Become a game maker at Stardock

from JoeUser Forums

Stardock is looking for developers and artists to work on our upcoming games ranging from the fantasy strategy game, an RPG, an MMORTS, and of course future versions of GalCiv.

So what do you need to do to work at Stardock?

Here is the check list:

  1. Work in Plymouth Michigan. We're near Ann Arbor Michigan. Seriously.  We get lots of people saying how great they can "work from remote".  We already have lots of remote people. We need people here.
  2. If you're a developer, you need to know C++ (at the very least) on Visual Studio. We don't care how much formal experience you have as long as you can code. We can't teach you how to do that, you have to already know it and be pretty good.
  3. You have to be into gaming. At Stardock, everyone participates in the game design. There is no such thing as a game designer at Stardock and there will almost certainly never will be. We all take part.
  4. If you're an artist, you need to know 3D Studio or Maya (preferably both).  You also need to have a portfolio of cool stuff you've made.
  5. You need to be self-starting. Seriously. Raises at Stardock are not based on percentages, they're based on what you produce. We have people here who started out making <$30k who now make over $100k. 
  6. You must be able to get along with others.  We get a lot of people interviewing who are quite certain that they're the smartest people in human history and make every effort to impress that on us.  Look we're just a bunch of Monty Python loving, Simpsons watching goons but we are reasonably bright too, mutual respect amongst the team is crucial.

If you think you or someone you know may fit this basic criteria, send us your resume.  [email protected] and [email protected] should do the trick. 

Also, no interns, co-ops, etc. We're looking for people who are ready to get into making cool stuff right now and stay at it until the game is done.

A few other things about Stardock:

  • We don't lay off after projects. Once you're hired, as long as you do a good job, you're here as long as you want.
  • We've been around for 15 years as of this October. It's a very stable environment.
  • Very laid back working environment. We like to have fun.
  • Typical work week is about 45 hours a week. Crunch times are rare and short. Since I am there during crunch time and I'm lazy, I tend to work to schedule things so that there aren't much crunch times (I.e. I pad the schedule).
204,201 views 111 replies
Reply #1 from Demigod Forums Top
Nice to know the check list. Sadly, it will be a few more years of university before I'm certain that I can make uber enough code to work with you guys.

Maybe I'll talk to you guys in a few years time.
Reply #2 from Sins Forums Top
so college credit in C++ would suffice? I would have thought there'd be more criteria. :NOTSURE:
Object Desktop - Get all of our enhancement utilities in one suite
Reply #3 from GalCiv2 Forums Top

must finish high school first then traded school

Reply #4 from GalCiv2 Forums Top

Hm. Even with extra hours, 45 hours a week is a little much, isn't it? 37 - 40 hours a week is the norm, even for software developers. Of course, developing games usually is a bit more fun than other jobs. ;)

Reply #5 from Sins Forums Top
With a job description like that, it has to be good!
Reply #6 from GalCiv2 Forums Top

Hm. Even with extra hours, 45 hours a week is a little much, isn't it? 37 - 40 hours a week is the norm, even for software developers. Of course, developing games usually is a bit more fun than other jobs.
You must be European, German if I recall. Not that there's anything wrong with that but you Europeans have it soft.

But 45 hours per week for a salaried position is actually a rather short workweek in the US these days. Typically 50, 60 or even 70 hours is often what is "required". The thing is that it's never in writing. What is technically specified is most often a 40 hour week but the unspoken message is clear and someone that doesn't put in what those around him or her are forced to put in will find themselves out of a job very quickly, weeks not months.

A few years back I worked for a startup and to reach an intermediate deadline I worked a minimun of 12 hours a day for 7 straight weeks 84+ hour weeks (i.e. 49 days). Then 3 months later to get the final product ready to ship I did 10 straight 84+ hour weeks (70 straight days). In between these peak periods one could usually slack off to about a 60 hour week.

Anyway the result was that Sun Microsystems did eventually buy the company but for pennies on the dollar and 5 years after the fact is still shipping the board that I designed for them but prior to that happened everyone except the founders and the venture capitalists had been laid off.

But what is unique in AMerican business today is the implied promise of a certain amount of loyalty. Forty, fifty years ago that used to be the norm but today that is an extreme exception. So 45 hours a week plus some loyalty sounds like an excellent position to me. Sure beats the hell out of working in Lahore.

