| Author |
 Topic  |
|
Kuje
Great Reader
USA
7915 Posts |
 Posted - 10 Oct 2008 : 22:21:24
|
|
http://hasbro.recruitmax.com/main/careerportal/Job_Profile.cfm?szOrderID=3476
|
For some of us, books are as important as almost anything else on earth. What a miracle it is that out of these small, flat, rigid squares of paper unfolds world after world, worlds that sing to you, comfort and quiet and excite you... Books are full of the things that you don't get in real life - wonderful, lyrical language, for instance, right off the bat. - Anne Lamott, Bird by Bird
Scribe for the Candlekeep Compendium |
|
|
Kentinal
Great Reader
4685 Posts |
Posted - 10 Oct 2008 : 22:49:22
|
So are they starting 5th Edition plan?
4th Ed design team appears very pleased with what they put out, *sighs* |
"Small beings can have small wisdom," the dragon said. "And small wise beings are better than small fools. Listen: Wisdom is caring for afterwards."
"Caring for afterwards ...? Ker repeated this without understanding.
"After action, afterwards," the dragon said. "Choose the afterwards first, then the action. Fools choose action first."
"Judgement" copyright 2003 by Elizabeth Moon |
 |
|
|
Purple Dragon Knight
Master of Realmslore
Canada
1796 Posts |
Posted - 10 Oct 2008 : 23:15:10
|
"Note – There is no relocation assistance for this position."
means:
"Note - This job is for suckers or unemployed people with low self-esteem, OR for other gaming industry dudes in the area of Renton/Seattle, which means we don't want to bring any fresh air in this organization and we like to keep it open only for those who we think could fit in our old, diseased and decrepit old boys network of D&D lifers who wear shorts and sandals (with gray socks) well into their fourties, and think they're still cool." |
|
|
|
Wooly Rupert
Master of Mischief
USA
36779 Posts |
Posted - 10 Oct 2008 : 23:34:42
|
quote:
Originally posted by Purple Dragon Knight
"Note – There is no relocation assistance for this position."
means:
"Note - This job is for suckers or unemployed people with low self-esteem, OR for other gaming industry dudes in the area of Renton/Seattle, which means we don't want to bring any fresh air in this organization and we like to keep it open only for those who we think could fit in our old, diseased and decrepit old boys network of D&D lifers who wear shorts and sandals (with gray socks) well into their fourties, and think they're still cool."
That's hardly fair. Just because they don't want to shell out extra money to get someone there doesn't mean they don't want fresh air. Moving can be expensive -- especially if breaking a lease is involved. And it's also not a fair characterization to say there is no fresh talent in the Renton area.
I'm all for bashing WotC, too, but let's be reasonable about it. |
Candlekeep Forums Moderator
Candlekeep - The Library of Forgotten Realms Lore
http://www.candlekeep.com -- Candlekeep Forum Code of Conduct
I am the Giant Space Hamster of Ill Omen!  |
|
|
|
Erik Scott de Bie
Forgotten Realms Author
USA
4598 Posts |
Posted - 11 Oct 2008 : 02:10:05
|
Agreed, Wooly. I'm a Seattle-ite myself, my day-job being in Renton, so take it from me: the D&D lifer crowd here does not fit the listed stereotypes whatsoever.
I personally know and am friends with quite a few people in the local area who are very talented and would be huge assets to WotC.
Relocation assistance is, in these times of economic apocalypse, more of a courtesy than a standard. And Seattle/Renton is an extremely pricey area (second probably to San Francisco on this coast).
Cheers |
Erik Scott de Bie
'Tis easier to destroy than to create.
Author of a number of Realms novels (GHOSTWALKER, DEPTHS OF MADNESS, and the SHADOWBANE series), contributor to the NEVERWINTER CAMPAIGN GUIDE and SHADOWFELL: GLOOMWROUGHT AND BEYOND, Twitch DM of the Dungeon Scrawlers, currently playing "The Westgate Irregulars" |
|
|
|
Purple Dragon Knight
Master of Realmslore
Canada
1796 Posts |
Posted - 11 Oct 2008 : 05:41:00
|
| You get what you pay for in life. That's all I'll say about it. |
|
|
|
Wooly Rupert
Master of Mischief
USA
36779 Posts |
Posted - 11 Oct 2008 : 06:27:44
|
quote:
Originally posted by Purple Dragon Knight
You get what you pay for in life. That's all I'll say about it.
