Why I left Blizzard and Riot

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Why I left Blizzard and Riot. It's probably not the reason that most people think.
#arttips #learntodraw #howtodraw
Games I've worked on -
CURRENTLY WORKING ON- Twilight Monk Metroidvania
Fortnite (Environment concept art)
Overwatch (Environment concept art + Sprays artwork)
League of Legends (Character design + Environment concept art, UI + Icons)
Diablo 3 (Character design + Environment concept art)
Hearthstone (Illustration)
Burning Crusade(Character design + Environment concept art)
Wrath of the Lich King (Character design + Environment concept art)
Indivisible (Environment concept art)
Final Fight Streetwise (Voice Acting + Character Design + World Design + Cutscene Direction + Co writer on script)
Ikeda: The Scrap Hunter (Programming + Art + Design)

[@officialgrimwaregamesllc]

Very relatable dude. Same with me on CoD I was doing contract work and they offered me full time and I just couldn't see myself putting in 16 hour days 6 days a week crunch on something I wasn't passionate about especially that even if you do a good job, layoffs happen because numbers must always go up and along side with CEO bonuses. Now I do long days 7 days a week...but at least its not for me and on my terms. Twilight Monk looks like its really coming along. Wishing you the best!

[@TrentKaniuga]

Exactly!!

[@myrusEW]

it’s not for you..? huhhh

[@curtisnordstrom]

I’ve been doing the dream for over 8 years. A side from getting some voice actors ive made 100 animated shorts, 1 a feature length animated film, 8 30 page comic books, and 2 90 page books of comic strips all in my own universe and I’m loving more than every going back to pencil paper and ink. Loving the process.

[@ochavezart]

That is really cool, do you have a website, or social media where the curious can check it out?

[@consilo]

7:50 "there's a lot that i think corporate game development is doing wrong lately" my team recently participated in a pitch competition, vying for a 10k cash prize. we spent half our allotted time talking about this exact point. our goal was to illustrate why the current status quo of games monetization is unsustainable and predatory, and to create contrast between them and our more traditional business model (buy a game, get a game). the room was full of venture capital people, not really games industry folks, and so we had to lay out a lot of context. in the end, it was the narrative we spun that convinced them to award us the prize. i really believe in this principle, and it's heartening to hear that you might be circling the same drain as we are. it's not an easy road to go down, but I hope it brings you security and fulfillment. VGInsights found that risky and creative games from small teams were unequivocally the best performers on steam last year. artful games will be the future of the market once more, and soon. see you on the other side big dawg. thanks for all the inspiration

[@TrentKaniuga]

I think you have to accept that you're not going to make a game for EVERYONE. So make a game that is great at what you do best and what you love. The right audience will find it. But... I do think there is also something to be said for "serving an existing market". I think the answer lies somewhere in the middle. Keep your publisher happy, and keep your audience happy. But its a very nuanced thing.

[@ochavezart]

the biggest takeaway is to not contemplate, but start, and to do it big. Doing a short comic, do 30 of them, not just one. And the biggest reminder is that we are all going to die. Ashley Wood had said that in an interview, that he knows one day he will die, and that fires him up to be working hard. I forgot about that, until now.

[@EyekooDrawsStuff]

Great video as always, and loving the sound effects for Twilight Monk at the end there!

[@LANMEE2]

Here I am working on a sameish tree design for my game for 2-3 days, and you come and do it in timelapsed 2-3 minutes :D. Inspirational as always!

[@ErnieZ3D]

I'd love to hear more about your process on the writing side of things someday!

[@PuckettCreative]

Love this - you are literally talking about crushing your dreams and goals while doing it in the video. As a creative this is super compelling! Thanks again for encouraging the rest of us, this is the juice I need to keep going after the big stuff.

