Jenni Meek

So sorry to hear about layoffs at Modern Wolf, with 6 staff members being affected. The news broke last night, with my former CA colleague George Willard posting the news, as well as providing information about those also laid off to support re-hiring as quickly as possible. You can find that here: https://lnkd.in/eEXWSgNQ To those impacted by these layoffs, please find a comprehensive list of resources, below: 🥇First, Discipline Games Jobs Resources: Over the past weeks I have created 9 (at time of writing) Games Jobs Resources to find jobs in a wide range of disciplines: 🎨 Art, Animation, VFX and UI: This resource contains around 1,200 jobs worldwide across all links. Link: https://lnkd.in/eu2bjadW ⚙ Engineering and Programming This resource lists just over 1,900 jobs worldwide across all links. It also talks about interview tips and questions to practice. Link: https://lnkd.in/etPj22BE 🕹 Quality Assurance: This resource lists over 450 QA jobs worldwide. This post also talks about the craft of QA and contains tips and interview practice. Link: https://lnkd.in/dwwVjZuc 📑 Game Production: This resource lists around 400 jobs worldwide. It also contains info about game production as a whole and GDC talks. Link: https://lnkd.in/gxDvFM-Z 📢 Marketing & Community: This resource lists around 400 jobs worldwide. It also gives an intro into game marketing and community management. Link: https://lnkd.in/e5MuViug 🎶 Audio and Sound Design: This resource lists around 190 jobs worldwide. Link: https://lnkd.in/eSkPSsWf 📠 Studio Support, HR, Recruitment and BizDev: This resource lists around 290 jobs worldwide. Link: https://lnkd.in/ePG57_7v ⚙ IT, Helpdesk and DevOps: This resource lists around 140 jobs worldwide. Link: https://lnkd.in/e8ZsuiZh 🎮 Game Design: This resource lists around 480 jobs worldwide. https://lnkd.in/dCv_hQXv 🥈 Second, the Ultimate list of Video Games Career Resources: This should be your one-stop shop for all information. My dear friend Amir Satvat maintains these documents, he is a legend for doing this - please check them out: https://amirsatvat.com/ 🥉 Third, If you have worked in publishing, please message me. I am looking for quite a few roles right now! ⬅ 🎖 Finally, do not give up. Ever. No matter how dark things may look right now, I KNOW you will get through this, you have got this! 👊 Remember you are not alone. If you need help, advice, or even an ear to listen, we're here for you. Always! ➡ A request to my community, please can I ask you to repost this post to your colleagues and friends, so that we can get as many into jobs as possible! And please comment if you or your studio are currently hiring - let's help each other! Much love ❤️ #layoffs #gamesindustry #jobsingames #modernwolf

28

1 Comment

100 Games 🎮 With new games coming to Netflix, our members have 100 games…100 experiences…to step into. From shows to games 🔥and we mean that literally with a line up of games based off some of your favorite series! Experiencing our games only takes a Netflix membership. Once you’re in, you get to play to have fun. No pay walls, no microtransactions, no ads. Just a good time on iOS and Android. “But I don’t play mobile games” Give it a try though. Our games are highly curated. We work with amazing developers and have the most talented internal studios bringing games to the world. Check out our list of games and this list of games that are coming! Y’all. We’re getting Tales of the Shire! 😍 What games are you playing? What games have you tried? And what are you looking forward to? Spread the words and lets keep hyping up Netflix Games! LETS GO! https://lnkd.in/gY5-Exrk

86

19 Comments

At the heart of EVERYWHERE is ARCADIA! ARCADIA is our building tools, self-publishing system, and library of assets and community-made content. Check the basics of building in ARCADIA out in the video below! #gamedev #UGC #gamedevjobs

