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