Long time no see guys. I uploaded a ZIP file containing all the Diver Down art I did to be released to public domain to the Verge-RPG servers a few years ago.. Does anyone have that file? I need the pixel art to form a portfolio so I can use it for a job application here in China.

It's disappointing to see that no complete games have been released since the last time I dropped by to check out the community. Even The Curse of Dragmoria has stopped production.. I wonder about McGrue's Astrad and so forth..

I'm fairly sure I have it. I'm on my mobile phone at the moment so I'll have to dig it out later. Would you like it uploaded to the Verge downloads section if McGrue doesn't find it?

Hey Gren, you still in LA Metro? A bunch of us have all moved to the Bay Area. And like Falth's down your ways right now.

Let's gnosh and talk. Have my people call your people.

Quote:Originally posted by mcgrue

www.egometry.com has Astrad updates.

You're in china?

Quote:Originally posted by grenideer

Hey Arias! How are you doing?

Hopefully one of these fine gentlemen can help you with your art recovery problem. I certainly have all the Diver Down art but it's not organized and in a neat little file for you. If you need I can try to help although my domain has been down lately because of issues with the company. I need to do something about that...

Where are you in China, why, and who are you trying to work for?


Hey grenideer.. It's certainly been awhile! Sorry to take so long to resond; I just moved into a new apartment for abit. I see you're still working at Insomniac (I made a point to browse through the staff profiles) : ) The company has really been proving its mettle this generation, and I hope you guys are making Resistance 2 crazy kick-ass.

I'm now in Beijing and will probably stay here for the rest of 2008 provided I find employment. This means I'll be here during the Olympics, and I don't know if that's a good thing or not.. I graduated from U of Toronto last year and came over here to look for work opportunities. I actually worked for 2 months as a translator/product manager for a local Chinese online gaming company that primarily engages in goldfarming but has turned to licensing local IPs and localizing/publishing them in English-speaking Southeast Asian countries (Singapore, Malaysia, Phillipines). I quit and am looking for other work although this company still wants me back.

The company in question which requires my pixel art is.. da da dum. EA. In Shanghai. I'm not sure what title they're developing here or what sort of work they're outsourcing, but it's still a route for me to get back into the console gaming industry. AGEIA is also recruiting people to develop PhysX, and I applied for the position of game-tester but they probably want real local Chinese as they're dirt-cheap to hire.

In general the MMO market here in China is HUGE. The potential for revenue is crazy. I come into play with my English-Chinese bilingual skills, and there is some demand for people like me. Some companies aren't afraid to use Chinglish (NOT rascist; the locals very often say this about their language themselves) for in-game content and even their websites, but others have greater ambition. However, there's probably a fair chance that I won't get into the gaming industry here again. Might get a job as a copy editor or anything of the sort. Meh. I have to start somewhere.


If you guys are intending to drop by Beijing, I can certainly help out in many ways. Even though I am a fairly boring person.



As for the art, I hope someone uploads it :D

Grue not delivering the goods? I'll upload the file this evening (gmt), as i'm on my phone's internet at the moment.

I retrieved it! Many thanks.

Holy snapplecakes did I suck balls on some of my art back then.. Gwahahaha. Others are pretty decent and remain nice to look at. I feel hungry to work on another project.. Diver Down remake, grenideer? ; ) Or you could try and convince Insomniac to make it >: D

Man, I miss the old VERGE days ;_;

Yeah my art had a big improvement from the first year to the third on the project but in general I still lacked alot of artistic prowess : \ Definitely overdid it with the bold outlines and whatnot.. Goddamn. I haven't done pixel art since, which makes it what.. 6 years? Oh man.

Those are some nice art Arias. My personal favorite is Nmalcolmport. Good luck with your job prospects. =)

Quote:Originally posted by grenideer

Beijing, huh? That's funny. I would've thought you were in Shanghai.

I know a couple friends who just opened up a game company in Beijing. Unfortunately, you're right. The whole point of opening up a company in China is NOT hiring Westerners. :)

You were doing translation? How well do you kow Chinese? What did you graduate for? I'm not sure what your professional skillset is but only 2 months of experience is tough. It seems like sticking around someplace longer than that is better for a resume, especially if it's your first job in the industry. I'm not sure what your reasons for leaving were though.

Insomniac is great, and ya, Resistance 2 will kick ass. We just released a cover in Game Informer if you can check that out over there. I may visit Beijing but I don't think that soon.

Right, I am aware of the state of tech companies in Shanghai and such. Working for an MMO company is pretty tough; I quit my previous company for multiple reasons and they're courting me back to lead translation and develop an online strategy for them. Salary offered has doubled (though still poorly lacking by Western standards) and if I take it I'll stand to earn 4-5x as much as a typical Chinese graduate will.

I am of the Chinese race; just not of the Chinese nationality. I've spoken the language since I was a child and it's the language I use to communicate with my parents and my extended family in general. I was brought up in Singapore so I studied Chinese for 15 years. Unlike American Chinese or Canadian Chinese, I also read and write Chinese which places me a cut above other bilinguals :^) The only barrier of entry for me in any industry is the vocabulary used -- tech & business terms and so forth.

I majored in Psychology & Cognitive Science, with a minor in Philosophy.. I started out in Computer Science but got converted in Philosophy 101 ; ) My discipline has given me alot in life, so I have no regrets despite it impairing my job opportunities. The writing-intensive nature of my study and graduating with the highest distinctions possible also makes me an appealing choice for the Chinese companies here needing great English to front their corporate image. By fortune I steered myself into a place where my language skillset is appreciated and I can kick-start a career here : )

I would love to get in touch with your friends! Networking with other gaming companies here would be useful.. I do have some intention to set up a company here in the future. Anyways, depending on how talks progress, I'll be deciding whether to return to my previous Chinese game company or take up a copy editor position in an MNC that pays similarly well. Any advice? By the way, I lost my previous Hotmail account and am now using hendrick.sukardi atto hotmail .


I can't wait for Resistance 2, but I really must say that you guys need to make sure the music gets taken up a notch : p I thought it was lacking in Ratchet. Also, I really hope you guys make the September 2008 release..