Choosing Games over FAANG?

Oct 23, 2020 67 Comments

Hi all.

I'm currently trying to choose somewhere to intern. Has anyone chosen the games industry over FAANG/big tech and have an opinion about it? Regret, etc.?

I'm thinking about choosing Riot Games over FAANG because I believe I'll like the work a lot more, but I know I'll be taking a paycut and also maybe have worse WLB. Anyone have thoughts on this?

#gaming #riotgames #microsoft #amazon #facebook #google

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  • Sounds like you know what you are giving up already. Gaming = fun, low pay. Big Tech = varies, high pay. End of story.
    Oct 23, 2020 3
  • Your WLB won't be worse, especially-especially as an intern. And while there's likely a paycut, Riot does well by its engineers. It's somewhere between typical game industry and FAANG.

    More importantly, loving what you do is everything. I'd rather make "plenty" and feel passionate about my work and the people I work with, than make "more than plenty" and feel like I just have A Job.
    Oct 23, 2020 7
    • Donlen / Finance
      GFnQ80

      Donlen Finance

      PRE
      Hertz
      BIO
      Duke's Business School grad with experience at start-ups and currently doing fp&a at Hertz. Looking for opportunities in PM role at a SaaS company.
       GFnQ80
      Your last paragraph resonates with me so much. This is what I tell everyone. Wanna connect riotgames different? I've 2 spots left to connect with someone this month lol.
      Oct 27, 2020
    • Cognizant / Other
      KRnk51

      Go to company page Cognizant Other

       KRnk51
      Wait Google, you want to develop be part of the API team for internal tooling at riot?
      Nov 6, 2020
  • Amazon
    BigPIPin

    Go to company page Amazon

    BigPIPin
    The money will be less but you might not have worse work/life balance. Amazon is as bad as most game companies if not worse in the WLB department.

    I’ve done both, really I’m fine with making 150k instead of 250k as long as I can keep my sanity and not hate going to work everyday.
    Oct 23, 2020 0
  • There's a new company I'm co-founding that could use an intern. Though it would be considered a startup and you could do things outside of your normal day to day if you decide to keep working full-time. Let me know.
    Oct 23, 2020 1
    • New
      UjWm74

      New

      UjWm74
      Can I join as an intern? It will be a new experience for me.
      Oct 28, 2020
  • Do what you love. The money will eventually follow. Don’t be swayed by TC at big tech. There is a reason they have to pay that much, otherwise people wouldn’t join. No amount of money can replace doing something that you are passionate about and find interesting.
    Oct 24, 2020 4
    • @2amBlowout Hell yeah! But opportunities aren’t always so easily afforded in the startup realm, it’s like a lottery ticket!
      Oct 26, 2020
    • Donlen / Finance
      GFnQ80

      Donlen Finance

      PRE
      Hertz
      BIO
      Duke's Business School grad with experience at start-ups and currently doing fp&a at Hertz. Looking for opportunities in PM role at a SaaS company.
       GFnQ80
      Here's the reason it is NOT a lucky lottery: he enjoyed WORKING in the start up. To him, the joy didn't come at 45 (aka when you cash the lottery). For him, the pure chance of having the chance to buy the lottery (aka working on a start-up) was a win already.

      That's his whole point: work for something you love and life will reward you with $, which is secondary.

      Btw would love to connect and hear more about your start up.
      Oct 27, 2020