Advice For Underage Game Job Aspirants and Designers

A: I think these responses from my Game Q&A Bulletin Board will give you my answer...

>Name = Michael
>Age-Ed-Occ = Under 20, High School, Student
>Date = April 16th, 2006
>Comments = Hey,
>
>I have a little question concerning the industry. I see you have a lot of articles but I don't think the question I'm about to ask is covered in your artciles, so there goes. I'm 15 years old and I need some advice. I know you've said that you need to be in the industry for your ideas to be picked, but I had this great idea (or should i say, ultimate idea) for a fighting game. I wrote a script and send it to someone i knew that just started a video game development studio. He loved it and told me he wanted to do it, I'm really happy about it but I don't know what my contract will contain and I wouild like to know before discussing the contract with him. I'm interested in royalty rights and I would like to know what is the industry standards as far as percentage goes. I would also like to know what rights to I get on the game.
>
>Thanks a lot for your answer.

Hi Michael,

You asked:

I don't know what my contract will contain
I don't either. Wait until it comes.

I wouild like to know before discussing the contract with him.
Don't. Wait for the contract, be 18 years old or older, have a lawyer discuss it all with you, and negotiate terms as needed. If you don't want to wait until you're 18, your parents will have to sign for you.

I'm interested in royalty rights
We all are. If the guy really is going to license your concept from you and pay you royalties, this would be an extremely rare and noteworthy occurrence in the first place. Wait and see what he has in mind when he gives you a contract (if he actually gives you one).

I would like to know what is the industry standards as far as percentage goes.
There is no industry standard for how much to pay high school students for paper concepts. There is no industry standard for how much to pay anybody for a paper concept.

I would also like to know what rights to I get on the game.
As much as you can negotiate for.

Tom Sloper (湯姆スローパー)
Los Angeles, CA (USA)
April 16, 2006

I'm 16, I don't live near a game company, and I want to become a game tester SO much...

>From: blazeyadeadhomi
>Sent: Friday, August 31, 2007 10:18 AM
>Subject: I would like to ask you questions about becoming a game tester
>Dear Mr. Sloper,
>My name is Preston _______ and I am 16 years old. I live in P.A. I have always wanted to be a game tester because all I do is play video games every chance I get. Which is most of the time. I have found several glitches such as Saints Row and Two Worlds for Xbox 360. I am hoping you can steer me in the right direction to become a game tester. It is my true passion.
>Would you know of any places that are close to my area....Avoca, PA.18641. I still attend school and am able to be on a co-op. My school is willing to help me find a job but this is my dream. I cannot express how much I DREAM of becoming a game tester.
>I'd really appreciate it if you would get back to me as soon as possible and help me to fulfill my dream.
>Thank-you very much,
>Preston _______

Hi Preston,
Three problems:
1) You haven't graduated high school yet. It's not possible to be a full-time student AND hold down a full-time job, both at the same time. Standing by if you want to discuss that statement further...? I assume you've read FAQ 5.
2) Even if you can work out something with your school on this "co-op" thing, it would be very rare and unusual for a game company to hire a 16-year-old.
3) You live in an area where there are no game companies within commuting distance. It's not possible to hold down a full-time job with a company too far away for you to go there and work every day. I repeat my previous offer - we can discuss that statement further, at your pleasure...

So my advice to you is as follows:
A. Work hard at your high school studies and get good grades, do well on the SAT, stuff like that.
B. Unless it's absolutely totally impossible for you to go to college... go to college. Get a degree in whatever subject interests you most.
C. In your spare time, get involved in games in whatever way you can. Program if you can, do graphics if you can, write reviews, join contests, participate in online discussions... See FAQ 12, above left.
D. After you graduate from college, move to a game hotbed. Game Biz Links page above left has sites where you can research game companies, including some that are map-based.
Standing by if you want to discuss this advice.
Tom Sloper  /  トム·スローパー   /   湯姆·斯洛珀   /   탐 슬로퍼
Los Angeles, California, USA
September 4, 2007

I want a game testing job!