Be reasonable. When moving, you've got to pay for the truck, the gas, the movers (if you use professionals), and possibly breaking the lease of the place you're at (which, at my last apartment, was a fine of two months' rent). Then, on the other end, you've got hotel costs until the person finds a place to live. If it's an apartment, you've got a security deposit and likely the first month's rent, and possibly a pet deposit, as well. If it's a house, you've got all the associated costs with the purchase -- which includes appraisals, inspections, insurance, and closing costs. Either way, once a place to live is found, then you've got deposits on utilities and services.
All in all, you're looking at several thousand dollars, on top of whatever salary your new person wants. And I'm going to assume that game designers are not well paid, so that several thousand dollars spent on relocation can effectively be 20% or more of the person's starting salary. With profit margins tight, an economy that's iffy to say the least, and a not overly large budget to work with, do you really think WotC is going to willingly shell out that kind of money for someone who might not work out once he or she is there?
No business in WotC's position would do that, so why come down on WotC for not doing it?
Erik proves that there is talent in that area -- hells, Jeff Grubb is still in that area, and he was one of the best people to ever work on Realms stuff! With talent in the area, why shell out money to import it?
I hate what WotC's done to the setting, too, as well as to the game. But I'm not going to go looking for reasons to bash them, especially when it's not appropriate. When they deserve it, I'll speak. When they don't, I'll defend them against those who do bash them without reason. |
Candlekeep Forums Moderator
Candlekeep - The Library of Forgotten Realms Lore
http://www.candlekeep.com -- Candlekeep Forum Code of Conduct
I am the Giant Space Hamster of Ill Omen! |
Edited by - Wooly Rupert on 11 Oct 2008 06:31:02 |
|
|
|
Pandora
Learned Scribe
Germany
305 Posts |
Posted - 11 Oct 2008 : 09:25:26
|
quote:
Originally posted by Wooly Rupert
That's hardly fair. Just because they don't want to shell out extra money to get someone there doesn't mean they don't want fresh air. Moving can be expensive -- especially if breaking a lease is involved. And it's also not a fair characterization to say there is no fresh talent in the Renton area.
Well they DO require the usual "Five plus year of gaming industry experience", so they arent asking for "random newbies" but rather people who know their job. So its not unreasonable to think moving them to the company headquarters would be too bad or unwarranted. Communicating with other team members just doesnt work well over long distance.
After seeing the WotC offices in Dorkness Rising though I wouldnt really want to work there myself ... office cubicles are sooo unstylish and un-gamerish and really "80s slavedriver style". |
If you cant say what youre meaning,
you can never mean what youre saying.
- Centauri Minister of Intelligence, Babylon 5 |
Edited by - Pandora on 11 Oct 2008 09:26:15 |
|
|
|
Kuje
Great Reader
USA
7915 Posts |
Posted - 11 Oct 2008 : 17:05:30
|
| My topic got highjacked. :) All I'm saying. |
For some of us, books are as important as almost anything else on earth. What a miracle it is that out of these small, flat, rigid squares of paper unfolds world after world, worlds that sing to you, comfort and quiet and excite you... Books are full of the things that you don't get in real life - wonderful, lyrical language, for instance, right off the bat. - Anne Lamott, Bird by Bird
Scribe for the Candlekeep Compendium |
|
|
|
Erik Scott de Bie
Forgotten Realms Author
USA
4598 Posts |
Posted - 11 Oct 2008 : 19:59:03
|
quote:
Originally posted by Wooly Rupert
Erik proves that there is talent in that area -- hells, Jeff Grubb is still in that area, and he was one of the best people to ever work on Realms stuff! With talent in the area, why shell out money to import it?
Wolf Baur also lives in the area, and he's one of the best designers I know.
And of course Paizo operates in the area, and we know how much wicked talent is over there.
Not to mention the dozens of amateur gamers/designers I've gamed with over the 3.5 years I've lived here.
Cheers |
Erik Scott de Bie
'Tis easier to destroy than to create.
