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Monday Apr 21, 2008
So you want to work at Sega? (Part 1)In all honesty, it’s a fairly daunting moment. I’ll admit it – I’m kind of a SEGA fan boy. I grew up on titles like Sonic the Hedgehog 3, NiGHTS into Dreams, and Phantasy Star. I treated my Dreamcast as if it were my child (in retrospect, I would have been a terrible parent – I literally played the thing until it died), and shared in every DC owner’s disappointment when SEGA finally announced they were pulling out of the console race. Even after the third-party transition, I was still a huge fan – for the most part – of a number of SEGA titles. Given this history, I had always thought it would be awesome to work for SEGA – though if you had asked me two months ago what I thought the SEGA of America offices looked like, I probably would have painted a picture more akin to the Holy gates of Heaven than to the reality of office cubicles, deadlines, and group meetings. Then one day that little dream suddenly became a reality, and after a number of e-mails and two flights later, I found myself sitting in the lobby of Sega of America, nervous, excited, and wondering if a little man in a Sonic suit would soon run up to show me to the interview room. (Sadly, there is no such man employed here. Yet.) It was a little nerve racking at first, having back-to-back-to-back interviews with people I had only really talked to online, and in some cases never even met before. Things became more comfortable as the day went by, I avoided doing anything too stupid, and the next thing I knew I had left the offices to catch my plane back home. Two and a half weeks later I stepped off of the San Francisco plane again, this time with a considerably larger amount of baggage, and a single thought process firing in my brain: I had left everything (Including my Wii, God bless it) behind me to work at SEGA. I was pretty excited, but even finding a temporary location to stay was an experience in itself – San Fran is a pretty big place, especially compared to the small, Midwest town that I grew up in. Major props to Chillaura here, who not only saved me some major headache trying to find a place to stay on day one, but also showed me around town. And then, one week ago, I officially began work here in the SEGA offices. It’s been an experience already, and I’ve no doubt there’s much more yet to come. If it’s your dream as well to enter the gaming industry – and I know there are a lot of you out there, because I was among you not one month ago – my advice is to never give up trying and to get as involved as you can. You never know when doors may open – and that’s it for this week’s dose of sappy inspirational blog lines. Other titles that I’m a fan of include Shenmue, Skies of Arcadia, old school Sonic, anything Smash Bros, PSO, and most recently PSU, where you’ll be able to find me in-game as the newest Game Master for the series. This is also a good chance to mention again our live support during PSU’s Max Attack G event starting this Friday, where we’ll be talking to players on all servers for a few hours each day to discuss issues and help out with questions. Normally I’ll be blogging about PSU, but if people are interested, I may also continue to blog here about working at SEGA and about some of the challenges that come with the territory. It won’t be a reality T.V. show (I can’t stand those, sorry), but if there are enough of you out there listening, I’d be happy to make it a more regular thing. Nice to meet you everyone, and all the best here in the world of SEGA. - Ruby P.S. – If you’re interested in finding out emplyment opportunities with SEGA, this page may be of interest: http://tbe.taleo.net/NA4/ats/careers/jobSearch.jsp?org=segausa&cws=1
Posted by RubyEclipse in General, Phantasy Star Universe on 12:29:05PM Apr 21, 2008
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Comment # 1
Nice blog entry, but really interviews ALL day? o.O Wow… I can barely handle 1 interview a day.
Posted by Shadiwulf on April 21st, 2008 at 1:00 pm
Comment # 2
Oh and also, the font you used is hard to read on a high resolution monitor, from a normal viewing distance >__> just a tip for next time you write a entry.
Posted by Shadiwulf on April 21st, 2008 at 1:05 pm
Comment # 3
The font should be much easier to read on a high res monitor now. Thanks for the mention Shadi!
Posted by RubyEclipse on April 21st, 2008 at 1:18 pm
Comment # 4
Interesting read! I guess you now have somewhere to direct the people I’m sure keep asking you about this. Anyways, congrats again and I hope to read some more blogging(both about PSU and working at Sega) soon. Also I agree with Shadi about the interviews
Posted by Zeaxel on April 21st, 2008 at 1:47 pm
Comment # 5
Just wondering but why did you have to leave your wii behind ._. Thats like abandoning kittens!