[@Strange_Heroes]

I’ve been making indie games for 15 years now. I talked to a lot of publishers. None of them cared. I think it’s easier to get that kind of interest when you are Trent Kaniuga, who has worked in AAA for 20+ years, who has made a bunch of indie comics, creates content for a moderately successful KZbin channel, and probably most importantly is making awesome art that they can see with their eyes. I’m not telling anyone not to try to be an indie developer, I am still making games, but I’m lucky enough to have a paying job as a software engineer. Most of the indie devs I have known in those 15 years are not making games any more. it's just not viable. The unfortunate reality is that making it as an indie game dev is maybe slightly more possible then winning the megabucks lottery.

[@user-10021]

Just as in everything, you need to be known in order to get business

[@Ilsh_144]

always nice viddeo. would love longer format if possible doe tahnsk trent:D

[@storymaxart]

Love your videos. They always bring answers. It inspires to see someone talk about the real thought process of decisions about dreams Vs career

[@dianamarques430]

Not gonna lie, this was a pretty demotivating video for me! Hearing you say how time is limited, and here I am, 41 years old, still chasing the dream of breaking into the industry. Had to put that on hold for a few years and work a desk job for a while, but I had the chance to give it another go now, and I'm going for it. But right now, things are even more insane than they ever were.

[@TrentKaniuga]

Its a tough balance. But I respect your level of self responsibility. I wasnt able to go indie until after Id created a safe financial situation to do so.

[@XonixDerps]

I don't know if this passerby comment helps not to mention its about Crl. Sandars of all folk hah but he didn't get the ball rolling till 62 in a sense (Failed first at 40 1930s then did the whole recipe up once again before opening the next idea aka KFC in 1952)

[@ZugZugArt]

Just the video I needed! On the same path, but can't say - no ^^ Thanks a lot for the video!

[@bidibuzz7696]

Man, your words and your work is so inspiring keep it up i'll keep you in my inspirations and ressources for years to come!

[@boopfer387]

Thank you and yes time to get started

[@brucenunn3268]

The Best in the Business.! Can’t wait to get this on switch.!

[@yurig.7120]

Trent, your videos really helped me, some good years back to learn more about concept art. Eventually I landed a in-house job, learned a bunch there, and now I'm on my own, developing my indie project! It's so fun to see your creative journey! Would you mind making a future video about the Indie game publishing side of stuff? Also, with this early demo you made, do you think publishers expect more polishment in regards of visuals or mechanics? If you were to say in a scale from 0-10, how much (of the slice you prototyped) the visuals and mechanics would lend in the scale? Thank you so much, I've already wishlisted Twillight Monk in steam!

[@BookmansBlues]

Yeah I am nearing my 25 years in VFX/Animation, which I never really set out to do, always just wanted to do my own thing, and trying to put the will together to get that stuff in motion. My problem isn't that I do not know what I want to do, the problem I have is that I have too many ideas to really settle on one of them.

[@Riste.R]

thank you for another great video!

[@subterranean327]

Good stuff, Trent. I've effectively given up on being a professional artist, but I'm more committed than ever to making the stuff I want to make, even if it's not for money.

[@PolSiete7]

real man. youve been inspirational. currently i cant take risks but im spending my free time learning animation.

[@user-qq1id7wg1q]

u did good leaving blizz kinda sad seeing it destroying itself

[@krimanga]

This video is so inspiring!

[@TheDreamXable]

Hi, my question is out of topic, but what is that program that you've used to create animation?

[@kaz-magicarts8597]

I'm glad I watched this video. Thank you for the advice.

[@JanstonCordell]

Your videos have contributed to me returning to my dream of indie tabletop game development, Trent. I can't thank you enough and I can't wait to play Twilight Monk!

[@mirandaart3012]

I started to do my "i did (that thing)" that you talk about around the 8min mark of the video, all these plans and dreams i had over the years were stalling me as I thought I had to be in the industry or have certain degrees to prove that I know things, cov*d really turned my world upside down and the years after it, this year i wrote a list of all the game projects and any other thing i wanted to do and i started to work on them. slow progress most days but when i find the time/motivation to work for even a few minutes i focus on the task. Hopefully in the future I can say I finished some projects that mean something to me. Thanks for all the time you put into your videos and your game looks great, i can't wait to play it :)

[@Tahldon-kun]

Found myself nodding along with this making noises thst my southern relatives used to make in church like "Brotha betta preach." Yeah man... time is quick and the shoulda woulda couldas wrack up incredibly fast.