58

6 Comments

The International Game Developers Association (IGDA) "called for action" from game development company leaders to stop layoffs. In light of the recent wave of layoffs affecting over 8,700 game developers, it is crucial for studio leaders in the game industry to implement sustainable measures within their organizations to avoid unnecessary layoffs. To address these concerns and prevent talent loss to other industries, IGDA suggested a plan that includes such Key Actions for Studios: Maintain Long and Short-Term Forecasts: Studio leaders should maintain comprehensive forecasts for their companies and the industry, recognizing that periods of growth are often followed by stagnation or decline. Minimize Headcount Reductions: Drastically reducing headcount for short-term financial gain can be detrimental to team morale and incur costs in retraining and rebuilding teams later on. Spread Risk Across Multiple Projects: Maintaining multiple projects in various stages of development reduces risk and headcount fluctuations, providing opportunities to utilize talent effectively. Transparent Communication and Support: Open communication with the team, addressing well-being and job security concerns, and supporting diversity initiatives are essential for talent retention. Departing Employee Support: Adequate support for departing employees is crucial for maintaining a positive work culture and retaining talent for future endeavors. By prioritizing sustainability and empathy, the game industry can overcome current obstacles and thrive in a more stable and supportive landscape. https://lnkd.in/e-RwPnHp

7

3 Comments

What does game production actually mean??? If you've asked this question or if you're a Game Producer and have ✨ OPINIONS ✨ , highly recommend this read.

14

4 Comments

I never thought I would be writing this but... like everyone else at Sumo, I might be at risk of being #LaidOff. We don't know much yet, and there's a chance I won't be affected, but what kind of doomsday prepper would I be if I didn't prepare. Especially when the industry has considerably slowed down. Not that the timing could ever be great for something like this, but it's particularly tricky as there are VERY FEW recruitment jobs in #GameDev. The only silver lining is that I have quite the generalist background and skillset, so please allow me to Sell My Fish™️⬇️ 🔎 Recruitment (In-House, Agency, and Embedded): •Extensive experience sourcing for all core disciplines and operational roles within game development. •Successful recruitment across the UK, Canada, France, Sweden, and the United States. •Proven success in hiring talent from graduates to studio leadership positions. •Represented companies at WASD, Develop Brighton, Unwrap Festival, Digital Dragons, EGX, and numerous university career fairs and student showcases over the past 5 years. •Delivered presentations on "Rethinking Recruitment" at major game dev conferences. 🗃️ Project Management: •Led the development of the entry-levels skills hub detailing 12 junior roles based on the UK Apprenticeship Standard, including designing surveys, analyzing data, and presenting findings. •Managed the UKIE & Into Games Kickstart Scheme, responsible for all aspects of the project, successfully hiring over 130 young people on Universal Credit. •Managed the creation of the largest-ever Recruitment Report in Games, overseeing all aspects except graphic design. 📑 Data Analysis and Reporting: •Wrote internal reports on DEIB insights and best practices, enhancing recruitment processes. •Analysed data from over 600 respondents, contributing 190 hours of input, to create a comprehensive recruitment report. •Designed and analysed two surveys targeting junior employees and senior hiring managers, grouping findings to create the hub. 📢 Marketing & Public Speaking: •Developed and executed the marketing strategy for the Entry-Level Skills Surveys and Hub, and the Hitmarker Recruitment Report •Represented companies at WASD, Develop Brighton, Unwrap Festival, Digital Dragons, EGX, and numerous university career fairs and student showcases over the past 5 years. •Content creation on LinkedIn, staying up-to-date with algorithm updates and best practices. --- So if you are looking for a Sara of all trades, master of inclusive hiring, do reach out, I'm happy to chat about future roles as well! ➡️For links and my CV go to: https://lnkd.in/e2SdSnR4 ➡️ Community, now it's my turn to need help, can I count on you liking, commenting and reposting this? --- 📣 Follow #RethinkRecruitment and ring the 🔔 to read about: ⏩ https://entrylevel.games/ 🌟 Opinions are very much my own™️ #layoffs

201

35 Comments

Match3 is not the best game economy. I know some who would say it’s not even economy! Also, digital board games are just video games with terrible UX. Listen to the episode for more on these hot takes from me and the fellas.

