THQ, EA, others recruiting at GDC
by Zack Stern 
{ Mar 9th 2007 at 4:59PM }
The second floor of Moscone West, one of the three buildings housing GDC, holds many publishers and developers looking for doe-eyed talent. Armed with just a dream and a résumé, students try to launch their careers, and industry vets try to find the next opportunity. We checked in with a few of the companies to discuss their outlook and objectives at the show.An EA recruiter told us that the company is hiring developers for 11 different studios in nearly every position, including character animators, environmental artists, and software engineers. EA has a university relations department to entice students, but the company also helps schools develop programs to train future industry workers.
Heidi Lese, Manager of Recruitment for THQ, discussed her company's role at the show. THQ is looking for both developers and publishers to fit into its 17 studios. With the addition of publishing roles, THQ is seeking nearly all kinds of talent. If a walk-in candidate fits an open position, THQ holds an immediate interview. Otherwise, THQ evaluates and contacts candidates over the next few months.
Lese was more tentative about game schools, saying that some are great and can lead to roles at THQ, while some are still too young to offer a useful program. She didn't specify any school recommendations but said that students should attend one with a high placement rate in the industry. She also advised students get an internship -- whether interested in publishing or development.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Terrak @ Mar 9th 2007 5:17PM
Looks like there already looking for Mr Heckers replacement ;P
LOL
j.lee @ Mar 9th 2007 5:19PM
Spectacular. Any word about any of these companies hiring for non-technical writing positions? God knows they need it.
Shagittarius @ Mar 9th 2007 5:37PM
I heard EAs recruiting powerhouse is just 2 recruiters duct taped together.
ssuk @ Mar 9th 2007 6:03PM
"She didn't specify any school recommendations but said that students should attend one with a high placement rate in the industry."
Wow, well thanks for that important information, oh wait... My brain would have told me that anyway.
Rubang B @ Mar 9th 2007 6:45PM
I heard that EA is just 11 studios duct taped together.
Mr Khan @ Mar 9th 2007 7:07PM
(Does a double take)
Did Shaggi just say something that could be interpreted as pro-Nintendo?
steve17 @ Mar 9th 2007 9:41PM
it seems like the shit studios are always hiring and the good ones, worth working for, arnt. i dream to work at bungie one day(key word is DREAM) but i fear something like that will never happen. at best probably get stuck at a shit like EA or THQ. please god, NOOOO!!!
Thrawn @ Mar 9th 2007 11:56PM
My friend and I have a name for the recruitment area of the GDC: the snake pit.
LordPaul @ Mar 10th 2007 4:02AM
EA shut my last place of work down & have just shut shop on what used to be Renderware after claiming that was why they bought Criterion (& screwing over the competition) Of course it was just for the franchise IP of Burnout & Black.
Boo!
The games industry is a nightmare to work in though, I'm glad I got out of it.
sheppy @ Mar 10th 2007 1:13PM
"The games industry is a nightmare to work in though, I'm glad I got out of it."
Heh, I hear ya. I currently work at a flight simulator company, have no interest in leaving, do occassional freelance artwork, and work with some buddies to create our own games. This isn't the same game industry that dazzled me as a child. So I'm happy living on the fringe, making the games I consider fun (aka, casual), and working at a job where I do NOT have to worry about what the publisher purchase of the studio means to my paycheck next week.