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Want To Work On BioWare's Star Wars Game?

Posted by Hemos on from the i-just-want-to-play-it dept.

Johnathon Walls writes: "BioWare, the developers of the recently announced Star Wars role playing game, has posted a job offer for art director on the Star Wars game via IGN PC. 'Applicants must have industry experience and a strong art foundation. Submit resume with portfolio demonstrating skills in 3DSMax, Photoshop, Drawing, painting, graphic design. Superb scheduling and people skills required.' Undoubtedly you'll have to move to Canada, but I can't imagine that's going to stop anyone!" Mmmm...playing Icewind Dale [?] ...want Star Wars.

56 comments

  1. Re:will it suck? by g_mcbay · · Score: 1
    Lucasarts has been using lots of external development teams for a long time now. Totally Games does the X-Wing series. Ronin did Force Commander...this isn't anything new.

    At any rate, I agree with you on the main point of what you posted. Everything out of Lucasarts, both developed in-house and by third party teams, has been grim since...well, Grim Fangando. Here's hoping Monkey Island 4 will break the rut.

  2. Re:The good ole days by Mr.Jason · · Score: 1

    Been there, done that. Good idea though

  3. Re:uh oh by nomadic · · Score: 1

    I think you underestimate how much some people overestimate their skills. I said he/she would be reading a lot of resumes, not that they'd be qualified applicants. Think of how much time an editor at a publishing company wastes reading the slush pile.
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  4. Re:My request by arcade · · Score: 2

    Eyh! The ewoks are CUTE. The gungans on the other hand.. I hate the creatures. But the ewoks? Don't diss the ewoks man! They rawk! :D

    *starting the flamewar of the day*
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    "Rune Kristian Viken" - http://www.nwo.no - arca
  5. Re:Slasdon't by slugo3 · · Score: 1

    Troll?
    I've been here for years and I dont think I've ever seen a job listing on slashdot

  6. Difficult to work for a game company by Fervent · · Score: 3
    Your chances of getting on as a director for a Star Wars game - or any PC game for that matter - is slim. I've tried everyone from Sierra to Blizzard to id, and each had enormous commitments (not only moving, but 14-hour programming shifts, the ability to fire you at a moment's notice, etc.) for their titles.

    These companies put out great games, but you have to wonder about the sacrifice some of these programmers and artists have to make. They always show programmers firing nerf guns around on Fridays in gaming mags, having fun, but they never show them sitting and staring at the same DirectX screen for 14 hours on end.

    --

    - I don't care if they globalize against free speech. All my best free thoughts are done in my head.

    1. Re:Difficult to work for a game company by agentZ · · Score: 1
      Much much better saner jobs await you... Unless you like long hours with poor pay and the occasional game of quake to keep you from doing the real thing to your co-workers...

      Like all jobs that let you create something, writing games requires a big commitment, lots of time, and sometimes a lot of pressure. But with all tough jobs, if there's something else that you can stand to do, DO IT. If you're just going to work to get a paycheck, there are lots of cushy high paying jobs. If you love coding and gaming, then maybe you should look into the pain...

    2. Re:Difficult to work for a game company by stripes · · Score: 2
      Your chances of getting on as a director for a Star Wars game - or any PC game for that matter - is slim.

      As a director? I have no idea. As a starting programer it didn't seem hard to get a starting programer-job at MP Games (Microprose's now defunct coin-op sister componay) almost ten years ago.

      These companies put out great games, but you have to wonder about the sacrifice some of these programmers and artists have to make.

      Actually I can rather assure you that I do :-)

      It was a lot of work. And there was a lot of collabration with the artists and other coders, so everyone keeping similar hours was pretty important, which makes for painful mornings after an all-nighter.

      Then again working for a little start up (UUNET) was also very demanding. It didn't have the same pain-in-the-ass be-in-in-the-morning requirements, but there was a lot of hard work there. I'm not sure there are worthwhile jobs that arn't demanding.

