About Marc Mencher
•15 Year Game Industry Professional
•President, GameRecruiter.com
•Author, Get n the Game! Careers in the Game Industry
•Serves on the advisory boards of several educational institutions
GameRecruiter.com, Inc. * Telephone: 866.358.GAME * Web Site: GameRecruiter.com
Active Game Industry Member/Contributor
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Former President, International Game Developers Network (now IGDA)
GDC & IGDA speaker and roundtable leader
E3 panelist and moderator
Games-Florida evangelist
Writer for GIGnews, Gamasutra, GameWEEK and more
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Technical / Executive Producer of several video games
Did You Know…?
• 50% of all Americans ages 6+ play computer
and video games
• Women in the game industry earn 89 cents on
the dollar versus the national average of 76
cents?
• The game software industry doubled the
growth of the US economy
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GameRecruiter.com, Inc. * Telephone: 866.358.GAME * Web Site: GameRecruiter.com
Video Game Industry Growth
12
10
8
6
Sales in Billions
4
2
0
2000
2001
2002
2003
GameRecruiter.com, Inc. * Telephone: 866.358.GAME * Web Site: GameRecruiter.com
5,000 new jobs every year…
“An industry study in 2001 estimated that there
were 29,500 people employed in the U.S. in
digital games software development and that the
industry's long term need for additional
developers would be 15% per year, or about
5,000 new jobs a year.” – SMU Guildhall data
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GameRecruiter.com, Inc. * Telephone: 866.358.GAME * Web Site: GameRecruiter.com
Demand Assessment Survey
When students were asked,
“Do you feel that computer
game programming should
be taught at Universities as
part of the standard
curriculum?”
No
13%
Unsure
21%
Yes
66%
* Study Conducted at Columbia University
GameRecruiter.com, Inc. * Telephone: 866.358.GAME * Web Site: GameRecruiter.com
Sample List of Schools/Universities with Game Curriculum
Masters and Bachelors Programs:
Massachusetts Institute of Technology (Cambridge MA)
Carnegie Mellon University (Pittsburgh PA)
Cornell University (Ithaca NY)
Drexel University (Philadelphia PA)
George Mason University (Fairfax VA)
Guildhall at SMU (Plano, TX)
New York Institute of Technology (New York NY)
New York University (New York NY)
Northwestern University [Department of Computer Science] (Evanston IL)
Pratt Institute (Brooklyn NY)
Purdue University (West Lafayette IN)
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (Troy NY)
Rochester Institute of Technology (Rochester NY)
Georgia Tech (Atlanta GA)
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GameRecruiter.com, Inc. * Telephone: 866.358.GAME * Web Site: GameRecruiter.com
Specialty Schools Offering Associates Degree/BAs
Academy of Art College (San Francisco CA)
Academy of G.E.T. [Game Entertainment Technology] (Hollywood CA)
Art Institute of (San Francisco, Philadelphia Phoenix, Pittsburgh,
Portland,Seattle, Washington, Atlanta, Los Angeles, San Diego,
Charlotte, Chicago, Colorado, Dallas, Ft. Lauderdale and Houston).
DigiPen Institute of Technology (Redmond WA)
Parsons School of Design (New York NY)
Full Sail Real World Education (Winter Park FL)
Game Institute, Inc. (New York NY)
Ringling School of Art and Design (Sarasota FL)
Westwood College of Technology (Denver CO)
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GameRecruiter.com, Inc. * Telephone: 866.358.GAME * Web Site: GameRecruiter.com
Sample After Graduation Placement Ratios
Full Sail Real World Education = 92%
DigiPen Institute of Technology = 92%
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GameRecruiter.com, Inc. * Telephone: 866.358.GAME * Web Site: GameRecruiter.com
$alary $tats
Starting Salaries:
Programmers: $ 40,000 – 60,000 + Bonus Program
Artists:
$ 35,000 – 55,000 + Bonus Program
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GameRecruiter.com, Inc. * Telephone: 866.358.GAME * Web Site: GameRecruiter.com
“We’re not just geeks in dark basements
wearing weird clothes anymore.
“We’re geeks in dark basements
wearing weird clothes and making
money doing it!”
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GameRecruiter.com, Inc. * Telephone: 866.358.GAME * Web Site: GameRecruiter.com
Careers in the Game Industry
ARTIST JOBS
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Character Modeler – Creates characters
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Environment Modeler – Creates 3D environments
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Skin/Texture Artist – Creates textures
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Concept Artist – Draws 2D
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Animator – Animates “boned” models
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Cinematic Artist – Creates cut scenes or movies
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Technical Artist – Converts art assets for game engine
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GameRecruiter.com, Inc. * Telephone: 866.358.GAME * Web Site: GameRecruiter.com
TYPICAL SKILLS FOR ARTISTS
Photoshop
3-D Studio Max
Maya
Scripting
Languages
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GameRecruiter.com, Inc. * Telephone: 866.358.GAME * Web Site: GameRecruiter.com
Careers in the Game Industry
PROGRAMMER JOBS
• Engine/Tools Programmer – Creates core game code and tools
• Graphics Programmer – Codes graphic issues
• Network Programmer – Multiplayer coding
• AI Programmer – Codes the game’s intelligence
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GameRecruiter.com, Inc. * Telephone: 866.358.GAME * Web Site: GameRecruiter.com
TYPICAL SKILLS FOR
PROGRAMMERS
C, C++, Java, and
Assembly
Network
Physics / Math / 3D
Artificial Intelligence (AI)
Specializing in Graphics
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GameRecruiter.com, Inc. * Telephone: 866.358.GAME * Web Site: GameRecruiter.com
Careers in the Game Industry
DESIGNER JOBS
• Level Designer – Creates missions and is responsible for
the “fun” within those missions
• Game Designer – Visionary behind the game
• Interface Designer – Designs menus, HUDs
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GameRecruiter.com, Inc. * Telephone: 866.358.GAME * Web Site: GameRecruiter.com
TYPICAL SKILLS FOR DESIGNERS
3D Studio Max
Maya
Scripting
Experience
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GameRecruiter.com, Inc. * Telephone: 866.358.GAME * Web Site: GameRecruiter.com
Suggested Curriculums*
Game Art
Game Design
Game Programming
*Curriculums? Curricula?
