Monday, November 25, 2013

Christmas came early...



...or maybe it's perfect timing for Thanksgiving. Either way, I am happy to announce that I just accepted an offer from Glu Mobile to work as a contract weapons artist on Deer Hunter 2014. Had an interview and an art test last week and I guess I passed. Glu made the offer official today. So, for the next six months, I will be crafting firearms for this fun game (Free-to-Play on iOS and Android). I really couldn't be more thrilled to be part of this team. With my Arkansas upbringing and six years making guns for the The Agency, I was born to make art for this game. Even better, some fellow SOE-Seattle alumni are at Glu, so I get another chance to work with some old friends.

This ends, for a little while at least, a lengthy dry spell between jobs. I was beginning to think my game-dev days were over. Then this popped up as if out of nowhere. I guess it's true you never know when something good is around the corner. Thanks to everyone for being so encouraging during some dark days. I really value the advice, friendship and help everyone has given me over the years. Hope everyone here searching for and needing a job lands a good gig soon!

17 comments:

MrGoodson2 said...

Excellent Ronnie! Sounds like a great fit. I hope you get a nice long run out of it.

MrGoodson2 said...

Deer Hunter should be made out of money. They have always had a hit with their games. Very under reported what a huge success they are.

Surly Bird said...

Thanks, Ellis. Yes, I think the game is doing really well. It's a great game with a devoted crowd. They have some very clever game mechanics that make it a challenging and fun game to play.

JMG said...

Congrats Ronnie. Now I need to get a lucky hit.

Surly Bird said...

I am pulling for you, Jim (and Ellis, Tom and Marty, too). I wish things were a bit more predictable. Too much talent here to not be knocking it out of the park!

MrGoodson2 said...

When you say you are contract, do you work at a studio or at home?

There are people that want to make games out there . They need talented people.
They're getting the hang of new strategies to get the people for non budget breaking rates. There probably is going to be a lot of hiring. Contract , part time, strategies.

Surly Bird said...

It's on-site, Ellis. I made sure to ask about that. One interesting thing is that they asked me if I wanted a standing desk or a sit-down desk. I had heard about standing desks and how they are great for you, so I said hook me up with a standing desk (I can opt to a sit-down if I don't like the standing desk). Just to make sure I wasn't making a mistake, I jury-rigged a Frankenstein standing desk at home and I really dig it. Much easier on the shoulders and neck, but a little tiring to the legs initially. I think I'm going to force an adaptation on myself and see if I can save my neck, back and shoulders.

Rickart said...

Well done! I look forward to reports on the new job as the come in. What's your start date?

Surly Bird said...

Thanks, Rick. I start December 2nd.

MrGoodson2 said...

We need updates on whether you stick with the stand up. One of those hydraulic desks that let you do both would be good.

My bet is the standing gets to you. Home Depot mad me a believer that man is better off seated.

I love to walk and run. But I eventually get back to seated. Standing for 4 to 8 hours, walking on concrete. I thought I was going to lose my feet.

Davis Chino said...

Ronnie!!

Such great news!!

Dude, so happy for you and Hiromi. I know you'll do a great job. Tell me you're planning to dress the part yr first day--camo, facepaint and duck boots!

Surly Bird said...

Already working on my Duck Dynasty/ZZ Top beard, Marty. Thanks for the kudos!

Ellis, I hear you loud and clear on the standing thing. I'm going to try it for the next few days and see if I can adjust. It's cool and not cool at the same time. Most people I know who swear by it say at some point around two weeks in, your body grocks it and there's no going back, but if that's the case, I have to wonder why so many people use the desks that can go from sitting to standing.

I have just enough unpredictable shoulder and neck stuff that I'm willing to give it a go as a hopeful preventative. I have never found a suitable chair. Expensive ones that are supposed to be ergonomic cause me more pain than cheap chairs. We'll see, I guess.

Beata said...

Congrats, Ronnie!

I'm particularly eager to hear how your standing desk works out, since I'm trying to set one up one for myself. I spend way too much time sitting down. A friend of mine who has one says it's the best decision she's ever made.

Surly Bird said...

Thanks Beata! One thing I've discovered in the last hour or so is to try and leave a slight bend in the knee. Locking my joints is what I naturally want to do, but that causes fatigue in the knees, hips and lower back. Standing with a slight knee bend seems to help. Feels really natural and quite good - a type of forced relaxation, I guess. The trick seems to be to not keep too much tension in any one muscle or joint.

Tom Moon said...

Congratulations Ronnie! That's great news. Hopefully it will turn into a permanent-employee position.

Tom Moon said...

Hey Ronnie, can you drop me a line at tommoon001@gmail.com so I can have your e-mail address? I have a question for you.

Surly Bird said...

Thanks for the kind words, Tom. I just fired off an email to you. Talk to you soon.