how old is too old to be working as a game modeler/texture artist?

[quarkov]

(Sorry if this has been asked before. Did a few searches, didn't find anything completely relevant.)

Hey, I'm James. I'm considering getting into the game industry as an environment/prop modeler. I'm 26, been working as a graphic designer for a few years, but not really feeling it anymore, don't have the drive to improve, and it's become a dead end for me. I'm seriously considering switching to 3D. I've more or less zeroed in on game modeling. At first I was considering going into animation/effects for movies, but as I did more research, I kept hearing horror stories about late nights, 80 hour weeks + weekends, babysitting renders at 3 am, crying as said renders crash, plus insanely fierce competition for jobs, which pretty much turned me off the idea. Video game modeling as a career seems to be more tame, in comparison. Plus, I've liked videogames since I was a kid, so I figured hey, worth a shot.

If I start learning soon, I figure in two or three years I might be good enough to apply for jobs at game studios (assuming I get good in the first place, which isn't guaranteed, but I want to give this a shot anyway -- and this is beside the point of my post). So, I'll be in my late 20s / early 30s by the time I'm working in games. What I'm wondering is, how long can I reasonably expect to last in this career? Around what age does burnout set in, when do you start looking out of place among all the kids in their early 20s, when does RSI and carpal tunnel cripple you, etc? If I can expect to last until about 40, am I really picking the right field? Just 10 short years of work? Ideally, I'd like to stay until I retire, although I doubt that's possible. Deep, permeating burnout seems to happen in a lot of creative careers, and it seems like many artists eventually turn into higher-level suits (project managers, producers, etc), or leave altogether. Personally, from my perspective at my age, I don't want to become a suit. I like making things. That's why I'm interested in the field. (Of course, who knows how I'll feel at 40.) I'd like to last as long as possible.

Is it considered embarrassing to be working as a lowly game modeler at 45? 50? 60? Does the monotony and repetition get to you way earlier?

This is probably a bad place to ask, since the majority of you are probably pretty young yourselves.

[samgriffiths]

It will last as long as you want it too, the industry is very competitive, age doesn't matter portfolio matters, 2-3 years sounds about right.

26 is around the age people leave uni and get jobs, you arn't too old.

there will always be crunch time.

Hope this helps mate.

[glynnsmith]

Sounds exactly like the position I was in after I left uni:

I've been a graphic designer, in both in-house and freelance positions for the last 8 years. This year, I've got my first, bonafide hands-on games art job. I'm 28 and PROUD!



Luckily I've landed an art lead position, due to my extensive history managing large projects (such as this very forum ) and I'm in an ideal spot as I'm using a really wide range of my skills, seeing as I'm in a really small team.

The thing I realised is that I'm using my graphic design (which is a really wide range of things anyways) skills in pretty much every facet of my job now. It's very rewarding to be able to draw from that to make style and design direction decisions, based on my sharply-trained critical eye - which has come from - dun dun duunnnnnnn - many years as a graphic designer

Do not lose heart that mere children of 18 years of age are breaking into the industry all the time. Us older, wiser guys have the ability to grow proper beards, which is great for all areas of being awesome!!!

It all boils down to being good enough and having the right attitude and skillset - That, with a cracking portfolio, you'll get hired where-ever you want. Age isn't a factor in this still-young industry and isn't something I take into account when I have to hire people.

Best of luck with your endeavors

[samgriffiths]

Originally Posted by glynnsmith

Sounds exactly like the position I was in after I left uni:

I've been a graphic designer, in both in-house and freelance positions for the last 8 years. This year, I've got my first, bonafide hands-on games art job. I'm 28 and PROUD!



Luckily I've landed an art lead position, due to my extensive history managing large projects (such as this very forum ) and I'm in an ideal spot as I'm using a really wide range of my skills, seeing as I'm in a really small team.

The thing I realised is that I'm using my graphic design (which is a really wide range of things anyways) skills in pretty much every facet of my job now. It's very rewarding to be able to draw from that to make style and design direction decisions, based on my sharply-trained critical eye - which has come from - dun dun duunnnnnnn - many years as a graphic designer

Do not lose heart that mere children of 18 years of age are breaking into the industry all the time. Us older, wiser guys have the ability to grow proper beards, which is great for all areas of being awesome!!!

It all boils down to being good enough and having the right attitude and skillset - That, with a cracking portfolio, you'll get hired where-ever you want. Age isn't a factor in this still-young industry and isn't something I take into account when I have to hire people.

Best of luck with your endeavors

I GROW GOOD BEARD TOO, now to fulfill the other part.

[PixelMasher]

Im the youngest where I work, im 22 and got the job when i was 20. a couple dudes are 23-25 and the rest of the staff are in their mid 30's. so yea like others have said age doesnt really matter, a great attitude and your portfolio are what will get you the job.