[@packdebienvenida]

I love your video dude! I think it's a great path especially if you know art. I need to study to be a better artist!

[@ravaniacrescentia3643]

You are in inspiration. Thank you.

[@millakatariina64]

I suppose this helps me know that, I want to do both, I want to be a part of a bigger game studio, but I also want to make my own games, I'll just do whichever ends up being the more stable option at first and then do the other at some point later I think :) (Still very much in the learning phase though, so will have to see how things proceed from here-)

[@putrepee]

Thank you for sharing! Your words are really inspiring and encouraging. And your game looks fantastic!!🔥❤

[@Wimpiethe3]

Really appriciate your content man. Both in art and in keeping spirits alive. Hope the game is gonna sell mad. Indie gaming is really cool, but it seems really difficult to manage. Having seen some devlogs it seems like a struggle to stay afloat. Anything in your life throwing a wrench can undo an indie game completely. I'm disabled can't work a job. But possibly I'll release an indie some time. 10 years from now, 'some time' with my restricted pace ;) Upside is that it costs me nothing since my time is worth zip. Has it's advantages too. I'll follow my dreams alright. At my pace!

[@marek_tarnawski]

Good luck on your project Trent! I haven't landed in big studios I wanted to land (I work in not as exciting mobile games). I realized though after while that long term I would be unhappy anyway with more prestigious jobs because I also have this craving for independed projects. I decided to just skip the jobs and move straight into my own stuff. I'm on the stage of learning to code and it's tough. I did though some small game in no-code engine Gdevelop so it is some kind of milestone.

[@blasterxt9]

How did you create a 2d parallax background in UE4

[@kermbydoesart]

im 22 and cant help but feel that time is flying, ive been looking for a mentor or SOMETHING besides being self taught. Esp these days it can be discouraging, but i live and breath art. I will never evr ever stop. watching you always gives me some fresh air from all the noise

[@Nateolison]

As a 36yo who didn't have a mentor for any of my art journey, my advice to you is to behave as if help is never coming, that way the results (hopes, dreams, life's work, etc.) are always in your control. Not waiting for divine intervention of some outside source.

[@jackiehonda]

Thanks for sharing your thoughts, Trent!

[@Nieco2187]

motivational video🤧😻

[@b.borovyi20]

Dude, twilight monk trailer looks awsome!

[@minamo4012]

I think info get passed very quick is a huge advantage for small team, when changing a tiny color on something needs a week to be approved, I mean, things hardly get done right and right on time.

[@dannyboots]

I don't even have to watch the video to know why

[@ErnieZ3D]

early 2025 can't come soon enough!! I love the art so much, it's gonna be a vibe on the steamdeck!

[@ArtDadDraws]

Thanks for this video Trent. I have three studios I want to work for (bucket list goals). My goal is to get into one of those studios, make a game with them, then do my own thing between the next dream studio. I've been a freelancer for a long time in other fields and I just can't stomach the grind for this part of my life.

[@zachariasstarlid5365]

The gameplay looked amazing!

[@aleksandarstanisic1848]

Great video;)

[@kunyounglee9052]

Hi there! I was an environment artist in games but after 6years of working in the industry I wanted to be a charcter artist ..! Now I am studing for charcter art and it isn't easy for studying in another feild and now I am still learning for 2years and becoming 35 and still don't have a job.. I kinda thought to myself what if I didn't quit my job and don't leap the other way.. I won't be in this position of anxiety.. But when I just stumbled across your video .. I just realized.. there will be alot of bumps in the road and it won't be easy but having the chance to do it was still worth it ! thank you your video made my day!

[@asain101g7]

🫥🫥🫥

[@manfromsinope]

Thanks for the vid - can't wait for the game, picked up a copy of secrets of kung fulio recently. Just curious, what game engine were you using? Unreal?

