risky to mix your hobbies and work too closely. With a few exceptions, I've found it difficult to go back and play a game I've worked on. For example, I was on a project and was moved to another before the ending of the game was implemented. Years later, I still haven't seen the ending, simply because I've played through the start so many times that I can't bear to do it again.

I tell people the same thing about applying for beta tests. You're quite right.

Of course, the only reason that I've never applied to Turbine is that they'd make me move to Boston...and they don't have any Tim Horton's shops there. :-)

[Sapience]

Dude, even if they did hire you, it would still be WORK. You won't be allowed to slack off all day playing games. You will end up like Sapience, answering e-mails at 11pm

Very true. I think a lot of people think we get to play games all day, or that we have copious free time. I have days where if I could add an extra 19 hours to my day I'd be much happier.

That said, yeah sometimes we play games.

[SapienChavez]

this thread kinda begs the questions:

is Turbine working on any new games?

[or, are they just maintaining their current line-up?]

I think the answer would weight heavily into taking a job with the company. or even considering if you want to... are they on the rise or on a decline?

[Galuhad]

Very true. I think a lot of people think we get to play games all day, or that we have copious free time. I have days where if I could add an extra 19 hours to my day I'd be much happier.

That said, yeah sometimes we play games.

I am under no impression that you all sit around playing games all day, if you did then nothing would get done. I have wanted to work in the games industry since I was a child playing The Adventures of Willy Beamish on an old school Amiga. I spent most of my teen evenings self learning C++ and other programming languages. I'm just disappointed I never took it further but spent my time working in retail instead, something I certainly don't want to do for the rest of my life. Computer gaming is where I want to work and I'd be so much happier doing 15 hour days working on a game than spending the same amount of time on the shop floor.