B1: Personal Progression
POST 14: PROGRESSION EVALUATION
Over this module I have learned a lot of techniques and understanding of the industry, I have learned how to format a portfolio which will be the main take away as that will help me the most in finding places for work. my blog will also be good for my portfolio as it has a step by step on everything I have done for each project. Overall I think my blog and portfolio is in a good stage to build off and improve over time as my experiences change and i gain more knowledge in the industry.
POST 12: NETWORKING EXPERIENCE
I had a day where I tested a game called ember sword for QA with other chosen students
Here is some information about ember sword, Ember Sword is a social sandbox MMORPG taking place in a player-driven universe where the adventure finds you. Built by a team of imaginative artists, engineers, and game designers, Ember Sword offers a unique community led and frictionless PvP and PVE player experience, and allows players to have true ownership of digital gaming assets.
Then we had a digital expo where industry people came in and talked about the industry.
POST 11: MOCK INTERVIEW
POST 10: MY CREATE BRITAIN PROFILE
https://www.createbritain.com/Profiles/deanaslater?Edit=true
POST 9: CREATING A PORTFOLIO
https://www.artstation.com/dean_slater
POST 8: DESIGNING A BUISNESS CARD
Logo.
Company name.
Tagline.
Your name & title.
Contact details.
Your address — online or physical.
Social media handles.
A QR code.
POST 7: DESIGNING A BRAND LOGO
I then put it all together and this is how it turned out.
I then wanted to ad a little bit more as it looked a little sparse so i added the symbols from a PlayStation controller inside of the stylised A.
POST 6: ANALISING DIGITAL PROFILES
Tim Schafer (Game Designer & Founder of Double Fine Productions):
Humorous Personality: Tim's digital profile reflects his humorous and quirky personality, which is evident in his social media posts, interviews, and public appearances, enhancing his relatability and likeability among fans.
Transparency: He is transparent about the challenges and successes of game development, sharing candid insights into the creative process, studio culture, and industry trends, which fosters authenticity and builds trust with his audience.
Advocacy: Tim actively advocates for diversity, inclusion, and creativity within the gaming industry, using his platform to amplify marginalized voices, support indie developers, and promote innovative game design.
Storytelling Skills: As a veteran game designer known for narrative-driven games, Tim effectively communicates his storytelling prowess through his digital profile, sharing anecdotes, inspirations, and anecdotes that resonate with fans and fellow developers alike.
Hideo Kojima (Video Game Designer & Director):
Unique Vision: Kojima's digital profile reflects his distinct creative vision, which is evident in the unique narratives, gameplay mechanics, and visual aesthetics of his games.
Transparency: He frequently shares insights into his creative process, including behind-the-scenes glimpses, concept art, and development updates, fostering transparency and building anticipation among his audience.
Engaging Storytelling: Kojima excels at crafting immersive narratives that captivate players, drawing them into richly detailed worlds filled with complex characters and thought-provoking themes.
Community Engagement: He actively engages with his audience through social media platforms, responding to fan inquiries, sharing fan art, and occasionally teasing upcoming projects, thereby fostering a sense of community and connection.
In summary, effective digital profiles within the game design industry share common attributes such as creativity, transparency, community engagement, and a clear focus on promoting educational content or showcasing unique perspectives and experiences. By leveraging these qualities, individuals and organizations can effectively promote themselves, communicate their skills and expertise, and foster meaningful connections with their audience within the gaming community.
POST 5: CONSTRUCTING A PERSONAL STATEMENT
Final Draft
From a young age, I developed a high interest in computer systems as a whole with a particular interest towards the functionality of how software and video games are developed. Regarding video games, my interest in developing games peaked when I saw "Grounded: The Making of The Last of Us," which revolves around how to make a video game, as a result, it made me see the potential of creating games as a career, which motivated me to follow this path professionally. Furthermore, I also frequently watched other YouTube videos that were similar alongside reading articles etc to further increase my knowledge on the subject area.