If I was a software engineer instead of a hardware engineer I would jump at the chance.

 

Reply #7 from GalCiv2 Forums Top

Hm. If someone offered me a 50-hour week, personally - I don't know anybody who'd accept, unless the salary is VERY good. Plus you typically get either paid extra hours or extra vacation days... (in addition to the 28 minimum a year). Add to that the fact that health insurance is partly paid by the employer (until you reach a high salary level)...

Yes, I think I'm quite happy to stay working in Germany at the moment. :D

 

Back on topic, though. A friend of mine is a game developer for MMORPGs. Server backend, but still, very fascinating stuff. Since Stardock develops games for fun (i.e. not as main source of company profit), I can only recommend to anybody fresh out of university to take that chance. Much better learning and working environment than the so called big names in the business, I'd wager.

Reply #8 from GalCiv2 Forums Top

Hm. If someone offered me a 50-hour week, personally - I don't know anybody who'd accept, unless the salary is VERY good. Plus you typically get either paid extra hours or extra vacation days... (in addition to the 28 minimum a year). Add to that the fact that health insurance is partly paid by the employer (until you reach a high salary level)...
Yes, I think I'm quite happy to stay working in Germany at the moment.
Yeah. I've never received a dime of overtime in my life and I graduated from MIT and been employed as an electrical engineer since 1979. As far as vacation I get exactly none but I do get 8 holidays a year. My medical insurance costs are not quite $1500 per month but at least it is paid with pre-tax money.

My current position is much slower paced and I can usually get by with 50 hours per week although crunch time still occurs where this shoots up to unlimited. But they compenstate by sending out for pizza.

Reply #9 from JoeUser Forums Top

I think during crunch time or other times you should fly in a very talented Licensed Massage Therapist as a bonus for your crew.

You know where to find me.

Reply #10 from Stardock Forums Top

Good to see Stardock expanding! The world needs more games from Stardock, GPG and Ironclad. ;)

Reply #11 from GalCiv2 Forums Top

Good to see Stardock expanding! The world needs more games from Stardock, GPG and Ironclad.

Ditto. 

I also agree that 45 hours for a normal workweek is quite reasonable in the USA.  Salaried people are generally expected to put in a little extra when needed and "crunch time" is pretty much a given.  Many companies ask for more.

 

Reply #12 from Stardock Forums Top

Quoting pndrev, reply 4
Hm. Even with extra hours, 45 hours a week is a little much, isn't it? 37 - 40 hours a week is the norm, even for software developers. Of course, developing games usually is a bit more fun than other jobs.

Wow.  37 hours a week? That's not even full-time in the US.

Reply #13 from Demigod Forums Top
Curious, how much does an entry level game programmer make exactly? What are the benefits? medical/401k/stock options? I noticed you said some make 30k, so starting out you may only get that much?

To throw out some numbers, an entry level fresh college graduate who gets a position as a Software Engineer @ cisco will make 62,500 in NC (research triangle park) and 75,000 in MA. You could get more than this but base salary that's what you get. They are kind of selective though because they really want someone with at least a 3.5 or greater and also to have work experience which is a must I think in today's market.

I still have a year to graduate but I've been offered several jobs and they all are in this range, how does a game developer at stardocks compare?

I also worked for IBM for 1.5 years and they offer a little less it seems, around 59,000 in NC.
Also cisco's average hours they say is around 40-45, IBM on the other hand, they say 60 hours is a normal work week! I said screw that.

You can see my resume and website here:
http://www.personal.psu.edu/users/c/s/css204/

If you don't want to publicly state anything you can e-mail me @ [email protected]

thanks!
Reply #14 from GalCiv2 Forums Top

make 62,500 in NC (research triangle park) and 75,000 in MA
As you can see salaries are very location dependent. I live in MA (Concord) and I can tell you that 75K pretty much anywhere in eastern MA is barely a living wage (unless you're still living with your parents). I suspect that the cost of living in Plymouth, MI is far more reasonable. Plus after you've been around the block a few times you come to realize that it's hard to put a price on even just a little bit of loyalty. Just starting out like you are it's hard to have that perspective but I would trade a fair percentage of my income for just a bit of employer/employee loyalty.

