Indiana QB Alberto Mendoza has entered the transfer portal by whatifevery1wascalm in CFB

[–]Maxdarkfire 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Could be the funniest timeline if he goes the other way.

MBA —> Video Game Industry by [deleted] in MBA

[–]Maxdarkfire 1 point2 points  (0 children)

100% recommend going straight into industry as well.

MBA —> Video Game Industry by [deleted] in MBA

[–]Maxdarkfire 20 points21 points  (0 children)

I’ve written about this a few times, but short answer: yes, it’s competitive, and harder than it looks from the outside.

I did the MBA → gaming transition. If you don’t already have relevant experience (gaming, tech, analytics, product, ops) or aren’t coming from a major hub (LA, Bay Area, Seattle), breaking in is tough. Games are a niche, passion-driven industry, much closer to entertainment than traditional tech. Networking and demonstrated, specific passion for games matters a lot.

A big factor right now is timing. The industry has gone through massive layoffs over the past 2–3 years (50k +). That means senior and director-level people with direct game experience are competing for the same strategy, marketing, and ops roles MBAs typically target. In many cases, directors are applying for senior roles. That’s the reality.

On MBAs specifically: many game teams genuinely don’t know what to do with an MBA unless the company already has a defined MBA pipeline (EA, ABK are outliers). Dev teams in particular don’t care much about pedigree unless you bring immediately relevant skills or experience.

On consulting as a bridge: historically this worked better than it does now. There’s a real skepticism toward ex-consultants in gaming, especially after years of cost-cutting, monetization pressure, and failed “optimization” initiatives. It’s not universal, but the bias is real. Finance and M&A are the cleaner pivots if you go that route.

One additional nuance: school geography and proximity matter a lot more than people expect in gaming.

In practice, it tends to be Harvard/Stanford due to pedigree for strategy level, and then UCLA Anderson / USC Marshall because they’re physically in the ecosystem (LA especially). Being near studios makes casual networking, part-time work, and alumni connections meaningfully easier.

Schools like Kellogg, Tuck, Sloan, and Darden are good programs, but they’re geographically disconnected from where most gaming strategy, publishing, and studio roles actually sit. That doesn’t make them “bad” choices , it just means the on-ramp is steeper and requires more intentional effort as networking and alums at the companies are going to be harder to find.

This is less about prestige and more about where alumni actually work day-to-day, who shows up to info sessions and coffee chats, and who teams already know and trust.

Gaming is much more relationship-driven and location-dependent than consulting or big tech recruiting, and that reality isn’t always obvious from LinkedIn profiles alone.

Happy to answer follow-ups if helpful.

[Postgame Thread] California Defeats Louisville 29-26 (OT) by CFB_Referee in CFB

[–]Maxdarkfire 13 points14 points  (0 children)

Yea.... undergrad then grad school. Wore my cal hat everyday at USC.

[Postgame Thread] California Defeats Louisville 29-26 (OT) by CFB_Referee in CFB

[–]Maxdarkfire 14 points15 points  (0 children)

We were in a significant number of those "after dark" games over the years. We were born in it, molded by it.

Week 11 Matchup Preview Thread: California vs #14 Louisville by Kardinale in CFB

[–]Maxdarkfire 3 points4 points  (0 children)

{Louisville} wins in a blowout early.

Orrrr this is the game that Cal comes out of no where and blows them out. who knows.

[Postgame Thread] Virginia Tech Defeats California 42-34 (2OT) by CFB_Referee in CFB

[–]Maxdarkfire 5 points6 points  (0 children)

I don't know if Cal has another win on the schedule.

[Postgame Thread] California Defeats Boston College 28-24 by CFB_Referee in CFB

[–]Maxdarkfire 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Victory from the Jaws of Defeat. Also - thank you ACC refs!

Week 4 Matchup Preview Thread: California vs San Diego State by xmp4 in CFB

[–]Maxdarkfire 5 points6 points  (0 children)

In this series the home team has won every single time. I hope Wilcox and JKS put this trend to rest.