When I finished school, I knew it felt like the right decision to immediately sign up for the level 2 games design course to take that first big step into the subject area. Unfortunately, the covid pandemic struck around this time which delayed my learning experience significantly. As a result of this, I took this time to work as an environmental assistant, however, this did not stop my interest and overall motivation towards continuing the course structure and soon returned to start the level 3 game design course in the hope of progressing into the industry.
Throughout both the level 2 and 3 courses, there was a great range of units which exposed me to the different practices of game design and development. One particular game design unit in which I enjoyed the most in practice was project-related work since it has helped me gain the imperative knowledge required on what is needed throughout project management on designing a game, skills for independent learning alongside helping in my overall confidence in my ability to produce quality work. Concerning other units, they helped me gain knowledge in both the theory and practical aspects of game design, however, outside of college I have maintained such interest by studying further than what is needed outside of the course to expand my knowledge and skill set.
Since I am close to finishing my last year of the level 3 games design course my predicted target grade will be a Distinction which I fully believe I will be able to maintain and achieve for my final results. Both the courses have provided me with a substantial amount of knowledge for game design in which I have developed independent skills such as increased creativity, determination and confidence towards my work ethic as a whole. I look forward to where my future takes me within game design, hopefully progressing onto a higher level course to continue my journey and education to lead me to my end goal of working within the games design industry.
Dean Slater – Personal Statement Feedback
I would personally remove the need for mentioning your name and where you are located since the person reading will most likely already know.
I would also expand on your initial interest for games design. Was it computers also or just games design in general?
If possible I would maybe list some of the different types of work you had to produce throughout the course such as including what you enjoyed or did not like it about it.
I would definitely mention that you are keen on progressing onto further education to help support your argument of your high interest towards game design.
Overall I think there is some quality key points that you have mentioned in which you can definitely expand on to improve your personal statement when it comes to re-writing it.
Personal Statement First Draft
My name is Dean Slater. I come from South Shields and have understood much about hard work and being determined as i just recently found my role in the design industry with Bolam Premier Sportswear, it has made me even more determined to get to my end goal, Games Design
Having grown up in a family situation that was not the best, I learned how important it is to be mature and strong even when I was quite young. Even though there were difficulties, I did not allow these obstacles to stop me from moving forward. Instead, I used them as fuel to take charge of my own future.
My interest in creating games peaked when I saw "Grounded: The Making of The Last of Us," which is about how to make the video game, It made me see the potential of creating games as a career, which motivated me to follow this path professionally.
After finishing school, I immediately signed up for the level 2 games design course to understand what it involves. Then, I planned a one-year break that extended to several years because of Covid and job searching. During this period, I worked as an environmental assistant and saved money for a trip to America. After returning from the trip my plan was to begin the level 3 games design course as part of progressing into the industry.
When I am not deep into my studies, you can see me playing video game or learning to play music on my guitar which helps with my creativity.
POST 4: CONSTRUCTING A CV FOR EMPLOTMENT
I have already got a cv as i am currently in employment, in my experience when it comes to CVS they value things that would give you experience in the field you are going into.
Dean A Slater
PERSONAL PROFILE
I am a hardworking, organised, and proactive individual who enjoys a challenge and who likes to get the job finished and not half done. I have strong IT Skills as I have grown up around computers and technology, which I am very passionate about. I enjoy learning about and taking part in the making of. I am not one to shy away from a challenge as I like the experience and learning opportunities that arise from said challenge. I am also a quick learner; I pick things up very quickly whether it be computer-based, or labour induced. I can work well in a manual labour environment; I am quick to learn and fast at doing my jobs I can find the most effective ways of doing my job that can increase my productivity.
WORK HISTORY
Environmental Assistant - Groundworks North East - 2021-2022
Responsibilities:
Farmhand work moving and clearing of animal products and feeding.
Charity shop cashier work and deliveries.
Landscaping clearing out back gardens of council houses from cutting the grass clearing out trees and bushes.