Reply #15 from GalCiv2 Forums Top

I also agree that 45 hours for a normal workweek is quite reasonable in the USA.

Something to be grateful for if you're on salary, but hardly reasonable, IMO. One of our biggest themes for public complaining in the US is "family values" stuff, and the single greatest burden on families is the ludicrous amount of time most parents must spend in the workplace. Our per-person productivity has risen drastically in the past few decades, but instead of seeing that lead to more leisure (family) time, it seems to have just facilitated the lack of two-way loyalty that once underpinned our salary systems. Why let the whole team have more of their own time when you could just lay a few off and whip the others harder?

That rant aside, I have to again accuse Brad of being a most un-corporate corporation owner. If I had less love for my birthplace, appropriate skills, and a tolerance for ridiculous winters, I'd be pitching hard for a gig up there.

Reply #16 from Demigod Forums Top
Ok, I've been coding in C++ for at least 5 years, I love gaming and game design, and I'm a major geek. I'm also quite self-starting, whatever that might be. In short, I'd love to work with you guys, and I appreciate the proposal, but I'm in Brazil, so I fail item #1 in the checklist. :-(

Who knows... maybe someday.

BTW, usual work week in Brasil is 44 hours, so that's one more thing I would have no problems with... bummer. Well, at least I get to PLAY the games. ;-)
Reply #17 from GalCiv2 Forums Top

That rant aside, I have to again accuse Brad of being a most un-corporate corporation owner. If I had less love for my birthplace, appropriate skills, and a tolerance for ridiculous winters, I'd be pitching hard for a gig up there.

Same here, except for the bit about winters. Better cold than hot - I can dress for cold. I might get arrested for dressing appropriately for the heat <_<

As for the work week, mine is defined at 37.5 hours, but I'm hourly, not salary. I can technically get overtime, but the levels of approval to actually get it make it unlikely. And what the hell at the German 28 days vacation? I might make that if I'm still here in 20 years, but for the first 5 I'm getting 14 days.

Reply #18 from Sins Forums Top
Boo being 16 and not knowing how to code/model/skins/really anything to do with computers. :P

But I do like Monty Python! Yay having a British dad! :D
Reply #19 from Demigod Forums Top
make 62,500 in NC (research triangle park) and 75,000 in MAAs you can see salaries are very location dependent. I live in MA (Concord) and I can tell you that 75K pretty much anywhere in eastern MA is barely a living wage (unless you're still living with your parents). I suspect that the cost of living in Plymouth, MI is far more reasonable. Plus after you've been around the block a few times you come to realize that it's hard to put a price on even just a little bit of loyalty. Just starting out like you are it's hard to have that perspective but I would trade a fair percentage of my income for just a bit of employer/employee loyalty.



Well my friend is living by himself and pays he says 1400 a month for his apartment and he said he's still banking a ton after taxes and everything. He just bought a 40k car, not sure if that was smart or not hah. He's not where you live though, he said its like 40 mins from boston.

That is true, after seeing people at IBM get fired after 25 years, kind of opens your eyes to how the IT world really is

62,500 in NC is pretty good though for entry level. You can get a 2 bed room 2 baths for 600 a month, I just can't stand the weather down there, so humid. I might head to cali where the cost of living really is fun!
Reply #20 from Sins Forums Top
75k..in Eastern MA? Where exactly are you living, some kind of rich people paradise..area?
75k is actually quite a good wage for a starting out person, most people get by with 40-50k in NYC. Not everyone can get a programmer's wage, and they live in apartments and such like every other normal person. 1600-1500 is pretty much what you pay for a nice apartment somewhere in Brooklyn or Queens. Of course, you don't have to pay for a car, I guess that factors in a bit.

I mean, if you want to live in like Manhattan or something, 75k isn't going to cut it, but I can surely say that any person making more than 75k a year can be definitely be considered upper-middleclass, if not outright rich.
Reply #21 from GalCiv2 Forums Top

And what the hell at the German 28 days vacation?

A good start! I think 12 weeks would be better. More home projects finished, more kids and pets properly coddled, and way less cranky folks at work.

