"so many things I want to learn, so many things I want to build" I know exactly what you mean. There isn't enough time in the day, I'm in my 50s and for some reason time speeds up as you get older. That's why I really like your programming channel. Learning C++ from scratch, the videos are very clear, very detailed and very efficient. Thank you The Cherno!
@@versystudio822 same here, the effect is what I call 'time compression'. Time becomes 'compressed' as the years wear on. When we were children, a Summer seemed to last forever because the duration of a Summer was a greater percentage of our lifetime. Now a Summer seems to last perhaps a month and a half relatively speaking in my mind.
I didnt leave my job at EA as a software engineer, my one year contract expired and we parted ways. Thing is, I didn't fight to stay. I was miserable at the thought of leaving but I was miserable doing the work itself. I felt like such a number, just another cog in the machine, and the tasks felt uncomfortably unimportant. I wasn't allowed to work on anything game related outside of the company, wasn't even allowed to talk about anything game or game industry related with anybody, couldn't participate in game jams, and due to the unique nature of my job I also wasn't allowed to build websites for public consumption. The job stripped what made me.. me.. when around non EA people, it felt like I was in a prison. A very sexy looking prison, I REALLY LOVED the campus and my environment and how well the company itself took care of me... but I was miserable otherwise. I had just gotten married when I got that job, and my first child was ready to be born any minute. And while my very pregnant wife was at home alone all day, sometimes she'd be alone at night too as I'd be working super late because someone had a real desire to get me to finish yet another batch of unit tests before I go home. I've been working as a web engineer at a different company for the following 7 years and I've been much happier, while I pursue indie dev efforts at home, and still get to hang out with my wife and children. Work life balance is important. I gave up, effectively, trying to make doing youtube a thing, I just don't have the energy for it among everything else so I took the opposite approach, though I still like to occasionally pretend I can lol
Thanks for the insights and honesty. This hits me on a very personal level, as I've been in this situation twice and both were quite difficult decisions to say goodbye, but I knew it was time. Neither was a sudden decision, I thought about them for months before I actually did it. To anyone else in this situation: you need to leave your job. Maybe not today, maybe not next week, but you need to start pulling together a plan to bring your life back to a happy place, whatever that means for you. It's extremely important for your mental health, for your career health, for motivation, for relationships, etc. Don't quit today, but start making a plan today.
I've been working for a multi national company since graduation and know exactly what you mean. Good pay but little personal growth. It's been over 6 years now and am planning to quit for same reason
That’s how I came upon Cherno’s channel. His PS4 react videos were really cool to watch coming from someone who knows the technology. I’m now a subscriber. I like his vids
I totally get this. I worked for many AAA game studios over 20 years, eventually working as contract from home. Now Im doing tech videos about the industry on youtube. Loved doing the video game work, but I feel I have more to offer at this point in my life to help others, Cheers 😄👍🏻
I've gone through a very similar process in my career. First I worked for a big company in a huge and old project and felt like I just don't belong there -- at least not yet. I switched to a smaller company where I get to build software from scratch, designing the architecture, choosing libraries for the implementation, its devops pipeline and everything in it. I think it has been an extremely nurturing experience for not only my software development skills but also higher self-esteem and confidence that comes along when you feel like you understand a lot more about the practicalities of software engineering from a more holistic point of view.
I'd love to hear more about your time at university. Was it how you expected it to be? Did you attend any hackathons/competitive programming competitions? Which units did you specify in? Love the videos :)
As a student of computer engineering, I believe I will have a similar problem.. When I work on my school projects with a team, I just want to understand how everything works, if I focus on one specific task I want to know what the other stuff does.
DJGuu [Disclaimer: This is my opinion] This is a pretty common trait among high performers. I find i work best with people that are driven to realise their vision, and add their own unique value. I think it means ur more susceptible to getting frustrated in a role for various reasons. But don’t think of this as a bad thing. Go with it. Take the role. Learn the ropes and try to follow what feels important and satisfying for u. It might not take u very long to understand more about yourself and what u want, and u might feel that its time to move on and do ur own thing.
