Recruiter Hot Seat: EA Motive

What differentiates your studio from other developers?
Motive is a brand new studio, where developers have the unique chance to work with one of the world’s biggest intellectual properties, Star Wars, and be part of the studio’s founding team.

The studio was founded by Jade Raymond, well known for working on groundbreaking action franchises.

We’ve grown organically over the past several months, bringing on talent from studios in Montreal and EA studios who were interested in joining us, as well as talent from studios around the world.

It’s a tight-knit team with diverse experience, which makes for a very collaborative environment.

How many staff are you looking to take on?
We are looking to add another 30 new staff to our growing team of 65. 

What perks are available to working at your studio?
In addition to the amazing career opportunities, we love to brag about our great EA perks like comprehensive health and benefit packages, tuition reimbursement, RRSP company match, excellent vacation, free EA games and more.

What should aspiring devs do with their CV to get an interview?
Anyone interested can email (See ‘Currently Hiring’), our recruiters are active on LinkedIn and candidates are welcome to reach out directly to us or through LinkedIn. For an artist or animator, we ask that they provide an up-to-date reel. 

Who is the best interviewee you have ever had and how did they impress you?
The interviewees who impress are always those who’ve done their homework; they have thought through why they are interested in Motive and EA. They come prepared with good questions and are also authentic. In some ways, the less ‘practiced’ a candidate is, the better. It’s okay if answers aren’t extremely polished or if they need to pause and reflect. We’d rather get direct, genuine responses then rehearsed answers.

Who was the worst?
I don’t think there has been a ‘worst’ interview, but candidates who aren’t engaged, or who are defensive can be problematic. I have never minded nerves, I see them as an indicator that the person cares about the position. I have definitely counselled candidates who become tongue-tied to get their nervous energy out before interviews by running around the block a few times so they can express themselves. 

What advice would you give for a successful interview at your studio?
Be on time, bring examples of your work and convey enthusiasm. If you don’t think that the interview has covered what the team should know, ask if you can provide that detail.

If you have recruited internationally, what is the process like?
With Skype and voice conferencing, it makes the international interview process pretty easy. The difficulties or complications can arise with immigration and securing visas. We have hired several candidates from other locations in the world, but those positions tend to be the more specialised opportunities.

How have your recruitment needs change at your studio?
Now that we have recruited most of the discipline leads for Motive, we are filling out teams including audio, art, and programming. 

Why should developers join you when indie and self-publishing have become so much more accessible?
With us, you can help build a studio from the ground up, work on one of the world’s biggest IPs and collaborate with industry notables like Jade Raymond, Jean-Francois Poirier, Chris Matthews, Ryan Hicks… the list goes on.

Motive Studios

Location: Montreal, Canada
Hiring: Tools and AI programmers, 3D modellers, environment artists, animators
Where to apply:ea.com/motivestudios or email joinmotive@ea.com