My Submission to BioWare Edmonton
On the following pages you will find examples of my application to BioWare, from 2009. Ultimately, I was unsuccessful in my application.
However, when I say unsuccessful, this is what my interview process looked like :
January, 2009: I began teaching myself to use the Neverwinter Nights Aurora Toolset.
May, 2009: I submitted my resume and sample module.
June, 2009: I was asked to participate in a phone interview. After this, I was sent feedback to address in my resubmission.
July, 2009: After that resubmission, I was sent more feedback to incorporate into another submission.
August, 2009: I was asked to fly to Edmonton for an interview. I almost threw up at the airport out of nervousness, then again right before my interview.
September, 2009: Upon returning to Australia, I was contacted again to provide a completely new module within 48 hours, this time set in the Mass Effect universe.
I don't know if this is typical procedure - I don't know if there is a typical procedure. This was simply my experience, so please don't expect exactly what's outlined above for your own submission. This is only a single example of an application, from amongst thousands.
Throughout the process, I learned a great many things about games writing, editing, what BioWare Edmonton are looking for, and about the wonderful people who work in that studio. Despite my obvious disappointment not to be selected for the position, there is no aspect of my experience with them that was not positive. Everyone I met really could not have been any nicer, more patient, or more friendly. I strongly recommend applying if, like me, working for BioWare is your dream job.
The reason I'm including these modules is to help others who want to work at BioWare, by allowing them to learn from my mistakes. When I applied, there was no one who could tell me what the process would be like. I hope these modules and the comments I received can help shed some light on what to expect if you do apply to work at BioWare Edmonton.
Do I think I addressed their criteria reasonably? No, not really. But that's the benefit of hindsight. I spent a lot of time scrutinising their comments, trying to give them exactly what they wanted, and I ended up losing the part of me that belonged in my own work. So, really, the best advice I can offer is: don't be too proud to accept criticism, but keep hold of the part of you that makes your writing unique.
I still have a lot to learn. Am I proud of the work I did? Absolutely. Is it my best work? I sincerely hope not. I look forward to improving and I hope, through supplying this process vicariously, I can help you get better, too.
However, when I say unsuccessful, this is what my interview process looked like :
January, 2009: I began teaching myself to use the Neverwinter Nights Aurora Toolset.
May, 2009: I submitted my resume and sample module.
June, 2009: I was asked to participate in a phone interview. After this, I was sent feedback to address in my resubmission.
July, 2009: After that resubmission, I was sent more feedback to incorporate into another submission.
August, 2009: I was asked to fly to Edmonton for an interview. I almost threw up at the airport out of nervousness, then again right before my interview.
September, 2009: Upon returning to Australia, I was contacted again to provide a completely new module within 48 hours, this time set in the Mass Effect universe.
I don't know if this is typical procedure - I don't know if there is a typical procedure. This was simply my experience, so please don't expect exactly what's outlined above for your own submission. This is only a single example of an application, from amongst thousands.
Throughout the process, I learned a great many things about games writing, editing, what BioWare Edmonton are looking for, and about the wonderful people who work in that studio. Despite my obvious disappointment not to be selected for the position, there is no aspect of my experience with them that was not positive. Everyone I met really could not have been any nicer, more patient, or more friendly. I strongly recommend applying if, like me, working for BioWare is your dream job.
The reason I'm including these modules is to help others who want to work at BioWare, by allowing them to learn from my mistakes. When I applied, there was no one who could tell me what the process would be like. I hope these modules and the comments I received can help shed some light on what to expect if you do apply to work at BioWare Edmonton.
Do I think I addressed their criteria reasonably? No, not really. But that's the benefit of hindsight. I spent a lot of time scrutinising their comments, trying to give them exactly what they wanted, and I ended up losing the part of me that belonged in my own work. So, really, the best advice I can offer is: don't be too proud to accept criticism, but keep hold of the part of you that makes your writing unique.
I still have a lot to learn. Am I proud of the work I did? Absolutely. Is it my best work? I sincerely hope not. I look forward to improving and I hope, through supplying this process vicariously, I can help you get better, too.
These modules require Neverwinter Nights to play. Simply copy the module into the 'modules' folder in the Neverwinter Nights install directory, start the game, select 'New Campaign', "Other Campaigns..." and then the name of the module you want to play.
