Square-Enix:
Reviews from past employees:
“Pros
great working environment, good benefits, nice people, you can make an impact which will be noticed by the management (but do not expect financial reward)
Cons
unless working in sales or in a studio do not expect a bonus, the exit package is below market rates, the CEO of Europe has too many direct reports and micromanages too, decisions sometimes seem based on optimistic view and gut feeling rather than financial prospects, there is no representation of the Finance community in the decision making meetings”
“Pros
It can be an entry point in the videogame industry. Young and fun colleagues. Nice area, located in central london. Girls will have a much easier time in securing longer contracts. Males are expendable.
Cons
If you dream of working in the videogame industry, working in Square Enix's London office will crush your dreams. No real career opportunities unless you are a personal friend of the management. A few people have to work harder because of some "friends" who are just on holiday. Some localisation QA testers are handpicked because their managers want to offer a holiday to their close relatives. Some localisation QA managers have a job at SE simply because their are a personal friend of some higher level manager. Highly talented people has to leave to progress. The skillset required to get a job without being friend of a manager still corresponds to a minimum wage.”
- Less about financial results and more about achieving vision
- You have to know people, make connections
Management Guidelines (what they look for in employees and what they hope to achieve as a company)
http://www.jp.square-enix.com/company/en/philosophy/
To spread happiness across the globe by providing unforgettable experiences
This philosophy represents our company’s mission and the beliefs for which we stand. Each of our customers has his or her own definition of happiness. Square Enix provides high-quality content, services, and products to help those customers create their own wonderful, unforgettable experiences, thereby allowing them to discover a happiness all their own.
1. Professionalism
We shall exhibit a high degree of professionalism, ensuring optimum results in the workplace. We shall display initiative, make continued efforts to further develop our expertise, and remain sincere and steadfast in the pursuit of our goals, while ultimately aspiring to forge a corporate culture disciplined by the pride we hold in our work.
2. Creativity and Innovation
To attain and maintain new standards of value, there are questions we must ask ourselves: Is this creative? Is this innovative?
Mediocre dedication can only result in mediocre achievements. Simply being content with the status quo can only lead to a collapse into oblivion. To prevent this from occurring and to avoid complacency, we must continue asking ourselves the aforementioned questions.
3. Harmony
Everything in the world interacts to form a massive system. Nothing can stand alone.
Everything functions with an inevitable accord to reason. It is vital to gain a proper understanding of the constantly changing tides, and to take advantage of these variations instead of struggling against them. We shall continue to work towards harmony and serve as an integral part of this ever-fluctuating system.
Corporate Profile
Company Name
|
SQUARE ENIX CO., LTD.
|
Established
|
October 1, 2008
|
Headquarters
|
SHINJUKU EASTSIDE SQUARE 6-27-30 Shinjuku, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 160-8430, Japan [MAP]
TEL: 03-5292-8100（Main）
|
Branch office
Osaka
| |
Representative Director
|
Yosuke Matsuda, President and Representative Director
|
Common Stock
|
1,500 million yen
(As of March 31, 2015)
|
Principal Shareholders
|
Jobs
https://www.square-enix-montreal.com/en/jobs
JOB TITLE : Special visual Effects Artist
SUPERVISOR : Lead artist
PERSONNAL AND INTERPERSONAL SKILL:
INNOVATION / CREATIVITY: Work demonstrating initiative and creative spirit while using efficient work methods.
ACCOUNTABILITY: Demonstrate sense of responsibility and autonomy in achieving project results and individual objectives.
HONESTY / RESPECT: Act in honest and respectful manner while respecting commitments.
COLLABORATION / TEAMWORK: Collaborate with other team, share expertise and be good team player.
MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Create all the aspects of 2D and 3D game effects. This includes the particles systems, animated textures, Mesh effects, as well as properties that can be used by programmers;
- Can contribute to the design and/or conceptualization efforts as needed;
- Help create the foundations of particle systems for the game engines by using the appropriate tools;
- Create the polygonal effects and the properties of the texture effects which will be used by programmers;
- By using 3D effects, simulate and use the animations effects during the game as concept proof for actual and future material;
- Create realistic effects such as fire, smoke, and explosions by using the available resources.
