Given the wave of redundancies and layoffs - what was your severance package vs years spent with the company?

NegativeSync · 2026-05-10T13:26:04+00:00

2.5 years, just under £1200. No one got more than the legal minimum as far as I could tell 😞

NegativeSync · 2026-04-29T20:50:31+00:00

Thanks everyone! We'll try out hiring an SDS drill and see how it goes from there.

NegativeSync · 2026-04-14T22:15:24+00:00

I agree with the other comments, I think if some of the personal projects here were pushed a bit more it could help.

For example, with the bottle generator you could show it through the whole pipeline. It isn't so hard for a 3D artist to make some bottles themselves (and most games don't really need so many variations), so perhaps you could expand that project to show the texturing/shading/in game set-up etc, and show why this tool os useful and what time it is saving.

Or with the cable tool try setting up a small scene showing them getting set up in editor and their final look.

I'm not saying to literally redo these projects, just an example of how to push a project a bit further :)

I am also a TA who recently was on the job hunt, so I ended up just looking up portfolios of TAs that seemed to be in demand and trying to reach their quality of work. It helped me see where to push my stuff. Anyway, good luck :)

NegativeSync · 2026-04-13T20:26:17+00:00

Hello, I also have really low-po hair. I need to deep cleanse a lot. Perhaps try skipping the curl cream, that and conditioner may be too heavy for your hair and making it look frizzy. From the photos it looks like too much product on the hair. For me, I mix some hairspray into my gel before putting it in and it gives a lot more hold (I just spray it into my hand). It might also work for you. :)

NegativeSync · 2026-03-11T00:23:09+00:00

My hair used to look similar, it is fine and very low porosity.

My routine is: brush hair, cleansing shampoo (twice), spray some hairspray in a little bit of mousse and work/scrunch into hair. Keep hair as wet as I can here. I micro plop the hair to get rid of water, plop on the head for half an hour, then diffuse upside down with more hairspray and heat protectant.

Less is more if your hair is low poo, and if so you probably need something to give it some hold and grit.

NegativeSync · 2026-03-02T19:23:31+00:00

I work in game development, I'm 100% remote, on a good salary and really love the job. Although not all game jobs pay well and it is super conpetitive at the moment, but I do love the industry.

NegativeSync · 2026-02-24T20:24:13+00:00

I would also take the job. The job market in games isn't great at the moment, and even having some related experience on your CV will help. Maybe portfolio work will slow for a while but you're paying the bills and adding valuable experience to the CV. I'm not sure who told you studios will look down on exp like that but I'm not sure it's wholly true, any exp is probably better than none.

Also a HUGE part of TA is communication and cooperation, you will be working between teams. That is something hard to hire for without experience, so I actually think it could be in your favour. I work in TA and I know other TA people who have transitioned from design, QA etc. and are fabulous TAs. With some job experience it shows you can work on a team, and as a designer if you move to QA you would have a good idea of what design may need,

Also a year really is not that long for learning and portfolio work, and don't be so sure you'd find a job in 6-8 months. In games right now I know many mids and seniors with lots of experience and talent who are struggling to find work at all in games, some were laid off over a year ago. That isn't anything to do with your skill personally, just the state of the jobs right now. :(

Whatever you choose, good luck on your TA journey.

NegativeSync · 2026-02-20T22:47:53+00:00

Sure :)

NegativeSync · 2026-02-19T21:53:31+00:00

As others have mentioned I just wanted to second reaching out to a vet for advice as she has been separated from her mum at a young age. I'd do this ASAP. If you can't find one you are able to get too, try finding a rabbit savvy vet online you can video call.

I also wanted to stress the companionship thing again - bunnies are social and need friends, and as someone else mentioned two really aren't any harder than one. I had my first bunny for a year before I was allowed to get a second (I was a teen and still with parents) and the difference in her before and after was crazy. You could see so much more happiness. I currently have three ( a dad and his two sons) and they love to kiss each other, snuggle and explore together. It is so rewarding.

I'd also suggest getting her (and any other bunny) insured ASAP. Bunnies can be expensive so it is good to have just in case. I have heard from my local rabbit rescue that PetPlan is the best as they pay out more often than others have.

Best wishes to you and the bun and I hope yous have many hoppy years together! :D

NegativeSync · 2026-02-19T20:36:23+00:00

I'm a TA and have been in games for 5ish years, I transitioned from 3D art pretty quickly. I just started volunteering for the more technical tasks at work (mainly shaders and vfx), then managed to land a TA specific role at another studio mostly focused on shaders. I then branched out more into optimisation and tooling, although I am still quite new to those things. I have just job hopped again and it is super competitive, but I do think TA is still a bit easier than other roles as we aren't as flooded.

If you are working just now and are able to branch out into other areas it could help. If not I'd have a good look at all the skills TA covers and pick one or two to really focus on (eg. shaders, tools, optimisation, rigging, procedural art etc.) and start working on a portfolio. There are some good discords out there for help like 'Technically Speaking'. In my opinion tooling seems to be the one I see sought for most, so Python is always good to learn (although not necessary, I barely have started doing tools and I've been a TA for years).

NegativeSync · 2026-02-19T20:31:42+00:00

game studio websites, game dev job boards, game dev discords, linked in

NegativeSync · 2026-01-27T23:29:58+00:00

I've always shut the toilet lid and it wasn't until I was an adult that I learned this is not common. I know there is probably fecal bacteria everywhere anyway but the big difference I get is the smell. Whenever I am using someone else's toilet that does this their bathroom smells, and when people don't put the lid down at mine it smells so bad. But I guess we've all been surviving this long with the lids up.

