   [closed]Need Programmer:cash,room&food,plane tickets- working holiday/gap year, China
  Thanks for all of the interest and resumes.  We'll have a few more coming in from some universities, but for now this position is closed while we make a decision.Cheers,-BlakeTeam name: AFM Games.AFM is a professional video game graphics outsourcing company- we know graphics, and we do it well. What we aren't is a game developer- but we'd like to explore the indie scene in China (primarily interested in the Chinese game market).Project name:Project 'find talented Western programmer who wants to have a working holiday in China to help us explore the possibility of game development'.We're open to one to four programmers to work together as a team with Chinese programmers (who speak some English- you don't need to know how to speak any Chinese) to develop some games.We're mainly looking for a lead programmer, but we can bring in a couple individuals on this.Brief description:Likely web based, formed in such a way with a lobby that friends can join games, or compete against each other.  Our initial project will probably resemble a cart racing-like game- we tentatively plan to use JavaMonkey and Raknet.  3d with a strong emphasis on billboards.Target aim:Internet distribution, through a site designed to manage user accounts, an avatar, and serve as the game lobby and store (the business plane is "freemium").Compensation:Food, rent, visas, plane tickets, provided- and probably a 2,000 RMB "beer money" fund a month, for entertainment and misc.That's about $300 USD a month, but scaling it up for purchasing power, it's a bit over a thousand in effect if you use it for entertainment in China.If your credentials are good, it could be a bit more.So, that's about $3,500 cash as a beer money fund over the year, and about 12k worth of other things provided. I also hope to work in some trips to some sight seeing locations by train around China on holidays. (And, of course, the World Expo is in Shanghai in 2010)It's not a bank roll, but it's also a free vacation.  If you're coming out of school and have some indie experience, this could be a good opportunity.Technology:We tentatively plan to use JavaMonkey and Raknet.  3d with a strong emphasis on billboards.This will probably be in Java and C++, and use as many open source tools as we can find. (You don't have to know Java in advance- if you know C++ well, you can learn Java relatively quickly.)Java and site based distribution isn't set in stone- there's a small chance that we may develop a client which could connect to a lobby to display available games- but right now, web functionality seems to be the best business plan.Talent needed:Programmer(s).No real formal credentials  are definitively required- only demonstrable skill.  A degree is preferable, but past work is more important.Working knowledge of Java is also preferable, but not essential.Some demonstrable experience in web and network coding is important, but not essential (as we may bring in a couple programmers- as long as one has this).Team structure:Artists: 20 - 25Consulting creative director: Me (I'm from the states)Lead programmer: You.  Possibly additional Western programmers if we have multiple qualified people interested.Other programmers: Possibly between one and five graduate students, we may ask you to help us select them from a group of applicants, depending on how this works out. They will speak English.Website:http://www.afmgames.com/Contacts:Me, Blake.blake at afmgames comOr, PM here.Previous Work by Team:Plenty of artwork by AFM, nothing in regards to making games of their own.I've worked on a few indie projects, personally, but nothing needing showcasing (space shooter, calculator game, step based dungeon game, and the like).  I've also worked professionally on cellphone games.Additional Info:If you ever wanted to visit China for a short time, and you're in a transition place in life right now, it's a good chance to do that- essentially for free. I've talked to a couple programmer friends, but they're not really in that place and would probably need more money than we can offer.If you're pulling in 90k a year, this probably isn't for you. If you're just graduating, or even just a student interested in a gap year (or gap six months possibly)- this might be something you'd want to consider.We're ideally looking for somebody who can come within a month or two.Feedback:ENCOURAGING ONLYI hope I've provided enough information, please do present any questions or suggestions.FAQ:"Why can't you just find a local programmer? You mentioned graduate students."Education in the realm of creative problem solving in Chinese universities is unfortunately a bit lacking. We're definitely open to a Chinese graduate student with these skills, but it's a matter of a needle in a haystack right now. Only senior programmers here tend to have learned those skills- some of the same skills that I've seen in brilliant 15 year old programmers in the states- and older programmers are secure in their positions at companies like Nokia and Intel, and not likely to be interested in a pay cut and a less stable job (stability means a great deal in China)."I don't know Java"If you have a strong background in C++, Java is a cake walk to learn. At most, it should take a talented programmer who is versed in C++ a month of part-time studying to pick up enough of it (you won't need to know every library like the back of your hand).It is preferable that you know it before you come, but not essential- if you do know C++, and have the net experience we need, you could pick up the basics on the plane ride over and learn the libraries as we work.[Edited by - Blake Rieger on May 13, 2009 4:33:17 AM]