Author of a number of Realms novels (GHOSTWALKER, DEPTHS OF MADNESS, and the SHADOWBANE series), contributor to the NEVERWINTER CAMPAIGN GUIDE and SHADOWFELL: GLOOMWROUGHT AND BEYOND, Twitch DM of the Dungeon Scrawlers, currently playing "The Westgate Irregulars" |
|
|
|
The Sage
Procrastinator Most High
Australia
31701 Posts |
Posted - 12 Oct 2008 : 01:17:30
|
quote:
Originally posted by Kuje
My topic got highjacked. :) All I'm saying.
Indeed. I'd actually like to see a little more discussion on the actual information contained in the link Kuje initially posted. |
Candlekeep Forums Moderator
Candlekeep - The Library of Forgotten Realms Lore
http://www.candlekeep.com -- Candlekeep Forum Code of Conduct
Scribe for the Candlekeep Compendium -- Volume IX now available (Oct 2007)
"So Saith Ed" -- the collected Candlekeep replies of Ed Greenwood
Zhoth'ilam Folio -- The Electronic Misadventures of a Rambling Sage |
|
|
|
Kentinal
Great Reader
4685 Posts |
Posted - 12 Oct 2008 : 02:33:55
|
| I am still wondering why they are recuiting now? |
"Small beings can have small wisdom," the dragon said. "And small wise beings are better than small fools. Listen: Wisdom is caring for afterwards."
"Caring for afterwards ...? Ker repeated this without understanding.
"After action, afterwards," the dragon said. "Choose the afterwards first, then the action. Fools choose action first."
"Judgement" copyright 2003 by Elizabeth Moon |
|
|
|
Wooly Rupert
Master of Mischief
USA
36779 Posts |
Posted - 12 Oct 2008 : 06:00:21
|
quote:
Originally posted by Kentinal
I am still wondering why they are recuiting now?
Too many defections to Paizo, perhaps? Simple attrition? Mayhaps they want new blood for a totally new product line... I don't think we'll find out without an insider specifically saying something, and usually that kind of thing is prohibited. |
Candlekeep Forums Moderator
Candlekeep - The Library of Forgotten Realms Lore
http://www.candlekeep.com -- Candlekeep Forum Code of Conduct
I am the Giant Space Hamster of Ill Omen! |
|
|
|
Brian R. James
Forgotten Realms Game Designer
USA
1098 Posts |
Posted - 12 Oct 2008 : 18:15:30
|
| I'd be shocked if Eytan Bernstein didn't apply for and receive the position |
Brian R. James - Freelance Game Designer
Follow me on Twitter @brianrjames |
|
|
|
Shemmy
Senior Scribe
USA
492 Posts |
Posted - 15 Oct 2008 : 07:35:40
|
quote:
Originally posted by Kentinal
I am still wondering why they are recuiting now?
If I had to speculate, I'd think they might be hiring to beef up the e-zine content from in-house. Now that they're charging people for access, they can't afford to be understaffed in that area.
But I might be completely wrong too.
And on a tangent to the topic, I can't criticize them for the no-relocation aid for the position (based on reasons others' have said). But I've yet to see a position in which they -do- offer relocation aid, and that may just be WotC or Hasbro policy.
However considering the massive delays in the DDI and the year they spent partially outsourced to Radiant Machine with essentially no product to show for it, it seems like suicide to restrict their potential talent pool to locals only in that other department (especially with a good number of those positions still not filled months later). I also would worry with that locals only caveat about the ability to recruit the best coding talent unless they're willing to pay those folks industry standard or better - which (idle speculation) probably runs higher than the game designers for WotC, if the salary range in my gaming group for professional code-monkeys is a good estimate. |
Shemeska the Marauder, King of the Crosstrade; voted #1 best Arcanaloth in Sigil two hundred years running by the people who know what's best for them; chant broker; prospective Sigil council member next election; and official travel agent for Chamada Holiday specials LLC.
|
Edited by - Shemmy on 15 Oct 2008 07:37:02 |
|
|
|
Hawkins
Great Reader
USA
2131 Posts |
Posted - 15 Oct 2008 : 16:11:47
|
| I wonder if the guy who got this position last year got laid off in the mass layoffs at WotC a couple of months ago...might not be that great of job security... |
Errant d20 Designer - My Blog (last updated January 06, 2016)
One, two! One, two! And through and through
The vorpal blade went snicker-snack!