EXPERIENCE AND TECHNICAL SKILLS REQUIRED
- University or college diploma in 3D Art, or equivalent training;
- 3-5 years experiences as a special effects (VFX) Artist;
- At least 1 title published, ideally on Mobile platform;
- Knowledge of Maya and Photoshop;
- Working experience with « multi-pass shader effect »;
- Knowledge of 3DS Max;
- Knowledge of Unity Engine;
- Knowledge of Script languages;
- Bilingual (French and English).
Technical Artist
Duties:
Develop new techniques and processes to solve visual effect production challenges;
Innovate and solve artistic technical issues for tool development used in game production, in order to improve work processes;
Work efficiently with programming staff while representing the art;
Research an innovative visual and technical point of view in dealing with process and pipeline creation;
Document processes and procedures thoroughly;
Push and/or define hardware and art limitations for the project;
Work closely with the technical director, debug and evaluate new tools;
Interact and communicate effectively with management on both a project and studio level.
Experience and qualifications:
3 to 5 years experience as a real time 3D Artist (Level Artist, Model Artist, Texturer, Assistant Art Technical Director)
Technical Skills:
Support and troubleshoot in the gaming development for : Max (Max Script); Engine (Unity) & Game GUI (Engine GUI)
Strong knowledge of positions related to game production
Working knowledge of hardware platform limitations
Knowledge of design softwares in 2D and 3D
Knowledge of a database system (ex : Perforce, VSS, Alienbrain)
Knowledge of a Script language
Interpersonal Qualities:
Strong sense of responsibility
Ability to clearly communicate ideas
Thrive on achieving superior results
Team Player
Ability to work under pressure and to respect deadlines
Motivation:
Must understand what makes good games so special, and have the ability to pick games apart, pointing out what works and what doesn’t
Always works to the best of ability
Gearbox
Associate Art Producer:
Responsibilities:
- Manage art creation cycle from concept to completion while maintaining the teams / art directors creative vision
- Drive art production cycle via GBX production tools / software
- Responsible for the on-time delivery of art related milestones and tasks
- Assist Project Producers with overall project milestone, scheduling, and strategy
- Collaborate with other departments and team members to determine art production scope
- Manage personnel issues, foster team morale, and ensure collaboration with other teams
- Will organize and help ensure that the art team and production runs smoothly, producing high quality assets and environments on time and to specification both internally and externally.
- The Art Producer should be familiar with art tools and pipelines as well as being an excellent communicator both written and verbal.
- Will interact with internal/external art resources, programming, design, QA and publishing groups to manage multiple departments communication.
- Will also foster team morale while guiding the art team to project or company goals.
Qualifications:
Required Skills:
- Bachelor’s degree and/or 1-2 years’ experience in the industry
- Strong and enthusiastic communication skills
- Organized and good time management skills
- Strong understanding of video game content pipeline from concept to shipping
- Self-motivated and able to work on own initiative
- Strong understanding of project management
- Working knowledge of Microsoft Suite programs
- Experience with Photoshop
Desired Skills:
- 3D Studio Max / Mudbox / Zbrush experience a plus
- Unreal 3/UDK experience a plus
Art Director:
Responsibilities:
- Establish game vision working alongside the Creative Director and other project leads, collaborating in all aspects of the creative process
- Maintain high aesthetic standards while crafting flow, visual storytelling, and progression
- Provide concepts, style guides, paint overs, and supporting documentation as required for clear high level visual direction & vision
- Motivate, mentor, supervise and support our team of artists with clear and consistent direction
- Assist in maintaining milestone and general art schedules with art production team
- Responsible for quality of all milestone & deliverables as they relate to the art department
Qualifications:
- Demonstrate a high level of creativity and originality while being comfortable in adapting to a wide range of styles
- Able to balance being holder of the vision while supporting consensus from a talented team of artists and game makers
- Come equipped with an understanding of bleeding edge art techniques
- Excellent communicator and team player -- here at Gearbox we thrive on collaboration and working together to meet our project artistic goals
- Should have firm understanding of necessary art creation tools (3D Studio Max / Photoshop / Mudbox / Zbrush / etc)
- Unreal 3/UDK experience a plus
- Have 5+ years game industry experience with shipped games
- Be able to relocate to Dallas, Texas area to join the Gearbox team
- A proven and seasoned ability to express your ideas and vision visually in an inspirational and exciting fashion
- Strong background in visual arts, with a solid understanding of 2D and 3D design principles
- Must have leadership experience
- Must provide tangible proof of your tremendous capabilities
All information obtained from respective employers websites
