Who are THQ?

Who is THQ Studio Australia Local studio in BrisbaneLocal studio in Brisbane Employees 85+ peopleEmployees 85+ people Working on 2-3 games at any one timeWorking on 2-3 games at any one time Released 4 games in the last 4 years.Released 4 games in the last 4 years.

Who am I? Lachlan Bland Graduated from QUT at the end of 2000Graduated from QUT at the end of 2000 – Bachelor Info Tech (Software Engineering) – Bachelor Engineering (Electronics) Micro-Electronic Engineer with Cisco Systems for 3 years.Micro-Electronic Engineer with Cisco Systems for 3 years. Have worked with THQ for 3.5 yearsHave worked with THQ for 3.5 years Senior Programmer - Tech TeamSenior Programmer - Tech Team

Game Engine Programming What you need to become a good engine programmer: Ability to learnAbility to learn Ability to communicateAbility to communicate Maths, Maths and more Maths (especially 3D / vector maths)Maths, Maths and more Maths (especially 3D / vector maths) Good programming skills (C++)Good programming skills (C++) Good Problem Solving SkillsGood Problem Solving Skills Don’t mind “Getting close to the hardware”Don’t mind “Getting close to the hardware”

The “Tech Team” About 6 people – mostly Senior Programmers.About 6 people – mostly Senior Programmers. We make and support the Game Engines used in the studio.We make and support the Game Engines used in the studio. Supports DX9, Xbox360, PS2, Wii, GameCube, Xbox. PS3 support coming soon.Supports DX9, Xbox360, PS2, Wii, GameCube, Xbox. PS3 support coming soon. We provide a platform independent interface to allow game programmers to write code which runs on all target platforms (consoles).We provide a platform independent interface to allow game programmers to write code which runs on all target platforms (consoles).

G4 Engine (Tech1) Initially targeted at Xbox, GameCube and PS2 (also included DX9 for internal development)Initially targeted at Xbox, GameCube and PS2 (also included DX9 for internal development) Implemented in 12 months.Implemented in 12 months. Team of 4 people.Team of 4 people. Used in two games (Avatar: The Last Airbender series)Used in two games (Avatar: The Last Airbender series) Wii version implemented and used to make Avatar a launch title for the Wii.Wii version implemented and used to make Avatar a launch title for the Wii. Xbox360 version implemented for most recent game. (Avatar: The Burning Earth)Xbox360 version implemented for most recent game. (Avatar: The Burning Earth)

G4 Engine Screenshot

Tech2 Engine Targeted at “Gen 8” consoles (DX9, Xbox360 and PS3) PS3 implementation not done yet.Targeted at “Gen 8” consoles (DX9, Xbox360 and PS3) PS3 implementation not done yet. 18 months development / research18 months development / research 5 programmers full time (sometimes more as people switch between projects)5 programmers full time (sometimes more as people switch between projects) Much more technically complex and more systems built into tech.Much more technically complex and more systems built into tech.

Tech2 Engine Screenshots

Tech Team Day to Day Operations Lots of research – need to stay up to date with all emerging technology.Lots of research – need to stay up to date with all emerging technology. Implement new systems for upcoming games.Implement new systems for upcoming games. Support existing systems for games currently in production.Support existing systems for games currently in production. Communicate.Communicate.

What I Do Maya ExporterMaya Exporter Shader DevelopmentShader Development Post Processing EffectsPost Processing Effects Asset PipelineAsset Pipeline Rendering OptimizationRendering Optimization Debug RenderingDebug Rendering Performance AnalysisPerformance Analysis Program in C++, HLSL, Mel Script, GM Script, dotNet.Program in C++, HLSL, Mel Script, GM Script, dotNet.

An Average Day Normally anything but average Talking to artists discussing existing features and developing new featuresTalking to artists discussing existing features and developing new features Talking to other programmers about design and implementation of new features and existing features.Talking to other programmers about design and implementation of new features and existing features. Competitive Analysis of other games.Competitive Analysis of other games. Research into new rendering techniquesResearch into new rendering techniques Designing new features.Designing new features. Implementing new features. (i.e. Programming)Implementing new features. (i.e. Programming) Supporting existing features. (i.e. Bug Fixes)Supporting existing features. (i.e. Bug Fixes) Documenting new and old features – both for Programmer use and Artist / Designer use.Documenting new and old features – both for Programmer use and Artist / Designer use.

At The End Of The Day Why Do We Do It? Personal Satisfaction.Personal Satisfaction. Sense of accomplishment.Sense of accomplishment. Being able to walk into a games store and finding your game on the shelf.Being able to walk into a games store and finding your game on the shelf. Money (it’s not great but it pays the bills).Money (it’s not great but it pays the bills). Makes for good conversation.Makes for good conversation. It’s hard work and it’s challenging, but it is fun.It’s hard work and it’s challenging, but it is fun. The environment I work in is excellent!The environment I work in is excellent!

Summary Games Industry is Hard WorkGames Industry is Hard Work It’s very easy to get burnt out.It’s very easy to get burnt out. It’s lots of fun to work on cutting edge hardware and to make things look good.It’s lots of fun to work on cutting edge hardware and to make things look good. It’s a constant challenge – always learning new things.It’s a constant challenge – always learning new things. Your job is constantly changing.Your job is constantly changing. We need more talented people locally, so send us a resume when you graduate.We need more talented people locally, so send us a resume when you graduate.