Who are THQ?

Who is THQ Studio Australia

• Local studio in BrisbaneLocal studio in Brisbane

• Employees 85+ peopleEmployees 85+ people

• Working on 2-3 games at any one timeWorking on 2-3 games at any one time

• Released 4 games in the last 4 years.Released 4 games in the last 4 years.

Who am I?Lachlan Bland

• Graduated from QUT at the end of 2000Graduated from QUT at the end of 2000– Bachelor Info Tech (Software Engineering)Bachelor Info Tech (Software Engineering) – Bachelor Engineering (Electronics)Bachelor Engineering (Electronics)

• Micro-Electronic Engineer with Cisco Micro-Electronic Engineer with Cisco Systems for 3 years.Systems for 3 years.

• Have worked with THQ for 3.5 yearsHave worked with THQ for 3.5 years

• Senior Programmer - Tech TeamSenior Programmer - Tech Team

Game Engine Programming

What you need to become a good engine What you need to become a good engine programmer:programmer:

• Ability to learnAbility to learn• Ability to communicateAbility to communicate• Maths, Maths and more Maths (especially 3D / Maths, Maths and more Maths (especially 3D /

vector maths)vector maths)• Good programming skills (C++)Good programming skills (C++)• Good Problem Solving SkillsGood Problem Solving Skills• Don’t mind “Getting close to the hardware”Don’t mind “Getting close to the hardware”

The “Tech Team”

• About 6 people – mostly Senior Programmers.About 6 people – mostly Senior Programmers.• We make and support the Game Engines used We make and support the Game Engines used

in the studio.in the studio.• Supports DX9, Xbox360, PS2, Wii, GameCube, Supports DX9, Xbox360, PS2, Wii, GameCube,

Xbox. PS3 support coming soon.Xbox. PS3 support coming soon.• We provide a platform independent interface to We provide a platform independent interface to

allow game programmers to write code which allow game programmers to write code which runs on all target platforms (consoles).runs on all target platforms (consoles).

G4 Engine (Tech1)

• Initially targeted at Xbox, GameCube and PS2 Initially targeted at Xbox, GameCube and PS2 (also included DX9 for internal development)(also included DX9 for internal development)

• Implemented in 12 months.Implemented in 12 months.• Team of 4 people.Team of 4 people.• Used in two games (Avatar: The Last Airbender Used in two games (Avatar: The Last Airbender

series)series)• Wii version implemented and used to make Wii version implemented and used to make

Avatar a launch title for the Wii.Avatar a launch title for the Wii.• Xbox360 version implemented for most recent Xbox360 version implemented for most recent

game. (Avatar: The Burning Earth)game. (Avatar: The Burning Earth)

G4 Engine Screenshot

G4 Engine Screenshot

Tech2 Engine

• Targeted at “Gen 8” consoles (DX9, Targeted at “Gen 8” consoles (DX9, Xbox360 and PS3) PS3 implementation Xbox360 and PS3) PS3 implementation not done yet.not done yet.

• 18 months development / research18 months development / research

• 5 programmers full time (sometimes more 5 programmers full time (sometimes more as people switch between projects)as people switch between projects)

• Much more technically complex and more Much more technically complex and more systems built into tech.systems built into tech.

Tech2 Engine Screenshots

Tech2 Engine Screenshots

Tech2 Engine Screenshots

Tech Team Day to Day Operations

• Lots of research – need to stay up to date Lots of research – need to stay up to date with all emerging technology.with all emerging technology.

• Implement new systems for upcoming Implement new systems for upcoming games.games.

• Support existing systems for games Support existing systems for games currently in production.currently in production.

• Communicate.Communicate.

What I Do

• Maya ExporterMaya Exporter• Shader DevelopmentShader Development• Post Processing EffectsPost Processing Effects• Asset PipelineAsset Pipeline• Rendering OptimizationRendering Optimization• Debug RenderingDebug Rendering• Performance AnalysisPerformance Analysis• Program in C++, HLSL, Mel Script, GM Script, Program in C++, HLSL, Mel Script, GM Script,

dotNet.dotNet.

An Average Day

Normally anything but averageNormally anything but average• Talking to artists discussing existing features and Talking to artists discussing existing features and

developing new featuresdeveloping new features• Talking to other programmers about design and Talking to other programmers about design and

implementation of new features and existing features.implementation of new features and existing features.• Competitive Analysis of other games.Competitive Analysis of other games.• Research into new rendering techniquesResearch into new rendering techniques• Designing new features.Designing new features.• Implementing new features. (i.e. Programming)Implementing new features. (i.e. Programming)• Supporting existing features. (i.e. Bug Fixes)Supporting existing features. (i.e. Bug Fixes)• Documenting new and old features – both for Documenting new and old features – both for

Programmer use and Artist / Designer use.Programmer use and Artist / Designer use.

At The End Of The Day

Why Do We Do It?Why Do We Do It?• Personal Satisfaction.Personal Satisfaction.• Sense of accomplishment.Sense of accomplishment.• Being able to walk into a games store and Being able to walk into a games store and

finding your game on the shelf.finding your game on the shelf.• Money (it’s not great but it pays the bills).Money (it’s not great but it pays the bills).• Makes for good conversation.Makes for good conversation.• It’s hard work and it’s challenging, but it is fun.It’s hard work and it’s challenging, but it is fun.• The environment I work in is excellent!The environment I work in is excellent!

Summary

• Games Industry is Hard WorkGames Industry is Hard Work• It’s very easy to get burnt out.It’s very easy to get burnt out.• It’s lots of fun to work on cutting edge It’s lots of fun to work on cutting edge

hardware and to make things look good.hardware and to make things look good.• It’s a constant challenge – always learning It’s a constant challenge – always learning

new things.new things.• Your job is constantly changing.Your job is constantly changing.• We need more talented people locally, so We need more talented people locally, so

send us a resume when you graduate.send us a resume when you graduate.