      They always show programmers firing nerf guns around on Fridays in gaming mags, having fun, but they never show them sitting and staring at the same DirectX screen for 14 hours on end.

      Well nobody shows that stuff. It isn't photogenic. If you ask to see it when you go interview you'll get too (you should at least walk by it even if you don't ask -- be extreamly wary of off-site interviews! Rember you are interviewing them as much as they are interviewing you...at least if you are doing it right!).

      And every place has it's own little steam-blow-offs. Sometimes nerf wars (scheduled or not -- my Wildfire is loaded and ready monkey boy, bring it on). Sometimes gaming. At game componies there is a lot of gaming (the caf had lots of board games in it, and a few CoinOp clasics, plus our own of corse), inclusing "field trips" (either to see your game in test, or just to playtest the others...pity they didn't let me file an expense form for that, but at least it was gaming on work time).

      But other componies have fun things as well. Nerf wars are popular. Cube decorating, and reconfiguring isn't bad. Nor is "lets see if we can get on the roof". Some places will have really long lunches (when far enough from deadlines at least).

      Few componies are utterly devoid of any sort of fun at all. (well, maybe there are, I've only worked at about five places plus some consulting, so and other then consulting all in the MD/VA area)

    3. Re:Difficult to work for a game company by TrevorB · · Score: 2

      Damn, where are my mod points today!

      People... working for a games company SUCKS. My wife worked once in the testing department for a local game company. The programmers would come out with statements like: "Gee, I haven't seen my daughter awake in 2 months!". Deadlines were arbitrary and unmoveable. Close to release date, the place became a madhouse.

      Much much better saner jobs await you... Unless you like long hours with poor pay and the occasional game of quake to keep you from doing the real thing to your co-workers...

    4. Re:Difficult to work for a game company by Amokscience · · Score: 2

      Unlike many technical jobs the game industry requires that your job *becomes* your _life_. Those people who can stay married and happy during that time are very lucky. I know several young people who have gone into the gaming idustry. Unless you have an undying passion for the work you will burn out and leave. Most will say that they work 'normal' work hours untill crunch time but the fact is most game developers can't leave work at work and have a life at home. It's a vicious job.

      Quote from one of these people:
      He: "I came home and my gf jumped all over me saying 'I'm horny, come to bed'"
      Me: "Heh, neglecting your relationshp?"
      He: "I was too tired to even think about it"

      And frankly the payoffs are not very good. Unless you manage to get on board one of the few megahits you're playing bad odds on making any bonus or large royalties. Console gaming is better but not drastically so.

      --
      Fsck cluebie moderators. I'll say what I want, offtopic or not. And fsck having to qualify every bloody statement just
  7. Re:Any connections with the pencil and paper RPG? by Cebu · · Score: 1

    It won't be the WoD RPG, but possibly could be using the D20 system since WotC bought the rights to the SW RPG and are currently developing the RPG under its own D20 system instead of the WoD D6. Since Bioware has fairly decent relationships with WotC (from using Interplay's AD&D 2nd Ed. licence as well as aquiring a D&D 3rd Ed. licence), it wouldn't be surprizing if they choose to use some of WotC's stuff. Still, since there has been no mention of WotC or a licence it is likely that they will not be using a roll based statistics system. I posted information on this subject at: RPGs and Bioware

  8. Re:The good ole days by nomadic · · Score: 1

    I still have never understood how console RPGs are so popular. The few that I've tried are mind-numbingly dull, consisting of hours and hours of menu-based combat. If you want to talk about old, GOOD RPGs, we can bring up Ultima 4-7, or Wasteland.
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  9. Have to move to Canada... by raille · · Score: 1

    the move to Canada should be considered a BENEFIT! a PERK! no honestly, Edmonton is a great city, and anyone who manages to snag this incredible job opportunity will enjoy their time there. unless they're adverse to extreme weather. but the last few winters have been fairly mild...

