I'm looking for Video Game Programmer/Graphics Design Job in Japan

I heard from a friend that there is a company in Japan that is looking for video game programmers and graphics designers. Apparently they are willing to train you so a lot of experience isn't necessary. I don't know the comapny's name or where they are located. So my searches haven't turned anything up. I know it's a long shot. But I was wondering if anyone here knows which company it is. Or has a logical guess to which company it may be. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

He's pulling your leg. A game programming job, with training? In Japan? Are you serious?

 

Sure all you need is a degree from a decent Japanese university and the ability to speak and write fluent Japanese as well...

 

Actually there are graphic design studios that will take in uni grads then train them. The problem is that they pay you really low salary.

Yakumo

 

As opposed to the big stacks of cash they pay people that have 10-20 years experience? :banghead:

 

Before you think of everything else, you have to have at least a BA degree or five to ten years experience in the area you want to work in order to be eligible for a work visa.

If you don't have any of the above, you can still come as a trainee under a different visa but you won't be able to earn anything but pocket money.

Similar to what Yakumo said, as a general rule for entry-level jobs companies don't expect you to bring any experience for the job and will train you. But you need to have a university degree and speak the language, as Jamtex said.

You have to ask yourself, what do I have what a Japanese (applicant) doesn't?

I recommend you study this site: http://www.daijob.com/en/
You can look for game related jobs in the "creative" category, but also check out "career support" in the top menu.

And this while not 100% related might give you some additional ideas: http://www.jref.com/forum/showthread.php?t=36053

 

Hmm, I have a graphic design degree, maybe I should hop on this...

But no, ASSEMbler knows the drill. You'll definitely most likely be making less than what you could in Canada for the same work. Unless you're ultra skilled you'll be the last one considered for promotion.

You'll be expected to work longer hours than you may be use to. I'm sure it's not as standard as it was in the 80's, but even taking your optional sick days can be looked down upon in alot of companies.

By 1st world standards Japan has terrible enforcement of workers rights and unions.

You'll basically be taking it in the ass for the opportunity to live there.

 

The only way you can really move up the corporate ladder in Japan is on the non-standard track. That's usually the gaijin track for white pieces of shit like us. Even then, you generally have to switch jobs a few times to make the big leaps.

I'll throw some real life illustration in:
I had a shit job in an English school (in the office w/ some teaching at night). My salary at the time was 270,000 yen a month. It was a long day though. 10AM to about 8PM, so private students on the side was a weekend only affair. I went for a job interview that required the following:

-Native English
-High level Japanese (only one other gaijin in the office)
-Photshop, Illustrator, Pagemaker
-Other computer knowledge.

When I told him my current salary was, he said, "you make too much for your age". Despite the fact they're looking for a specialist in a very narrow gene pool, they told me full stop they would pay me shit. Obviously I didn't take the job.

 

While the whole lifetime employment thing is kind of crumbling, there are a growing number of cut throat business types that are making heaps of cash. They're just not working for huge corporations. They're generally working for themselves.

 

270,000 yen a month fixed w/ or w/o bonus? other services like 70% insurance cover etc?

so below the line, how much in a year did you get?