Should I do it?

It's never too late to pursue your dream. And if that's really what you want to do for a job then go for it. Even with 33 you still have around 30 years of work life ahead of you. Better to spent that with a job that you love then with something else that doesnt give you the same satisfaction.

But consider that you're not gonna get rich and that you have to be flexible with relocations. If you're the family type who plans to settle down with a family, build a house or whatever it's probably not the best job choice.

Ridley Scott was 42 when he made Alien... not the same industry I know, but not all good stuff was made by young folks.

Quote from Steppenwolf

It's never too late to pursue your dream. And if that's really what you want to do for a job then go for it. Even with 33 you still have around 30 years of work life ahead of you. Better to spent that with a job that you love then with something else that doesnt give you the same satisfaction.But consider that you're not gonna get rich and that you have to be flexible with relocations. If you're the family type who plans to settle down with a family, build a house or whatever it's probably not the best job choice.

this is basically what i wanted to say. don't sit and get burned out by doing something you don't like doing

Yeah, if your willing or can afford to take a pay cut to get an entry level job you should go for it! You can also do it as an advanced hobby by joining promising modifications, although you won't get the kind of resources that a professional studio has!

All the best!

I like this thread alot.

Quote from Steppenwolf

Even with 33 you still have around 30 years of work life ahead of you.

I don't know about you but I plan on living until I'm at least 130.

Deep inside you already know the answer, but let me say it out loud for you: YES!

Why the fuck have we've been put into this world if not to be happy and fight for our dreams? The ones that don't, which is the majority of the people unfortunately don't know what their missing.

Get a job you love, and you won't have to work a day in your life.

Quote

":12wsgvtd]Get a job you love, and you won't have to work a day in your life.

So true. My weeks fly past so fast because I'm having such a great time!

relevant

http://blogs.valvesoftware.com/abrash/do-what-you-love/

Quote from Thrik

So true. My weeks fly past so fast because I'm having such a great time!

I agree, I'm in the same boat. I turn 36 this year and have recently been into level design myself. I'm just trying to learn as much as I can on my own. So yeah, I say go for it and good luck.

Just temper your optimism for your pursuit of your passion with the knowledge that most employers will treat you like garbage and work you to death, potentially destroy your love for your hobby, and once you learn a level designer's tricks, you can never unlearn them when trying to play games. Oh, and there's a high chance that even if you do good work that you'll get laid off at the end of the project because some unbroken newbie who could be paid less for similar or better quality work will likely be put through the same cycle you just experienced (or because the game you poured all of your passion and personal/professional time into could flop).

Alternately, you could potentially live a happy magical life loving what you do. Good luck!

Quote from Serenius

Just temper your optimism for your pursuit of your passion with the knowledge that most employers will treat you like garbage and work you to death, potentially destroy your love for your hobby, and once you learn a level designer's tricks, you can never unlearn them when trying to play games. Oh, and there's a high chance that even if you do good work that you'll get laid off at the end of the project because some unbroken newbie who could be paid less for similar or better quality work will likely be put through the same cycle you just experienced (or because the game you poured all of your passion and personal/professional time into could flop).

I'd like to thank Serenius for his encouraging words.

LMAO. It is good to hear different perspectives though, as there is truth in what Serenius said and it'd good to be aware that like any industry it's not all fluffy and sweet — some pretty outrageous shit goes on and you need to be on your guard to avoid getting caught out. But that goes for any industry really, particularly creative ones. The thing that keeps most people going in such jobs is passion for the work rather than pay, benefits, or power.

Yes, there is some truth, not everything is smelly roses.

Another nugget of optimism : After all do that, whatever you will do; you'll end as a disappointed grumpy old guy who keep in his heart the good old times, even if it was the worst of his life. So better doing it with something you love to do !

But yeah don't forget relocation and babies, don't forget also that if you are employed somewhere and have children, you can't really make them change X times of school by moving every year. And that in this context, if you can't do something else than game dev, you'll end up to be your employer's bitch.

edit : Oh btw i see you are in canada, things should be ok for relocation as there's a lot of game studios there, your already old enough and have another way of making a living; So you won't be too far from your family, and secure about money.

So really, i don't see why you couldn't give it a try :]

Quote from Serenius

and once you learn a level designer's tricks, you can never unlearn them when trying to play games.

Could someone give an example of this?