>From: BigManC14
>Sent: Thursday, August 23, 2007 12:05 AM
>Subject: Video Game Testing Question
>Tom, I live in Virginia Beach, Virginia and i want to become a video game tester. I read on another site and you said to contact you for more information. I am 15, about to turn 16 in a month and really want a job. I've read on all the other sites about becoming a tester and they all seem fake but they sound like something i would like to do. I've also heard that it isnt easy and i understand that but i still love video games and i've been playing since i was 5 on every system out there. So could you please help me out on this and tell me what you think about it and what i should do.
>                                 Thanks,
>                                   Chris

Hi Chris, you wrote:

I am 15, about to turn 16 in a month and really want a job.
Well, you'll have to wait 2 years. Listen, kid, you absolutely MUST finish high school - it's not only a prerequisite for working in QA, it's a prerequisite for life! It's not possible to work a full-time job AND be a full-time student. QA is going to have to wait.

I live in Virginia Beach, Virginia
I doubt that there are any video game testing jobs near you. But you can check my Links page (above left) and do your companies research (using the listings of game companies).

I read on another site and you said to contact you for more information.
I never said any such thing! Can you back up that assertion with a link so I can see where I said that?

I've read on all the other sites about becoming a tester and they all seem fake
Yeah, they are. See what I wrote about those sites in FAQs 5 & 24 (links above left), and in my July 2007 column, "The Games Game," on the IGDA site (link above left).

So could you please... tell me ... what i should do.
First, graduate high school. Work real hard at your studies - especially English and writing. Then I recommend you go to college, if you can. Then after all your schooling is complete, move out of Virginia. See FAQ 27 (above left).

Tom Sloper  /  トム·スローパー   /   湯姆·斯洛珀   /   탐 슬로퍼
Los Angeles, California, USA
August 23, 2007

I'm British, I'm anonymous, and I'm 13 years old.

From: "DR Reanimator" (moveyourdead.bones@_______)
Sent: Friday, August 17, 2007 10:37 AM
Subject: Game Industry Q+A
>I understand that, in order for you to give me the best answer suited to
> my unique situation, you need to know that...
> My approximate age is: 13
> The level of education I've completed is:  Still in high school
> My occupation (if student, enter 'student') is: Student
> My game biz question is: I'm only young, but I desperately want to begin
> a career in the game business, preferably in the games testing sector. I
> understand that it won't be easy, I'll probably end up playing one part
> of a game in every way possible to find bugs, and that I'll probably
> fall asleep at the keyboard testing a fairly rubbish game *cough* Movie
> tie-ins *cough*. Or maybe not ;)
> Now, I'm wondering if you'd be able to give me any preperations and/or
> pointers to begin my quest of games testing? Note: I'm based in the UK.
> I've seen lots of these websites where you pay cash, sometimes as little
> as £5 or so, but no matter how much you pay, 95% of these sites are
> frankly rubbish. But that doesn't matter, as once you've paid, the seed
> has been planted. And thus, I am going to stay away from those for sure!
> I can't really seem to find any good information (apart from your site)
> but I crave more juicy information on getting started. Is it even
> possible at an age so young as I?
> Peace out,
> Anonymous

Kid (if you really are 13),
You cannot get a job at 13 years of age, I mean come on. If you really want to do something related to games, start writing reviews of games and get them online. There are sites that welcome player reviews, or you can create your own website on a free site-hosting place like MySpace or something. Write your reviews fairly, and try to stay away from pejorative terms like "rubbish." Be very clear as to what's good and what's bad about games you review. And if you find bugs, include those in your reviews.
Have you read my FAQ 5 yet? Sounds like you haven't yet.
And in answer to your closing question, don't read FAQ 50. Oh, read it if you really want. But I still say no, you can't get a QA job at age 13.
Tom Sloper  /  トム·スローパー   /   湯姆·斯洛珀   /   탐 슬로퍼
Los Angeles, California, USA
August 17, 2007

i need some help

>From: stampeed101   [ Add to Buddies ]
>Subject: i need some help
>Date: 7/6/2007 11:08:49 PM  
>You look like you know a lot about the video game industry. I need some help finding a job as a game tester. My name is Lane and I am 15 years old. I would realy appriciate it if you would give me some web sites to look into. Anything will help.
>Thank you very much,
>Lane
>State/Province, Country VT   United States
>GD Gathering City Charlotte, VT, United States

