Monday, 14 May 2012

Creative Development Week26: UK Based Companies I'm Interested In

Rockstar Leeds-Knowing that Rockstar Leeds is in Leeds and they are a Rockstar based company which have produced some big games, going for this company would be a good choice and after looking at their jobs currently available they are looking for and artist in the environment aspect of their games and although i think i need to develop my skills much more but looking at what they were looking for is interesting as they look for some of the skill set that i am currently understanding.



The Code Monkeys-Who make games for iPhone, iPad, Mac and PC would be an interesting choice to go for as their choice of games aren't generally focused too much on the artwork of the game but in this type of market specifically the iPhone and iPad the games that are produced for that market can help to develop skills and artwork through the various game descriptions needed.


Ninja Theory-This is a company that has impressed me the most as its because they focus on the artwork as much as the initial game, as you can tell from Heavenly Sword and Enslaved: Odyssey To The West. After playing both Heavenly Sword and Enslaved:Odyssey To The West i found artwork from both games being brilliant and particularly in Enslaved Ninja Theory let you know that, which is why Ninja Theory's level of artwork is a an attraction to companies level of work.


GamerHolix-Looking at this company there website didn't give much information but what i could tell from their site was that they are a leading independant developer across all platforms which is something that would suit the production of multiple games and understanding how much of the artwork would be used throughout all the platforms. Looking at a much closer to myself, games companies i found Gamerholix a company which is still functional and has developed games across all consoles and the iPad and iPhones. Gamerholix is a close based company which has created 200 games over all platformas with serious and not so serious games but showcases that they are company which contributes to the gaming industry with their educational twist from their games.

Atomhawk Design-Atomhawk Design is probably the company that i would want to pursue as they are a concept art company who have worked on big games such as the Mortal Kombat 9 game and their artwork is the sole basis of their company. Atomhawk Design is a compay focused on the development of concept art and various games have used their artwork to create games and looking through their artwork on their site they are very impressive and residing in the U.K is a plus.


Splash Damage-Looking at Splash damage as another company who's recent game Brink has visuals at the standards in terms of artwork that i would like to work at. Although being in London i would have to relocate closer to them but being a company who are big from the other companies in the U.K they certainly are a potential company to work for and reading this "We're currently expanding our team and are looking for self-motivated and enthusiastic people with a talent and passion for advancing the medium" makes things interesting as i will be able to work for a company who focus on artwork as much as the game play itself.






The Bitmap Brothers-With being recently revived to create games for the iPhone and iPad systems i think this company could be a potential one to go after as they stated on their website that "Continually striving for originality, attention to detail and new levels of playability" which i think could suit me in terms of wanting to do original stuff and create art that people haven't seen. But also with the company being resurrected only last year and working for iPad and iPhone systems there could be job vacancies available but after checking their were none and so because they create games for the two systems meaning they can start new projects allowing a more coverage of game art.







Another Leeds based company is The Code Monkeys but from their website i didn't get much information but they have worked on iPhone and iPad games and that to me is ok as a job opportunity for concept at as these type of games can produced multiple times with various ideas.

Creative Development Week26: Game Republic

Game Republic are another company which lead on providing information such as latest available jobs, goings on within the games industry and really a great source of networking. For this reason of a wealth of knowledge on the games industry being apart of the Game Republic will be much beneficial for me as a whole as it will lend to my marketing skills as well as my expected work production. Also i looked at the job vacancies and found that there was a role for a junior game artist and looking at the expectations i feel that i am really lacking in few areas and one of which is knowledge within 3DS Max something i need to quickly work on as this job role seemed perfect apart from areas of which were missing as this job resides in Sheffield as well.

Link to job: http://www.distinctivegames.com/?page_id=8

Monday, 7 May 2012

Creative Development Week25: Games Recruit

Another link i found through Creative Skillset is for the Games Recruit website in which although the design of the site seem years behind the information is not is up to date and rather close to the available jobs within big companies such as Ubisoft, Rockstar, Blitz Games, Sega and more. So the amount of job listings as well as importance of roles is evident through Games Recruits featured companies and is also a good website to keep in contact and produce links to people to get you information first and quickly and to also learn of recent going ons with the industry.

Website found at: http://www.gamesrecruit.co.uk/Index.aspx

Monday, 30 April 2012

Creative Development Week24: Craig Shoji-Thor Movie Concept Artist



After getting replied by concept artist Mike "Daarken" Lim i thought i'd try contacting various other artists and i did but when i saw a link via @ConceptArtWorld's twitter for Marvels Thor film concept artist, Craig Shoji's work, i took a look at the artwork and tried to find a means of contacting him to give possible feedback. Going back and checking my e-mail i found that he said he would take look at the my concepts of my castle and give me feedback when he has time, so asking professional concept artists is gaining me more information about improving my art.

Here is the email i sent him:


Hi Craig Shoji


I am ifraz and currently studying digital films games and animations at Leeds college of art in the U.K.. and was wondering if you could possibly help me with taking a look at my concept for my game environment of a castle and tell me what I could do to improve this or work on or anything that can help me in becoming a concept artist.

Thank you

Ifraz Mohammed



Here is the e-mail he had sent me and i have replied back with images of my castle concept art and hoping for a reply from Craig Shoji in coming days.


hey ifraz,


i'm a bit busy at the moment but feel free to send me any work you'd

like me to look at and i'll do my best to give you some comments in a

timely manner. best of luck with your studies!


cheers-


 craig

Creative Development Week24: Creative Personnel

Through the Creative Skillset website i found this link which led me to the creative personnel website which really looks through available jobs with the games industry and narrows down them down to the ones that best fit your role. They have featured clients such as Sumo Digital and Blitz Game Studios so this is a job finder site which can be very helpful to me in looking at up to date expectations and needs from the games industry as well as applying and receiving feedback from jobs.

Link at: http://www.creativepersonnel.co.uk/jobboard/cands/jobresults.asp?c=1&ms=1&localstrKeywords=&locallstRegion=UK+and+Europe&locallstRegionvals=&locallstArea=UK+North%2FYorkshire&locallstAreavals=&locallstSector=Games+%28console%26sbquo%3B+online+%26+betting%29