Some of you guys here are thinking far too HL oriented. If I were to categorize "mapping" or "level design" I wouldn't put it in graphics design but game design.
Nobody here has even MENTIONED game design. It's the biggest and most important part of all!
Yes, multi talented people are good to have. But the way the industry is going right now there will be more and more specialists needed in particular areas (shaders, SFX, physics etc.).
For level design be aware that this can have two meanings depending on the company and project you work on. You could a) be doing all the design and artwork or b) design and scripting only.
a) would be more likely to be the case if you are working on a current gen game
b) is the way it's handled with next gen (at least here at ubi). The art now is way too time consuming to have level designer handle both design and art at the same time.
If you are more interested in creating nice environments, strengthen your modeling and texturing skills and perfectionise them. Good environment artists are hard to find. And most companies are looking for people that can do good env art.
If you are more of a gameplay designer, then focus on that and create a small SP/MP mod and learn as many engines as you can. Versatility is key. You wouldn't believe how different Half-Life is from most other engines out there. And if you can prove to a company that you know how to work in Unreal, Doom etc. you are putting yourself in a very good position.
Quote from KosmoWell what can I say, I love the FREEDOM of speech that we have in the rest of the world. Maybe Bush should attack USA to bring back "freedom and democracy" like he does around the world
Am I right or what?
Maybe you should take these discussions out in politics forum or PM and control yourself a bit more.
Can't say I really care all that much TBQH. But it's gonna be nice to see what they did with the original maps.
Quote from RDMaybe it has to do with them having to texture entire cities
Quoted for truth. You can't make the best textures in the world for every object and absolutely every object in the game, all the time when you have a tight schedule. I don't know about Rockstar's schedules but ours at Ubi are pretty tight so there's not always time...
Then again, the whole game looks kinda crappy visually sooo yeeeeeeah.
But my point remains. And I don't care about graphics when the gameplay is awesome,...as is the case with GTA:SA 
@ Kosmo: My whole point was that people misconcept us for what we do. Any by people I mean people who are not into game development, but the average joe type of guy. How many news articles have you read where the author tells us that 50 programmers are working their ass off on [game x] to make it the most visually impressive game ever seen? I read it all the time. Even when I tell people I do game development for a living I get questions like "Oh so you're a programmer?" or when I tell them "no i do game art" and i start explaining what i do they go "oh so youre like those guys who made toy story"
at which point i just give up and nod.
Misconception.
More credit would be nice but its one of the phenomens in the cg industry. be it games or movies. It's like even though we do a HUGE chunk of all the art in a game/movie, we are still looked down upon as "the guys that make concrete walls" ... if you catch my drift.
I guess it's just not one of the most respected positions ever. But I dont care as long as its fun and well paid 
i see hands =))) =)
nice pics. congrats. hope you'll have some company soon 
Looks like a good start. Reminds me a bit of blazeer's stuff =)
Why do people always feel the need to comment like this on other people's help wanted ads? If you aren't interested in helping then don't reply.
are you back in the US already, zazzle?
I like the bricks but I think the whole thing is too bright. It looks like a photo that was taken with the sun shining directly onto the surface. Darken that down some. Also try to add some dirt going up from the bottom of the wall.
it might also be kinda pink slipperish.
should watch what you are saying on public forums dd 
Quote from CrackerjackHe is saying that the lighting is bland... needs more color.. everything feels brown and white-ish.. You need a hell of alot more contrast.. more red... and use another color other than white for the lights.. maybe a bayje
I'd say that's a matter of taste. Maybe he was going for a dim, sepia look? I kinda like it.
Quote from von*ferretCOLOR!!!!
what?
i just want to point something out.
[Blocked Image: http://img168.imageshack.us/img168/9582/mazlpazl3jx.jpg]
At home, yes. But I'm not going to deal with this stuff at home.
E-mail me if you want the job.