[@GavinHadro]

Thanks for this and all your videos ever since I was in high school. I'm (almost!) in the industry, and hearing about your rejections ironically makes it fun to stomach haha. Just means I'm one rejection closer! Regarding the problem with working a corporate job too long, I went to the IAMC convention and remember talking to Mateusz Urbanowicz about it. He said something very similar to what you said, but it was in regards to anime. He worked at large studios for years until he realized the reason he was so unfulfilled was because he was telling and retelling other people's stories and, worse yet, the big-budget entertainment industry's stories usually, and understandably, target the lowest common denominator. He said working on the same things that you don't truly care about for too long can make you lose sight of what you originally wanted to share with others, of your larger life vision. It's not easy to pursue, but nothing worth having ever was! Keep going man looking forward to your game and whatever comes after!

[@MakiNoAtorie]

Very nice video. I have the same mentality, but at the same time I struggle so much with uncertainty that I can't see myself dealing all my life with an unstable salary. So I try to do my thing while having a dayjob.

[@TrentKaniuga]

Thats a very sensible approach! I did the same thing until I could get by without the income from work.

[@j.2512]

it was a decent career, but AI made the future as a job prospect impossible, its not even unstable salaries, the job positions themselves are dissapearing. Do your own thing and maybe try luck on patreon or social media, there's really no industry path

[@lorietta_krof]

Glad KZbin recommended this video. It was motivating, sweet, and a good time :3 Working in a game studio is my goal/dream at this point in my life. Especially if it's Riot Game or Blizzard, but I'm also developing my own projects. There is a fear that there is no place for me in the industry, but I have my whole life ahead of me and literally one single goal: To live a life of creativity T.T Your game looks amazing, I'll be looking forward to it

[@Numb3r10ck]

Rock on Trent, Rock on!!!

[@TheBlackbirdii]

one question regarding your publisher to they pay you monthly fee to keep working on the game or kinda advancement because i got accepted by many publisher for my game none of them want to pay an advancement or support me on monthly bases

[@TrentKaniuga]

It depends on your negotiation skills and how much value you're bringing to the table. In our case, we have milestone goals or (deliverable assets) tracked progress. If we meet these goals, we get a payment every 3 months. Now, in order to get this type of deal, we had to give up a large portion of the profits after release. But it was fair for both parties.

[@TheBlackbirdii]

@@TrentKaniuga thank you for information ! sadly i met people who just want to take advantage of me without paying a cent , i suggested that the game is even localized by me for 8 languages , i paid for voice actors and everything and yet they still want 60% from sales , it will be amazing , if you do a video how to deal with publishers and what's are the red flags

[@Andra1150]

I quite wonder if you have met Samwise Didier? What as an artist can you tell about his approach and would you say you have similarities with him when it comes to working at projects?

[@TrentKaniuga]

Samwise and I are friends, and I've been thinking of asking him to hang out and chat on KZbin sometime. I think it would be a fun time to talk about the old days of Blizz.

[@Andra1150]

@@TrentKaniuga , that would be really awesome - please, consider to invite him)

[@VesporaArtworks]

The demo looks SOOO GOOD!! 👏👏👏 Thank YOU for showing up and being such a great example. I'm eternally grateful for your KZbin channel and tutorials, it has given me a little peephole window into the industry I always told myself I was never good enough to get into. I'm now good enough, in so many disciplines, across so many technologies, by being too damn stubborn to quit and too smart for my own good. (: Now I get to choose whether I want to give the AAA's a shot at hiring ME before I go off and publish my own shindig, same as you. 👊 Thanks, MyDude!

[@jamfilledjars]

I'm not even in the industry yet, nor at a professional level as the character artist I want to be. Yet, I want to work on my own projects and my own brand, than focus on committing myself to a company. Hell, I'm wanting to study and work in/set up shop in Seoul, where I feel I will find greater success in my career, connections and personal growth as an artist and person. I also just find that Canada has so few options for what I'm interested in when it comes to art and specifically characters, that being extremely detailed shenanigans (mechs, cyborgs, sci-fi, etc. etc.). It feels constricting to stay here in Canada or NA in general.

