From Reality to Dream One Game Programmer’s Path to the Game Industry

My Background 30 years in IT 30 years in IT Computer Operator (Tosco) Computer Operator (Tosco) Cobol Programmer Cobol Programmer Fortran Programmer (Contel) Fortran Programmer (Contel) Self-Employment (Computer Solutions) Self-Employment (Computer Solutions) Game Programmer (Mumbo Jumbo and Other Ocean Interactive) Game Programmer (Mumbo Jumbo and Other Ocean Interactive) Crammed 4 years of school into 18 Crammed 4 years of school into 18 Computer Science degree Computer Science degree

Serendipity I How I learned to program How I learned to program High school computer club High school computer club Local college system: PDP 11/34 Local college system: PDP 11/34 BASIC tutorial BASIC tutorial To use the local college computer, had to sign up for “Introduction to Computers”, a $25 extended studies class that never met but made me a student! To use the local college computer, had to sign up for “Introduction to Computers”, a $25 extended studies class that never met but made me a student!

Serendipity II How I got my first job: How I got my first job: A company rep from Tosco came to our engineering class to discuss job opportunities in petroleum…I asked about computers. A company rep from Tosco came to our engineering class to discuss job opportunities in petroleum…I asked about computers. Applied on a whim…was told that there might be part time jobs later in the year. Applied on a whim…was told that there might be part time jobs later in the year. Got a call…job required a 1 unit college level computer class Got a call…job required a 1 unit college level computer class My 1 unit “Introduction to Computers” class got me the job! My 1 unit “Introduction to Computers” class got me the job!

My first games The PDP days The PDP days Advent Advent Trek Trek Tripe Tripe Early Consoles Early Consoles Atari 2600 Atari 2600 Colecovision Colecovision Early PCs Early PCs Commodore 64 Commodore 64 Ohio Scientific (16 colors, 48 K RAM, 3 voice sound) Ohio Scientific (16 colors, 48 K RAM, 3 voice sound)

The Allure of Games Creating my own “reality” Creating my own “reality” Visions of spaceships danced in my head! Visions of spaceships danced in my head!

The Cares of This World Saying you want to be a game developer is kind of like saying you want to be a rock star—only the best will succeed and everyone asks what you will do for your “real” job. Saying you want to be a game developer is kind of like saying you want to be a rock star—only the best will succeed and everyone asks what you will do for your “real” job. It’s easier, by far, to make a living doing standard IT—business-related programming and support. It’s easier, by far, to make a living doing standard IT—business-related programming and support. I spent the next 25 years doing just that. I spent the next 25 years doing just that.

Serendipity III – E3 My son introduced me to a game conference called E3 (which I had never heard of) My son introduced me to a game conference called E3 (which I had never heard of) We went to E3 and I was like the Disneyland of Gaming! We went to E3 and I was like the Disneyland of Gaming! I decide I had to be a part of this! I decide I had to be a part of this!

First Steps Read, read, read - every game development related book I could get my hands on. Read, read, read - every game development related book I could get my hands on. Internet sites: Internet sites: Gamasutra.com Gamasutra.com Gamedev.net Gamedev.net Gamespot.com, etc. Gamespot.com, etc. Wrote lots of game programs on my own. Wrote lots of game programs on my own.

Getting Serious Attended Game Career Seminar Attended Game Career Seminar Building my resume Building my resume Building my portfolio Building my portfolio Building my website (madsenrobert.com) Building my website (madsenrobert.com) Building my network (LinkedIn.com) Building my network (LinkedIn.com)

My First Job The Interview Process The Interview Process Initial phone call Initial phone call Formal phone interview Formal phone interview Game programming test Game programming test Face-to-Face Interview Face-to-Face Interview Waiting….. Waiting…..

My First Layoff The intrinsic instability of the game industry – studios often hire to meet temporary production needs The intrinsic instability of the game industry – studios often hire to meet temporary production needs The intrinsic instability of life The intrinsic instability of life What this means to you: Be Prepared! What this means to you: Be Prepared!

The Job Hunt 300 applications in 150 days 300 applications in 150 days Gamasutra Job Boards Gamasutra Job Boards Publisher websites: Microsoft, Sony, etc. Publisher websites: Microsoft, Sony, etc. Recruiters (Gamerecruiter.com) Recruiters (Gamerecruiter.com)

My Current Job Other Ocean Interactive Other Ocean Interactive IPhone IPhone DS DS PC PC Proprietary platform Proprietary platform Loving it! Loving it!

What is it like? Once a fan-boy always a fan-boy Once a fan-boy always a fan-boy The challenges are exactly what I expected The challenges are exactly what I expected The 2 studios I have worked for have live up to my expectations The 2 studios I have worked for have live up to my expectations Casual environment Casual environment Lots of fun (and food) Lots of fun (and food) Very flexible Very flexible

Game Programming vs. IT IT IT Database related Database related Fit the language to the need Fit the language to the need Plan and implement the project Plan and implement the project Game Game Technically more difficult The “game loop” – time based programming Moving target – feature creep

Common Elements Lots of Problem solving Lots of Problem solving Lots of emphasis on usability Lots of emphasis on usability Lot of matching technology Lot of matching technology

Living the Dream! Thanks for having me today! Thanks for having me today! Contact me any time at Contact me any time at