Best City to work in the Gaming Industry

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brood_aliance

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#1 brood_aliance
Member since 2004 • 1005 Posts

I'm curious what city is the best city to work in the gaming industry. Finishing my BCS (Bachelor's of Computer Science) this year, and wanna go to a university that is in a city with a big gaming industry to continue my education. I currently live in Vancouver, which has one of the biggest gaming cities in the world. I was thinking of Seattle, San Francisco, or maybe LA.

Any help would be awesome.

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aching546

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#2 aching546
Member since 2007 • 224 Posts
LA, yes vancouver's good, monterey for ubisoft, san francisco yes, or you could try japan if youre into those types of games but i think thats a pretty tough market.
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brood_aliance

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#3 brood_aliance
Member since 2004 • 1005 Posts

Hmm cost of living in Japan is quite high, and I'm not a big fan of Japanese style games. I may be able to keep up with the cost of living in San Francisco, since Vancouver is very expensive this past decade.

I'm pretty sure Ubisoft is in Montréal, which wouldn't be bad since I speak fluent French.

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cos_vanquish

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#4 cos_vanquish
Member since 2007 • 1143 Posts

I would go with Vancouver or Seatltle. If you have anouther experience, or knowlege. I believe you could possibly get a job somewhere around hte local vicintiy. Or course you would most likely be starting off as an intern. And if you are going to be going in for an interview, depending on what field you are wanting go into it's always good to have somethig to back up your creditentials.

Such as, if you are going for game design or game development, bring along a copy of a game that you have acreated ( it doesn't have to be top notch, just showing what skills you can bring to the table. As for game design, you may want to bring in a porfolia of computer based modles offff what would been seen in the game and what the game is about and how it all falls into place. just so they know you are serious about the career you wish to pursue.

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OremLK

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#5 OremLK
Member since 2007 • 745 Posts
Seems like it would be San Fransisco to me (Silicon Valley), but the game industry is pretty spread out now. There are plenty of studios in Dallas and Austin (near where I live), for example. Texas has great cost of living, too.
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brood_aliance

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#6 brood_aliance
Member since 2004 • 1005 Posts

Seattle wouldn't be too bad schoolwise (University of Washington), same with San Francisco (UC Berkley). If I stay in Vancouver I would have to apply for UBC agian, which is one of the best schools in Canada, but it would be better to study in several different universities. What do you guys think of Toronto?

BTW, thanks for all the advuce.

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cos_vanquish

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#7 cos_vanquish
Member since 2007 • 1143 Posts

Multiple schools aren't going to help you. Your best best as far as school wise is going to a university and getting a degree. They would be slightly impressed that you went to different universities as it shows you have the iniuitive to see things through and go after what you want.

But as I previously stated and others, your best bet would be Seattle, San Francisco.

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KGB32

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#8 KGB32
Member since 2007 • 4279 Posts
there's Raleigh North Carolina for EPIC games...the guys from Gears of War and Unreal Tournament...im planning to be a tester there someday
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TheMierArmy

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#9 TheMierArmy
Member since 2003 • 5699 Posts

there's Raleigh North Carolina for EPIC games...the guys from Gears of War and Unreal Tournament...im planning to be a tester there somedayKGB32

...or Red Storm ;)

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#10 crucifine
Member since 2003 • 4726 Posts
Baltimore or thereabouts. Firaxis, Bethesda Softworks, Big Huge Games are all within a 15-minute drive from my house. If all goes well, I'll be working at one of those places in about 2 and a half years (as a programmer). I might even get an internship at BHG next year. There are also quite a few indie studios, and EA just opened a small branch up here.

This is besides Vancouver/Silicon Valley.
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cos_vanquish

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#11 cos_vanquish
Member since 2007 • 1143 Posts

Also, I don't know if you are wanting to know what the best cities to work in for the gaming industry is due to the fact that you want to move there to try and get a job.

I would apply for any one of the gaming industries many locations and if something comes through and you are offered a job, then I would move up there. Don't waste all your money moving to some city in hopes of getting a job for a gaming company, because your chances aren't all that great.