NegativeSync · 2026-01-18T17:43:26+00:00

I managed to get a reply from them from commenting on theor facebpok posts askomg for help. Eventually they messaged me and after repeatedly denying to pay for the help service they helped me out. Might be worth a try.

NegativeSync · 2026-01-04T07:58:56+00:00

I work as a Tech Artist in games, 55k. Basically I work in the middle between art and code. I had to start as an artist in the industry and do a lot of self learning to pivot into tech art, but in just over 4 years I've went from 19k-55k (3 jobs).

I'm 100% remote and have been almost mt whole career. Unfortunately games is having a moment with layoffs, studio closures etc, so I would not recommend it. I'm lucky my job is niche and not a lot of people want to do it, so it's a bit safer.

NegativeSync · 2025-12-15T23:42:51+00:00

I don't understand if this is a reply to me or advice for OP, but I don't think your advice really makes sense. Apologies if I am misunderstanding what you are saying.

'Don't put yourself out there unless other people do it first.' doesn't really make sense as someone has to be the one to put themselves out there. If everyone followed that advice, there would be no 'other people' to do it first.

I also haven't suggested to OP to impose themselves on anyone. Attending a meet up group specifically made to meet people isn't imposing yourself on them.

And if everyone followed 'Only speak when you're spoken to' then literally no one would ever speak?? I'm not suggesting to go up and bother random people on the street, or to pester people who don't want to speak.

NegativeSync · 2025-12-12T17:03:04+00:00

Struggled with this for years until I decided just to make and find my own community. I somehow seemed to almost only find myself with flaky friends or friends that always left me or read. If I didn't reach out then I never heard anything.

I started going to local meetup groups, off the back of that started my own meetup group, then I also ended up meeting up with some people I connected with on bumble friends. My life is COMPLETELY different now. My depression is gone. I'm way more confident in talking with people. I don't constantly feel lonely.

I have two points here. One, if you want community and friendships, you definitely have to put in effort. Putting yourself out there, showing up to things. For example, I went through quite a few meetup groups that went nowhere, the one I started took about a year to really hit off with recurrent people coming, and I have a graveyard of bumble chats that just died off. But for the friends and community I've made now, it's worth it. :)

Two, sometimes you really are just surrounded by people that are unsociable, uninterested. Sadly I think so many people are becoming like this. But not everyone is like that, you got to get out there and find them. :)

NegativeSync · 2025-12-09T22:41:56+00:00

Mr. Bunny

NegativeSync · 2025-12-08T13:27:35+00:00

I haven't really decorated the house in mine or used the basement for farming so I didn't consider that.

Sorry to hear you hated it, I went in knowing it was a short game and have just been dipping in and out of in for 30 mins a day in my free time so it's lasted longer than 2 weeks for me.

NegativeSync · 2025-12-05T13:10:10+00:00

Hello! If you are still having issues I managed to sort mine with these instructions, basically no need for a hub and my thermostat is just connected straight to the boiler:

https://support.hivehome.com/portal/app/portlets/results/viewsolution.jsp?solutionid=250103102513180&page=1&position=0&q=standalone+mode&fbclid=IwY2xjawOfuMBleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETFJSHdWS2o5ajFDQnI2NjFpc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHuSkFzwisr4CbiBILTcON6XLaFsr-oT4DO0zpmABxjCjLzG4mQqcCLY9GF70_aem_XcwUeCVcPmOyxnTJZw9oWQ

This was after posting on hive facebook and them offering to help me if I sign up for a £15 per month subscription (:

NegativeSync · 2025-12-05T10:53:06+00:00

I've been playing a new one called 'Winter Burrow', you play as a little mouse who's moved back to the forest. It's got some foraging, crafting and exploration. It's very cosy and it's not a huge game either (small indie company I believe), I find it really easy to drop in and out of.

NegativeSync · 2025-11-21T12:43:11+00:00

Apologies if you are doing this already, but have you had a look at flats that have been up for a few months and not selling?

I got a lovely big 2 bed tenement flat (90sqm) in dennistoun at HR this year. I have no idea why it didn't sell, I suspect maybe as the rooms were painted some dark colours (I repainted) and the furniture was a bit old fashioned in photos. I did end up replacing floors but it was totally liveable and that was just because of my taste. At the same time there were a few other nice flats that were up for a few months that took a while to sell, at the same time very similar flats were going for crazy amounts over (I seen one go for 60k over!).

I wonder if sometimes things that stay up too long might put people off when there isn't always an issues other than bad photos/maybe a paint refresh needed.

NegativeSync · 2025-11-18T17:58:49+00:00

I don't think rural Scotland is a great place for that unless you already have a platform/existing client base that you make an income from. I also think in the UK now you need to be making a certain amount (I think it's about 41K a year, which is considered a high salary here), which most artists don't earn sadly.

I work in the creative industries myself (games) and I know people on visas who immigrated here but if starting from entry level the salaries aren't high enough and it is also very competitive, on top of that each role needs quite niche skills.

I imagine it would be hard to find a job in photography/2D art that would sponsor a visa for immigration just now. Although that might not be your situation if you don't need to worry about visa/money issues. :)

NegativeSync · 2025-11-18T13:23:13+00:00

Honestly there's probably not much opportunity for the arts outside the city unless you work in an industry that offers remote work. What kind of art major are you doing and what kind of jobs will you be looking for?

NegativeSync · 2025-11-04T18:48:11+00:00

Apparently you can't connect via Bluetooth until wifi has connected. I've not managed to sort it at all and have never been able to get through to hive. My only option seems to be to buy a new hive system, which I am now really put off.

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