How I Came to Work at Tapulous (and Why You Should Too) by Jess
January 8th, 2009
Back in September, I was happily engaged in some of the most challenging, rewarding work there is in our industry, working as a senior engineer on the Safari Mac Platform team at Apple. I’d been with Apple for over nine years, and had the opportunity to work on a number of cutting-edge projects of incredible scope and complexity, with some of the smartest, most driven, and passionate people I have ever known.
And then, through a totally unexpected and rather whirlwind process, in October, I found myself walking into The Shop for my first day of work at Tapulous, heading up Engineering here. It’s proven to be one of the best decisions I’ve made, and I’m hoping that in sharing why I love my job, I’ll attract some of you out there, reading this, to come work with me, at Tapulous!
At Apple, when you work on Mac OS X and the applications that ship as a part of that operating system, not only does your work see the light of day, but it sees it on a massive scale. Products I’ve contributed very significantly to, as a member of a small team, have landed on the laps and desks of many millions of users. And by and large, those users are happy to have the product: they’re being productive, they’re being creative, and they’re having fun.
One of the reasons I’d never thought much about working anywhere other than Apple, was that I figured I’d be giving up the ability to reach people on that scale. Turns out, I was wrong: Tapulous has the #1 game on the App Store for 2008, and the #3 application overall. With our runaway hit, Tap Tap Revenge, and other strong offerings like Twinkle, Tap Tap Dance, etc., we’ve got over five million users! If you’re looking to not only have your software ship, but have it ship quickly, and to more people than you ever thought possible, Tapulous is the place to be!
Put simply, working at a company of fewer than a dozen people, that ships fun and beautiful consumer products to more than five million people, can be exciting and ego-boosting. But, what else is great about this place?
At least once or twice a week, I find myself sitting at my desk chuckling to myself that I’m actually getting paid to do what I do.
It’s a Mac developer’s dream job, really. I create software on a platform that’s a pleasure to work on (Mac OS X), for a platform that’s the hottest thing out there (the iPhone). Better? That software is fun! Most of Tapulous’ development energy these days is expended on music-based gaming, and so quite often I’m listening to fantastic tunes, thinking about innovative, engaging, and beautiful ways to bring that music into a game environment, and playing our existing games! If you’ve gotta have “the daily grind” be a part of your life — most of us have bills to pay — this particular daily grind is a pretty awesome one!
Finally, my colleagues here are smart, driven, and passionate, just like the folks I was working with at Apple. It’s a lively atmosphere, with people coming from a variety of strong, interesting backgrounds, and so we’re all contributing uniquely, at very high levels. We take a lot of pride in what we’re doing here, and we like to work as a team. And we’re certainly very busy, and keep things moving at a quick pace!
To circle back to the original point of this blog post: if all of this sounds like it’d be of interest to you, and you’re a smart, driven, and passionate person too, we really want to work with you!
Specifically, we’re seeking Cocoa/iPhone developers, and ideally would like folks with at least a few years’ commercial work experience under their belts. If you have particular interest in, and familiarity with, gaming, graphics (OpenGL), audio & music, all the better! Our products also all have some degree of server-based functionality, and so experience with application-level networking (CFNetwork, Bonjour, etc.) would be of value.
We’re also in the market for designers. We’ve got graphically rich products, as well as a web site and internal needs for art and design (e.g. marketing materials, presentations, etc.), and need more folks to create beautiful art and to help us sort out the interaction and functional design of our games and other applications. If you’ve specifically had experience designing applications for desktop, mobile, or embedded platforms, we’d like to hear from you! Obviously, prior experience with games, and Mac OS X and/or iPhone is ideal!
Send your resume and cover letter to jobs@tapulous.com, and we’ll look forward to hearing from you!
January 8th, 2009
I would do it, but im only 13 years old and i doubt you guys would let somebody that young work for you (as an intern)
January 8th, 2009
Same as Matt. I would love to be an intern, but even if I could, I’m only really good with Windows. As far as website design, I could add a lot.
January 9th, 2009
I could sponsor u guys… like with the forum http://taptapnetwork.forums-free.com/
January 9th, 2009
That be great smith. if you want i could end you some sample images of my work. Also i would be a good intern because i live in palo alto and would work for free. (also id supply my own laptop)
January 12th, 2009
nice, but i dont have a mac, just an iPhone, a simple job as a Graphics designer for my dad (I’m oly 13…) I don’t know any coding for iPhone or mac software…
January 13th, 2009
Why a new designer ?
In my opinion you can have already the best with Louie Mantia
January 18th, 2009
Working at Tapulous would be great but I’m only good at working with Windows.
I make games with Windows. Check out my website by clicking on my organization name.
January 20th, 2009
the internet is the future of music
January 28th, 2009
My whole life has been to be a computer engineer. Even though I am only 17 even though I use windows myself..an intern job would be great
February 2nd, 2009
I’ve been developing 3D software since 1973, OpenGL and scalable online media services since the mid 90’s, and iPhone apps (using OpenGL-ES, CFNetwork/Bonjour, audio) since before Apple’s iPhone 3G launch.