Reply #22 from GalCiv2 Forums Top

Well my friend is living by himself and pays he says 1400 a month for his apartment and he said he's still banking a ton after taxes and everything. He just bought a 40k car, not sure if that was smart or not hah. He's not where you live though, he said its like 40 mins from boston.
Yeah 1400 a month is about right for the greater Boston area and you absolutely have to have a car however $40K for a car is pretty steep particularly if he bought it on time or even worse on a lease. The real rub is medical insurance. For example I pay $1500 per month pre-tax money for medical and dental. That's for subscriber plus one coverage. So yeah, I suppose a young kid with no dependents can get by OK on 75K but I really don't know about banking a ton of money unless you consider $10K per year a ton.

Anyway add going out on occasion, then a year later you find yourself with a live-in girlfriend who drops a kid on you, quits her job and becomes a wife and you suddenly go from banking a "ton" of money to being 10K deeper in debt each year.

Tell you what. Wait 5 years and tell us how well your friend is doing. Perhaps wait for him to actually pay off that $40K car and have to buy the next one. Wait for him to be laid off for 6 months or a year before he finds a comparable job and then come back and tell us how well he's doing. If after 5 years that kid has more than $25K in the bank I'd be damn surprised.

Reply #23 from GalCiv2 Forums Top

70hrs a week!!!! Holy shit! Standard week over here (aust) is 38-40 hrs. I dont know about the average wage but i do 36hrs a week and take about 42K but with free healthcare once i pay my tax it's all mine.

I could not imagine any job or pay amount that could convince me to work regularly 70hrs a week. How you have anytime for games Mumble is beyond me. Imagine your MV score if you only worked 40 hrs....lol.

As for the work week, mine is defined at 37.5 hours, but I'm hourly, not salary. I can technically get overtime, but the levels of approval to actually get it make it unlikely. And what the hell at the German 28 days vacation? I might make that if I'm still here in 20 years, but for the first 5 I'm getting 14 days.

I'd kill for any holidays or sick leave. I get none of that. If i want a week off i can get it but i dont get any money that week. I guess i better start planning for that 2 week trip at xmas now then huh....

;P

Reply #24 from GalCiv2 Forums Top

I'd kill for any holidays or sick leave. I get none of that. If i want a week off i can get it but i dont get any money that week. I guess i better start planning for that 2 week trip at xmas now then huh....

Been there, done that. My current job is the first one I've ever had that had paid vacation or sick leave. It's also the first that gives me holidays off.

Reply #25 from Demigod Forums Top
Well my friend is living by himself and pays he says 1400 a month for his apartment and he said he's still banking a ton after taxes and everything. He just bought a 40k car, not sure if that was smart or not hah. He's not where you live though, he said its like 40 mins from boston.Yeah 1400 a month is about right for the greater Boston area and you absolutely have to have a car however $40K for a car is pretty steep particularly if he bought it on time or even worse on a lease. The real rub is medical insurance. For example I pay $1500 per month pre-tax money for medical and dental. That's for subscriber plus one coverage. So yeah, I suppose a young kid with no dependents can get by OK on 75K but I really don't know about banking a ton of money unless you consider $10K per year a ton.
Anyway add going out on occasion, then a year later you find yourself with a live-in girlfriend who drops a kid on you, quits her job and becomes a wife and you suddenly go from banking a "ton" of money to being 10K deeper in debt each year.
Tell you what. Wait 5 years and tell us how well your friend is doing. Perhaps wait for him to actually pay off that $40K car and have to buy the next one. Wait for him to be laid off for 6 months or a year before he finds a comparable job and then come back and tell us how well he's doing. If after 5 years that kid has more than $25K in the bank I'd be damn surprised.


LoL yah he's single and 23 so he has no dependencies. But when he said he bought that 40k car, I asked how he was going to pay that off, and he said, pretty fast hah. So I don't know if he's bullshitting or he thinks he's really going to.

I'm debating if I should go with cisco in that area if the cost of living is that much. It might work out the same though if I accept the 62,500 in NC. Another thing is, will I really enjoy devloping software for them. Game programming sounds so much funner but its just the job security and a part of me thinks once I start programming games all day I will hate gaming.

I'm going to google to see if there are any calculators out there that will estimate the cost of living of an area versus how much you make so if I get a job offer out in CA I'll know if I'm getting ripped off or not. My one friend accepted a 60k job and he's living in Carlsbad, CA!

Yah I heard medical was rough that's why I was wondering how well stardocks benefits were