Gearbox Announces "cogs" Initiative
KungFuSquirrel
Basher of Muttons Join Date: 2002-01-26 Member: 103Members, NS1 Playtester, Contributor
Basher of Muttons Join Date: 2002-01-26 Member: 103Members, NS1 Playtester, Contributor
in Off-Topic
<div class="IPBDescription">work on a contractual basis</div> Gearbox software has just announced the <a href='http://www.gearboxsoftware.com/cogs.html' target='_blank'>C.O.G.S.</a> System (Contractors Of Gearbox Software) as an expanded contract work opportunity for those in the area of their Plano, TX offices.
If any of you live in the area, are involved in the departments mentioned in the announcement, and want to work in the industry someday, you should give this a shot. It's tough to get into the industry without experience, which creates a fun almost paradox. This is a chance to break through that barrier.
One of Gearbox's employees made the following post on ShackNews, which I think covers it well:
<!--QuoteBegin--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> </td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin--> This isn't a switch.
This is an initiative that fixes the Catch-22 problem that new talent has.
One cannot get a job without experience. One cannot get experience without having a job.
The goal is to provide future talent a chance to get their foot in the door.
The COGS are not intended to replace the core, veteran staff of Gearbox.
However, it is conceivable and, in fact, hoped for that some of the COGS mature into veteran talent that can join the core teams.
Gearbox has done this in the past on several occassions. Typically, we find that we cull from candidates to the point where we give about 10% of them contracts so they have a chance to prove themselves. Of those awarded contracts, we tend to have a rate of about 50% getting renewed contracts or getting offers to become full-time developers at the company.
The best and brightest future game developers are not yet in the industry.
The COGS program is designed to give these future game makers a chance to get their foot in the door.<!--QuoteEnd--></td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'><!--QuoteEEnd-->
If any of you live in the area, are involved in the departments mentioned in the announcement, and want to work in the industry someday, you should give this a shot. It's tough to get into the industry without experience, which creates a fun almost paradox. This is a chance to break through that barrier.
One of Gearbox's employees made the following post on ShackNews, which I think covers it well:
<!--QuoteBegin--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> </td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin--> This isn't a switch.
This is an initiative that fixes the Catch-22 problem that new talent has.
One cannot get a job without experience. One cannot get experience without having a job.
The goal is to provide future talent a chance to get their foot in the door.
The COGS are not intended to replace the core, veteran staff of Gearbox.
However, it is conceivable and, in fact, hoped for that some of the COGS mature into veteran talent that can join the core teams.
Gearbox has done this in the past on several occassions. Typically, we find that we cull from candidates to the point where we give about 10% of them contracts so they have a chance to prove themselves. Of those awarded contracts, we tend to have a rate of about 50% getting renewed contracts or getting offers to become full-time developers at the company.
The best and brightest future game developers are not yet in the industry.
The COGS program is designed to give these future game makers a chance to get their foot in the door.<!--QuoteEnd--></td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Comments
But then, I already have a possible internship lined up <!--emo&;)--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html//emoticons/wink-fix.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='wink-fix.gif' /><!--endemo-->
Many companies do, its just rare in the high level industry. Ussually its more like plumbers or brick layers who run programs like this.
If Valve did it I'd be set for life. Or Monolith. Or any of the other gazillion Seattle-area developers.
If Valve did it I'd be set for life. Or Monolith. Or any of the other gazillion Seattle-area developers. <!--QuoteEnd--> </td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'> <!--QuoteEEnd-->
Yeah, that would totally rock for people in our area. D:
15 Minute drive HERE I COME!!!
VALVE... <u><b>STEAM!?</b></u>
VALVE... <u><b>STEAM!?</b></u> <!--QuoteEnd--> </td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'> <!--QuoteEEnd-->
HAHA HAH I AM SO CLEVER AND WITTY. I CAN MAKE BASIC COMPARISONS AND DO 2ND GRADE LEVEL CRITICAL ANALYSIS. <!--emo&:D--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html//emoticons/biggrin-fix.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='biggrin-fix.gif' /><!--endemo--> GO GO SURGE. <!--emo&:p--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html//emoticons/tounge.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='tounge.gif' /><!--endemo-->
Coleman as in <b><i>Gary Coleman!!</i></b> Don't lie, we all know the truth.
