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KINGSTON UNIVERSITY – 2 NOVEMBER 2011
TIPS FOR GETTING INTO THE INDUSTRY
SO YOU WANT TO BE A GAME DEVELOPER?
Paul WedgwoodCEO and Game Director
@PaulWedgwood KINGSTON UNIVERSITY – 2 NOVEMBER 2011
About Me
1986: Expelled from school
1987: Disqualified from driving
1989: Achieved no qualifications, whatsoever
1991: Declared personally bankrupt !!!
1998: My first business was ‘Dissolved’ omfg
1999: My second Business was ‘Struck Off’ ffs
2003: Achieved Worldwide Critical Acclaim & Commercial Success!
About Splash DamageFounded 2001Expertise: “Multiplayer Actions Games with Depth”Over 330 Awards and NominationsAverage rating of «««« for all titles ..and most recently, a worldwide #1 hit!
Do you even have a chance?
Yes!
The Games Industry’s Future Ignore the doom-mongers, naysayers and beggars ‘AAA Blockbusters’ are BACK in the UK
Opportunities in the UK1,490 jobs available right now10% are graduate positions!
AA
A S
tudi
os in
the
UK
No experience requiredAll major developers hire inexperienced staffPursue your obsessionOnly apply to your dream companyTake whatever role you can getBetter to be a play-tester at Splash Damage
…than Lead Artist at ‘Naff Startup UK Ltd’
Or start Naff Startup UK Ltd!
Be Aware of Trends!The rise of smartphones and tablets…and the return of the desktopA new digital distribution model – a revolution!New models – F2P, C2P, Subscription, PWYW, & IAPsGreater opportunities than EVER for Indies &
Modmakers
CASE STUDIESTHE PRACTICAL BIT
Case Study: Paul Greveson BA (Hons) Computer Arts at University of
Abertay Dundee
Portfolio included a selection of high poly and
low poly 3D models
Took the SD art test and was rejected
Applied again after incorporating advice from
SD’s Art Director
Helped create Brink’s character
customisation system
What You’ll Need (For Artists)Create a portfolio website to showcase your workBe selective about what you show
Your site will be viewed by Busy People With Little Time Pick your best and most recent work
Consider specialising in the field that fits you best 3D art, concept art, animation, etc
Join an art forum or website Peer reviews are a great way to get your work in shape Art competitions hone your skills and provide portfolio material
Case Study: Jamie Manson Studied Architectural Design
& Computer Science Created maps for Team
Fortress 2, including cp_steel and cp_freight
SD contacted Jamie after seeing his TF2 work
Created Security Tower and Founders’ Tower levels for Brink
Case Study: Dave Johnston1st MEng Software EngineeringCreated de_dust for Counter-StrikePortfolio included screens and
descriptions of known workHired after reading about us on
Shacknews.comCreated Container City and Refuel
maps for Brink
What You’ll Need (For Designers)Make use of the many free SDKs out there
StarCraft II, Half-Life, Wolfenstein: Enemy Territory
Build a single player or multiplayer map Focus on a single, original twist and design around it Focus test your work Iterate, iterate, iterate
Showcase your work on the web The recruiter probably won’t have time to load up your map Screenshots are good, videos are better
Case Study: Arne-Olav Hallingstad
BA Computer Science at University of Oslo
Created Last Man Standing mod for
DOOM 3 and Weapons Factory Revolution
mod for Quake 4
Portfolio included code samples from mod
work
Applied at SD twice before getting hired
Helped write Brink’s S.M.A.R.T. freedom of
movement system
What You’ll Need (For Programmers)Create a website to showcase your workFocus on showing off finished projects
Tech demos, game mods, iOS games, Flash games, etc Use code samples to show off your style and skill
Need more material? Find and join a mod team! Many mods are in need of programmers Closest thing to actual, factual game development
Our Indie Start - Q3F
High Quality Total Conversion
for Quake III Arena
Most popular platform
Hugely active team
Highly professional
Worldwide success
Real-Life Interaction
Tips for Successful Indie Games & Mods
Don’t just make a mod Shoot for an ‘AAA’ total conversion or a stunning mini-game
Start, as you would a professional companyTalented people are your greatest assetRun a mod or indie team as a professional ‘studio’Study every waking minute (Gamasutra.com was good)Practice community management & PRMake a name for yourselfFinish it!
Where Can I Start?
Uses venerable idTech 3
Lots of active players
Completely free
Uses more recent idTech 4
Supports huge outdoor maps
It’s cheap!
Mod Toolkits available on splashdamage.com Lots of editing documentation at wiki.splashdamage.com Active editing community in our forums
Conclusion – Go for AAAConstant self improvementFocus on your real passionCreate a killer portfolioOnly pursue your dream companies & titlesIf unsuccessful, get feedback, iterate, reapplyDon’t compromise on where you workNever stop studying.
Think You’re Ready?We’re always looking for exceptional talentCurrent list of positions, benefits, and more advice
available at
www.splashdamage.com/careers
Questions?
www.splashdamage.com
@PaulWedgwood
@splashdamage
/splashdamage