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Web 2.0:
http://oreilly.com/web2/archive/what-is-web-20.html
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Last week we were asked to research 2 games companies we would be interested in working for, as homework. Although I would be interested in working for any video game company, to work for two major game companies that would be a dream complete for me, would be Jagex and Rockstar Games.
Jagex Games Studio
Examples of games Jagex have made:
RuneScape, 8Realms, Stellar Dawn (coming soon)
Tips I found out on how to get employed by Jagex:
Peter Lovell (Jagex-employed Talent Acquisition Specialist) - Jagex love creative skills and encourage use of them. They love opening CVs that are different because most of the time they only take quick glances at the thousands of CVs they are sent.
Taken from: http://www.develop-online.net/news/39641/NEW-YEAR-NEW-JOB-Craft-a-perfect-CV
Also, as I am a fan of Jagex Jobs' Facebook page, I managed to find out about a CV guide that Jagex had created especially for people looking to be employed by the company, which of course will be extremely helpful!
Picture and info taken from: https://www.facebook.com/Jagex.Jobs
Rockstar Games
Examples of games made by Rockstar Games:
GTA series, Red Dead Redemption, L.A. Noire
Tips I found out on how to get employed by Rockstar Games: (AKA R*)
All infomation I found out on Rockstar Games employment comes from an interview with three different employees from R* studios from across the world (L-R: Joshua Bass, San Diego, Gordon Hall, Leeds, and Robert Spampinato, New Orleans.)
With the help of the tips given in this video, I discovered that the main things R* look for in an art portfolio is that the potential employee is the best artist out there and should show no weaknesses. They should have a clean reel and the first 15 seconds has to have a 'spark' to it. It has to be amazing, as Josh said "if it looks good to you, it will probably look bad to us". He also said that work completed during your degree probably won't get you a job, you should use your best work only.
The video also showed that there are 2 main camps of art portfolios:
The "fantasy" side: shows creativity and work flow. How ever, the problem is that it's about what's in your head and in a company like R* you have to use someone else's work.
The other side is the "life" side, which they placed strong emphasis on it's importance. This camp shows textures, animation and art examples in realistic form. This was an element that is vital in R* employment, as it shows ability to work in a realistic style.
Job roles in the Games Industry:
For our Contextual Studies homework task, we were asked to research 2 job roles from a list (to be specific, job roles which we are desirable to us.) We have been asked to prepare this homework for Thursday, and have notes ready to discuss our choices and any findings.
The job roles I decided to research are:
'3D modeler' - creates 3-D models using high and low poly counts and in-game resolutions. The 3D modelers help determine the style, look and quality of the characters.
'Level editor' - defines and creates the interactive architecture segment for the game e.g. landscapes, buildings and objects. They also develop gameplay through deciding on challenges the characters face e.g. obstacles, places to hide and tests of skill.
I chose these roles because I am incredibly interested in CGI, I feel that it can push boundaries in factors such as aesthetics in film and video games to a great extent. For example, it can be suggested that film and games are driven by the possibilities of CGI - modelers and animators can make anything we can possibly desire happen on screen, this can be seen through the constant evolution in graphical detailing (16bit games compared to the level of graphics we can see in video games today show great difference in how realistic the graphics are.)
As I researched different companies' vacancies for these particular jobs, the level of experience required gained greatly. How ever, the majority asked for on average, 5 years of industry experience and placed great importance on a strong, varied portfolio.
Common requirements for both jobs included:
Strong relevant knowledge around the job e.g. Computer game fundamentals, rigging and animation principles, anatomical detail, video game art pipelines
Skill e.g. In software such as: Maya, Max, Nuke, AAE, Unity 3D engine, Mudbox, Zbrush, Photoshop, Ability to work in a variety of styles
Experience e.g. Working in the industry particularly with concept work, modeling, texturing, shading, light and colour
Commitment to the work at hand e.g. Being organised, work to a deadline, verbal and written skills, collaborative work ethic, problem solving abilities
Senior 3-D modeler:
http://jobs.gamasutra.com/jobseekerx/viewjobrss.asp?cjid=17561&accountno=20282
3-D modeler and texture artist:
http://jobs.gamasutra.com/jobseekerx/viewjobrss.asp?cjid=26027&accountno=107784
Senior 3-D modeler and texture artist:
http://jobs.gamasutra.com/jobseekerx/viewjobrss.asp?cjid=23308&accountno=48212
Character modeler:
http://jobs.gamasutra.com/JobSeekerX/ViewJob.asp?JobID=q41wMZmU1axrrQaPzMsttW0kQHJ5&Keywords=3d+AND+modeler
3-D artist - Character and head specialist:
http://www.gojobsearch.co.uk/job/8145/3d-artist-character-face-and-head-specialist--Derby
3DS Max Artist:
http://www.totaljobs.com/JobSearch/JobDetails.aspx?JobId=52633903
Senior 3-D character artist:
http://www.datascope.co.uk/job-details.html?jobid=943
Senior character modeling artist:
http://www.datascope.co.uk/job-details.html?jobid=933
3-D artist:
http://www.totaljobs.com/JobSearch/JobDetails.aspx?JobId=52581106
3-D artist:
http://www.3dmd.net/forum/3d-discussion-8172.html
3-D artist:
http://www.ukstaffsearch.com/jobs/details/834348/?a_aid=jobisjob
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Senior 3-D Environmental artist:
http://www.cwjobs.co.uk/JobSearch/JobDetails.aspx?JobId=52582589
Architectural 3-D visualiser:
http://www.jobsite.co.uk/job/architectural-3d-visualiser-cgi-artist-941758369?utm_campaign=jobisjob_cpc_feed_ukmarketing&utm_source=jobisjob_cpc&sisearchengine=601&utm_medium=aggregator&siproduct=941758369&=&tid=748086
3-D Environment artist:
http://www.datascope.co.uk/job-details.html?jobid=965
Senior Environment artist:
http://www.datascope.co.uk/job-details.html?jobid=934
Senior 3-D Environment artist:
http://www.datascope.co.uk/job-details.html?jobid=944