Posted by Eternity23 on April 21st, 2008 at 2:13 pm
Comment # 6
Interesting read Ruby. I’d like to hear more when you have the time.
Posted by S-T-H on April 21st, 2008 at 5:16 pm
Comment # 7
You should know who I am Rubs. ;3 Get on MSN at some point, needs to talks to yous.
Posted by Crono on April 22nd, 2008 at 6:48 pm
Comment # 8
OMFG, PLEASE continue writing entries about working at SEGA. My dream job is to work in marketing in either Sega or Nintendo >_>
Posted by Kev on April 22nd, 2008 at 7:39 pm
Comment # 9
It will be great – to get latest news about Sega,from someone, who is working there!
Posted by Flink_TH on April 23rd, 2008 at 12:16 pm
Comment # 10
Hah, congratulations Ruby.
Hopefully someday I’ll be working right along with you at Sega.
Who knows, right?
Posted by Starslicer on April 24th, 2008 at 4:20 pm
Comment # 11
Congratulations for getting in at SEGA!
I’m studying Games Development at a University in England at the moment and am starting my second year of 3.5 years this September. I’m heading to a games career fair next Tuesday and hope to become more involved career wise there. SEGA of Europe showed their face last year, but according to the site they sadly will not attend for this particular event.
I know there’s still a long amount of my University course to go but I have been seeking advice about making it into the industry a great deal just lately. Only yesterday I emailed former SEGA employee ‘Christian Senn’ and received a reply with some motivating advice.
I enjoyed your blog post and hope to read some more regarding your work at SEGA! Hope everything continues to go well.
Posted by Lee on April 26th, 2008 at 12:39 pm
Comment # 12
I am assuming this is where I am to post if I am interested in becoming a sega GM or Moderator. I prefer moderator. Please contact me with any nessesary information I will need in order to become a mod for the ps2/pc server. Thank you!
Posted by Alexia on April 26th, 2008 at 6:30 pm
Comment # 13
Good Read! good luck in your job at Sega!
b***h and moan until we get new Skies of Arcadia, Jet Set Radio and Shenmue!
Posted by Ryan/Sharky on April 29th, 2008 at 5:17 am
Comment # 14
Haha, Ruby’s just keeping the secrets safe. Cubicles! Ha!….. Good one!
There are no gates of Heaven, but the offices do actually look a bit like this:
http://www.projectrho.com/rocket/senate.jpg
And a lot of the conference rooms look like this:http://jimmyakin.typepad.com/photos/uncategorized/tholian1.jpg
….but with Japanese guys instead of aliens
No holodeck yet, unfortunately….
Posted by Max on April 29th, 2008 at 11:49 am
Comment # 15
Not sure why anyone would want to work for Sega anymore to be honest. The company no longer really makes games. Nothing of interest has come out of Sega since they were bought out by Sammy. Nights was nice to see but it was poorly executed. PSU is not as good as its predecessor, PSO. No sequals to the really good games, such as Shenmue, Skies of Arcadia, Panzar Dragoon, Jet Set Radio. In addition, the innovative games that Sega used to be known for have simply disappeared. In a perfect world, Sammy would sell Sega to a company that would give it the funding and Support to get back to what they do best, making games.
Posted by fryguy on May 2nd, 2008 at 4:51 pm
Comment # 16
Boy i’m just like thisw guy working at sega is my dream i’m never gonna give up, if you could could you post more info like what you do there and what are the challenges there you go through.
Posted by segadude on May 14th, 2008 at 4:24 am
Comment # 17
I am touched by your story.
I have been a SEGA fan since I was in the first grade. I have done my research over the years and Im still learning. I am now in the 6th grade and never giving up my dream.
day to day I think about what its like working for SEGA. But there are things in my life that I need to focus on right now. I cant wait to be apart of the SEGA sonic team!
by the way…I know this is not the place to be asking this but I noticed that the SEGA website has changed and I cant find the sonic central. just wondering when it will be back!
- your biggest fan
Randi
Posted by meep on May 21st, 2008 at 12:17 pm
Comment # 18
Secret level?! I wonder what goes on there!
Posted by Nicole on May 21st, 2008 at 4:22 pm
Comment # 19
Please send more, I am a major nerd/fan and my dream is to work in Sega!!! Please also include what kind of degree you should get and stuff like that.