Read these, Lane:

• FAQ 5 (above left)
• My July 2007 IGDA column, The Games Game - >http://www.igda.org/games-game/ (click ARCHIVES to access the July 2007 column and other old columns)

Good luck, kid.
Tom Sloper  /  トム·スローパー   /   湯姆·斯洛珀   /   탐 슬로퍼
Los Angeles, California, USA
07/07/07

About your FAQ 67, "Kid Stuff (Advice For Underage Game Job Aspirants)"

From: "Jonathan _____
Sent: Friday, January 25, 2008 11:34 PM
Subject: In reply to your answers in http://www.sloperama.com/advice/m67.htm.
>I agree with you for encouraging the kids (I can call them kids
> because I'm older and they're young.) to do reviews. I think you
> should've mentioned the idea of being a beta tester or something
> similar for the indy game scene. It's a great job to learn things with
> little to no pressure, also can be experience on resumes. Since most
> don't pay you to do the testing we don't expect amazing bug reports
> from you, simple notes are usually enough for my team, team of 3. Keep
> an eye out for indy games, they don't even have to be good for you to
> test them out. Sometimes it's easier if they're crummy. "A" bugs are
> easy to find in those. ;]
> -Zapricot

Hi Jonathan,
Well, the problem with that idea is that beta testing (being unpaid most of the time) doesn't really belong in the résumé - it's more of a cover letter thing. And beta testing is "catch as catch can" - it's not as easy to apply for beta testing as it is to apply for a job (the main problem being how to find beta testing opps without using the "hang out on forums and wait for them to appear" method). And I sure wouldn't want any of the kids to fall prey to the scam test sites that ask for payment to find beta test gigs. Like becomeagametester.com, gametestingground.com, wannabeatester.com, getrichtestinggames.com (I made up some soundalike names so the owners of those sites don't send me cease & desist letters).
Those who want to work in QA or do beta testing should read FAQs 5, 24, 27, 28, 12, and 4 to learn more about how to go about it, other ideas for things to do while underage, and what to watch out for.
But it's a good enough suggestion that I'll add this to FAQ 67. Thanks very much, Jonathan!
Tom Sloper  /   トム·スローパー   /   탐 슬로퍼   /   湯姆 斯洛珀
Los Angeles, California, USA
January 26, 2008

I'm 13 and i think i got a good idea

>From: Boris ______
>Sent: Monday, February 04, 2008 10:50 AM
>Subject: I'm 13 and i think i got a good idea
>I (think) i got a good idea for an RTS. I sent the current blueprints of the blueprints of the blueprints to a friend i met online in an RTS and he liked it somewhat. I'm wondering what im supposed to do to get help and advice. I can't really try to put this on something like public forums, people can just take whatever i make if they want. I know its a little overconfident to assume people will want it. My point is that, i've already begun a documant, formatting unit designs, creating faction history, gunna design campaigns in a bit, i've got my own system for building and line of sight and stuff like that, and im just wondering, is there anything more i can do then keep discussing ideas with people i like, improving on my design and trying to create a complete game and eventually going into programming and proffesional design, or should i just wait 'til I'm older to really start making something big. Thank you for your answer if i get it.
>-Boris

Hi Boris, you wrote:

I (think) i got a good idea for an RTS... i've already begun a document...
That's great! I hope you're going to get more ideas and write those down too. Then in high school I hope you take writing classes and computer classes and... the other classes I listed in FAQ 3, and that you will go to college/university after that.

