Trickstar Games Pty Ltd

80/88 Greville Street, Prahran, Victoria 3181, Australia.

Presenter
Justin Halliday

jhal...@trickstargames.com

Presenter Outline
Justin has been in the games industry for 20 years. He first started at Beam Software, bug testing games at a small office with around 20 people. He then moved from designer to a producer who still dabbles in design. Trickstar games is a small organisation that succeeds through outsourcing and keeping a small team of 16, not 100.

The question posed to the lecture theatre, what career path to take, designer versus programmer?

How does the topic relate to the Games Industry?
The industry has shrunk; Justin believes this is due to many game companies innovating something that need not be changed. However companies should still actively adapt with the flow of the rapidly changing market place. The current strength of the Australian dollar means that is much more affordable in Canada and the US than ever before, this is why there are so many big companies folding.

Future trends:

• Mobile games
• Free to play games (can buy within the game)
• Cloud gaming (OnLive/Gaikai)
• Advertised gaming
• Android free to play, with in-game purchasing
• Medium budget & medium quality packaged games are struggling

How does the topic relate to my own ambitions in the Games Industry?
I had a brief meeting with Justin on the 29^th September at the Trickstar Games office, I wanted to know about his thoughts on the upcoming windows 8 OS, and whether he would be interested in working with me on a project. The objectives are to release Windows 8 on or before the actual launch date of the new OS. He mainly works on existing platforms. He suggested that I should contact him after the completion of my studies. Justin mentioned Unity engine affectionately for its multi platform export abilities.

During the lecture, Justin helped define what I believe a game designer to be.

Don’t

• Write epic stories (If you want to write long stories just go write a book)
• Dictate their vision (unless your Sid Meyers)
• Only 10% of people complete the games, so priority should not be on the end game.

Do

• Get enthusiastic about others ideas, visions. Be flexible.
• A designer’s work flow includes
  • Researching provided topics
  • Creating concepts and scenarios.
  • Communicate what features you suggest to use and discuss how they can enhance the game experience. Bare in mind these features will require self-evaluation. Simple features are the best way to carry through the entire game rather than get bogged down with complexities.
  • Features will get cut, thus it needs to be modular, independent so as other game elements do not collapse and dominate the whole level.
  • Variety of game play, avoid boredom with a mix of different skill levels.

How to get a job as a designer:

• Your tool of the trade are your opinions
• Communicate and present well
• Have the skills already (scripting writing etc.)

What to show:

• Game concept document (research examples)
• A game or level
• Opinions that are balanced and supportable
• Depth of knowledge, a broad understanding of all types of games
• Don’t pigeonhole yourself

Bridh Athanatos