Interaction with the industry
Industry interaction and events
Over the years I have been active in the industry, I have been to multiple events and conferences.
In college I attended Eurogamer for the first time. This took place in Earls Court at the time and I ended up meeting a lot of game developers. As I was under 18 at the time, I couldn't see the over 18 games so couldn't converse with the developers of any of those games. I spoke to the creators of Moshi Monsters who had their own booth that year. I learn't about their positions that were available, what they looked for in an employee and ended up leaving with a buisness card and a Moshi Monster statue.
Proof I attended Eurogamer in 2010
As I started to get further into my education, I started to go to more industry centered events as it started to matter more and interested me more.
I attended the UKIE Student Conference on the 7th May 2014. I interacted with multiple speakers from the event such as Richard Franke. When he showed off his companies game Kitty Powers Matchmaker, I saw the large amount of UI used in the game and gameplay, so I asked him about the implementation of the UI, the design etc. He helped me to understand the process that UI goes through in the industry or at least in an indie studio.
Proof that I attended the Student and
Indie Game Conference
I also attended Update, a free showcase of the latest videogames, apps and software from developers across the North West and beyond. It took place at The Landing in Media City, Manchester on the 12th April 2014. I met a lot of great developers that day including baertowngames who were showing off their game Landslide McQueen which was made in Unity and looked very promising. Soon after, PewDiePie ended up playing their game on Youtube and they seemed to be getting a lot of spotlight. I also got to hear from Microsoft and Sony on their newest pieces of technology and from other 3rd party developers about their software offers such as a 'free up to certain amount of people' leaderboard system that you could easily link into your games.
Proof I attended the Update
event in Manchester
My partner also attended a day of experience at Blitz in leamington spa around 2013, shortly before the company folded. I had to pick him up so ended up hanging out with the directors of the company for a while in a local pub. We spoke about my studies, where I would like to go in the industry and they gave me some advice.
I have also taken part in Global Games Jam the past 3 years at Staffordshire University. In the first year I helped created a co-op 2D top down game where you had to fight with your partner in the darkness against enemies to survive. In the 2nd year, we created Context, a morally ambiguous exploration of oneself in the form of a video game. In the 3rd year, we made Oh @#*!, what am I going to do?.
CLICK TO SEE Oh @#*!, what am I going to do?
In the near future, I will be taking part in the UKIE games jam from the 11th - 12th representing the University. We will be given a industry professional as our mentor for the games jam which I am looking forward to a lot as I can work in a team with a professional.
Unreal Forum Interaction
I have posted on the Unreal Forums a few times. I browsed the UMG forums for a few weekends looking for people to help and UMG requests such as a digital timer. I found a forum post about someone requesting help with a DIGITAL TIMER in UMG so I took it upon myself to work out how to create one. The blueprint is messy and needs cleaning up too, but they seemed to appreciate it none the less and it seemed to help. CLICK TO SEE FORUM POST
I also commented on a few other forum threads to help out others.
I also ran into an issue while working in UMG. I reported it to the forums and had a bit of back and forth with Rudy Triplett, a staff member at Epic. In the end, he ended up submitting a feature request for the engine, to add in the feature I had requested as it was just causing a UI designer to take the long approach to something that should have a quicker option already available.
Job Applications
I have applied for a few jobs this year already and have written cover letters for them which you can download below showing my understanding of skills for my chosen job role.
UI PROGRAMMER INTERN GRADUATE GAMES DEVELOPER
I still applied for the UI itern role even though I didn't know C++ as sometimes they will take on someone without that knowledge and train them., especailly if you know other scripting languages. Even though my application and cover letter was honest, saying I didn't know C++, I learnt some basics and ended up with a skype interview! I was told during the interview though that they couldn't train me in C++ but I got the interview because 'I showed a passion for UI', which in itself was very promising and rewarding.
Analysing my own skills
Skills Audit
Experience with programs such as:
Flash
Creative Studio
Axure
Omnigraffle
Innvisionapp
Balsamiq
CS5:
Photoshop
Illustrator
Flash
Java
C#
Python
C++
Work in a team
Understanding of graphics and UI design principles
Able to be a hands-on designer that enjoys playing games
Enjoys analyzing them to identify UX/UI wins and areas of improvement
Taken from:
I have lots of experience with flash, i've used it since college and know some actionscript too. I could learn more actionscript to further my skills.
I have used Adobe CS / MasterCollection since school, so have used all the programs in it extensivly.
I have started using Axure after seeing many job requirements show this. I could also start learning the other UI design programs listed below to improve my chances too.
I have used Photoshop and Illustrator since school and have used both a lot at college to help me produce digital graphics. I feel I have nothing further to learn from these two programs but will continually use them to continue learning about them.
I do not know Java but I know the other languages. This also means I could pick up Java easier than most people. I should start learning Java but it is very time consuming.
I can work in a team, as shown by JS and my group project in college.
This is what my entire FYP is about, to further my knowledge.
I do enjoy playing games and becoming part of the creation.
Also, what I have done with my project. I could continue to build on these skills though by doing this more often.