3

How to make a decision on, and get hired by, the #RIGHT company or studio. This might not be what you're expecting. If you're a seasoned pro at interviewing, and you're entirely relaxed, likely non of this will surprise you. But for those still finding your feet... The Obvious stuff. - We all want to work somewhere we feel at home. - We all crank out better quality work, at a higher rate, whilst in a happier place, when we feel like we've landed somewhere where we can just be ourselves. - We all want to be able to switch off to the external stresses or worries that are sometimes upon us, so we can produce the best work of our lives. It's in the detail... - During your interviews, be who you are, every day. Engage in a way that gives insights on who you are to the people you're meeting. This is bigger than you think. As simple as it sounds, being who you 'really are' will subtly influence the way you are engaged, to a more effortless conversation. Just think about that for a moment... It will subtly influence the person or people you are meeting, to be more like you... Reasons you need to do this: - If the people you meet with reciprocate your energy, and make you feel like the meeting isn't strained, that's a solid positive indicator of their team vibe. Meet more people, and it turns into an indicator of company vibe. - If you feel like you're constantly having to change your style into something that doesn't feel 100% you, see more people, build the picture and seek more touchpoints before you make hasty decisions about it. Sure, we all adapt our styles here and there but you'll get a sense of the culture through how people communicate with you and that's important. - Being 'you' from the start will not spook them out on day 1, if you've maintained another personality throughout the interview process. It's not a bad idea to meet your future boss again once the deal has been done, in a more casual 'non interview' setting. You can both talk candidly, and it helps set tone before starting. It's especially a great idea if there are a couple of months waiting before starting. Hopefully the lucky company for having landed you, will make sure there are touch points throughout the pre-boarding phase to keep you engaged. If any of you are struggling 'in interviews', feel free to message me with what's going on and I'll pass over some ideas that will help you find your feet. #interviewsdontneedtobehard #beyourself #gamejobs #interviewtips

65

8 Comments

As I embark on the unknown of being unemployed, and seeing all of the disheartening posts from people all over the US and Canada afraid of losing their homes after many months of unemployment, I am determined to keep busy right away. Here are some ideas on how to earn money while looking for regular employment: - Freelance online (Upwork etc, see full list below in comments, thank you Isabella for sharing!) - Door Dash / Uber Eats driver (I am planning to sign up) - Rover.com - get paid to pet sit and/or dog walk (also planning to sign up) - Paid surveys/focus groups (I have done this on and off for many years) - Extra work in TV/Film (I did this in my teens and 20’s to earn extra cash, and bonus you get fed really well) - Uber/Lyft driver - Sign up with temp agencies (this is how I got my first big break in HR) - Babysitting - Work at a restaurant (I did this for 10 months in 2009) - Volunteer at non profits, perhaps end up with part-time or consulting work Last week, I posted that I would teach workshops to organizations, and I got one client so far yay! Wishing good luck to everyone looking out there - keep your head up, stay positive, check your egos, and this too shall pass. Sending you all love, light, and hugs! ❤️

416

60 Comments

🚨 In 2024, the game industry has witnessed over 10,800 layoffs, surpassing previous years' numbers. Amir Satvat's data reveals the challenges in finding jobs, with the probability of landing a role at around 4%. New applicants face even lower odds. The industry sees intense competition with over 205,000 unique job seekers, an average of 508 applications per job. Despite these challenges, efforts are underway to support job seekers and foster resilience and adaptation in the industry. https://lnkd.in/eAnmbqya Read more in the article 👇