is there anything more i can do then keep discussing ideas with people i like, improving on my design and trying to create a complete game and eventually going into programming and proffesional design
So have you tried learning any programming? You know that programming and design are different things, right? Read FAQ 7. As for other things you can do, read FAQ 12. Oh, and read FAQ 1 too. The FAQs are above left.

should i just wait 'til I'm older to really start making something big.
What's this "make something big" stuff? You have to finish high school, write lots of game ideas down, get a college/university degree, and get a job in the game industry. If you want to run your own company (i.e. "making something big"), you should get an MBA after your bachelors degree - read FAQ 29. I wouldn't worry about "making something big" right away. You're a kid, have fun, get lots of ideas, play games, study hard, do kid stuff. I'm going to add this to FAQ 67.

Tom Sloper  /   トム·スローパー   /   탐 슬로퍼   /   湯姆 斯洛珀
Los Angeles, California, USA
February 4, 2008

I'm in 8th grade and I'm not exactly sure what to do.

>From: Vijay ______
>Sent: Monday, February 11, 2008 5:24 PM
>Subject: Video Game programming/design
>I want to get into the video game business for a while now but I'm not exactly sure what to do. I'm in 8th grade and in high school I plan to take programming classes as my electives. After that I want to get into a programming or gaming school hopefully someplace like Digipen. I'm trying to teach myself Visual Basic but it isn't going too well, I do know how to make flash games though. Any guidance/advice would be appreciated.
>Vijay
>--
>I like me...

Hi Vijay,
Good news and bad news.
The good news is that you have a lot of time to figure this out. You can read (not just the articles here on my site but also on IGDA.org and GameDev.net), and you can try programming, and you can try writing, and you can try drawing and audio and music and acting... And the more you try doing these things, the more prepared you'll be to decide what you want to do. If you find that you're terrible at art but great at writing and only kind of just OK at programming, well, then you've learned something valuable about yourself, and you'll know better which kind of game job you should shoot for.
The bad news, of course, is that it'll take a lot of time to figure this out. Actually, this isn't really a bad thing (I just thought it was funny to say "good news and bad news" and then have the same news be both things). (I know, it's not very funny.)
For now, then - read and try doing stuff. Lots of different stuff. If you want to be a game designer, make sure you look at article 3 and the list of stuff you should try, and learn.
Tom Sloper  /   トム·スローパー   /   탐 슬로퍼   /   湯姆 斯洛珀
Los Angeles, California, USA
February 11, 2008

Basically, I am a 16 year old game designer.

>From: Eric _____
>Sent: Wednesday, February 13, 2008 1:33 PM
>Subject: Game design question
>My approximate age is: 16
>The level of education I've completed is: Junior Year in HS
>My occupation (if student, enter 'student') is: Student
>My game biz question is:
> 
>Basically, I am a 16 year old game designer. I have created modifications for a couple fo different games(like the Emergency Mod for the Game Emergency4/911 First Responders which is still in build progress) and now i want to get into the real world of gaming. I was recently offered a job at the EA Games studio's in San Fransisco(not spelled right. my specialties are in computers, not english) aas a modeler. but sadly i live on the east coast and cant do it. anyway i have been working with a guy in australia who has a company that creates videos using the program 3ds MAX. and I would like my idea to sell. i read your articles and it said that a nobody in the industry would not get far. and i have been getting polls and forum searching/posting to see what people think of my idea(which i was able to copyright). i spent that last 3 years of my life collectign data to egt a story together and to design a game. now, i have no idea on how to make a game. i can model, but i cant actually program. and i know you said it is a good idea to make a demo. but would it be okay if i just ahve a video for the game then maybe a typed presentation. but even if all that gets done, how exactly do i contact the producers let alone find one that i like. i have no interests in makign money of this game...all i want is to get it made.
>-Eric

Hello Eric, you wrote:

Basically, I am a 16 year old game designer.
Well, in my mind, what you are (since it's doubtful that you've actually been paid to design games) is a "student." With a passion for, or hobby of, designing games.

now i want to get into the real world of gaming.
You want to do that now? Before you've even graduated from high school? My recommendation is that you finish school, then get a college degree, before you go seeking a game job.