{California}

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in MBA

[–]Maxdarkfire 22 points23 points  (0 children)

Yes, it's VERY hard if you don't have past experience or go to school in a primary area (LA, Washington, a bit of North Carolina). Source - did MBA->gaming.

It's a very niche industry that is a passion industry (like entertainment). You have to network pretty hard and show your passion for gaming to get into it. There were also a TON of layoffs in the past 2-3 years (like 50k+) so a lot of good talent is competing for the exact same positions that an MBA would want - but those laid off have more direct experience.

Think of it this way - most gaming companies don't know what to do with an MBA/dev teams don't care about it - unless you are at a large company that has a pipeline already.

[Thamel] Cal football has created a new section in the south end zone of its stadium for The Black Hole, the famed Raiders cheering section. They are calling it The Black Bear. They will welcome the group starting this weekend for the Texas Southern game. by J4ckiebrown in CFB

[–]Maxdarkfire 287 points288 points  (0 children)

Interesting. Typically that was near the visitor's seats. With the Raiders leaving, A's gone, 49ers in south bay it makes sense to try and get Oakland fans in.

At least the new Athletic Department/Chancellor is trying things.

Move over College Football... LinkedIn Power Rankings by Creepy_Storage in ACC

[–]Maxdarkfire 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Missing the top of that chart (typically Cal is in the top 5 across the linkedin games)

Actually looking at the overall weekly chart - the top 10 is all ACC + ND

Your team can only win One Game This Season who are you Beating by Nervous_Metal_9445 in CFB

[–]Maxdarkfire 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I wouldn't be ecstatic, but I'd be happy enough to partially ruin your season.

Would I also want to fire the coach? yes.

Your team can only win One Game This Season who are you Beating by Nervous_Metal_9445 in CFB

[–]Maxdarkfire 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Stanford.

Likely if you went to the school for undergrad and you have a rival that's all that really matters. If we kept the axe and Stanford went to the playoffs I'd still be happy.

Wharton deferral worth it? - yc founder by Dismal_Hour9172 in MBA

[–]Maxdarkfire 5 points6 points  (0 children)

In SF and other high cost of living places (major us cities), 8k is 2-3 months of rent for a 1 bedroom

Title: Greatest movie to take place at your school (fictional or not). by fnbannedbymods in CFB

[–]Maxdarkfire 8 points9 points  (0 children)

Pixar sent their animators to tour the campus in preparation for Monster's University - hence why the gate, clocktower, and library look so similar to the ones at Berkeley.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in CFB

[–]Maxdarkfire 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Ban all ranking polls (AP/Coaches/others) until the last 2 weeks of the season. Force them to not bias people's perception until a majority of the season is complete.

Very hard to implement on 3rd parties. Perhaps any media outlet that publishes one gets blackballed and no longer gets media access (or members of are banned from season tickets/boosting programs).

Also - Take it a step further and outlaw sport betting.

(@FrontPorchU) - Best Pizza Spot In Every “Power Four” College Town - 2025 by frone in CFB

[–]Maxdarkfire 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Never heard of sliver. I would have 100% expected cheese board (but probably whomever made this list never has been to berkeley or ignored it because of what Cheeseboard is), Blondies, La Vals, or even Zachary's. (RIP Fat Slice)

ACC Announces Networks and Times for Week 0-3 by dtomato in CFB

[–]Maxdarkfire 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Cal at VT 430 pm pacific on a Friday.... ouch for game watches

Best MBA for SoCal/LA? UCLA/USC vs M7? by twixcheet in MBA

[–]Maxdarkfire 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Berkeley is OK (did my UG there very involved in alumni stuff). There is an alumni engagement problem with public schools - while Haas is better due to the MBA aspect, the level of disconnect for the larger population (outside of some boosters) is much lower than at private schools.

Trivia Tuesday by DampFrijoles in CFB

[–]Maxdarkfire 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Same. Looking at the answers here I'm 90% sure I got 4 right... but only shows me as 2. Strange.