6

Horrible news today about layoffs at Traega Entertainment, with 19 employees being laid off. Game Director Tony Mann shared their details here, if you are in the market for some amazing talent: https://lnkd.in/eJDgas_5 To those affected, please find a comprehensive list of resources, below: 🥇First, Discipline Games Jobs Resources: Over the past weeks I have created 8 (at time of writing) Games Jobs Resources to find jobs in a wide range of disciplines: 🎨 Art, Animation, VFX and UI: This resource contains around 1,200 jobs worldwide across all links. Link: https://lnkd.in/eu2bjadW ⚙ Engineering and Programming This resource lists just over 1,800 jobs worldwide across all links. It also talks about interview tips and questions to practice. Link: https://lnkd.in/eYdxANFM 🕹 Quality Assurance: This resource lists over 450 QA jobs worldwide. This post also talks about the craft of QA and contains tips and interview practice. Link: https://lnkd.in/dwwVjZuc 📑 Game Production: This resource lists around 400 jobs worldwide. It also contains info about game production as a whole and GDC talks. Link: https://lnkd.in/gxDvFM-Z 📢 Marketing & Community: This resource lists around 400 jobs worldwide. It also gives an intro into game marketing and community management. Link: https://lnkd.in/e5MuViug 🎶 Audio and Sound Design: This resource lists around 190 jobs worldwide. Link: https://lnkd.in/eSkPSsWf 📠 Studio Support, HR, Recruitment and BizDev: This resource lists around 290 jobs worldwide. Link: https://lnkd.in/ePG57_7v ⚙ IT, Helpdesk and DevOps: This resource lists around 140 jobs worldwide. Link: https://lnkd.in/e8ZsuiZh 🥈 Second, the Ultimate list of Video Games Career Resources: This should be your one-stop shop for all information. My dear friend Amir Satvat maintains these documents, he is a legend for doing this - please check them out: https://amirsatvat.com/ 🥉 Third, If you have worked in publishing, please message me. I am looking for quite a few roles right now! ⬅ 🎖 Finally, do not give up. Ever. No matter how dark things may look right now, I KNOW you will get through this, you have got this! 👊 Remember you are not alone. If you need help, advice, or even an ear to listen, we're here for you. Always! ➡ A request to my community, please can I ask you to repost this post to your colleagues and friends, so that we can get as many into jobs as possible! And please comment if you or your studio are currently hiring - let's help each other! Much love ❤️ #layoffs #gamesindustry #jobsingames #traega

29

1 Comment

Shocked to wake up to one of the largest layoff announcements this year. Take-Two Interactive announced it is cutting "5% of its workforce" and "several projects in development", which would mean around 550-600 employees would be affected. We don't know which studios of T2 are affected, so this could be detrimental to some of the studios... [Reposting this as I was asked to remove the logos of T2's studios] To those impacted by these layoffs, please find a comprehensive list of resources, below: 🥇First, Discipline Games Jobs Resources: Over the past weeks I have created 9 (at time of writing) Games Jobs Resources to find jobs in a wide range of disciplines: 🎨 Art, Animation, VFX and UI: This resource contains around 1,200 jobs worldwide across all links. Link: https://lnkd.in/eu2bjadW ⚙ Engineering and Programming This resource lists just over 1,900 jobs worldwide across all links. It also talks about interview tips and questions to practice. Link: https://lnkd.in/etPj22BE 🕹 Quality Assurance: This resource lists over 450 QA jobs worldwide. This post also talks about the craft of QA and contains tips and interview practice. Link: https://lnkd.in/dwwVjZuc 📑 Game Production: This resource lists around 400 jobs worldwide. It also contains info about game production as a whole and GDC talks. Link: https://lnkd.in/gxDvFM-Z 📢 Marketing & Community: This resource lists around 400 jobs worldwide. It also gives an intro into game marketing and community management. Link: https://lnkd.in/e5MuViug 🎶 Audio and Sound Design: This resource lists around 190 jobs worldwide. Link: https://lnkd.in/eSkPSsWf 📠 Studio Support, HR, Recruitment and BizDev: This resource lists around 290 jobs worldwide. Link: https://lnkd.in/ePG57_7v ⚙ IT, Helpdesk and DevOps: This resource lists around 140 jobs worldwide. Link: https://lnkd.in/e8ZsuiZh 🎮 Game Design: This resource lists around 480 jobs worldwide. https://lnkd.in/dCv_hQXv 🥈 Second, the Ultimate list of Video Games Career Resources: This should be your one-stop shop for all information. My dear friend Amir Satvat maintains these documents, he is a legend for doing this - please check them out: https://amirsatvat.com/ 🥉 Third, If you have worked in publishing, please message me. I am looking for quite a few roles right now! ⬅ 🎖 Finally, do not give up. Ever. No matter how dark things may look right now, I KNOW you will get through this, you have got this! 👊 Remember you are not alone. If you need help, advice, or even an ear to listen, we're here for you. Always! ➡ A request to my community, please can I ask you to repost this post to your colleagues and friends, so that we can get as many into jobs as possible! And please comment if you or your studio are currently hiring - let's help each other! Much love ❤️ #layoffs #gamesindustry #jobsingames #taketwo