VALVE... <u><b>STEAM!?</b></u> <!--QuoteEnd--></td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'><!--QuoteEEnd-->
HAHA HAH I AM SO CLEVER AND WITTY. I CAN MAKE BASIC COMPARISONS AND DO 2ND GRADE LEVEL CRITICAL ANALYSIS. <!--emo&:D--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html//emoticons/biggrin-fix.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='biggrin-fix.gif' /><!--endemo--> GO GO SURGE. <!--emo&:p--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html//emoticons/tounge.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='tounge.gif' /><!--endemo-->
Coleman as in <b><i>Gary Coleman!!</i></b> Don't lie, we all know the truth. <!--QuoteEnd--> </td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'> <!--QuoteEEnd-->
Yes, and I love it how almost every single post you have recently made involves me at some point in it's posticularness.
<img src='http://img98.exs.cx/img98/5719/garycopy.jpg' border='0' alt='user posted image' />
<GARY COLEMAN IMAGE> <!--QuoteEnd--> </td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'> <!--QuoteEEnd-->
I have never laughed so hard in my life.
Silly Aussie.
I have Cadbury Chocolate.
Therefore, I win.
Have a good evening, thunderstorms don't like my very tall house.
I have Cadbury Chocolate.
Therefore, I win.
Have a good evening, thunderstorms don't like my very tall house.<!--QuoteEnd--></td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'><!--QuoteEEnd-->
My toblerone beats that <i>easy</i>.
That and COGS is practically on my doorstep. I think I am gonna go over there to borrow a cup of sugar. Care to join me? Oh wait, <i><b>that's right, you are <a href='http://www.indo.com/cgi-bin/dist?place1=dallas%2C+Texas&place2=sydney%2C+australia' target='_blank'>8583 miles (13814 km) (7459 nautical miles) away.</a></b></i> Assuming you live in Sydney. If you don't find your own distance. Nyah. <!--emo&:p--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html//emoticons/tounge.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='tounge.gif' /><!--endemo-->
15 Minute drive HERE I COME!!! <!--QuoteEnd--> </td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'> <!--QuoteEEnd-->
where do you live?
15 Minute drive HERE I COME!!! <!--QuoteEnd--></td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'><!--QuoteEEnd-->
where do you live? <!--QuoteEnd--> </td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'> <!--QuoteEEnd-->
15 minutes from Plano Texas <!--emo&:p--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html//emoticons/tounge.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='tounge.gif' /><!--endemo-->
I have Cadbury Chocolate.
Therefore, I win.
Have a good evening, thunderstorms don't like my very tall house.<!--QuoteEnd--></td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'><!--QuoteEEnd-->
My toblerone beats that <i>easy</i>.
That and COGS is practically on my doorstep. I think I am gonna go over there to borrow a cup of sugar. Care to join me? Oh wait, <i><b>that's right, you are <a href='http://www.indo.com/cgi-bin/dist?place1=dallas%2C+Texas&place2=sydney%2C+australia' target='_blank'>8583 miles (13814 km) (7459 nautical miles) away.</a></b></i> Assuming you live in Sydney. If you don't find your own distance. Nyah. <!--emo&:p--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html//emoticons/tounge.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='tounge.gif' /><!--endemo--> <!--QuoteEnd--> </td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'> <!--QuoteEEnd-->
Of course, that's you assuming I WANT to do this COGS thing, which I DON'T, as it happens, and Toblerone is teh lose compared to cadbury and/or tim tams.
Secondly, I was said borrow a cup of sugar. I am joking, I really don't have that much interest in going there, but it is cool to know that Gearbox is located so freaking close to me. Which, sadly enough, took a post by a guy in Madison, Wisconsin to let me know this.
Thirdly, Toblerone > You.
**EDIT** Fourthly, stay away from mah babies/me (if you have the intent of having them, you bastage).
Secondly, I was said borrow a cup of sugar. I am joking, I really don't have that much interest in going there, but it is cool to know that Gearbox is located so freaking close to me. Which, sadly enough, took a post by a guy in Madison, Wisconsin to let me know this.
Thirdly, Toblerone > You.
**EDIT** Fourthly, stay away from mah babies/me (if you have the intent of having them, you bastage). <!--QuoteEnd--></td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Firstly, Ok, you were exaggerating. Fine by me.
Secondly, yes, I did notice you were joking, my other post just lacked the appropriate emoticons to indicate I acknowledged your funny.
Thirdly, Everybody agrees: Toblerone sucks compared to Cadbury. Your tastebuds are officially defective. And besides, I get BOTH.
EDIT: And fourthly, your babies are going down.