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GameRecruiter.com, Inc. * Telephone: 866.358.GAME * Web Site: GameRecruiter.com
Suggested Game Art Track
Class 1 - Concept Art Creation
Class 2 - Modeling 3D Worlds with 3ds max
Class 3 - Modeling Characters with 3ds max
Class 4 - Animating with 3ds max
Class 5 - Modeling 3D Worlds with Maya
Class 6 - Modeling Characters with Maya
Class 7 - Animating with Maya
Class 8 - Texturing for 3D Art
Class 9 - Art Practicum
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GameRecruiter.com, Inc. * Telephone: 866.358.GAME * Web Site: GameRecruiter.com
Suggested Game Design Track
Class 1 - Understanding Visual Design
Class 2 - User Interface Design and Implementation
Class 3 - Introduction to Game Design
Class 4 - Storytelling and Character Development
Class 5 - Game Play and Game Balancing
Class 6 - Designing Virtual Worlds
Class 7 - Level Design
Class 8 - Developing Online Games
Class 9 - Developing Wireless Games
Class10 - Game Design Practicum
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GameRecruiter.com, Inc. * Telephone: 866.358.GAME * Web Site: GameRecruiter.com
Suggested Game Programming Track
Class 1 - Game Engine Design and Integration
Class 2 - Math & Physics for Game Programmers
Class 3 - Game Programming with DirectX
Class 4 - Game Programming with C++
Class 5 - Game Programming with Java
Class 6 - Game Programming with OpenGL
Class 7 - Programming for Massively Multiplayer Online Games.
Class 8 - Introduction to Artificial Intelligence
Class 9 - Advanced Artificial Intelligence
Class10 -Debugging Basics
Class11-Programming Practicum
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GameRecruiter.com, Inc. * Telephone: 866.358.GAME * Web Site: GameRecruiter.com
Students Breaking Into the Industry
Get your degree
Create a demo
Network –
Let people know who you are
and what you want to do
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GameRecruiter.com, Inc. * Telephone: 866.358.GAME * Web Site: GameRecruiter.com
Portfolios
WHAT’S IN THEM
Game Designer Portfolios
• Make mods and levels
• Create design docs
Artist Portfolios
• Always show your best stuff and
remember to tailor to the job
• Keep the length 2-4 minutes
Programmer Portfolios
• Make game creation tool
• Always show finished work
• Make complete games illustrating
your specialty
• Show code samples that are clean
and well-documented
ASSIGNMENTS AND
PROJECTS SHOULD
ALWAYS BEAR IN MIND
THESE PORTFOLIO NEEDS
•MODS
•DESIGN DOCS
•ART DEMOS
•GAME CREATION TOOLS
•CODE SAMPLES
•COMPLETE GAMES
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GameRecruiter.com, Inc. * Telephone: 866.358.GAME * Web Site: GameRecruiter.com
Networking Musts
Attend Game Developers Conference
Join IGDA and attend local meetings
Read industry publications
www.GIGnews.com
www.Gamasutra.com
www.GameDaily.com
Write and publish industry-related articles
Contact others who write articles
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GameRecruiter.com, Inc. * Telephone: 866.358.GAME * Web Site: GameRecruiter.com
Specialty Resources
Programmers
www.GameDev.net
www.FlipCode.com
Artists
www.Flay.com
Designers
www.LevelDesigner.com
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GameRecruiter.com, Inc. * Telephone: 866.358.GAME * Web Site: GameRecruiter.com
Arnold Palmer
What does a Palmer-designed golf
course say to you?
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GameRecruiter.com, Inc. * Telephone: 866.358.GAME * Web Site: GameRecruiter.com
Wolfgang Puck
What does a Puck-designed dinner
say to you?
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GameRecruiter.com, Inc. * Telephone: 866.358.GAME * Web Site: GameRecruiter.com
Will Wright
What does a game designed by Will
Wright say to you?
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GameRecruiter.com, Inc. * Telephone: 866.358.GAME * Web Site: GameRecruiter.com
Marc Mencher
Game Curriculum Designer
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GameRecruiter.com, Inc. * Telephone: 866.358.GAME * Web Site: GameRecruiter.com
Your Curriculum
GETTING OFF ON THE RIGHT FOOT
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Make sure you have a complete plan for your curriculum from the start
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Look to other successful programs for ideas and inspiration
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Keep in mind that at the end of it all, these students need a job
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Consult with and take on as advisors game industry professionals
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Personally research and review the current wealth of books available as
teaching tools
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Plan for portfolio-building activities like semester-end game contests
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Yes, this is a serious business, but always keep in mind that, hey!, you’re
making games!
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GameRecruiter.com, Inc. * Telephone: 866.358.GAME * Web Site: GameRecruiter.com
Good Luck and “Get In the Game”
Regards, Marc Mencher
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GameRecruiter.com, Inc. * Telephone: 866.358.GAME * Web Site: GameRecruiter.com