Elizabeth Ching

Awful news today with Skydance Interactive having gone through a round of layoffs last week. My dear friend Scott Fine announced the news today, sharing the news and the profiles of those affected in a heartfelt post: https://lnkd.in/ex4BnyrX To those impacted please check out the following resources: 🥇First, reach out to us at People Can Fly Studio, we have many roles open right now in Canada, the UK, Ireland and Europe, please check them out here: https://lnkd.in/eWpV5PbA 🥈Next, Discipline Games Jobs Resources: Over the past months I have created 9 (at time of writing) Games Jobs Resources to find jobs in a wide range of disciplines, and I would urge you to check them out, if anything just to see what would be available to you: https://lnkd.in/epvmzDW6 You can find over 6,300 jobs there. 🥉 Third, the Ultimate list of Video Games Career Resources: This should be your one-stop shop for all information. My dear friend Amir Satvat maintains these documents, he is a legend for doing this - please check them out: https://amirsatvat.com/ I urge you to check out the areas in particular about CV support and mentoring, as these will help you no matter what industry you are hailing from or are looking into going next. 🎖 Finally, do not give up. Ever. No matter how dark things may look right now, I KNOW you will get through this, you have got this! 👊 Remember you are not alone. If you need help, advice, or even an ear to listen, we're here for you. Always! ➡ A request to my community, please can I ask you to repost this post to your colleagues and friends, so that we can get as many into jobs as possible! And please comment if you or your studio are currently hiring - let's help each other! Much love ❤️ #skydanceinteractive #layoffs

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To all my writing peeps out there, whether you're a junior game writer or senior narrative designer (or someone else altogether): what are your tips for studying and analyzing games you admire? I've been keeping a game journal for about eight months now where I jot down notes for story beats, narrative moments that impacted me, story progression, mechanics that involve narrative and/or UI (i.e. tutorials that use diegetic v.s. non-diegetic prompts), et cetera, but I've found this can be very jarring--especially on my first playthrough--so I'm curious if anyone has tips or tricks you use so you can enjoy the experience as it was intended while also helping you understand the hows and whys that make the game and the story work. #gamewriting #narrativedesign #gamedesign

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📣Looking for new positions in tech, local to Southern California or remote! 📣 Hello all! Do you need a programmer experienced in website infrastructure, data visualization, JavaScript, and WordPress? Or do you need a creative technologist experienced in Python and VFX software for your next big project? Well, look no further because I’m open to work in the tech and media industries, preferably with roles pertaining to Front End, Web Applications, or Immersive Technology! My experience primarily focuses on user-facing programs, which has led me to design and develop database access points for researchers in San Diego at General Atomics, public websites for entertainment companies like idobi Network, and even internal tools and templates for content creation pipelines at the Las Vegas Sphere for Madison Square Garden Entertainment Corp. Lately I’m getting more into the #LiveEntertainment and #Interactive sides of tech too, so if you’re interested in creating some new experimental amalgams of software and hardware, I’d be more than happy to help! My programming strengths include: - Python - JavaScript - HTML/CSS - Unreal Engine Blueprints - TouchDesigner - React - PHP - SQL But that’s not all… I’m also a swift learner that can pick up a job at a moment’s notice. Even recently, I’ve picked up freelance projects with turnaround times (from 0 to 1) ranging from 2 weeks to even just a few days. Being software-agnostic allows me to fulfill any and all tasks handed to me with ease, while also taking a holistic approach to problems that may have more than one solution. While I’m still open to Freelancing, I am looking for my next FTE/Permanent role in the tech sector. Please feel free to reach out if you know of something that could be a match; I’m open to #networking and #connecting with all kinds of professionals in these spaces! If you’d like to work together, please send me a DM through LinkedIn or email me at [email protected] If you’re not currently hiring but know someone who might be interested, please share within your network; connections are also welcome! Otherwise, even an interaction (like/comment/repost) to this would mean the world to me. For a full list of my experiences, feel free to visit my LinkedIn page or my website: https://lnkd.in/d5c3jufU I look forward to hearing from you all soon! #opentowork #lookingforwork