I’m guessing that’s a bit more experience than you’re looking for ;^)
February 11th, 2009
Hello:
My name is Kimberly Diep. I will like to know if your company Christian contemporate rocks music? The community and the market is very large for the teens and college youth. Parents prefer their children to listen those over others. Switch foot, Kutless, Michael W. Smith, etc. are all Christian artists. Some of these artists might not had a past that is great, but most of them turn their lives around & share their experiences with the audience
Beautiful young women like Rebekka St. James & Zoe Girls are not just talented, they are gifted with great moral and values to young women. I went to a Spirit West Coast concert, and I saw the community itself not just out there making money, but they do it for good cause: Carry a good message to youngster that drug, alcohol, and sex will not build long term relationships. How many musicians out there are good role model for our youngster.
I encourage to check out Spirit West Coast concert; you can find them on web with all the previous event. They have a 4 days event in Laguna Seca which is coming up in August.
Beside making money & getting your company to go public, I hope your organization will promote entertainers who are good role models to the young generation.
Sincerely,
Kimberly Diep
February 11th, 2009
@Kimberly Diep: quote “Carry a good message to youngster that drug, alcohol, and sex will not build long term relationships” thats not a good message nub
February 11th, 2009
FYI, the weekly email list form has something wrong with its validation it seems. None of my emails are being accepted as valid emails.
Ari Braginsky
February 18th, 2009
Hey my name is jovan
February 22nd, 2009
February 25th, 2009
Wow working with you guys would be my dream come true!!!!!!!!!!
February 28th, 2009
@ Matt Plant hey im 13 too and i want to do the same
_______
My Email
ramin.touringracer@gmail.com
March 5th, 2009
Hey I am 14 years old butbi am really good at progming. I am kind of a nerd but I can get the work done. When I am old I am trying to work for computer and stuff. So thx for reading this
From
Ethan
March 5th, 2009
It’s definitely a great firm. I would love to be associated with you. I’am interested in the Marketing Intern position. I’am an MBA grad with all the required credentials. Whom should i forward my resume to for better consideration?
March 6th, 2009
Hello im 16 if there is ANYTHING i can do to help you guys out send me a email i am pretty good with computers
March 16th, 2009
Hi guys…. if you need a voice guy… hit up my site…
Cheers,
Jerry McCrae
BigMouthStudio.com
March 22nd, 2009
how can I become a mod for tapulos…. I love the rooms spend a lot of time In it… Hoping to get paid for it
March 22nd, 2009
yyyy
April 18th, 2009
i love the game play it everyday on my iphone and go into the chatt rooms often and i wanted to become a mod in the chat cuss i often go in the chatt rooms and people always talking trash racial stuff and ive talk to some mods there like zachtap and clevertony some mods so i was hoping i can be one plz
April 20th, 2009
OK IM IN THE ROOM ALL THE TIME THERES A FRIEND OF MINE HIS NAME IS CLEVERTONY HES A MOD AND WELL I WANT TO BECOME ONE IL DO IT FOR FREE DUHH AND I KNOW WHEN THEY TALK TRASH CUSS THEY TALK MORE TRASH NOW IN SPANISH ALSO AND I SPEAK AND WRITE SPANISH AND ENGLISH SO IF I CAN PLZ BECOME A MOD FOR YOU GUYS AND IL KEEP IT CLEAN NICE AND MY NAME ON TAP TAP IS IRVING_MARTINE AND IM 19 YEARS OLD.. PLZ EMAIL ME BACK
April 24th, 2009
Being only 15, I do have a mac and am very experienced in the field of app design and web design. My age lets me down though.
May 15th, 2009
When are Guitar Hero and Rock Band icons Bang Camaro going to be featured on Tap Tap? I just got a new download from them in The Sims 3 pre-order pack.
And yes, they are my favorite band.
July 19th, 2009
I sent an email
July 21st, 2009
i am a good iphone developer in unity3d if interested email me at flashedcoder@gmail.com
July 28th, 2009
Hmm, it would be fun working as an intern like trevor, maybe some day. . . This would be an awesome job
August 14th, 2009
I also agree with Kimberly on the christian music stuff.
September 3rd, 2009
I would love to work in Tapulous! Thing is, I’m just 14.
September 3rd, 2009
Oh yeah, to Kimberly Diep: they do have songs by Christian artists available for download like Red Jumpsuit Apparatus.
October 6th, 2009
Wow, about half the other commenters on here are also teenagers. Scary. I can see quite a lot of competition in the job market in a few years time :s. Oh well, guess I’d better say I’m 16, and yes, I would love an internship at Tapulous. Trouble is, you’re an awful long way away from rural England, and I don’t really have the money for a transatlantic flight…
March 6th, 2010
I have an idea for an iphone application; I would like to talk to Bart about it.
April 29th, 2010
Hey Jess, I’m sold. One of my dreams has been to work at Apple, to be able to work on cutting edge hardware and software, but so far, the right position with the right team has not materialized.
Tapulous looked to be a different animal, and I wasn’t sure I was cut out for the kind of games you’re developing. Reading your story, as well as looking to see what kinds of positions you are hiring for has changed my mind. And it was an Apple recruiter that suggested I apply at Tapulous.
So, let’s see what happens. My application has been submitted!
August 13th, 2010
Hey guys! Just a shout out to
Nintendofanthr33, Matt Plant, Cliper53, Ryan, Joe Quinlan, Isaac Seymour, Ethan kaskel, and ElleSpencer18.
I’m 14 and I saw that there are lots of other teenagers like me interested in this sort of stuff iPhone programming, web design.
If you’re reading this, shoot me an email at sam.wf10@gmail.com and I’ll tell you what I have in mind.
Thanks,
Sam