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View Full Version : Silky Venom Exclusive: Sigil Employees Reminisce


Labyrrinth
03-07-2006, 11:13 AM
599There's nothing quite like getting your first job, except perhaps getting your first dream job in the gaming industry. With that thought in mind, I asked 3 of the newer Vanguard: Saga of Heroes professionals to reminisce a little and tell me how they broke into the gaming industry. Three questions were asked: "How did you get started in the video game industry?", "How did that lead to working for Sigil Online Games?", and “What is your favorite part about working at Sigil Games Online?”

Whether through a lot hard work or a bit of good luck, there were many paths that these Sigil employees took and regardless of how they got there, it's evident that they all possess a great deal of passion and love for what they do.



Sean Hamilton (http://www.sigil.com/team/seanhamilton.html) – Web/Graphic Artist

1. How did you get started in the video game industry?
This is the first video game company I have worked for but I have loved video games ever since I was little. Seeing a company make one game and then a couple years later make a game that is nothing like the last title is exciting. It’s hard to get bored whenever your work environment is ever-changing.

2. How did that lead to working for Sigil Games Online?
I just knew somebody who worked here and asked if they needed what I was capable of doing. Luckily, they did and the rest is history. :-)

3. What is your favorite part about working at Sigil Games Online?
Well there’s always candy and bagels on Fridays. Other than that, I would have to say the atmosphere. Everyone here loves video games, and loves the projects they are working on. It’s not like the typical 9 to 5 job that you hear a lot of people complaining about.


Josh Deeb (http://www.sigil.com/team/joshdeeb.html) – Associate Artist

1. How did you get started in the video game industry?
As far as officially being in the video game industry, Sigil is my first real experience in the field. Unofficially, I worked on some independent projects that a few of my friends were developing (mainly puzzle-type PC applications). And before that, I would just spend countless hours building levels for Half-Life, for my own enjoyment.

2. How did that lead to working for Sigil Games Online?
I think the thing that was most beneficial as far as leading up to my job at Sigil was the time I spent playing around with 3D editors, and later with Maya. Once I found out Sigil had openings for entry-level artist positions, I gathered some of my 3D work and sent in my resume. The six figure check I included with it was most likely optional.

3. What is your favorite part about working at Sigil Games Online?
Working with Glip, of course.


Garret Fern – Associate Game Designer

1. How did you get started in the video game industry?
I worked in First Party Quality Assurance for Sony Computer Entertainment of America.

2. How did that lead to working for Sigil Online Games?
It didn’t. I had wanted to work at Sigil long before I began working at SCEA. FPQA gave me experience in the industry and probably made me more attractive to Sigil, but I was determined to be a part of Sigil one way or another. ;)

3. What is your favorite part about working at Sigil Games Online?
Being around people with whom I share a passion. It’s rare to find a group of people this dedicated to making the best game they know how to make.

Hannar
03-07-2006, 11:59 AM
There are very few gaming companies out there that allow their employees to have such an active role in the community and allow them to share their experience with the general fanbase.

That being said, it is equally true that there are very few gaming companies in which anyone would have enough interest to actually want to learn about the folks behind the game.

Bravo to Sigil on being both talented and passionate enough to garner such a fanbase, and then open enough to embrace it and actually become part of that community. I've got a great deal of respect for the ideas that drive Sigil on a day to day basis, and those employees with the talent to get the job done. Nice article.

Dojo
03-07-2006, 01:02 PM
I concur. I always enjoy reading what's going on in a company that many other companies chooses to just work in the dark and spit out screenshots every so often.

Oh and... Is that you Hannar? *The* Hannar from eqii.com?

Hannar
03-07-2006, 01:29 PM
Yep, same Hannar. Addicted once again.

Raya
03-07-2006, 03:28 PM
This was a fun Q&A. I love hearing stories about how people make it to the "dream job." So far, including interviews I have done and the interviews other sites have conducted, the predominant theme for Sigil folks is their enjoyment of working with such a dedicated and talented bunch of peeps.

Josh Deeb - is that any relation to Justin Deeb of "Jansan" fame?

Hannar
03-07-2006, 03:39 PM
The reasoning behind that is definitely understandable. While I think there is good reason for an engineer at Toyota to be proud of crafting a popular automobile for the masses, there probably has to be a much different feeling for the engineer of a Ferrari. To read the comments from Brad and Jeff in their interviews, or to watch the videos where they describe their game, you can definitely see that #1, they have a clear focus on what they want their game to be, #2, they have a better understanding of what makes a game compelling than most do (or at least more than anyone else is willing to discuss with the community), and #3, that they have charisma that filters through their whole team.

I know from experience, having a charismatic manager/president/CEO... and one in whom you have 100% confidence in their knowledge and experience... makes a tremendous impact on a company. You can definitely see that with the way Sigil presents itself within the company from pretty much every employee.

Faelor
03-07-2006, 05:45 PM
Ah, a great interview! It is indeed nice to see all these new folk able to speak out, and I am glad Sigil is being so open. This is the kind of trust I expect with a company founded on such principles. They are not set to some contract that won't let them speak, even to their own family. They are able to communicate with the community and see what we are up to, ect. It is nice.

Astraad
03-07-2006, 06:30 PM
Yeah, it is nice that they talk to the community. I know it's obvious really, but it's good to see the real people behind the game and actually have an opportunity to interact with them a little.

Kalen
03-10-2006, 07:58 PM
This was a fun Q&A. I love hearing stories about how people make it to the "dream job." So far, including interviews I have done and the interviews other sites have conducted, the predominant theme for Sigil folks is their enjoyment of working with such a dedicated and talented bunch of peeps.

Josh Deeb - is that any relation to Justin Deeb of "Jansan" fame?


Haha yes indeed - I am the younger brother of the illustrious Jansan. =)

-Josh

Raya
03-10-2006, 10:39 PM
Well, hi, there Josh - nice to meetcha. Any brother of Jansan's is...um... well you know - nice to meet :D

Glip the Gnome
03-12-2006, 10:12 PM
Haha yes indeed - I am the younger brother of the illustrious Jansan. =)

-Josh


Dude, you work here now. You don't have to be nice to Justin anymore! :D