  Is there any particular reason the programmer can't telecommute for this? Seems like that would be a lot more convenient for the programmer, and cheaper for you.If all you're looking for is publicity, you could volunteer your artists to work on programmers' projects for free. I know my project could use some art..EDIT: I guess some more information that is missing is what sort of art your team is capable of doing. For example, 2D, 3D, skeletal animations, pre-rendered sprites, etc.You should also list what tools you use. 2D tools don't matter a whole lot because of a wide range of standard file formats, but 3D tools can potentially make a difference.   ;Quote:Original post by MortusMaximusIs there any particular reason the programmer can't telecommute for this? Seems like that would be a lot more convenient for the programmer, and cheaper for you.If all you're looking for is publicity, you could volunteer your artists to work on programmers' projects for free. I know my project could use some art..EDIT: I guess some more information that is missing is what sort of art your team is capable of doing. For example, 2D, 3D, skeletal animations, pre-rendered sprites, etc.You should also list what tools you use. 2D tools don't matter a whole lot because of a wide range of standard file formats, but 3D tools can potentially make a difference.Thanks for the questions,I have found telecommuting to usually not be very productive- particularly in this case, where face to face communication is going to be much more effective due to the mild language barrier (they'll speak English, but they won't be experts)- there's also the time difference.  Beyond that, the income also would not support a lifestyle in the U.S.A.  I doubt anybody wants to be making less than rent.  This income supports a very comfortable lifestyle in China.We're not just looking for publicity- we want to get into making games.  We may only use these for some publicity- we may do something more.  We are undecided on distribution- the bottom line is that we want to make some games and see how it goes.As far as art- 2d, 3d, anything.The studio does everything from single player puzzle games to next gen MMOs.  Graphic technology is irrelevant for these projects- we can do pretty much anything within reason.  This is an art outsourcing studio; we have that part down.  Just nothing on the programming side.Please check out the gallery for a few non NDA works:http://www.afmgames.com/html/gallery.htmCheers,   ;  If you pay for housing and the trip over there any salary you get really is just beer money.  Honestly the salary doesn't have to be that much if you guys really are taking care what ends up being a large chunk of a persons expenses.  Makes me wish I had a passport and more experience in web based Java programming.  This could be a very valuable learning experience, not to mention a nice addition to a resume.  I'd love to get paid to move to another country for a few months and program.   ;  If only I had more than a 2 week vacation from school :(  I'd hop on this in a heartbeat.   ;  Thanks for the feedback guys, I'm glad to see there's some interest.Quote:Original post by jtagge75If you pay for housing and the trip over there any salary you get really is just beer money.  Honestly the salary doesn't have to be that much if you guys really are taking care what ends up being a large chunk of a persons expenses.Yeah, we'd take care of those at least.  I can try to see about getting some photographs of the apartments near the studio in the next couple days.  Shanghai is a pretty happening city, though.  I don't suggest spending *all* of any additional money on beer- given the low price of beer here, that could still be a dangerously large amount.My thought is that it probably starts at rent, visa, plane tickets, and food.There's a Carrefour for convenient Western food a couple blocks from the studio, but there are also good restaurants everywhere if you like Chinese food.  There are of course McDonalds', Starbucks, and KFC, but not many other western chains- I have seen the occasional subway.Don't expect to find any Mexican food that doesn't taste like Chinese food gone wrong in a restaurant though (this applies to most non-Chinese foods here).After basic living expenses, any additional amount can be negotiable on top of that.Passport:A passport doesn't take long to get.  I believe it's about $160 in the states from the last time I got mine (expedited service, two weeks processing).  More or less the same in most countries.Cheers,   ;  Sometimes I wish I was less experienced. :/Good luck with your search, sounds like a cool opportunity.   ;Quote:Original post by WanMasterSometimes I wish I was less experienced. :/Good luck with your search, sounds like a cool opportunity.Thanks.Not sure what you mean by less experienced... there is no "over qualified" here, since this is a short time gig.  I'm sure they wouldn't object to a full time Western programmer willing to work for dumplings, but I doubt that's a realistic ambition.Anybody from a student to somebody with a lifetime of experience is great, so long as they know how to do what we need and are enthused about the prospect :)If it's the idea of working on relatively simple games that is turning you off, I'll throw this out there:If you have some seriously hard-core experience, and can demonstrate the ability to handle a larger project in the time frame, we're happy to consider working on a project more of your caliber.  You'd just have to propose it.  That is, if you can program a next gen title (this would have to be pretty well demonstrated to take the risk), we can yield the art for a next gen.  Naturally, though, I'm skeptical of next gen stuff.I'd be pleased with something that resembled a simple web game where people can buy goofy accessories or pets with points.  I'd be overwhelmingly pleased with something like Graal, but with decent graphics.Pretty much depends on the skill of the programming team- namely, the lead.   ;Quote:Original post by Blake RiegerNot sure what you mean by less experienced...Well I meant I fall into that 90K programmers that can't just walk away from their full time job category. Otherwise I'd be definitely interested. [smile]   ;Quote:Original post by WanMasterQuote:Original post by Blake RiegerNot sure what you mean by less experienced...Well I meant I fall into that 90K programmers that can't just walk away from their full time job category. Otherwise I'd be definitely interested. [smile]*nod* Sadly many of us will fall into that category.  This sounds like a great opportunity though, i wish you the best of luck.   