I was recently offered a job at the EA Games studio...
I'm sorry, but I find that difficult to believe.

in San Fransisco(not spelled right. my specialties are in computers, not english)
Yeah, well, you're also not a high school graduate, which further explains your lousy writing skills - but as a junior who aspires to a game job, you ought to be trying harder to improve your writing habits.

aas a modeler.
Now I'm confused. Is your specialty game design? Or is it modeling? You said you'd made some mods. I haven't looked at that game's modding tools, so I don't know how technical they are. So you might be a budding level designer. With your lazy writing habits, it's unlikely you'll be able to get hired as a game designer, though. Game designers don't have lazy writing habits.

i have been working with a guy in australia who has a company that creates videos using the program 3ds MAX.
That's not very clear. You didn't say what kind of work you are doing with him. Or how this relates to what you were saying just before this statement, or just after this statement. I don't get the connection at all here. You're not communicating very effectively.

and I would like my idea to sell.
Couple problems: (1) you're a kid; (2) ideas are worthless (as I wrote in FAQs 1 and 11).

i read your articles and it said that a nobody in the industry would not get far.
(^_^) No, I didn't say that. First of all, you're not in the industry. Secondly, someone who's in the industry isn't a "nobody."

i have been getting polls and forum searching/posting to see what people think of my idea
That's shweet, but it doesn't change anything I've said. Even if everybody is patting you on your wittle head and saying "wow, that's brilliant," you can't sell your idea to video game publishers who want projects, not ideas from minors.

would it be okay if i just ahve a video for the game then maybe a typed presentation.
It wouldn't change the facts that (1) you're a minor and (2) publishers don't buy ideas, they buy projects. You need to (1) age at least two years (become a non-minor), and (2) put a whole project together, not just an idea. As I clearly stated in FAQs 1, 11, 21, 35, and 67.

how exactly do i contact the producers let alone find one that i like.
I described the process in FAQ 21. But it only applies to legal adults. If you intend to move forward with this anyway, you have to have a parent submit your game for you.

i have no interests in makign money of this game...all i want is to get it made.
That's not how the world works. I wrote about this idea, and why it's not feasible, in FAQ 21.

Look, Eric. Let me wrap this up neatly for you. I'm sorry for my tone above, but I treated you like a kid above because you came to me talking like a kid - refusing to use the shift key, and making lame excuses for your sloppy lazy writing habits (rather than making any kind of effort to use proper spelling and writing) - and because I knew it would shock you. Shock has usefulness - that's why they slap the face of someone who's passed out, or dash cold water on his face - to make him "wake up" and see the real world again.

You haven't read enough of the articles yet. You haven't looked at the real world yet. You've imagined this world where kids with brilliant "ultimate" game ideas (see FAQ 31) can sell them - or even give them away. Read about the real world. Learn about the real world. Work at your English (you'll need it more than you think). Graduate. Go to college. Get a degree. Take odd jobs, mowing lawns, shoveling snow, flipping burgers, whatever. Learn the value of work and money in the real world. Learn what life in the real world is about, and you'll be better armed to design games. This is going to take time. And that's not a bad thing. You may not be able to imagine what the world would be like if 16-year-olds ran the world, but I am. And it wouldn't be pretty! (^_^)

Tom Sloper  /   トム·スローパー   /   탐 슬로퍼   /   湯姆 斯洛珀
Los Angeles, California, USA
February 13, 2008

I understand that the thing I want to do doesn't make any sense at all, but how do I go about wasting everybody's time trying to do it anyway? Oh wait, I mean... "[ No Subject ]"

>[ No Subject ]...
>"necrogamer6389
>Thursday, February 21, 2008 8:51:19 PM
>I understand that, in order for you to give me the best answer suited to my unique situation, you need to know that...
>My approximate age is: _18
>The level of education I've completed is: _High School senior
>My occupation (if student, enter 'student') is: _Student
>My game biz question is: _Simple. I am one of those people with one idea. BUT! I don't have an interest to go into game developing, and, I don't even want a profit. How would I go about just giving a game developer or someone my idea and he can keep or trash it if he wants? Thanks, Jon.

