Jobs in the Industry

[Ghostwind]

Honestly, I don't recommend it. As Ari said, now is not the time. Once 4e is released there may be a bigger market for people trying to freelance but right now it is a losing proposition.

 

[jdrakeh]

Here's the deal with RPG-industry jobs. For many folks (even 'name' designers) writing or designing games is a side job. Many of these folks have full-time jobs in other fields that pay the bills.

 

[MongooseMatt]

Mongoose is going to be hiring full-time staff next year. . .

 

[Rabelais]

threadjack=off

I enjoyed Sidekick girl! Funny in a Tick sort of way

 

[dmccoy1693]

As a new freelancer, I can say that this is exactly what I want to do. My day job supports my habit of RPG writing (be it for my homebrew or for other people). I don't do this for the money, I do it because I love it. If I make "occassional beer money" (as Stephen Eley of EscapePod put it), then I'm happy, at least for the moment.

Even if you decide to try it, now is not the time. Too much of the industry is in a bad spot, and a lot of companies are waiting to see what happens with 4E.

I don't want to contradict Mouseferatu, but now is a great time for writing non-d20 material, esp if you're working on an open/licencable RPG system. Mongoose has RuneQuest and some 3rd parties are finally starting to look for freelancers; Traveller's going to be launching in Feb and Mongoose has an open playtest doc out (translation: prospective 3rd party Traveller companies have more then existing 3rd party d20 companies). WEG announced recently that d6 is going to be a free licence (non-OGL, but still free) and they're going to be launching Septimus soon. White Wolf always has submission guidelines up; Exalted is still going strong as is WoD. SotC is generating alot of interest in FATE and Fudge. Chaosium's BRP is available for licence and I know one company is taking advantage of that and a few others are giving it series consideration.

As a writer, now's a great time to try something other then d20.

 

[Andre]

Any long-time pro’s have any suggestions or comments about getting a job in the RPG industry that they care to share? Or for that matter, any comments or observations about working in the industry they care to share?

Not to be too negative, but what industry? There are what, a couple hundred (few hundred?) full time people working for RPG companies? That's smaller than most companies I've worked for. You have better odds of becoming a Hollywood actor.

If you want to work on RPG's (as opposed to a job in the "industry"), just do it. You won't make a living at it, but as RangerWickett said, it can be satifying.