Computer Games industry
#1
Forum Regular
Thread Starter
Joined: Sep 2010
Location: Surrey, UK. Moving to Frankfurt in Feb '12
Posts: 62
Computer Games industry
My partner's a games artist, and we're looking to emigrate. I *think* it's likely we might end up in Canada, but there's a possibility of the States too.
Basically, I was interested in chatting to anyone in this field and hearing about their experiences in relation to the UK companies. Etc.
He's worked cross-platforms on AAA titles.
Thanks.
Basically, I was interested in chatting to anyone in this field and hearing about their experiences in relation to the UK companies. Etc.
He's worked cross-platforms on AAA titles.
Thanks.
#2
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Feb 2006
Location: Maryland
Posts: 667
Re: Computer Games industry
My partner's a games artist, and we're looking to emigrate. I *think* it's likely we might end up in Canada, but there's a possibility of the States too.
Basically, I was interested in chatting to anyone in this field and hearing about their experiences in relation to the UK companies. Etc.
He's worked cross-platforms on AAA titles.
Thanks.
Basically, I was interested in chatting to anyone in this field and hearing about their experiences in relation to the UK companies. Etc.
He's worked cross-platforms on AAA titles.
Thanks.
If you are willing to get married then here is a list of ways to live and work in the US http://britishexpats.com/wiki/Pulask...ork_in_the_USA
#3
Forum Regular
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 60
Re: Computer Games industry
I'd suggest searching major software / games companies and see which of them sponsor H1-Bs:
http://www.immihelp.com/h1b-sponsori...nies-database/
http://www.immihelp.com/h1b-sponsori...nies-database/
#4
Re: Computer Games industry
Good luck!
Quite a few of us on BE.
Most people get transferred over, from Lionhead over to 345 or whatever the kinect studio is etc and EA, Disney have done a a fair few transfer.
Quite a few coders get H1B, but little tougher on artists, perhaps tech artists get a chance. I knew a place trying to get an animator an O1 and they failed and he had credits the length of my arm.
It really depends on which hub your looking to chase up, more opportunities in the west coast obviously, but the down side is more competition, so unless your pretty senior, art director kind of level, it'll be a hard sell to get a H1B.
Canada is probably your best bet for a decent visa opportunity especially if things don't work out.
Saying that, 38 Studios need to hire 450 within 4 years to get their loan money, but then that's down in Rhode Island and there's nothing else out there.
gamedevmap.com probably already seen, but throwing it out there
Quite a few of us on BE.
Most people get transferred over, from Lionhead over to 345 or whatever the kinect studio is etc and EA, Disney have done a a fair few transfer.
Quite a few coders get H1B, but little tougher on artists, perhaps tech artists get a chance. I knew a place trying to get an animator an O1 and they failed and he had credits the length of my arm.
It really depends on which hub your looking to chase up, more opportunities in the west coast obviously, but the down side is more competition, so unless your pretty senior, art director kind of level, it'll be a hard sell to get a H1B.
Canada is probably your best bet for a decent visa opportunity especially if things don't work out.
Saying that, 38 Studios need to hire 450 within 4 years to get their loan money, but then that's down in Rhode Island and there's nothing else out there.
gamedevmap.com probably already seen, but throwing it out there
#5
N99sea
Joined: Aug 2007
Location: Seattle, WA
Posts: 248
Re: Computer Games industry
Yep, I know a gamer who was transferred over from London...but then the company laid off half their people, inc. all those on work visas. Lucky for him he married an American.
Naomi.
Naomi.
#6
Re: Computer Games industry
My partner's a games artist, and we're looking to emigrate. I *think* it's likely we might end up in Canada, but there's a possibility of the States too.
Basically, I was interested in chatting to anyone in this field and hearing about their experiences in relation to the UK companies. Etc.
He's worked cross-platforms on AAA titles.
Thanks.
Basically, I was interested in chatting to anyone in this field and hearing about their experiences in relation to the UK companies. Etc.
He's worked cross-platforms on AAA titles.
Thanks.
