Shared by a Taiwanese slot machine probability engineer about his overseas work experience.
Work Environment: Comfort in Taiwan vs. Diversity Abroad
Taiwan: Most gaming companies in Taiwan have offices in commercial buildings with generally good environments, rarely in dilapidated buildings. The office space is not luxurious but clean and comfortable, and being in Taiwan, what I miss most is the rich snack culture—stinky tofu, braised dishes, fried chicken cutlets, all endlessly memorable. For a probability engineer, finding a company with a good environment and relaxed work is key to enjoying a peaceful life, making Taiwan an ideal place.
Overseas: The office environment abroad is more spacious, sometimes with entire buildings for the team. However, due to the pandemic, remote working has been prolonged, reducing office usage. Work locations vary greatly, some are in deserts with views of nothing but loess; others are in resort areas with sunshine, beaches, and bikinis, but while you are working, others might be vacationing—this feeling depends on personal acceptance.
Team Atmosphere: Rigorous Selection vs. Cultural Shock
Taiwan: Although there are difficult colleagues, Taiwan's interview mechanism is relatively strict, which better screens candidates suitable for the job. The team goals are clear, focusing on game development and quality stability. It's no wonder more and more international companies set up R&D teams in Taiwan, recognizing the level of development.
Overseas: Here, you encounter a world of "all kinds of people." Overseas teams often deal with cash flows and data inaccessible in Taiwan, with interviews being straightforward, mainly relying on the candidates' own experiences. The lack of an effective screening mechanism often results in hires who do not meet the job description, sometimes knowing nothing about the job content. Those planning to work abroad must be mentally prepared, as the job content may greatly differ from the description, which can be frustrating.
Job Content: Specialization vs. Multitasking Challenges
Taiwan: The work of a probability engineer in Taiwan mainly involves mathematics, simulation, and process control, with close cooperation between front-end and back-end, providing ample time to learn new games and technologies. If you find yourself handling all sorts of trivial tasks in a Taiwanese company, it's advisable to switch jobs and look for a more professional position.
Overseas: The company I work for has fewer staff, and the job content is very broad, involving game probability design, documentation writing, online adjustments, daily reporting, backend support, and even personal troubleshooting of server issues. The work pressure is high, and sometimes the inexperienced are instructing the experienced. The three-month probation period made me consider quitting several times. Work goals frequently change, sometimes daily, making the development process chaotic. After work, one must also be on call, which is very stressful and depends on whether one can accept this pace.
Salary and Benefits: Behind the Numbers
Taiwan: The monthly salary of a probability engineer in the Taichung area ranges from 45K to 60K New Taiwan Dollars, not easy to get rich, but life is pressure-free, stable, and comfortable. Moving north for work offers slightly higher salaries, but the cost of living also increases, requiring a balance.
Overseas: Salaries are mostly calculated in RMB, actually paid in USDT, with noticeable exchange rate losses, losing thousands of New Taiwan Dollars each month. Benefits include meals and accommodation, with significant taste differences in food, which I, being a food lover, find hard to adapt to. Accommodation options include single, double, and multiple occupancy rooms; I am fortunate to have a private room. Including exchange losses, the salary feels not superior to Taiwan. Bonus distribution is unstable, with bonuses during probation often denied. Working abroad is more like a gamble; winning might lead to a good life, losing makes it not easy.
Vacation Benefits: Relaxed Locally, Hard Overseas
Taiwan: The vacation system is well-established, generally with weekends off, and it's unlikely for a probability engineer to have no rest days.
Overseas: Even weekends might be busy, sometimes requiring work on holidays. In Southeast Asia, it's usually possible to return to Taiwan once a quarter, while in farther areas, only after six months of probation do you get 12-15 days to return to Taiwan. Pandemic quarantine policies also make it difficult to return home. Many give up overseas job opportunities because of this. The moon is not necessarily rounder far away; even though I don't like going home, I occasionally miss my homeland.
Conclusion and Advice
Comparing work in Taiwan and overseas, it's found that overseas isn't necessarily better, nor is Taiwan necessarily worse; it all depends on personal choices. Stability has its advantages, and chaos can create heroes. There are many job opportunities abroad, with fast promotions, but also more pressure to bear. I hope all probability engineers working abroad are recognized and find their value. On the other hand, I also hope that Taiwan's industry can better utilize the value of talents, not wasting excellent engineers.
Finally, a piece of advice for those preparing to work abroad: Be confident in salary negotiations, rationally assess your value and future.