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TAROF - The Amazing Ring of Fire - Dev Blog 4 Over the past week or so I have been reverting to an older build (back to one with the skylight before experimental materials removal broke it) and going through code and content clean up so not as much progress as expected. I have been learning a lot though and spending the time needed to implement certain things. A lot more experimenting. Here's what's changed this week: FIXES/IMPLEMENTATION - Reverted back to a previous build (before disabling experimental materials broke my skybox). - Want to get game in a clean stable state so this is a build I can always revert back to as a main checkpoint. - Code & content clean up. - Cleaned up blueprints to make them more readable. - Collapsed key functionality into functions. - Added comments. - Deleted unused code snippets. - Deleted unused content in content browser. - Moved everything into appropriate folders. - Deleted all card textures below 1024 pixels. Don't need higher. - Rearranged card blueprints to order them to my liking. - Added 2 Niagara effects for specific cards. - Waterfall - For the Ace card with the rule 'Waterfall'. A lot of playing around with this over the past week. Got it to a point I am happy with for now. Can return later if needs be. - Created a sprite sheet and added both the red and blue pixelate card to it so both can be used as a particle. - Question Marks - For the Queen card with the rule 'Questions'. Simple but effective. - Hooked up functionality for the niagara FX to play / stop when needed and also hooked these up to the appropriate cards. - Card Info/Rules section - Added descriptions for each rank that shows when the card is selected. - Changed size of description text. - Changed colour to yellow. Same as title. - Removed handles from text box by turning alpha all the way down. - Stopped user from interacting with the text box. - Added a secondary 'Next Turn' button at the top center. - This allows for different placements depending on games needs. For example, when the waterfall FX is played, it covers the lower half of the ring and also the next turn button so the button can be set to the top instead, making it accessible. - Added a placeholder settings menu - Includes new icons. - Settings Icons Spins on mouse hover and once selected shows an X to close menu. - Currently has debug and VFX options KNOWN ISSUES - Card Z order on used cards not working properly TO DO - Add card spawn lerp - Add spawn point to deck creator BP - Add ring of fire effect - Background music - Add SFX - Add VFX - Add Main menu IDEAS - Add multipliers / punishments - For example when a suit (Diamond / Club / Heat / Spade) or rank (A - K) is completed. - Implement 'Imposter Cards' - The small suits on the card change on the fly and if a player selects 'End Turn' without realising then they will be punished.

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Don't want to bum you out but I know I'm not the only one who has noticed the same layoff cycle on LinkedIn over and over. I can tell your future... 1. Studio is shut down, all the devs become active on LinkedIn maybe for the first time in years and do their looking for work posts. People reach out with connections and support emojis. 2. The outpouring of thanks to the wonderful gamedev community. Amir Satvat and other full time LinkedIn influencers are tagged. 3. Nothing comes of all the LinkedIn support. Devs post frustration posts about how hard it is to be laid off and the injustice of the game industry. Many people will later delete these posts when they start to realize studios still aren't hiring them. 4. The reality step. Months pass and prominent veterans are still unemployed, let alone those "juniors" with a mere 5 years experience. At this point, people either give up and disappear, get a job and disappear (rare), or become a chronic disillusioned LinkedIn user. This last one either requires wearing a mask or ranting about capitalism more and more. 5. The laid off devs watch this cycle repeat for a whole swath of suffering people every couple weeks/days. And that's the step I've been on for a few months. But hey I've been working hard on my family and my solo projects. Magehunter coming soon, and AAA Simulator devlogs will be in production even sooner! Make art for yourself and those you love. Don't make my mistake - look for happiness outside this Microsoft product called LinkedIn.

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👣 Define your path 👣 Before diving into sending applications and doing interviews, pause and reflect ⏸️🪞 Too often, job seekers skip the first step in the job search process. This is, establishing what you actually want to do. I've spoken to many aspiring game devs who cannot only design games, they can code, they can animate, they can sculpt, they can write and so forth...which is fantastic if you are planning to work on your own game or join a smaller studio. However, if your desire is to work on a larger production, more often than not, you need to become a specialist. So, if you are looking to work at a big studio....start defining your path... ...ask yourself.... 🔹Where do your strengths lie? 🔹What do you enjoy doing the most? 🔹What part of the game do you want to have most impact on? 🔹What type of games do you want to make? 🔹Which environment will you thrive in the most? Taking the time to give your path some definition will make your job search more focused. You'll apply for positions with purpose and communicate with certainty and confidence, as you'll know exactly what you're aiming for. 🏹🎯 Define the path, then start the search 👍🏽 #jobsearch #gamedev #careers #students

