Robert Hodri - Level Designer

    Excellent portfolio. It's currently hard to find entry level jobs but you should be able to find something as long as you are open to relocate to places far away.

    Nice work indeed, you should be able to get hold of a job really. This industry would be sad if you wouldn't be able to

    You need to pick the right company though with the work you have. Joining your local casual games company would likely have a negative impact on you. A more art focused location may be better for you. Feel free to email me if you need advice or help breaking in, I think you have a very promising portfolio!

    Thanks again everyone for all those kind words

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    It's currently hard to find entry level jobs but you should be able to find something as long as you are open to relocate to places far away.

    Yeah, everytime I look at the job sections of various companies, all I see are positions for senior or experienced artists/designers. Kind of frustrating, but I guess there were so many other people before me in that situation. Relocating would also be no problem for me.

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    I wonder why you're looking for a Level Designer position instead of Env. Art

    I'm not specifically looking for a level designer position, but I think I've got more experience designing levels than making environment art. And besides, after seeing PhilipK's and the other GRIN guys portfolios I was kind of discouraged to call myself an environment artist

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    i wish i can see you at ID-Soft in the future BJA

    Yeah, maybe in 10-20 years I'll apply there seriously, I don't think id is a company that hires a lot of guys from europe without any professional experience or shipped AAA titles at all

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    You need to pick the right company though with the work you have. Joining your local casual games company would likely have a negative impact on you. A more art focused location may be better for you.

    I think you're right. A level designer/world builder job where I can focus on the look of a map and less with scripting would be cool, but I guess as a starter you can't be too picky and have to take whatever position you can get. Of course I wouldn't take any character artist position or something like that.

    And thank you very much for your offering to help, very much appreciated

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    And besides, after seeing PhilipK's and the other GRIN guys portfolios I was kind of discouraged to call myself an environment artist

    Don't really.

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    Yeah, everytime I look at the job sections of various companies, all I see are positions for senior or experienced artists/designers. Kind of frustrating, but I guess there were so many other people before me in that situation. Relocating would also be no problem for me.

    Try anyway. Your work is good enough that it may compensate for experience. Also a lot of studios simply try to scare off beginners, and then I mean real beginners. Furthermore sometimes a studio may be looking for a senior person but be able unable to find the person they want, and then ultimately go for a good non senior guy just to have at least someone. In the end anything can go, so just try really. Trying doesn't hurt.

    The further away a studio is the more unlikely you are to get hired. If a region has recently has known some studios shutting down, you are unlikely to get hired in that region because the remaining studios will focus solely on the people that were let go at the other studios. Especially for local studios apply anyway, even if the studio is not actively looking for someone. Being good, and local, may still get you an interview.

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    Yeah, maybe in 10-20 years I'll apply there seriously, I don't think id is a company that hires a lot of guys from europe without any professional experience or shipped AAA titles at all

    You'd actually be surprised how many people there are hired at companies like Valve, Epic, iD with no or little experience but just an absolute killer portfolio. Not saying you should apply because that is indeed unlikely to work out right now, but really, it is not impossible either

    It is 50 percent about skill, and 50 percent about luck and contacts really. Job hunting as a starter can be very frustrating at times, because half the time you really simply have to be the right guy at the right place and time to get it. The same way people do actually manage to start out at a company like Epic or iD. I know a guy I used to mod with, he has no game dev experience but just made levels for the community. He just got hired as intern at Epic. I can tell you another 50 of these stories really. Don't underestimate "luck" and the frustrations or joys it brings.

    You also need to remember that even though a killer-awesome studio is interested in you (which they probably will be with that portfolio) it usually means they want to exploit you a little too, which they cant with a seasoned pro.

    edit;

    What I mean by that, which probably isnt so clear, is that you are just as likely to get a job as a seasoned pro because you come with an extra benefit. (ex. the eagerness to do overtime with no pay).

    Yes, now to make you and other starters scared

    Half the game studios on the planet are mismanaged to near the breaking point. Only you won't notice because you just start out, you don't know what to look for, and hell you are happy to have a cool job. This is one of the prime reasons why studios usually crash after a year or 5, or 10 max, and why few actually manage to afloat. Of that half a portion will try to exploit their employees. Either by because they simply don't have enough money but are otherwise nice people, or more likely because they really try to take advantage of you. And hey, as a starter you'll accept anything because you don't know any better and/or you are happy you got something. When I started I had to bring my own PC to work. Seriously. That stuff you don't pull off with someone who has experience because you'll get the middle finger.

    Point being, don't sell yourself too easily with your portfolio, or accept a job but keep on looking for something better.

    It's simple, apply ... what I'd give for the artistic talents you have!! Your work blows mine right out the window

    Don't get caught up in politics and all that shit. You'd have to be damn right out of your mind to take a look at your portfolio and cross you off a list. Apply to Crytek! If you want me to poke our lead artist just give me a nod, I'd be very happy to

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