Posted by cheeeesecake on June 12th, 2008 at 11:44 am
Comment # 20
Where is Shenmue 3? I’d even settle for a Shenmue-based fighting game, a la VF5, except with Shenmue characters. Maybe a story mode, where you can start as Ryo, practice in your dojo, fight through the characters in Shenmue 1 – 2, and finally fight Lan Di. At least that way, I’d finally get the satisfaction of busting his chops. Pleeeeeeeeeeeease!?!?!?!?
Maybe a Shenmue fighting game would be a good way to introduce next-gen gamers to the glory that is the original game/series. It would certainly work better than the DVD movie in the Xbox Shenmue 2. If I had my ‘druthers, I’d see:
1. A Shenmue fighting game on Xbox 360 and PS3.
2. A re-release of Shenmue 1&2 as-is on Wii.
3. A “Legacy Edition,” souped-up release of Shenmue 1&2 on Xbox 360 and PS3. The faces and backgrounds could stay the same, but the body models on NPCs need a lot of work to look current. The textures on much of the clothing would need to be more detailed, since they’re rather low-res. However, the faces of the characters could stay. The voice-overs of certain characters might need to be redone too, especially the more “whiny” ones. If you licensed a game engine (Unreal 3 or id’s Tech 5), it would cut the workload considerably.
4. Finally, when appetites have been whet sufficiently, release Shenmue 3, wrapping up the storyline. Separate versions (graphically, at least) would be needed for the 360/PS3 and the Wii. You might even be able to use the Shenmue 2 engine for the Wii version.
There are lots of good reasons to resurrect the series, aside from recovering valuable consumer loyalty. Dual-analog controllers would make the game much more playable. Game development time would be saved because much of the art/story already exists. Also, finishing the series would help recover some of the millions spent to develop the original Shenmue. Sure, it was a lot of money for one title, but for four, it’s pocket change.
This is a title that would need lots and lots of hyping: TV commercials, YouTube promos, magazine ads, etc. Don’t make the mistake made last go-round of assuming that word would get out on its own. People often judge a game’s quality by the amount of media attention it garners, whether or not it even merits it. Let people know what Shenmue is.
Well, if you really work for Sega, put in a good word.
By the way, has Sega thought about bringing back the Fighter’s Megamix franchise? A next-gen Fighter’s Megamix would sell like hotcakes!
Posted by C L Palmer on September 23rd, 2008 at 5:05 pm
Comment # 21
I usually never do a reply post but I enjoyed your blog a lot,Thanks for the great info
Posted by Jose R. on August 19th, 2009 at 5:42 am
Comment # 22
about #20… if they’r gonna make shenmue 1&2 for any console I don’t really care if they compile the game as it is right now!! I JUST WANT SHENMUE ON THE CURRENT GENERATION!!!!! don’t care if the textures are smalls, or the models don’t looks like models in oder games of “this gen”… I read that sega has EVERYTHING done… gigabytes of textures and bla, bla, bla… they are expending money in new projects and they can finish the d@mn game if they want!!!!!!!!
YOU INSIDER!!!! THE ONE THAT WRITE THIS POST!!!! present the idea, make a pool in the main site, put few games asking “what game you want sega bring to you?” put every name big and bright! and put shenmue series small at the end of the list… I KNOW SHENMUE WILL KICK ANY OTHER GAME SEGA HAVE!!!! and for those how don’t know shenmue?!!! well… re-make the hole series!!! sony have a loot of storage on a single blueray… xbox… well… that’s another history.. but I DONT CARE THE WAY YOU DO IT!!!!! BUT DO IT PLEASE!!!!!!!!! I accept even a movie… what ever… I just wanna see the ending…
Posted by Marcelino A. Mosquea on August 20th, 2009 at 6:28 am
Comment # 23
I want to work as a Musician there! what should i do?!
Posted by Alejandro on July 27th, 2010 at 10:31 pm
Comment # 24
sonic is awesome!
Posted by Cory on December 3rd, 2010 at 9:06 am
Comment # 25
Re-reading this makes me chuckle now
Posted by TRiPPY on May 6th, 2011 at 1:03 pm