How to get a job at Realtime Worlds Luke Halliwell

Who wants a job at RTW?

But seriously …

… you can do better

Either youre … Misunderstanding what we do Not good enough Not presenting yourself well

Today: 1.Trends in the games industry 2.What we look for 3.CVs

Trends in the games industry

Scale

[Engineering]

Change

Trends: –Scale –[Engineering] –Change

What we look for

Fundamentals Programmers: –Raw problem solving ability –Core computer science –Crafting great code

Fundamentals Artists: –Arty stuff?

Fundamentals Artists: –Perspective, colour, light –Anatomy, architecture –Imagination

Core computer science Whats your degree missing?

Problem solving Projects are not intensive enough For intensive practice: –IOI: –Project Euler: –Google for Online Judge –TopCoder:

Programming is hard Takes 10 years: – Go beyond the uni syllabus – =393&pid=5http:// =393&pid=5 Write code, think and talk about code Learn multiple programming languages Use open source

People skills Make the most of group projects –Discuss technical stuff, not just design –Explaining technical ideas to artists –Or, explaining aesthetic ideas to coders Dare to be Digital Make most of work experience

What we look for: –Fundamentals –People skills –Passion

CVs

How CVs look to me

Phew!

Who would you interview? Dave Jones Peter Molyneux Tim Sweeney Sid Meier Michael Abrash Warren Spector Richard Garriot John Carmack David Braben Alexey Pajitnov

Ive completed CGT and have a degree

CV Rule #1: Use clear visuals

CV Rule #2: Explain why youre good

Not this … Intelligent, quick to learn, meticulous and reliable. Has experience working with complex and challenging problems. Able to work on own initiative or as part of a team. Strong leadership qualities.

Or this … Advanced Computing Skills –With the help of my university course, I have developed my computing skills to an advanced level. –I have a good grasp of Microsoft Office (from 97 through to the latest 2007 edition), have experience working on multiple platforms, such as Microsoft Windows XP and Vista, and various versions of Linux Operating Systems. –I have experience in troubleshooting many different aspects of P.C. Technical faults from application errors to web and network related faults. –I also have a good typing speed of wpm.

CV Rule #3: Dont f*** up

Spelling mistakes A physics student keen to secure a position in the softwar development industry. Intelligent, quick to learn, meticulous and reliable. Has experience working with complex and challenging problems. Able to work on own initiative or as part of a team. Strong leadership qualites.

Wrong job … I am a recent graduate of Applied Computing at Dundee University looking for an entry level position in web programming or IT support.

Dont beg I am artistic – can draw humans, cartoons (from a programmer!) will work for free

The finer points …

Passion for games I love games. Since first playing Horace Goes Skiing at the age of 5, games have been a large part of my life and when I played Banjo-Kazooie, I decided that making games is what I want to do

Lists of technologies C C++ GLSL Java x86 Assembly (At&T and Intel) Javascript PHP ASP JSP HTML SQL bash scripting

I know CGT BSc(HONS) Computer Games Technology –Modules Studied Include C++; Networking; Windows Programming; DirectX; OpenGL; Mathematics; Dynamics.

Demos Make sure its interesting/different Im unlikely to run it –I may look at source code –Good screenshots can get my attention Other companies might

CV checklist: –Visually clear –Demonstrate why I should hire you –Avoid stupid mistakes

Wrapping up We are desperate for good people Learn the fundamentals thoroughly Be passionate about what you do Just having the degree isnt enough Get your CV right Look at your application from our point of view