25

3 Comments

It has happened 😔 I'm one of the many Sumo peeps affected by layoffs. I had a fantastic time at Sumo Digital Ltd. I met incredible people that will be lifelong friends, I represented my company at many international events, and, super recently, I've been nominated for Diversity Star at the Develop:Brighton Star Awards. I also got to build teams for the really cool titles below: 🗃️ A Little to the Left 🪓 The Texas Chainsaw Massacre 🏎️ Stampede: Racing Royale 🛢️ Still Wakes The Deep But, now, it's time to say goodbye 👋🏼 So, to all the incredible people I had the honor of hiring & working with, I just want to thank you for enriching my experience 💖. I can't wait to play all the future games you'll make. --- 🚨 I am now on the lookout for a new team I can complement with my skillset! 🚨 I have 5+ years of experience recruiting for all main core development teams, as well as senior leadership and operational roles, via many different ATS & CRMs. Exclusively in the Game Development Industry. However, THAT'S NOT ALL! I also have extensive experience 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐩𝐭𝐮𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐳𝐢𝐧𝐠, 𝐮𝐩𝐝𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 & 𝐦𝐚𝐧𝐚𝐠𝐢𝐧𝐠: ✨DEIB programs, ✨Reports and analysis, ✨Career support initiatives, ✨Early career processes, and ✨Recruiting & hiring training materials. ➡️ So if you are looking for a recruiter, a #DEIB specialist or a generalist who can support multiple areas & teams, make sure to message! ➡️ If you aren't hiring but want to help, leave a comment below or repost to increase my reach! --- 📣 Follow #RethinkRecruitment and ring the 🔔 to stay updated! ⏩ https://entrylevel.games/ 🌟 Opinions are very much my own™️ #Layoffs #Redundancies #JobHunting #GameDev

2,587

139 Comments

Listen, I'm no prude or pearl clutcher but this is such an important topic. 1) You have team members that don't drink for a number of reasons and making booze your only form of team bonding or celebration leaves them out or forces them into uncomfortable positions. The opposite of the assumed goal. 2) Gaming as an industry in particular has rampant sexual harassment and abuse. Involvement of alcohol does not help. This isn't fear mongering - I know of, have seen, or experienced several incidents. 3) You don't have to go totally dry 100% of the time to be safe and inclusive, but you do need to factor in safety measures. It wouldn't hurt to stop making booze the primary activity as well. If you need a selfish reason, the liability alone isn't worth it.

