Indie Gaming Jobs Are Dead; is There Any Hope for Emerging Artists in the Video Game Industry?
As U.S. Bureau of Labor Says Video Game Employment 'Slow' Until 2024, One Indie Studio is Providing a Lifeline for Emerging Digital Artists
Seattle, WA, February 1, 2017 (Newswire.com) - Savage Earth Studios, Inc., an independent video game studio, today announced the establishment of its Emerging Artist Program. The company has allocated funds specifically for the employment of young gaming artists. Three have been hired so far, with plans for rapid expansion of the program.
Founders Jesse Eller and James Klein began Savage Earth Studios, Inc. just last year, but the studio's first release The Janus Event, due February 2018, has already been met with high anticipation. "The feedback's amazing," says Eller, "and we want to pass on the excitement of developing truly independent games to the next generation of developers."
The company has been at odds with the popular view that it is currently the golden-age of independent gaming studios. Klein says, "There is fantastic diversity in the app market but for larger PC and console titles the big studios still rule, and they do so with an iron fist. I've been in the industry now for 14 years and no-one wants to admit it but the whole 'rise of the indie game company' narrative is just plain wrong."
As independent gaming studios are increasingly becoming work-for-hire contractors for larger studios, Klein says that, "tight budgets and deadlines make taking a risk on new talent too difficult for them. At Savage Earth Studios, we are committed to staying totally independent which allows us to provide these opportunities for young artists."
Savage Earth Studios, Inc. will seek to boost the financial commitment it has already made with an upcoming crowd funding campaign. Eller says, "It's exciting seeing these young artists come up with ideas that just blow us away." With larger studios preferring to hire people with a proven track record, Eller says, "It's that mindset which stifles the innovation that made gaming so great to begin with. These talented young artists have so much to contribute to the industry, they just need a chance to shine. We love the team we're building and we couldn't be happier with the results they're delivering."
Emerging video game artists looking to break into the gaming industry are encouraged to contact Savage Earth Studios, Inc. via artists@savageearthstudios.com
Both Mr. Eller and Mr. Klein are available for further comment to the media via Dylan Tipple who can be contacted at press@savageearthstudios.com
Facebook: facebook.com/savageearthstudios
Source: Savage Earth Studios, Inc.
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