Transcript About me… • Trained Artist and Computer Animator • Online Gaming and Mod Community Birth • Founder Member of Torc Interactive 1999, now Instinct.

About me…
• Trained Artist and Computer Animator
• Online Gaming and Mod Community Birth
• Founder Member of Torc Interactive 1999,
now Instinct Technology since 2004
• Dark Water Studios break Away Company
• Academic Fellow Digital Human
Visualisation, University of Ulster
• Non Executive Director of Instinct
Technology
About Instinct Technology
• Creators of Instinct Studio
– Game Development Platform
– Middleware Company
• Available free for non-commercial use in
coming weeks. www.instinct-tech.com
Overview
• iD Software- Game Dev Overview
• Roles in Companies
– Programmers
– Artists
– Games Designers
• Opportunities for Development- XBLA
• They need you- State of Industry.
• Make yourself known!
Id Software – Game Case Study
Castle Wolfenstein
* First FPS. * 3d Enviroment, everything
else 2d. * Low Quality Textures but
Huge Development. * changed
gaming forever! 64x64
Doom
*Textures become more real. *More
3d Geometry on Screen. Some
3d Elements. Low Quality Anims
and Textures (128X128)
Id Software – Game Case Study
Doom2
Dev of Doom1. Higher quality textures.
More details in the enviroment
model. Better Effects and
Animations
Quake
First full 3d game. Textures low
quality. Some Effects.
Characters 3d. Baked in
Lighting. 256x256
Id Software – Game Case Study
Quake2
Dev of Quake1. Better Texture size(512X512) Better Lighting
Algorithms. 1000 polys. Effects and
Animations much improved.
Return to Castle Wolfenstein
Dev of Quake2. Better Effects.
Baked in Lighting. 1024x1024.
1400 Polys and Animation
System – First Bone Attempts.
Id Software – Game Case Study
Quake3
Better Lighting Again. Polys 1400 polys.
1024x1024 textures. First Shaders
in Effect. Simple Bone System in
place. Geometry much higher.
Doom3
Huge Step in lightning- Real Time per
pixel Lighting via Normal Maps. Full
Bone Structure. New depths of
cinematographic game. Simple
Physics available (bespoke)
Id Software – Game Case Study
Quake4
Much Better lighting and texturing. Larger
renderable area. Characters 3000 polys.
Textures up to 2048x2048. Full
Animation System and Physics
Improvements.
Qauke Wars Enemy Territory
iD go outside! First megatextures in
use. More effects, polys, texture
quality and vehicles. Huge step for
iD (and gaming engines).
Roles in Companies - Programmers
• Game Programmers - Specialisation
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Tools Programmers
Gameplay Programmers
AI Programmers
Music Programmers
Physics, graphics etc etc
• Middleware or Games
• Typically C++ and Scripting Languages (XML, LUA,
Python etc) for PC and Console
• J2ME, Action Script, Java .NET - depends on platform
• Strong Mathematics a great draw for employers
• Salaries – circa $57,913 (entry) $80,806 (All) – SourceThe Game Industry Salary Guide 2007
Roles in Companies - Programmers
• Desirable Qualities in Market Presently
– Experience…
– Portfolio showing examples of development- Don’t have to be
pretty but better in an existing engine environment
– DirectX
– High Maths (Linear Algebra) and Physics Proficiency
– Object Orientated Design
– Understanding of Coding Standards
– Project Management Skills
– Scripting Language Abilities
– Good Communication Skills
– Solid Understanding of Game Mechanics and Engine
Capabilities
– 3d Studio Max, Maya- Understand Artists needs and Art
Engine Overviews
Engine Comparison Overview.xls
Roles in Companies - Artists
• Game Artists - Specialisation
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Concept Artist
Texture Artist
Modeller
Animator, Rigger
Level Designer
GUI Designer
• The more of these disciplines you know the better
• Different Companies use Different tools- Make sure you
are constantly up to speed
• Traditional Art Skills Desirable
• Cinematography and Lighting – Hollywood style
• Salaries – circa $42,672 (entry) $65,107 (All) – SourceThe Game Industry Salary Guide 2007
Roles in Companies - Artists
• Desireable Qualities at Present
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Experience…
A Top Portfolio !!!
Traditional Art Skills- Colour Theory, Art History etc
Photoshop and Painter
2 of the top 3d packages- 3d Studio Max, Maya, Softimage
Scripting, MEL, MaxScript- Photoshop recording
Shader Authoring Skills
Solid knowledge of Various Engine Limitations and Engine
Workflow
– Good Communication Skills
– Solid Understanding ot all aspects of Content Creation
– Good Project Management
Roles in Companies - Artists
Work Flow Overview.xls
Roles in Companies – Game Designers
• Games Designers
– Game Designer
– Writers
– Lead Designer
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Rarely at Entry Level
Project Management
Playtesting, Tweaking
Becoming more important at present as gameplay is
becoming top selling point (wii)
• Communication Essential
• Salaries – circa $43,486 (entry) $63,986 (All) – SourceThe Game Industry Salary Guide 2007
Roles in Companies – Game Designers
• Desireable Qualities at Present
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Experience
Good Portfolio of work
Team and Project Management
Communication!!! Pitching, Leading, Steering,
Enthusing.
Know Game Design Documents
Solid knowledge of game engines and restrictions
Scripting an Advantage
3d Studio Max or Similar (layout and Visualisation)
Be obsessively critical of games
Be lateral and original thinking
Opportunities for Development XBLA
• Xbox Live Arcade
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Goes through a submission Process
Most Under 50Mbs (150Mb Limit)
Free Trial with opportunity for Full Purchase
Must Plug-in into Live Arcade System (outside game leader
boards, Game Invites etc)
– Key Points to bear in mind:
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Innovative
Gameplay Based
Visually XBox360 Standard
Multiplayer
Marketplace- Sell weapons, Levels, Abilities and Features etc
Worldwide Appeal.
– Arcade Portfolio Planning Team
– Developer Portal for Casual Game Developers
They Need You!
• Development Teams are Increasing in Size- 50+ per
game
• Programmers Specalising
• Artist’s Increased Work Remit
• Turnaround times
• Outsourcing
• New Oppurtunities for Film Trained people
– Lighting
– Cinematography
– Acting
• Music and Sound Effects
• They Need You!
Make Yourself Known
• Go to Developer and Games Events (GDC, Game
Connection)
• Join Societies– IGDA, Gamedevelopers.ie, CG Society.
• Discussion Forums- Gamedevelopers.ie, 3dTotal,
CGTalk.com, Conceptart.com, Gamedev.net.
Devmaster.com
• Create Mods and Join Mod Communities
• Read Industry and Development News sitesGamasutra, Gamesindustry.biz, Gamedev.net
• Stay ahead of the game
• Know your area