What happened to Durban?
Hey Guys,
So I recently moved to Durban, and I'm keen to start the monthly meetup discussion again. Was a Derivco-based monthly meeting ever set up? Last time, there was some movement in that direction?
So I recently moved to Durban, and I'm keen to start the monthly meetup discussion again. Was a Derivco-based monthly meeting ever set up? Last time, there was some movement in that direction?
Comments
Tidal wave wiped it off the map. Most unfortunate. Glad we weren't down there.
Joking aside. As a matter of interest, what is Derivco - besides a rather less-than-encouraging name? I presume they are the biggest/only software gorilla in Durban?
But they make gambling games primarily. And they're quite secretive, very secretive by MakeGames standards.
On a side note, I wouldn't mind a monthly Durban meetup.
Dervico have their "Code Evenings" or whatever and therefore a Make Games SA meetup should be independent.
I might be able to organise a venue (depending on size) that can be used in Springfield with secure parking ... but if anyone else could organise a venue then we could go that route instead.
Just my 5c.
P.S. @Tuism: root word = gratitude, not greatitude. Reason acceptable?
I think Derivco is certainly an option with a lot of strengths, but as people have said above, MGSA would need to remain independent of their control and direction. If we could organise a room on their code evenings that is specifically for MGSA and the curation of content still falls down to us, then that would be great. This is essentially what Micrsoft does for MGSA (in Joburg mainly now): we have a room and free reign of it. Microsoft gets to say, "Look at this awesome thing we're helping grow" and we get to remain independent.
Quite a few Durban game makers seem to have been burned by Derivco, though - which makes me concerned. Most people who I have spoken to that worked there seemed very squirmish about it. I don't know the specifics, but I suppose making gambling games comes with that sort of shady territory :).
@pypmannetjies If you could try talking to someone about organising a space, that would be awesome :). I think having a place to meet monthly is better than having none at all. :)
And yes acceptable :P
Or do you mean resources to support other goals. Like working on side projects or something? Or developing skills outside of gambling game development?
Or are resources here money (as in a good salary) ?
Yes, the company has a lot of cool perks in a sort of Googlish way for their employees. Anyone interested in applying can send me their CVs :)
Are they the jetski mounted jacuzzis (only velvet covered ones count!) kind or are they something that can help developers grow. Or are they resources like employment?
Next time a student asks me what studios they could possibly hope to get employment at, I might have a better answer.
Resources. Say no more.
I've got no energy left for anything else right now. Sorry, I suck, I know.
So, 2 options. If anyone else wants to get anything going, great! Run with it! Otherwise, I'm still aiming to get SC dusted next month, I should have some time to organize after that.
Side note - Derivco's pretty cool. I worked there for nigh on 5 years. It's a big company with lots of resources, so besides the lifestyle perks and good salary, there's opportunity to be exposed to a lot of great/new tech and experts you can learn a lot from. I did. Quite a few of the smartest guys I know (in Durban) still work there.
Lots of the skills you can learn are not gambling specific. Like, if you go to work in a big bank, you're most likely gaining database knowledge, not really "banking knowledge", so much. There'll be some domain-specific stuff in every job, but a lot of it is applicable generally. And if you're in the game dev department(s), you'll learn to make and finish games (production, not design.), go through the production pipeline. Blackjack is a game, slots are a game. You'll get a lot of practice making and finishing professional quality games, if you work in the right departments.
The down side of Derivco (for me) was that I couldn't work in their game dev department and legally make and sell my own games. They're protective of IP and all that entails, understandably so (there have been incidents). But it meant I had to choose between the job and my dreams. Not that hard a choice, at the end of the day.
I'd still recommend Derivco. It's a good place to work, better than most. :)
I attended the last dev days at IT Varsity in town. They are a friendly bunch and seem willing
to host events at no cost. Perhaps approach them if you guys need a venue
In the interim, why don't we meet somewhere for pizza and a chat again?