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Just accepted a new job offer

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AtomSmasher:
As some of you know I currently make video games for a living, which is a lot of fun, but the hours and the pay suck.  I've worked for the company for nearly two years and have never gotten a raise, even though I'm practically leading the current project I'm on (I'm so far ahead on my work that I've been told to spend more time helping all the other programmers then working on new stuff, and the engine team comes to me when they have questions instead of going to the actual lead).  I've asked for a raise twice in the past two months, the first time I was told to wait until our next projects contract was signed, so I did, and the second time I was told it's not a good time for anyone to be getting raises.  And so I've been applying to various jobs in the area.

On Friday I went into a job interview which I thought went pretty well, and yesterday I got a phone call (which I missed) and on the message they told me they thought I was the one for the job and they want to make me an offer.  I called them back today and they asked how much am I looking for, I told them essentially 50% more then what I'm currently making.  They paused for a moment and replied, "We're going to pay you more then that."  They made an offer 75% more then I currently make, plus full benefits (I currently have no benefits), stock options, and a guarantee to re-evaluate my salary in 6 months time.

I had planned on telling them I'd think about it and ask my current job for a raise one more time, but an offer like that was just far too good to pass up.  I'm now going in on Tues morning to find out the specifics and actually sign the offer agreement, and then give my two week notice to my current job.  I'm not going to be making videogames anymore, but the new work looks so challenging that I doubt I'll miss it too much.

wp34:
Congratulations.  That is a great story especially in this economy.  Good luck with your new endeavor.   :cheers:

SNAAKE:
so.....what is the new job and what are you making??

opt2not:
Congrats AtomSmasher!
Too bad you're leaving game dev, but if you're going somewhere better, then good for you.

I've been working in the game-industry, going on 11 years now...and I gotta say that over the years I've learned that the only way you can truly deem your worth is by company-hopping. Even though you're out of game dev, I'm sure in the future if you wanted to come back you'd be paid what you want.
Programmers with experience are worth their weight in gold (you're a coder right?).

My advice, before you sign the new offer is to go back to your current job and see if they'd want to counter-offer. Sometimes game companies will try to keep their key people if given the opportunity while "under the gun".
If you're entirely set on leaving, then I guess this wouldn't be much point...but it's always nice as a way of "not burning any bridges" to at least give them a chance to keep you.

AtomSmasher:

--- Quote from: pinballjim on September 06, 2010, 12:07:42 am ---
--- Quote from: AtomSmasher on September 05, 2010, 06:14:43 pm --- and a guarantee to re-evaluate my salary in 6 months time.

--- End quote ---

If you don't get this in writing, it's a lie.  I've been told it at two different jobs.  (The second time I just smiled and nodded and said "sounds good" and knew it was a lie amongst many others)

--- End quote ---

Could be, although from the sound of it, I have a feeling that he thinks that what I'm going to get paid is still quite a bit less then what they were willing to pay me and he easily could of offered the amount I told him I was looking for instead of offering quite a bit more.  Either way I'm still making a lot more then I was, so I'm not complaining.


--- Quote ---
--- Quote from: opt2not on September 05, 2010, 08:43:17 pm ---My advice, before you sign the new offer is to go back to your current job and see if they'd want to counter-offer.

--- End quote ---

They've had two chances, you really think they're gonna draft up an agreement fast enough to give a timely offer to the other people?


--- End quote ---
Exactly.  I was going to give them a third chance up until the new job made their offer, which I simply couldn't refuse.  I already know theres no way they would of offered even remotely close to what I'm going to get paid anyways.  Besides, if they only give raises when given an ultimatum and not simply when it's deserved, then thats not a company I want to be working for.  Like I said, I've been there nearly two years and am practically running the project I'm currently working on and they've still never given me a raise.


--- Quote from: opt2not on September 05, 2010, 08:43:17 pm ---Even though you're out of game dev, I'm sure in the future if you wanted to come back you'd be paid what you want.
Programmers with experience are worth their weight in gold (you're a coder right?).

--- End quote ---
Ya, I'm a coder and maybe your right.  I'll probably keep working on games in my off time anyways.

For those wondering, the new job is working with a bunch of engineers to enhance their current software which interfaces with the new hardware they're building.  It's interesting stuff and I'll have a lot to learn because pretty much all of it is new to me.

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