i want to make games: where's the (start) button? - cgbc 2013 presentation by josh caratelli
TRANSCRIPT
I want to make games! Where’s the
button?@josh_caratelli
• Josh Caratelli• 16, High School Student
• Been lucky enough to have worked in and been around the games industry:
Who am I?
Credited – Additional Art
Why am I telling you this?
Because I’m still learning
Googled “How do I get into
the games industry?” – Way
too many times
From the studios I’ve visited and the experiences I’ve had:
A lot of developers have mentioned tips and advice that I didn’t come across on Google. I’m hear to share that
• Work Experience
• Nos Conquer Una (Work with a Team)
• Find your Discipline (3D Modelling, Gameplay Programming, Sound Design)
• Working on your first game (scope, ‘feature creep’)
• Networking – Conferences: GCAP, IGDAM , PAX AUS, FREEPLAY
• Online Presence (LinkedIn, Social Media)
• Great resource sites
• Combining School Work and Gamedev
Tips ‘n Tricks Industry Folk have shared with me:
*NO DLC
Work ExperienceGreat experiences if you can get some
• Not Guaranteed • In all fairness, they don’t need you
• If they can accommodate – AWESOME!
• Rare if you apply from the ‘outside’• Get to know them first: IGDAM, GCAP, Freeplay
• Be persistent, try and try again
• Personal Example – Big Ant Studios
Work Experience
Nos Conquer UnaConquer Together! Work with a team
• Games are in nature collaborative projects• Studios can range from 2 – 1000+ employees
• Just because you’re an artist doesn’t mean you don’t understand some basics of programming and vice versa
• So why wouldn’t you start working as a team now?
Work as Team
Ubisoft Example
• Where does it say teamwork here?
SplashDamage Example
Find your Discipline3D Modelling? Gameplay Programing? Sound Design?
“Well which one makes you happier when you complete something? Level Design or Gameplay Programming?”
- Chris Avellone , Creative Director & Co-Founder at Obsidian Entertainment
• If you have an idea and are choosing between a few, refer to Chris’ quote.
If not:• Try everything first, start with the ones that interest you
When you’ve found it:• Learn the foundations first i.e. learn Art Theory, not just a
3D or 2D Package – Adam Briggs
Remember:• Just because you want to working with programming or Art
doesn’t mean you ignore the rest. It’s a Team Effort!
Find your Discipline
Any Questions so far?No such thing as a stupid question :)
Yes, the answer to life is 42
Your First Game‘Feature Creep’, Scope and Finishing
• Start Now! Literally nothing stopping you• Make it small, very, very small. Don’t ‘feature creep’• i.e. Madden built up over 25 Editions, COD is the same
• Don’t make your dream game first, you have 10 bad ones in you to make.
• Finish and release your game it’s a skill – I’m working on this for my personal project
• An okay released game will always be better than the ‘best’ game, which is never released.
Your First Game
Making FriendsNetworking and conferences/meet-ups available to you
• Great way to meet like minded people
• Good way to get some positive mutual benefits for both parties “Hey you’re an artist, I’m a programmer lets make a game!”
Where can I network?• Here! At CGBC• Game Connect Asia Pacific (Conference)• International Game Developers Association Melbourne
(IGDAM)• Online – Forums, LinkedIn
Networking
Online PresenceLinkedIn, Twitter and more
• Be respectful
Online Presence
“If you have stuff online which you don’t want others to see, make sure what you want them to see is really easy to find”
- Mike Acton, Engine Director at Insomniac Games
Resource SitesGamedev Related Sites
Woman In Development (Games and Everything Tech)
Resource Sites
Two Birds One StoneCombining School Work and GameDev
• One way you can very easily build up skills is by constantly practicing them.
• We’re at school most of the time, why can’t we incorporate both?
• Generally the extra work brings favourable grades and a ‘wow’ factor
• More importantly it gives you a chance to practice your skills AND get them critiqued by your peers
School Work and GameDev
• Animation – Drink Driving Ad
Personal Example #1
• Animation – Drink Driving Ad
Personal Example #1
• Game – Interactive Quiz Starring Cardboard Chuck Norris
Personal Example #2
• Game – Interactive Quiz Starring Cardboard Chuck Norris
Personal Example #2
Any Questions?No such thing as a stupid question :)
Yes, the answer to life is 42