There is absolutely nothing wrong with that. This whole discussion is exactly why my first job out of college it was super important to me to have the "Software Systems Engineer" job title. Some people want to stay at that level for the duration of their career and some people decide to dive into a specific technical area as things progress. This is all just personal preference.
@@igorthelight I expected this nightmare with cpp. I'm thinking of taking up python as my main, but definitely keep experimenting with cpp. There are pros out there who say that just like with arithmetic, you can do quite alot with just the very basics of cpp. When you think about it, it all started with 1s and 0s. Hopefully, this hype with the virus will die down soon so I can register for classes.
Knowing what I know now, and if I was 30 years younger, I'd love to do what you do. I've just started to learn C++ to work on microcontrollers and LEDs for work (which is how your videos started popping up on my feed). Your videos fascinate me, but I'm not yet at a level to completely understand them, especially at the speed you go. But one day I hope to widen my programming knowledge, inspired by you, even at my advanced age. Thanks, and keep up the great work.
You really should learn c for that type of work... c++ is unsuited in many ways. Huge binaries, bad support relative to c and c++ constructs just aren’t needed.
@@32gigs96 While C and assembly are the definitely industry standard for embedded, C++ is being used more and more for microcontrollers as they are getting more complex, faster and have more memory.
It's never too late, Tom. If you need to be convinced that 40, 50, and 60 is "young", just watch 20 minutes of any Gary Vee video. That guy is a machine of motivational truths.
C and C++ aren't even separate languages practically speaking, most C programs can be compiled by a C++ compiler just fine. Arduino is a classic example, it is indeed a slightly bastardised variant of C++, but most of the "constructs" used in a typical Arduino program are pure C. So I find it really strange when folks make these "C vs C++" arguments... I'd say something more like "yeah, C/C++ is all fine, whatever. But just don't be using new or malloc() unless you really think it through." The issue is which features you use and what the compiler is doing behind your back to give you those features, not the language itself.
Same feeling I had in my early 30s, I also quit my job for similar reasons and decided to spend some years working on my personal projects. Life is short, so spend your time doing what you like to do. You made a good decision.
It's also well known that EA treat (or at least have treated) their employees like crap. As usual, in the real world things are not binary good or bad, but that doesn't make good news articles.
you just made me change my mind about big dev companies. lots of videos online about FAANG, at least, seems to be partly the companies being the reason why people quit their jobs, while you actually said you might want to be hired again later at some time (but you're not sure, which makes sense)
I was about your age when I did the same.. I just felt like, in order to grow my carier, every other aspect of my life has to pay the price, so I decided to quite and start working on my own thing! Even though I still didn't make any supstantial income, I'm absolutely sure I made the right decision, because of all other things I can focus on now (I drastically improved my diet, my health, I train regularly, and I code exactly the things I like, and WHENEVER I like)! :)
Nice video. +1 for EA being a great place to work. I was a programmer at Tiburon for several years, it was just as you described, and I still miss it there. (I relocated for family reasons). Good for you taking advantage of this stage in life, doing something out of the ordinary, minimizing regrets in the future. You've got lots of time ahead of you for working on big projects at big studios.
I understand you 100% regarding the dilemma contributing to the state of the arts versus having your own project and understanding every thing. Thanks for the video, usually I find private stuff boring, but this one is really insightful
One of the best videos I have seen in your channel, I wish you the best of lucks! and keep on following your dreams and whatever makes you happiest bro
As a software engineer I can fully relate to what you are talking about here. I just try to find the opportunities for personal development where they present themselves. They're there in every project. The wonderful thing about software is that the lessons you learn on one project usually translate well to other projects even if they have nothing to do with each other.