Greetings from GDC, Jon.
Simple. Don't write it down in the first place. Or if it's too late for that, put it in the trash yourself. Save everybody the trouble of wasting time on it.

I'm serious. You cannot give your idea away. I already said that in FAQ 21, did I not? Nothing will be accomplished thereby. You can go on GameDev.net and post your idea if you want. Nothing will happen that way either, but it might be more satisfying for you that way. Sorry, guy. Don't expect other people to put your ideas in the trash for you, when you can just do it yourself.
Tom Sloper  /   トム·スローパー   /   탐 슬로퍼   /   湯姆 斯洛珀
San Francisco, California, USA
February 21, 2008

I understand that the thing I want to do doesn't make any sense at all, I mean... "[ No Subject ]" (Part 2)

>[ No Subject ]...
>"necrogamer6389
>Friday, February 22, 2008 9:20:00 AM
>It's Jon again. Thanks. Honestly, I don't understand why people wouldn't even want an idea when many things are beginning to seem like everything else; but that's just me. [...]

Greetings from GDC, Jon.
If you want to understand why, just read FAQ 21. I explained it in there. Come on back with more questions anytime.
Tom Sloper  /   トム·スローパー   /   탐 슬로퍼   /   湯姆 斯洛珀
San Francisco, California, USA
February 22, 2008

No subject

>Subject: [no subject]
>From: Dan __
>Sent: Saturday, February 23, 2008 9:45 AM
>Hi, my name is Dan and I live in New Jersey. I am 17 turning 18 in a week. I am going to graduate from high school in about 3 months. I want to eventually become a game programmer but for now I want to do beta testing. Can you give me some advice on how to become a tester and where I can get a job? Do you know any game companies that hire home-testers?

Dan,
What the heck is this "no subject" stuff? How come I'm getting all these emails with no subject lines lately? Is this a new societal trend or something? Geez! Subject lines are important, for cryin' out loud. How else can I tell what's spam and what isn't? Whenever I get an email with no subject line, I have two choices:
1. Delete it because it's probably spam;
2. Grit my teeth, squint my eyes, and hope that when I open it it turns out not to be spam.
[Retroactive rant][/retroactive rant]
You wrote:

I want to eventually become a game programmer
So I assume you plan to go to college after summer vacation, am I right?

but for now I want to do beta testing.
What for? See FAQ 28 and read the entry on "beta testing." The FAQs are above left.

Can you give me some advice on how to become a tester
I already have. Being a tester is a very different thing from "beta testing," of course. Read FAQs 5, 24, 27, & 4.

and where I can get a job? ... I live in New Jersey.
Um... in New Jersey. You can only get a job near where you live. That makes sense, doesn't it? If you have a car and can drive yourself to work every day, draw a 20-mile radius on a map of your locale (with your home at the center). That's it.

Do you know any game companies that hire home-testers?
"Home-testers"? There's no such thing (you won't find that term in FAQ 28). Beta testing opps might be possible to get, but that's not a job (regardless of what the scammers like "igametesters" say). As I wrote in the FAQs. And if there are game companies in your commute radius, what are the chances that they'll hire you to test for just the summer? I don't know. Start looking now (use the Game Biz Links page to research game companies in your area - I know Skyworks is in New Jersey at least), but if you can't get a summer QA job, you'd better not just slack off the whole summer. Any work experience you can get for the summer will be good for your résumé.

