We are SO hiring!

[Babycakes]

I wish I knew how to become a game tester/beta tester. Not for me, but for my partner. I don't even know where to start with something like that. He's good at it (I mean I think) But he maybe has some dyslexia. We are trying to get him tested, and possibly into a new gaming/IT course at one of the local colleges (it actually looks like a great course at www.champlain.edu, replacing the Butlering course!) I'm sure there are requirements and he can't just apply to these jobs that are posted, any starting tips?


Apologies if this is the wrong area for this. I be new.

[Darthchair]

Uh...I don't even know, man. I mean this is to let people know that Telltale is hiring so that people looking for a job with Telltale and the gaming industry will check out the website and see what employment opportunities are available.

It does not seem that your partner is in that position. I don't think this thread is for getting tips on how to get hired in the gaming industry, but I'm sure if you do a google search you will be able to find those things. College would be helpful though.

[darham175]

Originally Posted by Irishmile

I unfortunately lack the resume to be taken seriously.

As do I so my dream is instead to just one day mod the forums. Helping is still helping.

[FutureGirl]

i wish i knew how to audition to do voice work for telltale games

[msp79]

I'm applying for the Game Writer position, and I've just sent in an extensive cover letter and portfolio detailing my produced film work and several scripts I've written, including a writing sample for a proposed video game, a PowerPoint presentation for a game pitch based on an established book/film, and my short film that has been selected to screen at a film festival next month in Las Vegas. I am truly hoping these are enough credentials to be considered for the job, as I've worked very hard to get my writing career off the ground and would love to join Telltale's creative staff.

I suggest those of you who say you lack experience do the same: Write scripts, shoot them yourselves, contribute to mobile app development, etc. Volunteer. Work for free and build up your resume, then apply everywhere. It's the only way to get noticed. You don't have to be a big-time Hollywood movie writer with an agent to have a portfolio, just some skill, some time, and some effort. If you really want to make a career out of writing, go to school for it. Film school gave me about half of my portfolio, and enough connections to produce the other half.

[BobbyGood]

I also applied for the writer position, but something like 10 weeks ago now. I was a finalist for a writing position at Remedy earlier this year, where the wait time for a response was also several months, and I suspect that this is the rub of hiring a game writer - you're likely to get a large number of applications, and each application comes with a hefty selection of materials for review. By its very nature, hiring a writer for your staff is probably a pretty slow and tedious process.

Anyways, I enjoyed reading about your experience and background, MSP. It's interesting to hear about the different paths we take in trying to get to the same place. While I didn't study film and script writing, I did major in creative writing, and have since been working on my own short fiction, publishing those pieces, earning fellowships, etc. I've also been working in the game industry for a couple years, where I started as a support rep but now work as a program design lead, community manager, and writer (something of a chimera, I guess). While I haven't been doing any game writing, per se, I can tell my experience in the industry is paying off - with each job I apply for, I get a little bit further in the application process.

In any case, I wanted to '+1' MSP's advice - you can always add to your portfolio in meaningful ways, either by working on your own and with others. My small addition would be to say working in the industry can't do anything but help, either.

Best of luck to you MSP, and any other lurkers like myself who may have applied, too. :-)

[msp79]

Thanks, Bobby. Where do you publish your creative writing works? I've been looking at getting into that myself. Most of my material is in script format, but I have a wealth of material I could easily put into short story or even novel format.

Anyway I'm glad you shared that, especially the time-frame for what to expect. It's only been a few weeks for me, so mainly, it's going to be a waiting game. After the film festival I'll be up in Vancouver, waiting for the call to drop everything and come to San Rafael at a moment's notice, which I absolutely would. Unfortunately, while I was away visiting relatives, a portion of my belongings in storage were lost in a fire. The upside of that is, I can pack up and go immediately (the other upside is an insurance settlement to finance the trip there, haha).

I wonder what the volume of applicants is for this job, and whether they get back to everyone who applies, or just prospective interviewees.

[savi]

Oh if only it was in Vancouver BC...

[ro2]

For the Game Writer position, does anyone know how long each writing sample should be?

[RAnthonyMahan]

Is Telltale still looking for writers? I figure it can't hurt to apply. (Although I didn't see a Writer section on the jobs page...)

I have released two novels, one of which was professionally published, so I guess you can say I have past experience.

[sakalu]

I think I'd rather finish my programming course first.

[jrwoodwa]

I like the company, the ideas, the concepts, and culture. I am an Industrial Engineering senior who might be free this upcoming summer .

Industrial Engineers deal with maximizing efficiency;cutting waste; improving times; optimizing operations; etc. Pretty much, the only companies we cannot work at, are perfect ones.

[Icelandic_Jazz]

Hey everyone. I've applied to the Cinematic Artist position. Sent in the art test and feeling pretty good about it! With Telltale expanding in the next few months I'm crossing my fingers and hoping I have good timing on this Major fan of Telltale, classic adventure games, and Walking Dead is my GotY.

You can check out my site here:
www.lanigananimation.com

Hoping to hear back soon!

[AnnaSan]

Originally Posted by FutureGirl

i wish i knew how to audition to do voice work for telltale games

Me too! It would be nice to do VA for their games

[luckygreenmarble]

Originally Posted by RAnthonyMahan

Is Telltale still looking for writers? I figure it can't hurt to apply. (Although I didn't see a Writer section on the jobs page...)

I have released two novels, one of which was professionally published, so I guess you can say I have past experience.

There was a writer position a few months ago. I was tempted to apply for it, but I don't have any published work outside of zines.

Instead, my focus has been in production. Project management and the like. I applied for that assistant producer posting and am keeping my fingers crossed.

Originally Posted by Babycakes

I wish I knew how to become a game tester/beta tester. Not for me, but for my partner. I don't even know where to start with something like that. He's good at it (I mean I think) But he maybe has some dyslexia. We are trying to get him tested, and possibly into a new gaming/IT course at one of the local colleges (it actually looks like a great course at www.champlain.edu, replacing the Butlering course!) I'm sure there are requirements and he can't just apply to these jobs that are posted, any starting tips?


Apologies if this is the wrong area for this. I be new.

The people I've hired as testers typically were:

-Enthusiastic about video games. This is number 1.

-Great communicators. Testing is all about communicating bugs, issues, and feedback to the dev team. You can think of it as a writing position because the majority of the work is written bug reports.

-Able to break down complex systems into its individual parts. An example is describing a telephone to a person who has never seen or heard of such a thing. What does the phone look like? What does it sound like? What is its design and function? What are the steps for using a phone? Think of how you would describe all this to someone who has no concept of a telephone.

-Computer proficient to some degree. Able to use navigate a computer and use programs like Word, Outlook, and Excel.

[Shrewsbury Survivor]

Untill in 5 years you need a Brit with a degree in History (if all goes to plan) to do historian work to help with writing a TWD game?

[Lil Kis]

I would love to work for a videogame company

[Joeganaut]

Well, I saw the position for a local Tester Level 1 and jumped on it... Gaming has been my passion for as long as I can remember. I know I've got what it takes to be a tester, and a good one at that. Good luck to everyone that has applied for any of the positions. :] How cool would it be to get your foot in the door in the games industry? Not only that, but to get to work for Telltale would be amazing.

[njon313]

Hi My Name is Neil Jones and this is my message to the company I would love to work for.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zIXG6nOFN-4

[OneTimeThing]

I would enjoy being a play tester and giving raw feedback to developers. I'm also an idea man. The programming and what not just isn't in my blood though. Oh game industry how I love thee, yet, there is simply no place in your labor of love for me.