I assume that forum users here are either a.) In game development or b.) Wanting to get into game development.
Is anyone else here hoping that attending the AGDC might lead to some contacts or getting a word in for a job? If so, who are you looking at working for?
My options are somewhat limited, living in Sydney. Microforte would be the place to work for here. SSG do strategy type of games which really aren't my kinda thing, and Tasman studios don't seem very active. Tycom and Mystical Developement are quite similar in that they don't have an office and work over the net, unless I am mistaken.
If I could choose, I'd love to work for Krome. They're doing some fun projects at the moment (Tas 2, and another cartoony 3rd person game), and they also have a great history. I'm sure they'll be around for a long time. My game career hopes will be put on the back burner for a while yet though.. have to find a web design job soon!
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My options are somewhat limited, living in Sydney. Microforte would be the place to work for here. SSG do strategy type of games which really aren't my kinda thing, and Tasman studios don't seem very active. Tycom and Mystical Developement are quite similar in that they don't have an office and work over the net, unless I am mistaken.
If I could choose, I'd love to work for Krome. They're doing some fun projects at the moment (Tas 2, and another cartoony 3rd person game), and they also have a great history. I'm sure they'll be around for a long time. My game career hopes will be put on the back burner for a while yet though.. have to find a web design job soon!
Why not move then? I'm prepared to jump across the Tasman but I'm sure it's more complicated than that. I wouldnt mind working for MF either, but I think their concept art and texture artist positions are filled for the time being.
I wonder how many of the Original Beam/Melbourne House are still around at Melbourne House (Infogrammes)? I remember Edge had a "Making Of" Way of the Exploding Fist - they've got some real history. Most of the Australia companies are going from strength to strength really -- the industry really seems to be boom there.
Family and friends is the only reason why I won't move. I'm amazed at how some people can leave everything behind like that - it's just something I find hard to do.
Funny you mentioned The Way of the Exploding Fist - I had *really* *really* *really* hoped that the programmer (and designer.. he did both) of that game would answer my interview questions that I sent him. I spent a while hunting him down and found out that he's still developing games! Unfortunately I haven't received a reply (and it's been 2 months now).. it would have been great.. I had a lot of nostalgic Beam / Exploding Fist questions too. I *loved* The Way of the Exploding Fist.. It's one of those milestones in game history, and practically got the ball rolling with the 2 player combat genre, spawning tonnes of clones.
And yeh, Beam/Melbourne House certainly has a long history.. They're the longest running Australian game developer, I would think. From since way back on the Spectrum..
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Family and friends is the only reason why I won't move. I'm amazed at how some people can leave everything behind like that - it's just something I find hard to do.
Funny you mentioned The Way of the Exploding Fist - I had *really* *really* *really* hoped that the programmer (and designer.. he did both) of that game would answer my interview questions that I sent him. I spent a while hunting him down and found out that he's still developing games! Unfortunately I haven't received a reply (and it's been 2 months now).. it would have been great.. I had a lot of nostalgic Beam / Exploding Fist questions too. I *loved* The Way of the Exploding Fist.. It's one of those milestones in game history, and practically got the ball rolling with the 2 player combat genre, spawning tonnes of clones.
And yeh, Beam/Melbourne House certainly has a long history.. They're the longest running Australian game developer, I would think. From since way back on the Spectrum..
Well, when you want it that bad, you gotta put it everything else on the backburner. Most of my close friends from university have moved to other parts of the country and most of my family are in different parts of the world (and some live in Aussie). I've lived out of home for a few years, so as long as you see the family a couple of times a year, it's all good. You can make new friends - and meet new people so it all sort of balances out.
What I'm wondering is if the same Beam Software was the one that was responsible for the SNES Super Smash TV? I know there were two parts to Beam and that Midway developed the original arcade version (or did they just distribute it?). SSTV is unbelievable, even nowadays -- I've yet to come across a game that matches it for sheer frenetic, frenzied action. If there is a game that needs an update, it's this one (along with Sega's Streets of Rage) and I'd love to be on a team making it.