[quarkov]

Thanks for the replies. I guess I was worried about the fact that I'll start learning 3D about a decade later than most people. It's funny that everyone picked up on that and focused on it, since the rest of my post focuses on longevity in this particular field. I am still curious about that, but, again, I doubt there's anyone here who could say.

Well, I feel like less of an old fogey now.

[bbob]

Although I am a mere whippersnapper 19 years of age, I would say that the fact that you have been a graphical designer for a while gives you a bit of a head start. Knowing good composition and colour theory will boost your work beyond the jungle of bland portfolios out there.

Oh and good luck mate

[glynnsmith]

Originally Posted by quarkov

It's funny that everyone picked up on that and focused on it, since the rest of my post focuses on longevity in this particular field..

Consider that the industry is only *really* about 25-30 years old.

John Carmack, one of the (if not *the*) biggest names out there, is in his late 30's and he's still going strong.

The only answer I can give is that the industry isn't old enough yet to figure out how long you'll be working in it. Graphic design's been around for 120+ years. People work as designers well into their pensions. I don't see why it wouldn't be the same for videogames, once it reaches that saturation point.

[urgaffel]

Originally Posted by quarkov

... I kept hearing horror stories about late nights, 80 hour weeks + weekends, babysitting renders at 3 am, crying as said renders crash, plus insanely fierce competition for jobs, which pretty much turned me off the idea. Video game modeling as a career seems to be more tame, in comparison.

Depending on where you end up, you might have to do 80hr weeks in the game industry too. It's not as bad as it was, but there are still pockets of resistance to sane schedules.

Originally Posted by quarkov

Plus, I've liked videogames since I was a kid, so I figured hey, worth a shot.

Be aware that you might start to become a bit jaded with regards to videogames. It's very easy to start deconstructing them and see the flaws and the tricks they've used. I'm guessing it's the same problem any professional would have when seeing things in their field (bad graphic design perhaps?). You can see the flaws more easily instead of just going "woooow that's awesome, how did they do that?!"

Originally Posted by quarkov

If I start learning soon, I figure in two or three years I might be good enough to apply for jobs at game studios (assuming I get good in the first place, which isn't guaranteed, but I want to give this a shot anyway -- and this is beside the point of my post). So, I'll be in my late 20s / early 30s by the time I'm working in games. What I'm wondering is, how long can I reasonably expect to last in this career? Around what age does burnout set in, when do you start looking out of place among all the kids in their early 20s, when does RSI and carpal tunnel cripple you, etc? If I can expect to last until about 40, am I really picking the right field? Just 10 short years of work? Ideally, I'd like to stay until I retire, although I doubt that's possible. Deep, permeating burnout seems to happen in a lot of creative careers, and it seems like many artists eventually turn into higher-level suits (project managers, producers, etc), or leave altogether. Personally, from my perspective at my age, I don't want to become a suit. I like making things. That's why I'm interested in the field. (Of course, who knows how I'll feel at 40.) I'd like to last as long as possible.

I turned 30 just under two weeks ago and have been doing this for about 5 years now and so far I havent' had any problems with RSI etc. When do I see myself stopping? Never... Not really. There's no industry like this where I can roll in to work around 9.40, wearing a t-shirt with a monkey riding a pig, sporting long hair, jeans and sneakers, then spend the rest of the day working with 3d. Then having breaks to play the game we're working on or other games for reference. I spent a whole morning playing Assassins Creed not too long ago to look at how they did stuff. Good luck trying that in any other job! If I get tired of working for others I can always scrounge up some friends and try starting our own company. Or to keep things fresh, work on a game in my spare time with friends in a completely different style (which I have done, the trailer will be out soon ).

As for moving up the ladder, some people do that because it is marginally more safe than being a grunt. You have to keep in mind that once you have a family you can't just move city/country when you get laid off so you start looking for a stable position (or depending on circumstancses, go freelance) and usually managers are a tiny bit safer than the shopfloor workers. You also get more money which is a good motivator when you have a mortgage and school fees and whatnot to pay.

Originally Posted by quarkov

Is it considered embarrassing to be working as a lowly game modeler at 45? 50? 60? Does the monotony and repetition get to you way earlier?

I have no idea, the oldest persons in games I know are 40ish with families. They seem to be doing fine.

Originally Posted by quarkov

This is probably a bad place to ask, since the majority of you are probably pretty young yourselves.

*cough*

[Archania]

Age doesn't matter as stated before. I'm 37 with a family and I already have a degree in Mechanical Engineering. I'm going back to school online for a Game Art & Animation degree. I work on models when time permits and get my school work done and of course things around the house. I even have a internship with a company doing models. The reason I got hired as an intern is that I'm older and dedicated more to what I'm doing. No offense to the younger crowd. I'm way beyond parting and stuff.
So go for it! We are more mature and in a different mind set.