#8
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Jan 2010
Location: Sammamish, WA
Posts: 300
Re: Computer Games industry
My husband works in games (audio) and we've just come over on an O visa. His employers wanted him over asap so we didn't bother with the H1B as it would have meant an October start.
He found his job on the internet.
Gamesindustry.biz has a load of international vacancies from agencies all over the world on the back end of their emails which is somewhere to start.
He did try just mailing his CV out to various companies with no effect, his job was actually advertised which helped.
Canada seems to have a thriving Dev community thanks to all the tax breaks, it's somewhere we looked at too.
He found his job on the internet.
Gamesindustry.biz has a load of international vacancies from agencies all over the world on the back end of their emails which is somewhere to start.
He did try just mailing his CV out to various companies with no effect, his job was actually advertised which helped.
Canada seems to have a thriving Dev community thanks to all the tax breaks, it's somewhere we looked at too.
#9
Forum Regular
Thread Starter
Joined: Sep 2010
Location: Surrey, UK. Moving to Frankfurt in Feb '12
Posts: 62
Re: Computer Games industry
thanks for the advice, everyone. It does indeed sound quite the jungle out there.
Can I ask did anyone else think about Canada and why didn't they go?
Congrats, Hubcaps! That's great news!
Hi N1cky. It was recommended on the canada board that I try and chat to you. It doesn't sound you've got happy stories though!
Bob Hope all works out for you.
Can I ask did anyone else think about Canada and why didn't they go?
Congrats, Hubcaps! That's great news!
Hi N1cky. It was recommended on the canada board that I try and chat to you. It doesn't sound you've got happy stories though!
Bob Hope all works out for you.
#10
Re: Computer Games industry
thanks for the advice, everyone. It does indeed sound quite the jungle out there.
Can I ask did anyone else think about Canada and why didn't they go?
Congrats, Hubcaps! That's great news!
Hi N1cky. It was recommended on the canada board that I try and chat to you. It doesn't sound you've got happy stories though!
Bob Hope all works out for you.
Can I ask did anyone else think about Canada and why didn't they go?
Congrats, Hubcaps! That's great news!
Hi N1cky. It was recommended on the canada board that I try and chat to you. It doesn't sound you've got happy stories though!
Bob Hope all works out for you.
The industry is so small in the UK and the opportunities out here are massive in comparison, if we had to do it all again i'd still do the same thing
#11
Re: Computer Games industry
Gamesindustry.biz has a load of international vacancies from agencies all over the world on the back end of their emails which is somewhere to start.
He did try just mailing his CV out to various companies with no effect, his job was actually advertised which helped.
Canada seems to have a thriving Dev community thanks to all the tax breaks, it's somewhere we looked at too.
He did try just mailing his CV out to various companies with no effect, his job was actually advertised which helped.
Canada seems to have a thriving Dev community thanks to all the tax breaks, it's somewhere we looked at too.
Edit: to the OP, only reason I didn't go to Canada, the missus is from the US and that's how I got here and have a greencard and got laid off just as I was about to apply for citizenship, so just saved the money and still on the greencard, can't afford the expense right now, other wise we'd probably have moved.
Last edited by Bob; Sep 17th 2010 at 3:19 pm.
#12
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Jan 2010
Location: Sammamish, WA
Posts: 300
Re: Computer Games industry
Those places are good source, can then google the recruiters wording to find actual place and apply direct, or ask around and someone will know where the place is....direct approach can help as it'll save a fortune in recruiter fees.
Edit: to the OP, only reason I didn't go to Canada, the missus is from the US and that's how I got here and have a greencard and got laid off just as I was about to apply for citizenship, so just saved the money and still on the greencard, can't afford the expense right now, other wise we'd probably have moved.
Edit: to the OP, only reason I didn't go to Canada, the missus is from the US and that's how I got here and have a greencard and got laid off just as I was about to apply for citizenship, so just saved the money and still on the greencard, can't afford the expense right now, other wise we'd probably have moved.
We didn't go to Canada because we both really wanted to come to Washington (hey it's only a couple of hours away) and the "yes" to this job was pretty swift. If this job had been a no then it was next on the list to actively pursue.