Yep, Melbourne house did Super Smash TV for the Nintendo and SNES, which was published by Acclaim. Midway developed the arcade game.. I remember playing a little of it, but I never got into it that much. .. It was on the Amiga as well..
Just a little note.. after typing that message, I fired an email off to check up and see if the questions might be answered.. anyway, I got a reply, and hopefully it'll be done by this week..!! Awesome.
NSW also has a LOT of poker machine companies (think some 3000 people in design and content creation for poker machines in NSW~ most of my old wok friends there now) a lot at Aristocrat, but there is also pacific games? and konami was going to open an office....
might want to leave your morals at the door though
I applied ot Ratbag a few times, almost got in the second time tho. I've applied to other places interstate too, but I've gotten knocked back everytime. And also I want to finish my degree first.
Eventually I hope to get my own game dev place up and running :), probably in Adelaide tho, because its so much cheaper than Melbourne or Sydney, even there's not as much action going on down here.
Krome'd be funky. I've met guys there like John Passfield such at events, John Barry when I applied for a QA position ages ago (still keep in fair contact) and I've gotta mate who's been doing QA on Ty. It's surprising how big it's gotten. I first went there when they didn't even have a fridge, and now it's all fancy shmancy with the whole building being theirs.
Evolution looks like a great group to work with too. Still a small development team, just the way I like it. @:-)
Really, I'd be willing to get a foot in anywhere in the industry (who wouldn't? @;-) but I'd like to work on a platformer. Nice character focused designs, fun gameplay, and what I reckon would be a good first project. Time out from FPS for awhile.
Chris Bowden
http://brain.gamekey.com/
I've been working in the games industry for about 8 years now - as a journalist / game reviewer. I'm looking to move into development and so I've been studying at QANTM all this year while still working in the biz.
As far as who I want to work for goes - Krome, Krome, Krome. I love what they're doing and John, Steve and Rob are some of the nicest guys around. I'm lucky enough to have known them back from the Gee Whiz days - in fact back when John and Steve were doing comics as their main thing. I visited them last month for Ty and came away so impressed with how big they are now and all the stuff they're up to. So...yeah, I'd love to do animation / modelling and eventually game design. But heck, I'd settle for being their coffee maker.
Failing that...Brisbane is full of opportunities nowdays. Pandemic would be cool. I've heard good things about Evolution. I even like the idea of working on the Shapies show. :P
*laughs* Wooo for Shapies! @;-D
Meh mate and ex-QANTM lecturer is working on Shapies as a modeller dude. That's the only reason I watch that show. The singing... THE SINGING!! ARGHAHAHAHA!!
Chris Bowden
http://brain.gamekey.com/
I have to agree, I work at Krome and it's one of the best places i have ever worked, the general feel around the place is very relaxed, it doesn't even feel like a job to me here. I've had offers recently from companies in Sydney and Melbourne to leave Krome and go work for them, but I find myself loyal to the place that first gave me my break in the games industry. All the directors are cool and easy to talk to, we've got a pretty swanky setup downstairs to play games at lunch time too ;)
Jason - I came across your website at Polycount, I really like your models and textures. Might I ask you for some advice sometime?
I looked through the Krome site, and I almost fit most of the artist descriptions - got a design degree too!
BTW - Gamespot seems quite positive in its previews for Ty - I think the Australian flavour will really differentiate the game from other platformers on the market.
Peace.
I love that gaming setup. It's swanky and there's no other word for it :) And free Coke! FREE COKE!!
I had a quick visit to Light Knights yesterday. Smaller than I imagined but I guess I was comparing it to modern Krome. Very nice place though and super nice people. Lots of toys everywhere :) They don't have free Coke but the staff do get treated to movies a lot.
I better stop dreaming about free coke and get back to making cool ass portfolio things :)
Is no one interested in working for an Australian devco?
I'm looking at tailoring my portfolio towards Torus and maybe Krome. Mostly as a concept and texture artist. I dabble in 3d modelling and am not bad at it but lack the real technical knowledge to land a job as a 3d modeller. My skills are mostly 2d anyway.
Yourselves?