Art Technician (Work Experience) – South Tyneside College- 2016
Responsibilities:
Moving and stacking equipment used within the lesson
Clearing and reorganising the storeroom
Organising the multi-level art rooms cupboards draws and shelves so that things can be accessed easily
Ensuring the classroom was clean and tidy after every lesson
TRAINING / QUALIFICATIONS
Sunderland College – Sunderland- 2017 – 2019
AIM Awards Level 2 Diploma in Skills for the Creative Industries
Boldon Comprehensive School – South Shields- 2012 – 2017
English Literature: 5
English Language: 4
Mathematics: 3
Creative IMedia: p2
ICT: C
Science: C
D&T: Resistant Materials Tech: C
BCS Level 2 ECDL Certificate in IT Application Ski: Dist.*
REFERENCES
Available upon request
POST 3: ACADEMIC OPTIONS
Animation And Game Art
Develop key digital skills in 2D and 3D animation. Learn the core principles of character-led animation. Gain expertise in industry-standard software, learning traditional and new animation techniques. Become industry-ready and unlock your potential to work on the next big animated movie or game.
Game Development
Dive into the world of gameplay programming with engines such as Unity and Unreal Engine 4. Develop games for PC, mobile and PlayStation from day one. Work in a simulated game studio environment by collaborating with talented games artists and acquire the skills to join the next generation of game developers.
Game development appeals to me as I have a good understanding in the art side of game developments
These courses will allow for more experience in the industry and be a main stepping stone to get into employment within the industry.
the typical offer is 112 UCAS Tariff points, from a combination of acceptable Level 3 qualifications which may include: A Levels, T Levels, BTEC Diplomas/Extended Diplomas, Scottish and Irish Highers, Access to HE Diplomas, or the International Baccalaureate.
They accept a maximum of 6 points from Level 3 Key Skills qualifications.
They also require three passes at GCSE grade C or above, which must include Mathematics and English Language, or a minimum of Level 2 Key Skills in Communication and Application of Number. If you have studied for a GCSE which has a numerical grade then you will need to achieve a grade 4 or above.
Sunderland university/ Sunderland college courses appeal to me as its in a familiar location and the facilities are very good compared to local places.
being in uni as a adult and college you need to account for fees/applying for student finance, same with uni as you are able to get a grant for living expenses.
POST 2: WORKING IN THE MEDIA INDUSTRY
Careers
Game Designer
Average Annual Salary: Approximately $68,000
Minimum Required Education: High school diploma, bachelor’s degree often preferred
Job Overview: These professionals oversee a game’s rules, storylines, gameplay, world-building and other functions. Video game designers apply creative skills to produce engaging games that are both fun and playable. They should be comfortable with game programming and visual communication.
Game Developer
Median Annual Salary: Approximately $78,800
Minimum Required Education: Bachelor’s degree
Job Overview: Game developers write code to create video games for various platforms including computers, gaming systems and mobile devices. As a game developer, you might also test games to find and eradicate faults. Game developers should have skills in coding and system design, and they should work well in team settings.
Mobile App Designer
Median Annual Salary: Approximately $66,000
Minimum Required Education: Bachelor’s degree
Job Overview: Mobile app designers create the stories and visual elements for mobile apps and games. Some app developers freelance for multiple clients, while others work for large technology corporations.
Special Effects Artist
Median Annual Salary: $98,950
Minimum Required Education: Bachelor’s degree
Job Overview: Video game special effects artists incorporate effects and graphics into video games to make them appear more realistic and immersive. They work closely with other members of design and development teams, including storyboard artists and testers, to ensure that their artistry adheres to a game’s overall aesthetic, theme and goals.
Game Tester
Median Annual Salary: Approximately $56,000
Minimum Required Education: High school diploma
Job Overview: Game testers look for errors and vulnerabilities in video games. They also provide feedback to developers and designers regarding a game’s playability and entertainment value. People with extensive gaming experience can become game testers with a high school diploma. However, pursuing an associate or bachelor’s degree in game design or development may make candidates more competitive in the job market.
Character Designer
Median Annual Salary: Approximately $51,000
Minimum Required Education: High school diploma
Job Overview: Character designers work with digital gaming and media production companies to create and animate characters for games, television and film. Although this career does not require a specific degree, character designers usually have several years of experience designing characters or video games.
