Ever thought of applying for one of the positions that Blizzard has listed on their jobs page? You’re not alone. I’d actually go as far as saying that most people playing World of Warcraft, StarCraft or Diablo have at one point given it a thought.
Jobs at Blizzard are notoriously difficult to find because Blizzard is one of the most respected companies in the games industry. World of Warcraft boasts over 7 millions subscribers that have at this point been playing for close to a decade, which might arguably make it the most popular game of all time in terms of hours. Starcraft is so popular that it’s practically a sport in some parts of Asia, with entire TV shows devoted to watching the top players duke it out. And Diablo is an enduring franchise that is in it’s third edition with millions of copies sold. Each of these franchises are huge mainstays in the industry, so popular that even people who want to have nothing to do with games have heard of them.
The first thing to realize if you want to work for a company like Blizzard is that you have to be the absolute best. I’m not just saying kind of good. I’m not even saying so good that all your friends and family say you’re the best artists they know. I’m saying you need to be the best among the best in the industry. Take a look at some of the artwork at ConceptArt.org. That is the level of quality that you need to be at. It will take years and years to get to this level of skill, but that is the minimum bar. It’s going to take thousands and thousands of hours of just working on your art and drawing everything you can possibly think of. Don’t get discouraged, but realize that if you want to get this particular dream job, you need to be willing to put in the years and years of hard work. Keep pushing yourself and keep learning.
Game designers shape the challenges and tune the weapons that our players run amok with.
As a designer, you’ll make sure that our games delight the mind with interesting interactions between players and AI. You’ll construct mechanics that don’t require a manual to understand, keeping in mind that the best games are easy to learn, but difficult to master. It’ll be your job to create fun for everyone, from hardcore competitors to plug-and-play weekend gamers.
Blizzard designers aren’t just “idea people”—they find elegant and enduring designs everywhere, and implement them effectively with scripting, layout and testing. With world editing software at your fingertips, you’ll iterate until your gameplay shines as brightly as any gorgeous environment or stirring soundtrack. When your co-workers can’t stop playing what you’ve made, then you’ll know you’ve found the fun.
Learn more about the Blizzard Campus on their new website – Start by the basics and see for your self how amazing Blizzard Entertainment become, if you are not an professional but highly talented student – may perhaps an internship on the blizzard campus suites you?