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

QuakeFirst full 3d game. Textures low

quality. Some Effects. Characters 3d. Baked in Lighting. 256x256

Id Software – Game Case Study

Quake2Dev of Quake1. Better Texture size-

(512X512) Better Lighting Algorithms. 1000 polys. Effects and Animations much improved.

Return to Castle WolfensteinDev of Quake2. Better Effects.

Baked in Lighting. 1024x1024. 1400 Polys and Animation System – First Bone Attempts.

Id Software – Game Case Study

Quake3Better Lighting Again. Polys 1400 polys.

1024x1024 textures. First Shaders in Effect. Simple Bone System in place. Geometry much higher.

Doom3Huge 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

Quake4Much Better lighting and texturing. Larger

renderable area. Characters 3000 polys. Textures up to 2048x2048. Full Animation System and Physics Improvements.

Qauke Wars Enemy TerritoryiD 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– 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) – Source-

The 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– 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) – Source-

The Game Industry Salary Guide 2007

Roles in Companies - Artists

• Desireable Qualities at Present– 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

• 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) – Source-

The Game Industry Salary Guide 2007

Roles in Companies – Game Designers

• Desireable Qualities at Present– 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– 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:

• 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 sites-

Gamasutra, Gamesindustry.biz, Gamedev.net • Stay ahead of the game• Know your area