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If anyone, especially a recruiter says using the #OpenToWork banner is desperate... They're wrong. 🧐 Wanting to put food on the table shouldn't be frowned upon. Accessible resources are limited as is. Don't put others down for making use of them. 👏 The green banner is valid 💚 #GameIndustry #GameDevelopment #Recruiters #Jobseekers #EntryLevel #Layoffs #Support #DEI #Community #Network #OpenToNetwork #LGBTQ+ #Portfolio #Student #Marketing

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Not mentioned in this post, but you could also not ask for a better manager and advocate than Emily!

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You love to see it! If you haven't noticed lately, more of our Talent friends are celebrating offers and more positions are being open right now What does that mean? When companies start surging for People Ops (HR, Recruiters, Talent Marketing) it means they are preparing to hunt for new hires afterward So CHEERS to all our friends in Talent receiving those offers and for those still seeking in Talent and other fields, the time is coming very soon for you too 💙 #HR #Recruiter #NewHires

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Layoffs and studio closures are a business failure. Full stop. Whether you're a publisher, investor, or C-suite. If you haven't built a plan resilient enough for the 100s of landmines this industry has to offer then that is a business failure. A team that ships a bad game is a better team. A studio that's dealt with bad culture is a better studio. When you throw that investment out, it's only going to benefit somebody else (and significantly damage the industry in the process)

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It was a pleasure sitting down with our exceptional leaders at Tripledot Studios to talk about Life at Tripledot! Shout out to Evolution Recruitment Gaming for hosting this conversation! 🎧 Hope you enjoy the listen! Here are the three questions I personally related to the most: 1️⃣ What advice would you give to someone starting in the industry and preparing for interviews? CUT THE BULLSH*T Be upfront about what you know and what you don’t—especially when it comes to industry-specific knowledge. It’s okay not to know everything; all of this can be learned. What really matters is honesty and trust. 2️⃣ What should leaders know when entering the industry to be successful? Ditch the concept of CULTURE FIT. It drives us to biased hiring. Instead, let's focus on diversity of ideas and personalities. Seek out people with different backgrounds and skill sets who still meet the core requirements of the role. They may not have the CV you’re used to seeing, but they will make a difference. 3️⃣ Do you have a personal story about your growth at Tripledot? TRUST is everything. I have received a lot of it throughout my time at Tripledot Studios and it made me the leader I am today. If you are a young leader still trying to figure out how to do right by your team and getting the most out of them - here is my recommendation: * Don't be too hard on yourself - you will fail along the way, you will make wrong decisions, and you will keep getting better. Speak to other leaders - you will learn very quickly that they are facing the same struggles. * Identify what matters to your key stakeholders - make sure you adjust your way of working based on the stakeholders you have. It might be a specific way of presenting that works better, it could be the urgency with which you respond to a request or it might be as simple as trying to be short and sweet with your messages. * Hire the right people - easier said then done right? Yes, and you will make mistakes here like in any other area of your development. Learn from your mistakes and don't take compromises. Be conscious of you biases and as said before be open to nice, smart people that are willing to learn. That is all you need. Excited to hear your thoughts! Let’s keep building an industry that we’re all proud to be part of!

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Best feature I've seen lately for companies and job seekers is a weekly automated newsletter with current opportunities (preferably per country or city) in the company. job title as hyperlink to the job add.