    1. Re:Have to move to Canada... by yamla · · Score: 1

      I live in Edmonton. Nice enough city but the winters are generally brutal. Only two major cities in the world have worse winters than Edmonton. Winnipeg and Moscow.

      --

      Oceania has always been at war with Eastasia.
  10. Re:The good ole days by Faw · · Score: 1

    ....those for hours on end. Yes modern games have better graphics, no doubt this new Star Wars will too, but how good will the story line really be? Star Wars for N64 sucked in my ....

    Lately LucasArts has sucked, is true, but they have developed some of the best games (in my opinion) and most of them have great story lines. The last great LucasArts game I played was X-Wing:Alliance, awesome game and with a great plot, not like what most people here seem to like Doom and Quake (The story is great in those. Yeah right!). I have seen only 4 FPS with good stories and 2 are from LucasArts, the others are Half-life and Deus Ex. The zillion others are terribly boring.

    The Dig, Full Throttle, The Maniac Mansions, the Monkey Islands, the Indiana Jones, Dark forces, X-Wings. All 3 different genres yet all have great stories. Give them a chance, they'll get better again, after all there's a new Monkey Island in the works, and I'm sure that it will rock.

  11. Re:My request by MattBaggins · · Score: 1

    They should design this game as a FPS... Run around as Bobba Fett shooting fawking Gungans and Ewoks. George Lucas should be forced to play the game for 6 months straight as punishment for creating those damn characters.

  12. Re:CANADIANS RULE!!! by Ne0phyte · · Score: 1

    Oh dear, what we have here is a clear example of another kid that's discovered how to speak like a l33t h@x0rr. Wh3n @r3 y0u p30pl3 g01ng t0 gr0w up??

    --
    "You have the right to remain silent. Anything you say will be misquoted, then used against you."
  13. Re:uh oh by jallen02 · · Score: 1

    Point taken :) yer right

  14. I dont want to work on the games! by piku · · Score: 1

    The Episode 1 universe sucks ass. Screw those lame ass yellow ships, I want an X-Wing, A-Wing, TIE Advances, Star Destroyer, Super Star Destroyer, etc. The Episode 1 universe sucks ass and everyone (should) know it.

    And this is on topic because the new games are being based on the time period of Episode 1.

  15. Hmm by Th3+D0t · · Score: 2

    "Worst Article Ever."
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    I am the dot in slashdot.org
  16. Re:Boo Yah! by Razman · · Score: 1

    Yes I agree, Edmonton is a excellent place to live. And as a fellow Edmontonian, I knew about the Whyte Ave website quite a while ago. Raz

  17. The Slashdot Want Ads by thunker · · Score: 1

    My employer wants to know how much it costs to place a job ad on Slashdot? Or is it free if the ad simply mentions Star Wars, Linux, or The Who?

  18. Re:My request by FortKnox · · Score: 1

    I'm still peeved that they took out the 'yub-yub' song in return of the jedi! That song was the bomb!! -FK


    -- "Almost everyone is an idiot. If you think I'm exaggerating, then you're one of them."

    --
    Good quote, too many chars. Seriously, the slashdot 120 char limit sucks!
  19. move to Canada??? by RelliK · · Score: 1

    some of us are already in Canada! Bad, Hemos, bad!
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    If you think big enough, you'll never have to do it.
  20. Re:uh oh by FortKnox · · Score: 1

    HR people for any gaming company constantly has a whole load of resumes to go through.
    The gaming industry is one of the most sought-after places to work.
    My guess is that they hire 16 year olds to sort through the resumes and pull out all the ones that do not have the prerequisite requirements (cause you know there is a million kids trying to get in without any experience or the required skills).

    -FK


    -- "Almost everyone is an idiot. If you think I'm exaggerating, then you're one of them."

    --
    Good quote, too many chars. Seriously, the slashdot 120 char limit sucks!
  21. Open Source Star Wars game here! by John+Harrison · · Score: 1
    Maybe I could send in my little open-source Star Wars looking game (but it isn't Star Wars, or I'd get sued, right?) as part of my resume!