Tom Sloper  /   トム·スローパー   /   탐 슬로퍼   /   湯姆 斯洛珀
Los Angeles, California, USA
February 23, 2008

Questions about getting a game job

From: jayberg11
Sent: Tuesday, March 11, 2008 9:10 AM
Subject: Employment questions
>  Hi
> My name is Jaymes ____
>     I am a current student at ********* High School in Minnesota. I'm 
>  currently looking into entering the gaming industry as a career 
> reguarding programing or level design or something in the general 
> area, and was wondering if you or someone in the field could answer 
> some  questions for me, first off.  Education, could you tell  me 
> maybe what classes you took as a high school student and also in 
> college which i will be attending soon, to help you get involved or 
> make finding a job easier, and also  Was it hard to find a job. i have 
> hered that its almost impossible to find a job in the field,  But if i 
> were to get a job, what is the wages like, and how is the work, what 
> are your hours like, and is designing video games everything its said 
> to be?
>      well these are just some small questions thanks for taking the 
> time to read me e-mail and thanks for any responce i may recieve
>   Thanks
> Jaymes ____

Hi Jaymes, you wrote:

looking into entering the gaming industry
You mean "games" - the "gaming" industry is the casino business. Gambling, poker, roulette, slot machines.

programing [sic] or level design ... and was wondering if you ... could answer some  questions for me,
Just look at this board. That's what I do!

what classes you took as a high school student
The most useful class I took in high school (beyond the English, math, physics, and even French) was Typing. Mind you, video games didn't exist yet. And computers were things we heard about on the Twilight Zone, not something every home and school and business had. And I was one of only two or three boys in the class - it was almost all girls, in case they needed to know typing to get a secretary job or something.

But seriously, knowing what classes I took in high school has almost no value to you. What you need to know is what classes you ought to be taking. And the answer will surprise you. Because my advice is you take any classes you want to.

My FAQ 3 (see links above left) is geared toward aspiring game designers (not aspiring programmers or level designers), but the guiding advice is FAQ 40. "Follow your personal yellow brick road."

I haven't written an article about Level Design yet, but if you're interested in a game programming career, read FAQ 15.

Was it hard [for you] to find a job.
Dude, you're asking all the wrong questions. I stumbled into the job accidentally, thinking I was going to work in movies, then working in toys instead, and accidentally becoming a game designer. The way I did it was by following my personal yellow brick road. As I wrote in articles 18 & 19.

As for the question you meant to ask, yes, it'll probably be hard for you to find a job. Read FAQs 26, 24, & 27.

if i 
> were to get a job, what is [sic] the wages like, and how is the work, what 
> are your hours like, and is designing video games everything its [sic] said 
> to be?
Read FAQs 14, 15, & 37.

Jaymes, read any of my articles whose titles sound like they might answer questions you might have. Then if you still have questions, ask me and I'll answer here. Standing by until then...

Tom Sloper  /   トム·スローパー   /   탐 슬로퍼   /   湯姆 斯洛珀
Los Angeles, California, USA
March 11, 2008

I need help finding a testing job but I'm a 15 year old South African and don't have a clue where to start.Help me please!

>From: Colin ______
>Sent: Friday, March 28, 2008 1:12 AM
>Subject: Game Testing
>I need help finding a testing job but I'm a 15 year old South African and don't have a clue where to start.Help me please!

Hi Colin,
So listen, I don't know what kind of help you think I can give you. Please tell me exactly what you think I can do. Word your question this way:

"Hi Tom, I read your FAQ 67 where you said game companies don't hire 15-year-olds, but I'm pretty sure that doesn't apply here in South Africa where the employment laws are different, aren't they, I dunno. Anyway, the reason I wrote you is that I've never applied for a job before, and I want you to tell me how to apply for a job."

"Hi Tom, I looked in your Game Biz Links page and found the links to sites where I can look up game businesses all over the world. In particular, http://www.gameindustrymap.com was helpful, since it showed me several game companies here in South Africa. My problem is that it's a long commute from my home to most of those companies - tell me, how do most teenage testers deal with the distance issue?"