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Another big publisher set to fire 600 employees. This post is intended to support those who were recently laid off. Please share it within your community and tag studios and recruiters who are actively hiring. "We'll hear troubling news from the offices of Zynga, Gearbox, 2K, and even Rockstar—a far cry from earlier statements about layoffs from Take-Two's CEO." To combat, I am adding 5 resources below for all impacted professionals : 1) Our flagship Full-stack game programming bootcamp worth $11,000. We're giving course content out on 100% scholarship for anyone who's willing to transition into game programming or upskill in programming. (Mail: [email protected]) 2) Join our Discord Community and help professionals who are asking questions related to portfolio building, job seeking, interviews, and broadly their next career step. We have added help roles for programming, Unity, Unreal, DSA, Careers. Pick these roles and only get notified when someone asks questions related to your expertise. 3) Your team is hiring? Here's a list of 900+ professionals who were laid off recently: https://bit.ly/49Ah2vT Do them a favor by sharing this list with your 1st degree connections who're hiring. 4) We now have 14368 gamedev jobs from all over the world. https://lnkd.in/gerWUkc5 5) Become a volunteer: If you're a senior professional, you can mentor these professionals, conduct mock interviews, assess their portfolios and give feedback on what would work for them and what wouldn't. Join by adding your name here: https://lnkd.in/gwPhHen4 Get more out of Game Dev community on LinkedIn 🍄 Amir Satvat is back on LinkedIn with the OG list of resources. 💼 Caitlin Cooke is the fastest source of fresh jobs in the industry (yes, remote jobs too) 🎤 Follow Jordan Mazer for greatest tips and pointers around game jobs & interviews. 🔥 Hailey's feed will keep you updated with everything that's happening in the gaming world. 🔝 Connect with Arin Goldsmith and be part of her amazing #SocialSunday initiative. #games #gamedev #jobs #layoffs

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Short version: Steam says we don't own games, we just purchase a license and it can all be taken away. GoG was right, so they made a cheeky response. And we knew all this, as gamers, but we didn't really have it spelled out so clearly. Does it affect you personally? Your game? Your game purchasing habits? #Gamesdev #Steam #GoG #GameOwnership #GameNews #News #GamesIndustry

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Breaking into the gaming industry is tough. I did it without any help. Here’s how: 1. Start reading job ads You need to know what companies are looking for. • Check daily job postings • Understand industry trends • Note the common requirements 2. Identify missing skills Find out what you lack. • List the gaps • Prioritize the most crucial ones • Compare your skills with job ads 3. Enforce your skill set Fill those gaps with dedication. • Take online courses • Practice regularly • Build a portfolio 4. Build your network Connections are key. • Attend industry events • Join online forums • Reach out to professionals Remember during the process: • Patience is Key • Sustainable Learning • Have fun and enjoy the process Our industry needs you. P.S Got any tips that helped you break into the gaming industry?

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Our latest jobs update 👇

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Unfortunately, LinkedIn is rife with copy/paste outreach. Do better! A couple of recommendations for Recruiters and BD individuals who are doing passive outreach: ✍ Customize outreach (it takes little to no time) ⏲ Keep it brief and specific 📢 Explain WHY it would be worth someone's time 💻 Track outreach and respect boundaries

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If you are in a leadership role on a software project and you demand changes without any regard for the impact those changes have on scope or timelines or resourcing, you are not a leader. You are a difficult client. You are actively detrimental to the success of the product. Know the costs. Get involved. Don’t make your whims everyone else’s problem to straighten out.

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This week is the one-year anniversary of my layoff. Despite submitting numerous applications and several interviews, I remain unemployed. But instead of dwelling on my misfortune, which I can and have done in private, I think it would be healthier for me to focus on and list what I can be fortunate for during this challenging time in my career. 1. To be with my (parent's) cats: One of them is pictured below; her name is Ayla. 2. To have a stable home to live in: Moving back in with my folks is not ideal, but I am thankful to have shelter and not be homeless. Also, paying rent and finding a job would not be ideal. 3. To have a supportive community: Ever since moving back to Orange County, I have been fortunate enough to find a community of game developers to relate to and talk to through the OC IGDA, Beer Wednesday, and a few online communities. 4. To have supportive friends: They have been critical to maintaining my spirit and helping me to keep going. I honestly think I would have given up months ago if I didn't have them to talk to and look up to. 5. To have a project to work on: Specifically, a project that I can work on production on. Working on Waxheart has been essential in not only maintaining but also expanding and augmenting my production skills. 6. To have access to public resources: I don't utilize resources as often as I should, but the few times that I have, they have gotten a lot out of them. 7. To have resolved major blocks regarding interviews: If you have ever talked to me, you know I am pretty transparent about being bad at interviews. However, I was much worse a year ago, leading me to do terribly in interviews for roles I would have been a great fit for. But now, my interviewing has improved greatly thanks to a few tricks. I believe I still have some work to do, but I'm much better than I was last year. And that's all I can think of for now. As usual, I am available and open to work. If you have any production needs and think I would be an ideal fit, please don't hesitate to reach out to me.

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