HI, I'm living in Iran and I've been thinking about living in another country for a long time. I was thinking if there are some game studios around U who can accept a not-yet professional programmer. I really don't know my level is enough to get a job somewhere else or not, but I really want to give it a shot. these projects where my last jobs: https://youtu.be/TMAgs_4FcZc and https://youtu.be/NvZkVa0Klss

So..., let's see what U say!
one more thing: I can only Speak English and Persian. my other question is: how much do they care about this? should I focus on countries with English as their main language or other countries like Belgium, Poland, GERMANY :), etc also accept that?
update: thank you all for the information!

6 years ago*

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Well,
without an education in the programming/design business it will be hard to find someone that will give you a job in germany. The language whould not be that big problem in this scene but you must be a "professional". Also a lot of programmers work for a "professional fee" and change the studios from job to job.

So if you think about germany a step at the university might be the better way to start your way here.

6 years ago
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I will get my Bachelor of Software Programming next turn. but it doesn't worth a lot to me. anyway I was thinking if there are some places that give some time to get to the level they want while hiring me with a lower salary

6 years ago
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I don't want to talk about politics here but also keep in mind that on the last vote in Germany a party with an anti muslim agenda became the third strongest party. Their voters aren't as open minded as most of the gamer community.

6 years ago
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Well, good luck emigrating to the US.

6 years ago
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why game programming? are you professional enough to be making games?

6 years ago
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6 years ago
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so what? two small games? you think that's enough to work in the industry?

6 years ago
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he said that he is "not-yet professional" - but what's a better way to get professional than WORKING on it? In a studio he could learn a lot even though it will be hard to get into it..

6 years ago
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You should not talk about "real life" in here. People will try to abuse it to full potential. Plus, most are into giving away and gaming related stuff, so you'd better watch out...

6 years ago
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I like the community the way it is. still there are some kind and helpful ppl

6 years ago
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View attached image.
6 years ago
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It's all about your skills, if you are good enough, any mid-big studios will be fighting over you and help you with relocating since there are not enough high quality programmers on the market to satisfy the demand.

6 years ago
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The best thing you can do if you want to get hired is to work on your portfolio, make more things you can show potential future employers, and don't expect to land a job at a big company right away.
Programming is at least a good field to get into, it's where they generally need people. If you said "game designer", well your chances of landing a job would be close to 0 :P

Depending on what kind of project you land, it's possible that they won't want you to move, but rather work from home, and then have skype meetings every few days. A friend of mine, living in Stockholm, worked on a game for a company located in the Netherlands, and he traveled there every 2nd or 3rd month for a meeting, and the rest was just done online.

Be careful when you get a contract. Working in the game industry might seem glamorous, but there are companies out there who have no qualms about taking advantage of you, that know that there are a lot of young people who want to get into the gaming industry and thus think they can treat people however they want. Also be prepared for tough work in either case. Tough work with a paycheck that does not quite match what you could get elsewhere.

6 years ago
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6 years ago
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that was a really good question. I can provide about $5000. but what about other countries? I think I'm too positive. I was hoping there is some place for me with the condition I have. some town in some small country maybe

6 years ago
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Most companies don't even give you the light of day with no experience even to those living in pretty much any country you want to try, why should they give someone without any experience from abroad a chance, and you probably don't have the money to sustain yourself.
It's a dream, but i think not a very realistic one, you got more chance investing putting your game on steam, learn from that, and if you got a couple that do okay, then you got experience you can show to companies.

6 years ago
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In addition to Fnord's advise (portfolio), I would suggest you participate in game jams to get more experience and -best case- make a name for yourself.
Google-magic said itch jams for example.

6 years ago
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You didn't hear this from me but... there's a direct flight from Iran to Serbia and you don't need a visa to visit as a tourist. While there aren't many game studios here (largest would be Nordeus, then some Ubisoft studio and Eipix, with some smaller ones making HOPA games) there's a strong business software scene in Belgrade and Novi Sad... I dunno how it would go with work visa, but if you were to enroll in the post graduate studies and find internship with any of those companies (there's even Microsoft dev center, but they focus on Office) I'm guessing student visa would be easy and it could be a helpful start. Everyone above 16 and under 45 speaks English. Rent is cheap compared to countries in EU, specially if you don't mind living on the outskirts and commuting like 30 min to work.

(I know this is not what you'd probably like, just putting it out there)

6 years ago
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actually it was a very nice offer and I'm doing some research for that

6 years ago
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"I was thinking if there are some game studios around U who can accept a not-yet professional programmer"
Unless you're best buds with someone on the team, they won't give you the time of day as a junior programmer. Without a degree or solid portfolio you can expect even less. I couldn't even get a phone interview for an internship at a local company despite having a degree and an award-winning game in my portfolio.

Getting a job programming games is harder than getting a normal programming job and makes you less money at every level of expertise while also having worse working conditions. Basically you're better off getting a normal job instead of making games for a living.

If you're dead set on making games, consider that the cost of living in Iran is 55% less than in the U.S. and also less than most of Europe. If you telecommute or work solo, you'd only have to perform half as well as others to make equivalent wages.

6 years ago*
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