Great video! Started working abroad at a large game studio also when I was 20 (turning 21). I've now worked there for about 2 years.. Currently still a generalist also. (hired as a tool engineer). So far been doing devops stuff, my manager often asks me too what I want to do, what I want to specialize in. I can relate a lot to the airplane analogy. Everytime I'm asked, I basically don't know what to say. I don't have big picture knowledge of all that comes into play when it comes to tools and the devops side (smoketests, build systems / distribution etc).. It's a question I've been struggling to answer everytime I'm asked. At the moment I'm happy doing anything, I'm happy to have a nice job at a nice studio.. I don't think I'll ever have the courage to drop my job and start on my own.
Best wishes, godspeed and good journey in all things; bucket lists hit us at any age and never seem to ever go away - just getting into you now, so go with it and right now is always the perfect time for such an endeavor. Separation anxiety never goes away, we just learn to cope with it - just take a deep breath and actively look toward making new good memories.
I feel you, its all a balancing act. Between work, family, youtube and also building an engine I get that burnt out feeling too. I got laid off 2 years back and I decided to take some time off before going back to work. I can honestly say, doing your own thing on your own time makes it much easier overall. You get this sense of freedom, plus there where things I built that I wouldn't have been able to accomplish if still had a day job. Enjoy the time you got. Hopefully its something you can do for a long time before needing to jump back into the grind. So congrats and good luck.
Loved the video so much, being younger than you and having achieved nowhere near you in life, I have the same goals and thinking as you too regarding this. Very relatable. Love all your videos and your personality and approach to life. Thanks a lot for everything you provide :)
I don’t know how it is at EA but one large corporation I worked for had a library with printed documents on all aspects of the project. Everyone was encouraged to learn about all aspects of the project.
Why I left EA. I started as a tester at them with 6 years of background as a indie developer. After 2 years I've worked my ass to get into the development part as a Level Designer, after a year of working Overtime more times than I can count, without getting any extra payment for our OT, one day I passed out at the desk from the crunching that was present for quite a long time already, I spent one month in the hospital getting tested for various reason as my brain was not getting enough oxygen from the lack of sleep and to much stress, I get back to work one day, only to be told that my services are not needed anymore. So in my opinion... It's a company that should just be dissolved as it only a poison at the moment on the industry but at the same on the people that are working on trying to bring new experiences to life. The sad truth is that this company will keep making money of the people who enjoy the same shit experience that the management of the company keeps pushing forward. This is my experience @EA. Enjoy .
Love your videos man. Seems you're on the right path. I understand the conflict of enjoying what you do, but not having the time to pursue your own interests.
Thanks for sharing your story, I fully understand the motives behind that step. Learning and advancing oneself (personal self growth) is super important imo.
I appreciate your honesty. No scandal, no drama, just a good honest look at what you wanted and following through. And I'm in the same boat in regards to having multiple interests. I connected with that.
Great story, cool to see someone pursuing their dreams. Would be very interested to hear how you built your side business so that you were able to be fully independent.
I'm glad you've made this. I think your analogy explains it very well. I'm in a situation where I've been thrown into one part of a whole system before even getting a chance to know the rest of it. It's given me something to think about
Thanks for sharing your experience Cherno. I'm an undergrad with 1 year left to go, and on a level I can identify with the "There are these things that I want to learn properly, but there are all these parasitic obligations around that just won't let me do that." Like I want to sit down and work through a book on say algorithms from cover to cover, but I got this chemistry class, this thermodynamics class, this financial analysis class...etc. all these things that I don't really care about and yet must be done, so I do them. A couple of key things I took from your story: 1 - I don't think I should jump to the endpoint of your path, My takeaway from this isn't the "take this shortcut" sort. I think it's necessary that one actually goes through that road themselves and decide what's best for them with time. 2 - I think it's also a major point to actually have something going on on the side for financial support, were one to take this...fork in the road. So...yeah, thanks for sharing.
You should follow your gut while you are young and free. It may lead you to great things or keep you away from bad things. It gets harder as you get older and take on more responsibility like a mortgage or children. You can always follow your gut at any age but the price of failure is higher the more entrenched into other commitments you get, especially as you get older. Hasn't stopped me though.
You are very inspirational. If you do start your own studio I would like to be party of it. I always had this desire to start something from scratch and make amazing like industry changing.