[@MrKingJavo]

Did this 7 years ago and made my own indie football game. Best decision I ever made! Good luck with your game bro!

[@aztecagames]

Great breakdown. I've been trying the same but haven't had anything take off. Contract work has come along tho so I'm still making money in video games while I chip away at my own stuff on the side. After almost 20 years in the industry, it's very refreshing to not deal with the bureaucracy that you've mentioned like wasting hours and hours debating on what should go in and when and marking tickets with t-shirt sizes! :D Quick question for you, what size canvas are you working on for your game assets? Do you do double size and then scale down on export? Twilight Monk is looking awesome and I've gone ahead and wishlisted it. Can't wait to play it!

[@rolandorodriguez8975]

Hey Trent, I'm a character designer and storyboard artist. Where do I send fan art of Twilight Monk?

[@user-ec4py6lh1h]

Hey i was wandering wich game engine you use for your game. I’m just starting out and watched a few videos on how to use the Godot game engine. My dream is to work in games as an artist primarily, but understanding how it is implemented into the game is crucial for that kind of career. Also, thank you for making these videos!

[@bake-io1cf]

try to make and monetize your own projects, the demand for artists in professional settings is dying and AI will keep replacing most people in those settings. Hired illustrator or concept artist won't exist as a career path. There's fewer and fewer opening and those openings involve editing AI pictures for little money

[@athragan]

Cool art + Metroidvania, with a story? Count me in!

[@drawsomethin]

I'm really excited for twilight monk ,where can I get the book series?

[@TrentKaniuga]

Amazon or audible or on my gumroad store.

[@peter486]

Do you think PBR textures has pushed out stylized?

[@parisulki729]

I was just thinking today how Trent is a beast for making videos on top being involved in indie production! And there it is! Yet another vid, right on time. I think you were looking into future, as indie seems like a way to go nowadays, judging by the massive lay-offs and policies those "effective managers" are pushing. I think it is like cycles: industry gets big, ceos get high on success, spend money willie-nillie and overbudget. then there is a crash, and indie sector gets the attention. And that money makes those indie devs into next big studios. Or, there is no and never will be stability in art careers, and we all should be ready to learn on fly.

[@parisulki729]

This channel is definetely big part of my art journey. So far as my path goes, i finished my art school, so there is no structured future ahead of me. I've decided to finally make my comic idea into reality, and actually publish it. So rn i am making sure it looks best as it can. P.s. It just dawned at me that i could be sharing my progress on Trent's art discord

[@cdewx5749]

That eminem thing was one of your best moments, trent

[@cdewx5749]

Behind the Music

[@nisagomez4366]

I was offered the art director job before they changed their name to Blizzard. I said nope and left right at the start of Lost Vikings.

[@TrentKaniuga]

Whoa. Any regrets?

[@mizubiart6230]

Can’t wait for this game to come out it looks so cool.

[@occupationalhazard]

Thank you for your advice. I need to finish my games, rather than get stuck in a cycle on constant job rejection.

[@purinp2054]

Our needs change with time. I started as junior working for indie studios and work towards the goal of working for big studios. Im tired of indie - lack of stability, cancelled projects, lack of amazing seniors to learn from, irresponsible bosses who have no idea what they are doing and budget limitations stopping from doing more quality, detailed art. If indie is not your own studio/project or it's not founded by super-experienced people, its often not fun at all.

[@RukileinchenChan]

I really like your message, but e.g. for me, I don't know if I have one of those never-meant-to-be pipe dreams. I wanted to work for Nintendo/at Nintendo my whole life, though when I was younger not as an artist but translater. I even studied Japanese studies and am fluent. After these studies, I have decided to go for art back in 2018. Concerning my age of 32 and my skill level still not being at a professional one, I don't know if I have a chance in a few years due to age discrimination. ^^°

[@Arden76rey]

I went in to listen, but after a minute I was no longer listening and just watching the work process with fascination.