He left it dead, and with its head
He went galumphing back. --Lewis Carroll, Through the Looking-Glass
"Mmm, not the darkness," Myrin murmured. "Don't cast it there." --Erik Scott de Bie, Shadowbane
* My character sheets (PFRPG, 3.5, and AE versions; not viewable in Internet Explorer)
* Pathfinder Roleplaying Game Reference Document (PFRPG OGL Rules)
* The Hypertext d20 SRD (3.5 OGL Rules)
* 3.5 D&D Archives
My game design work:
* Heroes of the Jade Oath (PFRPG, conversion; Rite Publishing)
* Compendium Arcanum Volume 1: Cantrips & Orisons (PFRPG, designer; d20pfsrd.com Publishing)
* Compendium Arcanum Volume 2: 1st-Level Spells (PFRPG, designer; d20pfsrd.com Publishing)
* Martial Arts Guidebook (forthcoming) (PFRPG, designer; Rite Publishing)
|
|
|
|
Wooly Rupert
Master of Mischief
USA
36779 Posts |
Posted - 15 Oct 2008 : 16:32:42
|
quote:
Originally posted by HawkinstheDM
I wonder if the guy who got this position last year got laid off in the mass layoffs at WotC a couple of months ago...might not be that great of job security...
It could be a newly-created position, or it could be replacing a long-time staffer who left for his own reasons. We don't know enough to make any calls here. |
Candlekeep Forums Moderator
Candlekeep - The Library of Forgotten Realms Lore
http://www.candlekeep.com -- Candlekeep Forum Code of Conduct
I am the Giant Space Hamster of Ill Omen! |
|
|
|
EytanBernstein
Forgotten Realms Designer
USA
704 Posts |
Posted - 15 Oct 2008 : 20:07:56
|
quote:
Originally posted by Brian R. James
I'd be shocked if Eytan Bernstein didn't apply for and receive the position
From your mouth to God's ears Brian. I certainly did apply.
On another note, WotC has offered relocation for other positions on numerous other occasions - just not on this one. |
http://eytanbernstein.com - the official website of Eytan Bernstein |
|
|
|
scererar
Master of Realmslore
USA
1618 Posts |
Posted - 16 Oct 2008 : 01:49:48
|
quote:
Originally posted by HawkinstheDM
I wonder if the guy who got this position last year got laid off in the mass layoffs at WotC a couple of months ago...might not be that great of job security...
What constitutes a mass layoff in your opinion? This is interesting to me, due to what I do in my RW job, assisting unemployed folks. From anything I was able to read, it was not "mass". |
Edited by - scererar on 16 Oct 2008 01:51:42 |
|
|
|
Purple Dragon Knight
Master of Realmslore
Canada
1796 Posts |
Posted - 16 Oct 2008 : 01:59:19
|
| I think this online e-zine and other apps are not going to be a hit... that's just my engineer's intuition though, after browsing the various demos and previews... |
|
|
|
EytanBernstein
Forgotten Realms Designer
USA
704 Posts |
Posted - 17 Oct 2008 : 14:49:34
|
quote:
Originally posted by scererar
quote:
Originally posted by HawkinstheDM
I wonder if the guy who got this position last year got laid off in the mass layoffs at WotC a couple of months ago...might not be that great of job security...
What constitutes a mass layoff in your opinion? This is interesting to me, due to what I do in my RW job, assisting unemployed folks. From anything I was able to read, it was not "mass".
To my knowledge, this is a new position, not a replacement. |
http://eytanbernstein.com - the official website of Eytan Bernstein |
|
|
|
George Krashos
Master of Realmslore
Australia
6646 Posts |
Posted - 25 Oct 2008 : 03:00:11
|
Hey Eytan - you got that job yet?
-- George Krashos
|
"Because only we, contrary to the barbarians, never count the enemy in battle." -- Aeschylus |
|
|
|
Markustay
Realms Explorer extraordinaire
USA
15724 Posts |
Posted - 25 Oct 2008 : 20:57:47
|
Hopefully Eytan, along with Brian (and dare I hope George?) will be able to save the 4e Realms from the mediocracey that is currently plaguing it.
