I've visited a ton of studios while on vacations. 38 Studios, Ironlore, Vicarious Visions, the film place that made Iron Sky (the nazi moon movie) from Finland, CCP (which turned into a job), Splash Damage, a small studio in Switzerland, and I'm probably forgetting a few.

My technique: Find someone who works in your discipline for the studio on linkedin, and email them saying you'll be in town and would be really cool to meet a fellow game developer. I know it helps that because of my website many times these people already know of me or my tutorials, but I think it could work with even a beginner with a decent portfolio. Most of us game developers enjoy making friends and meeting other dedicated developers of our discipline.

I've never asked for a tour of the studios, that's always been the other person volunteering. Mainly I wanted to meet up with the people much more than I wanted to see the interior of a studio, but often times people are proud of where they work, or think it'd be a good idea for you to meet other developers right after work or for a lunch break.

Originally Posted by walreu

Also it would be huge motivation boost to work on portfolio if i could get green light to meet someone in there.

That's a dangerous attitude to have.

Normally people will have built up a strong/competitive portfolio before trying to meet a recruiter or HR employee in person. A portfolio that usually caters toward the studio or style of game they'd like to work on.

Showing up with an underwhelming portfolio and expecting to get an opportunity at a studio like PeopleCanFly or CDProjectRed can set you up for dissapointment. Worst case scenario, it leaves a bad first impression.

However, having those points of contact so that when you do improve and try again can be beneficial in some way. Being able to put a face to a name can go some way, but you've got to be able to produce.

Originally Posted by poopinmymouth

I've visited a ton of studios while on vacations. 38 Studios, Ironlore, Vicarious Visions, the film place that made Iron Sky (the nazi moon movie) from Finland, CCP (which turned into a job), Splash Damage, a small studio in Switzerland, and I'm probably forgetting a few.

My technique: Find someone who works in your discipline for the studio on linkedin, and email them saying you'll be in town and would be really cool to meet a fellow game developer. I know it helps that because of my website many times these people already know of me or my tutorials, but I think it could work with even a beginner with a decent portfolio. Most of us game developers enjoy making friends and meeting other dedicated developers of our discipline.

I've never asked for a tour of the studios, that's always been the other person volunteering. Mainly I wanted to meet up with the people much more than I wanted to see the interior of a studio, but often times people are proud of where they work, or think it'd be a good idea for you to meet other developers right after work or for a lunch break.

Wow, thanks! This really gave hope for me and is 100% what i was trying to say all the time.
That im more into meeting people than getting a tour or something..
I already contacted the one artist from CDPR in LinkedIn about it.

That's a dangerous attitude to have.

Wait what? For wanting to work harder on my portfolio and to prove my skills and wanting to work for them?

i think the point is,
if you want to work harder then simply do it, regardless of getting or not getting green light to meet devs. this way even if you don't meet anyone your portfolio will still get better and increase your chances in future.

you don't know when or where you'll end up meeting some game devs and getting opportunities. so why not make sure that no matter when you meet them, you can always show them a portfolio that displays 100% of your abilities.

I was in a interview yesterday and the guys there said i should visit another game studio near by (they wanted me to take everything out of the 400km car ride i did for coming there), so i called there and they were all really nice. I wrote NDA and then we talked about portfolios, little bit this and that and they even let me try their yet to be announced upcoming game. So at least here in Finland visiting studios works in some extent. Sadly there was another cool game studio in the same building but didn't have time to go there..

I'll be in Poland next week! I'll post if something similar happens there..

Only time I've ever seen anyone at our studio were press coming to film, and we had to cover up all the unannounced projects on the wall. I just dont see how it would be good for a studio, unless they have massive down time a few days after shipping, to let people in to tour. Also it would probably be very short depending on the office size.

I've only visited one game studio, and I have to say it was pretty cool. My advice: smooth talk your way in. Be the nice guy. Explain how excited you are to see the studio and they may let you into the lobby at the very least.

I'll join along with what ben said. Its best you make friends or contact with an individual there first. some sorta connection. It helps if you have a name in the biz already.

I can recall a few times some random stranger has shown up at the door to drop off a resume and want to check out the building. it was creepy and they were denied. Its like asking a girl for butt sex after shaking her hand for the first time. well, maybe not, but you don't want to turn into "that guy" for the devs to joke about so setting up a more professional connection is best. also.. don't show up in a suit or tie.

This guy is priceless looool

Originally Posted by oobersli

I'll join along with what ben said. Its best you make friends or contact with an individual there first. some sorta connection. It helps if you have a name in the biz already.

I can recall a few times some random stranger has shown up at the door to drop off a resume and want to check out the building. it was creepy and they were denied. Its like asking a girl for butt sex after shaking her hand for the first time. well, maybe not, but you don't want to turn into "that guy" for the devs to joke about so setting up a more professional connection is best. also.. don't show up in a suit or tie.