    If anyone wants to help with the sound, let me know via the email on the web page. Also, I have a linuz port, but it isn't up on the page yet.

    --
    Lasers Controlled Games!
  22. This sounds like a job for by qqaz · · Score: 1

    the J-J-J-Julius guy! I wonder what happened to him...

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    sup :cool:
  23. Any connections with the pencil and paper RPG? by faldore · · Score: 1

    Many fans (Including me) have been eagerly awaiting a Star Wars RPG, especially one done by a top notch company like Bioware. Very good move for Lucas Arts to make. Does anyone know if it will use the rule system of the original pencil-and-paper RPG? I want a cybernetic Jedi Wookie mercenary!

  24. Re:Slight chance of Linux port... by yamla · · Score: 1
    This is somewhat misleading. BioWare has not guaranteed that Neverwinter Nights will be available for Linux as well as Windows. They just hope it will. Of course, at the moment, it works. But BioWare simply does not have the budget to ensure that the Linux version is tested as thoroughly as the Windows version and they won't ship a game that has not been adequately tested.

    Besides, it is easy to find professional Windows testers. It is far harder to find professional Linux testers. Of course, I'm sure we would all test it for free (and heck, probably submit bug fixes to them) but that is the state of things.

    BioWare hopes to release Neverwinter Nights for Linux as well as Windows (and, presumably, the Mac) but are absolutely not promising.

    (By the way, I live in Edmonton. It is amazing what you hear when anonymous visitors from BioWare come into the lab and chat.)

    --

    Oceania has always been at war with Eastasia.
  25. The good ole days by Mr.Jason · · Score: 2

    Games based on movies are ok, but where is the creativity? I miss the good ole days of final fantasy or dragon warrior on the nes, or Wonderboy in Monsterland for sega. Those games where original and fun. I remember playing those for hours on end. Yes modern games have better graphics, no doubt this new Star Wars will too, but how good will the story line really be? Star Wars for N64 sucked in my opinion. The only reason games like this are successful is the money spent on advertising. I like games that become successful on there own merits, not because some company spends millions on advertising.

    1. Re:The good ole days by Mr.Jason · · Score: 1

      I wasn't comparing it to Fallout or Baldur's Gate, I have both of those games (liked Baldur's Gate better). Those games were good and original, Star Wars is an awesome series of movies, but the games suck.

    2. Re:The good ole days by faldore · · Score: 1

      This game will take place thousands of years before Episode 1, leaving plenty of room for creativity. In addition, modern computing power allows for much more elaborite gameplay. Remember the countless hours of telling each of your characters to attack in Final Fantasy? How monotonous. Gimme a break. There wasn't even any economy system in FF. I spent most of my time seeing if I could amass 99 tents and cabins in my inventory. You call that a superior RPG? Yeah it was good for the time but you can't compare it to Fallout or Baldur's Gate.

  26. Slight chance of Linux port... by CrusadeR · · Score: 2

    Depending on how well Neverwinter Nights sells for Linux of course (for those who don't know, BioWare is porting NWN, a highly anticipated multiplayer (not massive) AD&D RPG that's meant to capture the tabletop AD&D gameplay in a modern comp game, to Linux internally). This may be difficult to gauge, as the binaries for all supported platforms (Linux, Mac, and Win) are supposed to be in the box, but if they get a lot of positive feedback, I wouldn't be surprised to see the Star Wars RPG released for Linux as well (granted, it probably won't be available until late 2002/2003, so speculating now is rather moot).

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    :wq
  27. Re:Hmmm... by yamla · · Score: 1
    The FAQ says that they are developing for Linux as well. That is certainly true. And the interview says that it hasn't been sorted out yet.

    Once again, I remind you that they hope to release a Linux version as well but they are simply not promising it at the moment.