[@HalkerVeil]

I heard competition laws are going federal where they can't stop you from making your own game in your own time.

[@fluidfox1436]

Time does creep up on us

[@luizalexandre2204]

I would love to have a phisical copy of the game for switch❤ that would be awesome

[@AMightyStorm]

wait what the hell Trent...... making the game looks so incredibly fun. What dev software is that? I think you just unlocked a hidden room in my head. And I think I wanna explore it. Oh boy.

[@ErnieZ3D]

I was so ready for you to sing lose yourself in a funny voice

[@Lluc3D]

100%

[@koffeekage]

i gotta watch this later heres aa like and comment.

[@mikenelson1624]

✨💛✨

[@sylvarogre5469]

GANBARÉ!!!

[@iRAWT]

This game looks pretty damn cool!

[@SyedShahnabAliGillani]

I am just here for free therapy :)

[@Numb3r10ck]

Wow I hope my old computer has a good enough graphics card to play when it’s out.

[@Monkey-fv2km]

Good on you for making it happen, this is the time for indie games, I think the corporate AAA model is on the decline. I too would leave my safe corporate gig if I had a strong enough idea to keep me afloat independently.

[@DigitalinDaniel]

Speaking of real money in indie games, have you sent Twilight Monk to OTK Pixel Pitch?

[@Hynotama]

“It’s like dating a super model” Yes, some people with no such options consider it peak dating. Some people are getting sick of super models and want a wife that cooks and is got to the kids. Proverbially speaking. To translate, people who don’t think highly of their skills view industry work as the peak of artist work. People who’ve worked in the industry will choose their own work instead of corporate work as soon as they can.

[@gazagne251190]

To get some context of your good advices, how old are you ? Do you have kids, wife ? Love your content ❤

[@SuperFlyGhost]

....palms sweaty, mom's spaghetti ...

[@nyankrauss]

💪😼💪

[@charleslamb6500]

you're doing what wish could be doing, or that you thought of something ' Star Wars ', and now it's turning into something real, or that people could get, or enjoy . . to me making art is very difficult, or however ultra fan of what people make, or that most art products are worth getting, or think it's important to support people that take the leap. or are professional, or however think the amazing thing, or that you're making your own ' Star Wars ', or could only think how many people are gonna enjoy that, or that it adds up to cool events, or that of important characters, or perhaps culture that people are gonna talk about decades from now, or that was their books, or characters, or what their generation gravitated to, or that's perhaps the dream, or that what one makes resonates, or somehow serves teenagers, or they learn something, or perhaps it's a stabilizing, or important story, or theater everything looks amazing, or what's amazing about video games, or that on almost no money, or you have something like a movie, or could make almost anything, or that somehow people get the entire franchise, or what you're trying to tell, or perhaps teach, or that you're creating something as cool, or cultural works that could be important to a ton of people everything is cool, or also gonna keep following this, or perhaps this is a new ' Avatar ' series, or not sure it's anime, or can't wait to learn of the characters, or what happens to the world

[@dd-tc6ip]

Blizzard does not exist anymore. MICROSOFT does though

[@pastuh]

TLDR: Destiny

[@teshtishtoshtesh3218]

If I were independently wealthy, yeah, I'd be making games. I have a lot of ideas and plenty of things I've put together over the years. Thing is, I still have bills to pay. So it goes.

[@kaelthas9970]

Please, buy my country.

[@andynonimuss6298]

Yes, time creeps up on us pretty quick and we only get one shot in life. I don't want to look back on my life saying I worked hard in art, graphic design, and game design just to entertain the world. I then died, and now I'm in Hell for all eternity because I never gave God and his son the time of day. Mark 8:36 "For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?"

[@mrh4900]

First

[@j.2512]

Everyone is getting laid off because of AI, seems convenient

[@Dumb-Comment]

someone share this to Asmongold

[@avijittiwari9274]

please don't start digital art in 2024 if you are already advanced then it's not a problem for you but if you are starting now you are completely losing everything bro every thing !!!!!!!! instead learn blender and its aesthetics like composition colour theory etc