Level Designer
Median Annual Salary: Approximately $60,000
Minimum Required Education: High school diploma
Job Overview: Level designers coordinate the setting, characters, storyline and animations of video game levels. They work with game developers and designers to enhance the granular details of each level. Employers typically prioritize experience over education for level design positions.
Game Writer
Median Annual Salary: Approximately $54,000
Minimum Required Education: High school diploma
Job Overview: Video game writers create the stories and dialogue that bring a game to life. A game design background or education can help these professionals understand how effective dialogue, storytelling and immersive graphics affect game flow.
Game Audio Engineer
Average Annual Salary: Approximately $56,000
Minimum Required Education: High school diploma, undergraduate degree often preferred
Job Overview: Audio engineers use sound equipment to create new sounds and music to add to games to enhance storylines, set scenes and create emotion. These professionals work directly with game designers and developers to fine-tune how audio elements interact with a game. A high school education is sometimes the minimum requirement, employers often prefer higher-level degrees in game design, audio engineering or a similar field.
Multimedia Specialist
Average Annual Salary: $54,000
Minimum Required Education: Bachelor’s degree
Job Overview: Multimedia specialists are usually familiar with multiple areas of multimedia, including graphic design, audio and writing. They might oversee large game design teams as they complete project projects, or work collaboratively with small teams, participating in several steps of the game design process.
Aprentiships
As this industry is notoriously tough to break into, gaming apprenticeships offer a structured entry route, combining classroom-based learning with on-the-job training. There are game developer apprenticeships for those looking to start out in a development position. Gaming apprenticeships are also available for roles such as game designer, tester, visual effects artist, software development technician and animator.
Jobs
RESEARCH CREDIT: https://www.forbes.com/advisor/education/it-and-tech/careers-in-game-design/
https://uk.indeed.com/q-games-designer-jobs.html?vjk=57cb4806e46e8520
POST 1: MY INSPIRATIONS
Research into current practitioners of games design
Hideo Kojima
Between releasing the first feature Metal Gear Solid instalment in seven years and problems with his long-time company, few designers have been drawing as much attention lately as Kojima.
The Japanese developer has been part of the industry for more than 2 decades, getting his start with Konami in 1986 while working on the very first Metal Gear.
What’s interesting, however, is that games were just a hobby for Kojima, whose real interest was in film and its ability to tell complex yet fascinating stories.
Hideo Kojima’s love for storytelling paid off with Metal Gear Solid, a game considered to be one of the best ever designed.
The PlayStation title was only the start of a long line of acclaimed games, which has culminated in this year’s anticipated release: Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain.
Even though his latest project is set to be a strong contender for the 2015 Game of the Year, Kojima’s future in the industry is for the first time unknown.
With Konami focusing more on mobile and pretty much abandoning console gaming, it will be interesting to see where one of the most famous video game designers ends up.
Notable Games:
- Metal Gear (1988)
- Metal Gear Solid (1998)
- Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater (2004)
- Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots (2008)
- Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain (2015)
Gabe Newell
As the co-founder and current managing director of Valve Corporation, Gabe Newell has over the years become a household name among both PC and console gamers alike.
Before getting involved in game development, Newell actually worked for Microsoft Corporation after dropping out of a little private university known as Harvard.
He became a “Microsoft Millionaire” after working with Microsoft for thirteen years but left his excellent job to make games.
Mike Harrington, who also left his Microsoft job, joined Newell to start Valve.
Their risky endeavor paid of as Valve went on to release a constant string of highly acclaimed titles, including Half-Life and Half-Life 2. Newell’s company is also famous for cultivating one of the most flourishing modding communities, which has led to the creation of great titles like Portal, Counter-Strike, Day of Defeat, Left 4 Dead, and more.
Newell’s impact on the industry continues to this day with Steam, the most popular computer game distribution platform today.
The fact that Half-Life 3 is one of the most demanded games of all time is a testament to his knowledge of blending technology and gameplay to create enchanting games.
Notable Games:
- Half-Life (1998)
- Counter-Strike (2000)
- Half-Life 2 (2004)
- The Orange Box (2007)
- Dota 2 (2011)
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