They need good talent like those guys to keep us interested. |
"I have never in my life learned anything from any man who agreed with me" --- Dudley Field Malone
|
|
|
|
Uzzy
Senior Scribe
United Kingdom
618 Posts |
Posted - 25 Oct 2008 : 22:31:56
|
| I'm sure they can save it, just as soon as they actually start publishing stuff for the Realms. Not this exercise in Cordell's ego that's currently masquerading as the Realms. |
|
|
|
Wooly Rupert
Master of Mischief
USA
36779 Posts |
|
|
Jamallo Kreen
Master of Realmslore
USA
1537 Posts |
Posted - 27 Oct 2008 : 02:22:44
|
Is this that job which requires the holder to wear a suit -- you know, the suit which has those concentric red and white circles on the back?
(Pace, Mr. Larson!)
|
I have a mouth, but I am in a library and must not scream.
Feed the poor and stroke your ego, too: http://www.freerice.com/index.php.
|
|
|
|
Jakk
Great Reader
Canada
2165 Posts |
Posted - 27 Oct 2008 : 04:53:49
|
quote:
Originally posted by Uzzy
I'm sure they can save it, just as soon as they actually start publishing stuff for the Realms. Not this [true story, however the names have been eliminated to protect the guilty] that's currently masquerading as the Realms.
Everything is salvageable... WotC proved it by moving for a full reset of Greyhawk.  |
Playing in the Realms since the Old Grey Box (1987)... and *still* having fun with material published before 2008, despite the NDA'd lore.
If it's comparable in power with non-magical abilities, it's not magic. |
|
|
|
Purple Dragon Knight
Master of Realmslore
Canada
1796 Posts |
Posted - 27 Oct 2008 : 06:43:55
|
Taldorans are also trying to salvage their crumbling, decadent empire... but their colonies are now countries in their own right, and have moved on.
For more Golarion goodness, please consult the Pathfinder Chronicles Campaign Setting. It's awesome. Perhaps even better then [gasp!] any of the FR stuff I've ever read. Not entirely blasphemous talk if I say so myself, as Ed Greenwood co-wrote that book. Anyone who hasn't purchased it here should do so quickly. It's that good. Do it. Now. |
|
|
|
Markustay
Realms Explorer extraordinaire
USA
15724 Posts |
Posted - 27 Oct 2008 : 06:56:54
|
Paizo does something weird - they leave all of the 'Ed Flavor' in Ed's writing.
Hasn't anyone told them they are supposed to edit-out all the 'good stuff'. 
And I wouldn't knock Mr.Cordell like that - he used to be one of my favorite designers back in 2e (I still use College of Wizardry).
I think he just lost his head...
(and yeah, that was a REAL bad joke, if anyone even got it). 
|
"I have never in my life learned anything from any man who agreed with me" --- Dudley Field Malone
|
Edited by - Markustay on 27 Oct 2008 06:58:42 |
|
|
|
Uzzy
Senior Scribe
United Kingdom
618 Posts |
Posted - 27 Oct 2008 : 16:27:46
|
quote:
Originally posted by Wooly Rupert
Let's have a little less designer bashing, please. 
Designer implies something. Unfortunately for 'That One', taking a bucket of white wash to a setting doesn't count. |
|
|
|
Wooly Rupert
Master of Mischief
USA
36779 Posts |
Posted - 27 Oct 2008 : 17:17:45
|
quote:
Originally posted by Uzzy
quote:
Originally posted by Wooly Rupert
Let's have a little less designer bashing, please.
Designer implies something. Unfortunately for 'That One', taking a bucket of white wash to a setting doesn't count.
And I will again say: unless you have specific evidence to offer that he was solely responsible, then don't accuse him. |
Candlekeep Forums Moderator
Candlekeep - The Library of Forgotten Realms Lore
http://www.candlekeep.com -- Candlekeep Forum Code of Conduct
I am the Giant Space Hamster of Ill Omen! |
|
|
|
Topic |
|
WOTC RPG Associtate Game Designer position