@Cherno the desire to do something new and different doesn't go away in your mid 30s. I'm 43 and have been working in software for the past 20 years. I've played many roles (including management for 8 years) but I have always been most interested in hands-on tech so I left management and I've been in my systems architect role for about 5 years now. I have always wanted to do something more, something different, something new. Life permitting (wife + kids + etc.), I've been able to explore various arts that I find most interesting. I envy you for being able to do likewise full time and I look forward to more of your content and creations.
Thanks for sharing. I think about a lot of things too, I don't have a good enough job as you but I can relate a little. Things I want to do, my romantic interest right now, what I want to be doing in two years etc. If you're unsure of what you want to do, quitting isn't always the option, but sometimes you need to take a step back and see things.
I also started my career as a Frostbite intern at the age of 20! Im 21 now and currently work fulltime for Treyarch. Although EA treated me great and was a fantastic employer, I really wanted to work on a game I felt passionate about. I want to make sure I code on my own engine outside of work and your videos do help.
I would love to see how you could improve things at BattleState Games. They are hiring C#/Unity programmers as well as 3D animators. I looooove Escape from Tarkov, but I am kicking myself for never learning 3D and/or AI programming. There is so much stuff I want to do and learn I don't even know how to start.
Appreciate the share, not an 'easy' proposition to make reflecting upon events behind voluntary leaving ones employment, especially when placed before public scrutiny but really what counts is the correct balance as it relates too both your own personal and professional life. Which, in my opinion you'd perhaps established over subsequent months since plus being that it was an amicable process, leaves open an option too return sometime in the future.
Our situation is a bit different but I feel you man....theres so much I want to try and so little time. Last year,by some miracle,I manage to land a job on a game company. But,since all I have are (very) basic knowledge of Java C++ C# the only works I do is mostly infrastructure part with asset managing tools and such.....not even have many chances to look at the game engine(or the game code,at all). Not being able to touch the game part while working there really makes me sad.(I don't have enough skill,but still) I really want to try making an engine while learning along the way,and I stumbled upon this channel recently(am following Game Engine series now, but maybe trying to go DirecX because that is more commonly used here) Your videos really inspire me, C++ and game engine series really is a godsend for me. Thanks. I'll try my best to improve.
well first of all, thank you for sharing your story Le Cherno, second sounds like a not so easy decision, people would do anything to experience what work is like for a company like EA, you followed what is best for you, having a pair of good balls shows a lot of maturity for a young man, third it makes you one of the outliers out there following their heart and passion for technology instead of getting stuck in one dream where things are constant, even the cosmos is constantly changing so good for you. Fourth, your skills and knowledge can be useful in sharing them to new people learning technology, people are very much willing to support you in return for producing very good knowledgeable content, from what I can see your C++ content, you explain things in a deeper level with enthusiasm, this enables your valued time/opportunity to learn more, life balanced for the things that matter to you most, wether spending time with people you love, learning new ideas and sharing those to the masses. So, thank you again for sharing your thoughts, it is greatly appreciated, this is a very helpful video for people not just in the Technology sector, regardless what hobby/job you are in, you seem to have found your purpose, if not, it's optimally close to it. So well done Sir, never settling for less than optimal. We all need to provide young women or men the little encouragement they need, not that you do Le Cherno, you seem a very intelligent, open, conscientious, driven person.
Can we get another video on how junior devs like me can prepare for EA SE interview?? How different is it than typical SE interview? The process, how good I need to be in math, c++, memory management and system design?? It would be really helpful for a lot of people. Because many of us already know how to prepare for a typical SE interviews but not quite sure the process for Gameplay programming, Engine developer etc jobs.