15

4 Comments

LinkedIn's New Gaming Adventure! LinkedIn has entered the gaming arena with the launch of three intriguing puzzle games – Pinpoint, Queens, and Crossclimb. These games are now available on both desktop and mobile platforms, adding a fun twist to the LinkedIn experience. Each game offers a unique mental challenge, including word association, trivia with wordplay, and a distinctive take on sudoku. This move reflects a broader trend in the digital content industry, as companies leverage gaming content to attract and retain users. Amid the challenges of generating revenue from traditional advertising, offering gaming content is seen as a strategic move to enhance user retention and possibly create new revenue streams in the future. LinkedIn's current strategy primarily focuses on user engagement without monetization. The games are free to play and embrace the social aspect of gaming by allowing users to view their connections' activity and engage in friendly competition through leaderboards. This approach represents a shift towards creating a more interactive and social experience within the professional networking platform. With the gaming landscape evolving across various industries, from digital news organizations to platforms like Netflix, LinkedIn's entry into gaming reflects an effort to adapt to user preferences and behaviors. As the company aims to deepen relationships and inject fun into the professional networking experience, it will be fascinating to see how these gaming features influence user engagement and potentially drive future business opportunities on the platform. https://lnkd.in/dsc7eePJ Play the games here https://lnkd.in/dqM7dBW4

1

The great joy of my career is that I get the privilege of talking to Artists at various stages of their careers. While I enjoy speaking to mature and experienced talent, I love speaking with emerging Artists; those at the beginning of their journey. Of late, those conversations have been the equivalent of hand holding and trying to give some sense of comfort. It's no secret that the various creative industries that many are looking to join are in a period of re-evaluating their headcount expectations. TBH I cannot remember a time when creative industries were not in a period of re-evaluating their headcount expectations. Is this the most challenging I have seen? No, it's close, but there have been more challenging times. Here's the deal though - at some point in your career you will look back at these challenging times and think of them as "The good old days". The distance time provides will expose the lessons you are learning now. You may hate feeling the way you may be feeling, but you're building muscle. You're building resilience, and you'll be needing that later in your career. Your career path is not going to get any easier, but you are going to get a lot stronger.

112

18 Comments

In a changing gaming landscape, industry experts like Shawn Layden, Van Burnham, and Michael Pachter debate the fate of dedicated gaming devices amidst streaming and mobile dominance. 🌟 Their insights shed light on the evolving landscape of gaming, where consoles face challenges but also hold promise for immersive experiences. While streaming technology poses a threat, the limitations of internet speed hinder its widespread adoption. Consoles are seen as pivotal in providing high-quality gaming experiences, although their growth may face constraints. The emergence of platforms like the metaverse and the success of games like Fortnite and Roblox underscore the significance of organic growth. Looking ahead, the industry anticipates scalable gaming experiences adaptable across various devices, reflecting evolving consumer preferences. This conversation reveals a dynamic industry poised for transformation and adaptation in response to changing player demands. Check out the full panel discussion and share your perspective https://lnkd.in/dCbfFqTM

2

2 Comments

As a games recruiter who has worked both externally and internally in this climate, some of my best advice to job seekers: Apply to LESS jobs. ⬇️ (Or rather, be very 💫 intentional 💫 with the jobs you do apply for). A few years back, I was unemployed for several months. It was rough. I can’t tell you how many cover letters I wrote, how many recruiters I spoke with, how many hours I spent interviewing for roles I didn’t get. Actively looking for work can be a full time job in itself - so just as you would in a job, it’s important to practice good time management and prioritization. ⌛📃 I know what it’s like to feel the panic of being out of work - and to be throwing out applications left, right and center. But volume isn’t everything. Are all the roles you’re applying to relevant?👀 🛑 Disclaimer 1: I'm not blind to the fact that everyone's circumstances and levels of privilege are different - you should of course be sensible / mindful of your own. It doesn't hurt to practice flexibility, be creative with your options, and to have the openness to consider paths you may not have considered before. 🛑 Disclaimer 2: This is also absolutely NOT to say you should only apply to jobs where you meet every piece of criteria listed. If you feel you can do the job, if you have transferable skills, if you’re eager to learn and think it’s worth a shot - go for it! 🌟 But it’s critical that, when possible, you’re focusing on the jobs that you truly want, and feel you can thrive in. TL;DR: Your time, energy and passion is precious. Harness it, and focus on the opportunities you're excited about. 💖 #gamesindustry #jobseekers #gamesjobs #recruiting

31

1 Comment