    I'm sorry I cannot substantiate this any further. I have no official quotes on this. But, living in Edmonton and knowing several people who work there, I do get to hear the occasional piece of gossip.

    On the other hand, I didn't hear that they were working on the Star Wars game until literally the minute the press release went out.

    --

    Oceania has always been at war with Eastasia.
  28. remember Traveler? by Nanookanano · · Score: 1

    Traveler would be the basis for this, definately.

    --
    "..don't you eat that yellow snow."
  29. Re:Hmmm... by CrusadeR · · Score: 2

    Fair enough... I suppose some last minute problem could crop up and they would have to choose between shipping the Windows/Mac releases and ditching Linux or waiting to fix a Linux build issue (in which case there would be no choice at all, I couldn't see BioWare delaying the Win release more than necessary under any circumstances).

    Hopefully in such an eventuality they would be able to get around to releasing Linux binaries, depending on how serious the problem was.

    Thanks for the SITREP.

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    :wq
  30. WARNING!!! Get rid of this fool! by the+N+man · · Score: 1

    This arse hole is repeatedly (>10x) posting this shit.

    Someone please kick him/her out of /. quickly!

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    sig is gone.

  31. Hmmm... by CrusadeR · · Score: 2

    That would seem to contradict both the official FAQ and a May interview with BioWare's Greg Zeschuk and Ray Muzyka. Can you substantiate your claims?

    Thanks!

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    :wq
    1. Re:Hmmm... by Paradigm+Lost · · Score: 1

      Sounds like Lucas has a good revenue stream lined up for the next couple of years... (as if the already released SW games and movies, and t-shirts, etc etc etc didn't already bring him enough cash)

      What do you think he's going to make the next two Star Wars movies out of? He's trying to bring in as much money as possible (and reduce shooting costs) because, lets face it, making epic movies isn't cheap. And he'll have to buy some spectacular eye-candy to bring us in for Episode II, seeing as Jar Jar will return for it.
      --
      -Dead Lesbian Witches! Think about it!
    2. Re:Hmmm... by the+unbeliever · · Score: 1
      grok!

      Forgot the blasted www in the EverQuest link.

      Click here to go to the EQ site. =P

  32. Slow news day? by stefanlasiewski · · Score: 3

    What, is everyone at a party or something? No news today? Someone at ./ sleeping with the HR director at BioWare?

    There are a million fun jobs out there in the universe. Many of them are for interesting projects at fun companies... maybe even *more* interesting then an Art Director for some Starwars game....

    Even if this position is about Star Wars, what makes this article so slashworthy?

    Not to mention that this article is basically a reposting word for word of the IGN link...

    You hinting to us Hemos? Thinking of a new job??? </gripe>

    --
    "Can of worms? The can is open... the worms are everywhere."
    1. Re:Slow news day? by stefanlasiewski · · Score: 1

      Yeah, I agree... that wasn't a +5. I was really suprised at that when I woke up this morning...

      --
      "Can of worms? The can is open... the worms are everywhere."
  33. See that button that says "Caps Lock?" by Nanookanano · · Score: 1

    (dumbass)

    --
    "..don't you eat that yellow snow."
  34. Boo Yah! by decipher_saint · · Score: 1
    I've been living in Edmonton since 1984 and IMHO it is one of the best places to live anywhere by far. Here are some reasons to live in Edmonton:

    • Great Sports Teams:
      • Edmonton Oilers (where Gretz and Mess got their start)
      • The Edmonton Eskimos (an entertaining CFL team)
      • The Edmonton Trappers (yes, we play baseball here too)
      • The Edmonton Drillers (good for soccer fans)
    • Cultural Events:
      • The Edmonton Fringe (the largest fringe theatre festival in North America!)
      • Edmonton Jazz Festival
      • Edmonton Folk Fest
      • Plus a myriad of other events (Blues Fest, Animethon, etc, etc...)

      We also have a growing IT community and plenty of opportunity for developers (eveything from Government Mainframe work to Web Development!)

