Just accepted a new job offer

[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.   

[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]

and a guarantee to re-evaluate my salary in 6 months time.

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)

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.

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.

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?

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.

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?).

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.

[Silas (son of Silas)]

...They made an offer 75% more then I currently make, plus full benefits...

  Excellent!!

I'm in the same boat. I have been woefully unhappy in my current job for a long time. It's a crazy commute (2.5hrs each way) and the pay is lousy. My last day is tomorrow and I start my new job on the 13th of Sept, it's just down the road and its 66% hike in pay, so I am well chuffed.

I thought I was doing well at 66%, but 75%  WOW! Well done you! 

[AtomSmasher]

I thought I was doing well at 66%, but 75%  WOW! Well done you! 

I think it's just a sign of how incredibly underpaid I previously was

[RayB]

Either that or the cost of living will be double?  Are you relocating?

[AtomSmasher]

Either that or the cost of living will be double?  Are you relocating?

Nope.  Staying in the same place.  My commute will increase from 45 minutes to 1 hour, which is annoying, but not too bad.

[SNAAKE]

75% raise is KANG! congrats and good luck.

[ark_ader]

Hope you don't a have a clause where you cannot write code related to a previous project at the firm you are leaving.

Something towards conflict of interest.

Even if you think it is your idea in written form, you might find that the idea does not belong to you, but your previous company.

I've been caught in these clauses in contracts, especially no compete cases.

[RayB]

Those clauses can't be enforced. A company cannot prevent the average person from making a living. Those clauses are meant for big-wigs, and have somehow found their way into everyone's contracts thanks to overzealous lawyers.

[AtomSmasher]

Hope you don't a have a clause where you cannot write code related to a previous project at the firm you are leaving.

Something towards conflict of interest.

Even if you think it is your idea in written form, you might find that the idea does not belong to you, but your previous company.

I've been caught in these clauses in contracts, especially no compete cases.

Heh, no, theres no clause like that.  I don't even have a contract at my current job, it's all very informal.  I believe the only things I signed when I first started working there was an NDC and a W2.

[hyiu]

I dont really understand the logic here.

u r getting 75% pay raise, with benefits.
I would just ask for offer letter in writing, and then accept it.

if ur current job doesnt want to give u a raise twice before, why do they want to match that offer now?

also, even if they do, that raise is build on a "threat"... because you will leave, but not because they think you're worth it. I dont see how that will be good for the long term.

well, unless there are some perks that you really like about ur current job...
flex hrs, work from home, much less hrs... etc.

with the extra income, I think you can do a lot more.

but 1st thing 1st, ask for the offer in writing...

[AtomSmasher]

I dont really understand the logic here.

u r getting 75% pay raise, with benefits.
I would just ask for offer letter in writing, and then accept it.

if ur current job doesnt want to give u a raise twice before, why do they want to match that offer now?

also, even if they do, that raise is build on a "threat"... because you will leave, but not because they think you're worth it. I dont see how that will be good for the long term.

well, unless there are some perks that you really like about ur current job...
flex hrs, work from home, much less hrs... etc.

with the extra income, I think you can do a lot more.

but 1st thing 1st, ask for the offer in writing...

Huh?
That's exactly what I'm doing.  I'm going in this morning to sign the offer.  I said I had originally planned on asking my current job for a raise one more time, but this offer was too large that I just accepted it on the spot.

[drventure]

Sounds like a great deal. Move on and don't look back.

I've read report after report about how counteroffers virtually never work out. If you think about it, if you've gotten to a point where you'd seriously consider leaving, would you +really+ stay and be content even if they raised your pay. Remember, now the cat's out of the bag. From the employers point of view, you've already left, it's just a matter of how long it takes. Very often, after a counter is accepted, employer makes a new hire, trains them up and then finds a convenient excuse to let you go.

And even if they do keep you, now, if you're like most people, you're thinking "What did I pass up" all day long while still working for the same people doing the same things that made you want to leave in the first place.

Congratulations on the new gig!

[AtomSmasher]

Heh, I just gave the boss a notice that I need to talk to him as soon as he gets chance, and he started talking about how our engine lead has been talking very highly of me and that he already has my next project lined up.  I have a feeling he thinks I want to talk to him about a raise...again, but too little too late.

[Malenko]

congrats, sounds like you definitely deserve it.

[AtomSmasher]

Well quitting went well enough.  The boss knew I was severely underpaid and just congratulated me and said that I can come back if things don't work out at the new job.  All the directors and leads on my project are having a bit of a heart attack though since they know how valuable I am to the team.  They'll figure it out though, and I'll still be here for a week to iron things out.

Overall I'm kind of terrified that I'm leaving to this new job since it'll be working with so much stuff I've never done before, but I think it'll be good.

[Ond]

Overall I'm kind of terrified that I'm leaving to this new job since it'll be working with so much stuff I've never done before, but I think it'll be good.

Congrats on the job offer, I know just what you mean, because I've just done the same thing myself.  I've been in my new role about 2 weeks now, there is so much new stuff to get my head around,
on day one it was like "OMG what have I done?"  Two weeks later and it's much better and I know I've made the right move.   

[danny_galaga]

Exellent, new job and no bridges burnt (",)

[hypernova]

They weren't willing to give him a raise, they definitely would not even consider a 75% raise.  Plus the new job has benefits.  Definitely a no-brainer.

Severely underpaid is still an understatement, considering how important you are to the operation.

what are you making??

His answer is probably going to be "75% more than I did."  Kids these days and private information.

[Vanguard]

I've interview a lot of people from EA Sports.   This is just the way the game industry is.   They pay ---steaming pile of meadow muffin--- and work you to death.   The managers stroke everyone's egos and the only thing keeping people from jumping ship is ignorance and the "fun factor" of working on games.

The fun factor eventually wears off and people leave.   The game companies expect and want this.  Everytime someone leaves, there's 10 people at the door falling over themselves to take the position.   The companies usually have a couple key employees that do the game physics and engine work and these guys get paid okay.

The companies pay ---steaming pile of meadow muffin--- because they can.   It's simple supply and demand.   When they can't hire new college hires for pittance anymore, then things will change.   Until then, prepare to be underpaid compared to every other software engineering discipline.

[AtomSmasher]

They weren't willing to give him a raise, they definitely would not even consider a 75% raise.  Plus the new job has benefits.  Definitely a no-brainer.

Severely underpaid is still an understatement, considering how important you are to the operation.

When I quit, my boss asked if it's feasible for them to make a counter offer.  I told him what I was offered and he said something to the effect of "Congratulations on the new job"  

This will actually be my first job ever that has benefits such as paid vacations.  I've always been self-employed or hourly, so it'll be pretty weird when I actually get to cash in some vacation time.  I don't think I've had a vacation longer then a 4 day weekend since I was a kid and went on vacation with my parents.

[Vanguard]

Congrats BTW.

[AtomSmasher]

So can you steal any source code or development kits on the way out?

Compile us a custom version of A Boy and His Blob where he doesn't scream BLOOOOB everytime you hit A?

Screw that, we have 3DS dev kits in, so I know what I want 

Also, if you think him screaming Blob is annoying, you should of heard it when there was only one version of him screaming it (more versions were added very late in production) and QA testers were playing it nearby all day long.  Theres still people walking around the offices saying "Blob" just because we heard it so much for so long that the VO is ingrained in everyones mind.

[BobbyG66]

Congrats! Great story!