You have inspired me to face the challenge of working freelance and build "own" technologies. My best wishes for you and your career. Great luck with Hazel and future projects!
building something with your hands is kind of a big part of why people are encouraged to 'build' (more like assemble) a PC themselves, at least once, rather than buy ready built. So I hear you there (on the Airplane thing).
that journey video, yeah, i want to hear that, thats where we can all learn something, not to emulate your approach, what works for you, works for you, I actually am just super curious about people... thats it :)
Hey, man...I recently just got hooked on your channel about 3 weeks ago and just want to say I reeeally dig your content and your approach and mindset on the technical. I love graphics technology and your analysis of the UE5 and PS5 breakdown was enjoyable to say the least!...this was a cool listen as well. Just showing you that your content is legit. Keep up the good work. Cheers.
That's exactly how I feel! There's so much cool stuff happening with technologies that have emerged from the video game industry that I'm interested in, and work has unfortunately become tedious and there are days where I'm not very motivated to work on another website, but it's a weekday and I have to force myself to do that. I keep looking for ways to be ok with that because I'm on a great team of people, the benefits are great, but it's mentally exhausting at times.
I gave a five week notice once. They perp-walked me out after three weeks. Turns out HR got the names mixed up with someone else they were letting go. Didn't feel good in any case.
Cherno can you create a video about how you study ? About learning being building an airplane in the backyard. Just to inspire us to achieve knowledge that you achieved. Sorry bad english hope you understand.
I agree with you. I feel the same being a frontend. I love doing everything. Database, backend, frontend, hardware design, game development but I have realised you learn on a need to know basis
Hey The Cherno, was really nice to get to know your journey thus far, I have only met this channel since you started the road to PS5 series. I have a suggestion for a future video, how will PC evolve or cope with the speedy IO architecture of PS5? How do you think PC will make up for it, short and long term? Those answers are something more and more PC gamers want to see answered but very few go in depth and share their predictions. Another important aspect, with so many polygons to be streamed and rendered, won't the GPU itself be the bottleneck if you hope to display at 4k?
Atleast you got into a game company at a young age. I can't event get a job in the game industry and I'm a 11 yr experienced skilled software engineer. I been trying for the past five years and I come to found out in the end, Ive always been way over qualified. I then applied to a mid level position made it all the way through the interview to negotiate an offer and CEO said he didn't want to insult me with a lower offer than I deserve. I said no its fine I just want to do what I love doing every day. I just want to make games, he insist that he couldn't insult me with an offer. I think as a whole they are looking for conformist who are desperate and willing to work to death. Not someone with exceptional skills who are able to innovate and push the industry forward. So the game industry is just crazy, I decided to make my own game and become their competition, we'll see where it goes. But I think they are missing out on a lot of talent in their way of thinking.
As a lead software engineer, i understand everything here to the letter, the pigeon holing in big organisations and the separation from end to end learning. I was kinda fortunate to have the opposite kind of journey, i worked at small start up companies where i had ALL the responsibilities, moving up over years to now working for an international grocery store and my software is serving billions of requests a day. I was given a great opportunity to actually design and build it from the ground up with almost full individual control. However now i lead a team of 15 engineers working on the software i original built. I often encourage new or less experienced engineers to work on requirements that are isolated so they are able to have the experience of building things from scratch to get that same learning experience. I can 100% say that you made the right move. By leaving it doesn't mean you burnt any bridges, you absolutely needed to break away to get the experience you need to grow as an engineer and focus in the areas that interest you. If you ever return to a big company later (even EA) you will be a much greater contribution to the business, and i guarantee they would definitely want to rehire you years later, the fact you did this is a selling point. The experience you will gain for taking your initiative and carving your own path will be invaluable.
It will be great if you could make a video about how to get into triple-A games companies like EA. Especially here in Australis has fewer opportunities than the US.
Am pretty sure you'll be very happy to rejoice if you join them back later (like they mentioned in that stuffed toy from their side as well) or maybe another such company. I get how you feel, that is something completely relatable since am working on my programming language and stuff that I want to build on my own atm and uptil now I got two good offers from think-cell and nvidia (both C++ dev positions), although am just in my 3rd year of undergrad and I think I would most likely take it for the later phase when am satisfied with my take on personal projects and experience that comes with it. Also definitely interested to know the story of how you got into EA!