      Basically I'm proud to be an Edmontonian

      P.S. For Edmontonians who are reading this I bet you didn't know that Whyte Ave has its own website, someone sent me this link a while ago, there isn't much there but it's kind of cool anyway.


    Capt. Ron

    --
    crazy dynamite monkey
  35. Rewarding to work for a game company by dstone · · Score: 1

    Please! Don't confuse working in the testing department at a game studio with working in a production group (eg. as a software engineer or artist or designer).

    I've spent nearly a decade crossing back and forth between the games industry and "traditional" software. Shipping a game, seeing it on shelves, reading reviews in magazines for your game, seeing other people play it,... there's just no substitute. It rawks. Weeks and years of your life will fly by, and to good purpose if you really care about games. The caliber of coworker talent is high in games -- making those long hours pretty darn enjoyable.

    If you're into hard-core, high-risk/high-reward, ego-driven software development, you must spend some time in the games industry!

  36. Hopefully they'll fix the engine. by Mike+Buddha · · Score: 2

    Man, that Bioware engine sucks much ass. I love their games, but they go to get their engine up to snuff. Somethings gotta be done about stupid NPCs and monsters. It's not fun when you can exploit problems with the engine to make the game easier to win.

    --
    by Mike Buddha -- Someday the mountain might get him, but the law never will.
  37. You're comparing N64 shooters to PC RPG's by Rico_Suave · · Score: 1
    Not exactly a fair assesment, you think? Yes, Lucasarts has put out some stinkers lately (mostly on consoles, though). But they have released several excellent PC games - the Xwing/TIE flight sims, the Dark Forces series... and with Bioware's excellent track record in the RPG department, I'll be *very* surprised if SW RPG isn't all it's cracked up to be

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  38. Sorry... by Rico_Suave · · Score: 1
    It's set 1000 years before the movies.

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  39. Re:My request by StarKruzr · · Score: 1

    You have to be kidding me.

    The Ewoks were cool, but that song made me turn the VCR off many a time.

    Email me.
    Don't trust anyone over 90000.

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    +++ATH0
  40. I wonder if John Romero.... by cvd6262 · · Score: 2

    ....would apply for this, and if so, would he even put Daikatana on his resumé.

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    I'd rather have someone respond than be modded up.

  41. Re:uh oh by Ketzer · · Score: 1

    quite possibly the first time a human being will be slashdotted...

    People get slashdotted all the time. Imagine reading the Inbox for a congressman or RIAA or MPAA...

  42. uh oh by nomadic · · Score: 3

    I feel bad for the HR guy who will have to read all the resumes pouring in...quite possibly the first time a human being will be slashdotted...
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    1. Re:uh oh by jallen02 · · Score: 1

      Heh not exactly, I doubt many people really qualify for the caliber of art director they are looking for...

      The company we are spinning off from has an amazing team and the art director there is really great at creative stuff such as drawing/design of advertisements etc. He really knows his stuff.

      It takes a lot of practice and a good deal of creativity/natural talent to be really good. (Yes I know anyone can learn it but natrual talent helps) I just dont see tons and tons of people applying for this.

      Jeremy

  43. My request by phish+junkie · · Score: 3

    Whoever gets the job, please please be sure to include plenty of Jar Jar death sequences!

  44. will it suck? by matticus · · Score: 1

    is this going to be as bad as Force Commander? please no. i like star wars too much to hate yet another star wars game.

  45. Hmmm... by the+unbeliever · · Score: 1
    Are there multiple Star Wars RPG's coming out, or am I missing something?

    BioWare is going to be creating a Single/net-Multi Player RPG, I assume (No time to read the links), and Verant Interactive, makers of EverQuest, are making a MMORPG version, which I can't wait for.

    Sounds like Lucas has a good revenue stream lined up for the next couple of years... (as if the already released SW games and movies, and t-shirts, etc etc etc didn't already bring him enough cash)