"Hi Tom, I know how to find game companies and I can manage the job application thing - what I want to know is what a tester does on the job, so I can start polishing those skills now. I haven't discovered your FAQ 5 yet, doncha know. I found you by a Google search and I just saw that you know a lot about the industry and I emailed you right away, without reading anything on your site."

"Hi Tom, I read what everybody said to that other kid at IGDA Forums > General Discussions > Breaking Into the Industry > Can a 16 year-old with a High School Diploma be a Game Tester? and I'm a little worried now. My problem is that I'm 15 and I look it. How can I make a game employer think I'm actually 18? Know where I can get a fake ID? Got any tips for helping me grow facial hair quickly?"

"Hi Tom, I read what everybody said to that other guy at IGDA Forums > General Discussions > Breaking Into the Industry > Some Truth? and I choose not to believe what I read there. I'm delusional, and I want to believe that a game company in America or Japan will jump at the chance to send me their games and have me test them here at home. Would you send me the addresses of those companies please?"

"Hi Tom, I found this website u2cantestgames.com where if I send them money they'll find testing jobs for me. I don't want to believe the crap that you wrote about sites like that one in your July 2007 column or in your FAQ 24, so I want you to tell me that it's OK - that if I send them money, they really will get me a job testing games for $120 an hour."

So you see, Colin, I don't know what kind of help you are looking for from me. Help me help you - tell me precisely what it is you want me to help you with.

Tom Sloper  /   トム·スローパー   /   탐 슬로퍼   /   湯姆 斯洛珀
Los Angeles, California, USA
March 28, 2008

Would someone make my game for me?

>From: Lane _____
>Sent: Sunday, April 27, 2008 4:50 PM
>Subject: I'm 12 and I was wondering if you could answer my question
>I understand that, in order for you to give me the best answer suited to my unique situation, you need to know that...
>My approximate age is: 12
>The level of education I've completed is: 6th grade
>My occupation (if student, enter 'student') is: Student
>The type of game job I aspire to (if applicable) is:
>My game biz question is: If i were to write a game that was good would someone make it for me?

Hi, Lane.

No. Depending on the complexity of your design (whether it could be a small Flash game or a multi-DVD massively multiplayer online game) it would cost anywhere from one hundred thousand dollars to one hundred million dollars to make it. Read FAQs 1, 11, 39, 62, & 67 for more about your question. (You can link to the Frequently Asked Questions in the nav frame at left). And by the way, it doesn't matter how old you are - this particular answer applies equally to everybody, regardless of age.
Tom Sloper  /   トム·スローパー   /   탐 슬로퍼   /   湯姆 斯洛珀
Los Angeles, California, USA
April 27, 2008

I want to be a game programmer but I will be a high school senior next year but u don't know how to start down this career path do you have any tips on what I should do to prepare

From: "Theo
Sent: Thursday, July 31, 2008 1:19 PM
Subject: Game programmer
>I have a question I want to be a game programmer but I will be a high
> school senior next year but u don't know how to start down this career
> path do you have any tips on what I should do to prepare

Hi Theo, I'm going to reply using your writing style.
Did u read FAQ 15 yet the FAQs are above left FAQ 15 describes what it is to be a game programmer to be a game programmer you should get a Computer Science degree I mean a four-year degree don't get a three-year degree also read FAQs 25 & 34 & 44 as for what you can do now to begin preparing learn everything you can about programming now try to program some simple games yourself see FAQ 56 what do u mean "u don't know how to start down this career" what do I look like mashed potatoes don't forget also to learn how to use punctuation marks programmers have to know how to use them they're important not only so u don't look like a dum kid but also programming requires they're use
Tom Sloper  /   トム·スローパー   /   탐 슬로퍼   /   湯姆 斯洛珀
Los Angeles, California, USA
July 31, 2008