Month: October 2023

Uma comunidade online ( godot )

Encontrei um website/comunidade acerca do motor Godot que tem por objetivo a partilha de conhecimento. Uma primeira etapa são vários vídeos e recursos em como usar o Godot. Existe uma versão “paga” da comunidade que vai permitir acesso a conteudos mais específicos.

+infos(oficial): https://quiver.dev/

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Livros que contam histórias de game designers

Encontrei estas referências para alguns livros que contam as histórias de alguns Game Designers. É uma coleção já com alguns autores que presumo que não vá ficar por aqui. Para já gostava de ter acesso a dois deles. Da coleção surge:

Hideo Kojima, Progressive Game Design from Metal Gear to Death Stranding
Shigeru Miyamoto, Super Mario Bros., Donkey Kong, The Legend of Zelda
Todd Howard, Worldbuilding in Tamriel and Beyond
Jane Jensen, Gabriel Knight, Adventure Games, Hidden Objects
Brenda Laurel, Pioneering Games for Girls

  

+infos(oficial): LINK

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Humble Software Bundle (campanha)

the best synty #1 remix – game dev assets

Mais uma campanha por parte da malta da Humble Bundle, desta vez vários ficheiros de recursos para ajudar no desenvolvimento de videojogos:
“Prepare to embark on a game development journey like no other with this bundle from Synty Studios, a leading asset publisher creating 3D low poly art game development assets for Unity and Unreal. Synty creates asset packs that share cohesive art styles, allowing you to mix and match modular 3D models to create the game of your dreams. Their packs also come compete with demo scenes to help get you started. Whether you’re a beginner or seasoned developer, this bundle can help elevate your projects and bring your game to life.”

da lista consta:
647 Horrifying Asset – Modular Mansion Set
Hundreds of Futuristic City Assets and Characters
Modular Viking Village Set – Characters Included
Wiki Wild Wild Western Themed Asset Pack
The Last Samurai Pack You’ll Need! – 245 Assets
Play Cops and Robbers – 251 Bank Robbery Assets
Mobile-Ready Characters and Animations
793 Assets for Zombie Apocalypse Survival Games
Dungeon Props and Pre-Built Rooms and Levels
$10 Off any Synty Assets on Synty Store
Knights, Swords, Castles and More! 204 Assets
Low Poly Buildings, Cars, Characters and more!
Build Out Your Base with Weapons, Props & More
Mobile-Ready Assets – Demo scene Included
3D Low Poly Assets for Adventure Games
Greybox & Build Out Your Demo Scene
Mobile-Ready Town – Demo Scene Included
Premium Loot Box – Fantasy POLYGON Chest

+infos(oficial): LINK

Audio Odyssey

Mais uma campanha por parte da malta da Humble Bundle, desta vez vários ficheiros de áudio para usar onde for necessário:
“Get all the audio you’ll ever need for your games, films, and other creative projects with this jam-packed bundle of royalty-free music and sound FX! Regardless of the vibe you’re trying to weave, you’ll be covered when it comes to music, with dedicated packs that span themes and genres—from fantasy, horror, and sci-fi, to ambient, classical, and chiptunes. Get ready to paint soundscapes with sound FX including creature sounds, combat clanks, futuristic beeps and chirps, and much more.”

da lista consta:
Unplugged Music Pack
Horror Music Pack
Ambient Music Pack Vol 2
Chiptune Music Pack Vol 2
Fantasy Music Pack Vol 2
Ambient Music Pack Vol 3
Metal Music Pack Vol 2
Unplugged Music Pack Vol 2
Electronic Music Pack Vol 3
Horror Music Pack Vol 2
Hollywood Action Sound FX Pack
Horror & Suspense Sound FX Pack
Motion & Impacts Sound FX Pack
Retro Gaming Sound FX Pack
Monsters & Creatures Sound FX Pack
Computers & Machinery Sound FX Pack
Godot Audio Plugin
Metal Music Pack
Fantasy Music Pack
Chiptune Music Pack
Electronic Music Pack Vol 2
Hip Hop Music Pack
Medieval Fantasy Sound FX Pack
Jingles Sound FX Pack
Unity Audio Plugin
Unreal Audio Plugin
Orchestral Rock Music Pack
Ambient Music Pack
Electronic Music Pack
Classical Music Pack
Japanese Music Pack
Science Fiction Sound FX Pack
UI & Menus Sound FX Pack

+infos(oficial): LINK

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Ofertas de trabalho (em outubro)

A Mr.Kite em Lisboa (remoto) procura:

Art Director:
“About:
The visual representation of Today is as vital as the gameplay itself. We need an Art Director who not only has an impeccable artistic vision but also understands the intricacies of bringing that vision from concept to engine. It’s about ensuring every art piece is technically feasible, consistent in quality, and perfectly integrated within our game world. If you’re adept at bridging the creative and technical realms of game art, you’re the leader we’re seeking.

Responsibilities:
Define and lead the artistic vision of Today, ensuring that every piece of art is consistent, high-quality, and aligned with the game’s ethos.
Oversee the entire art pipeline – from concept sketches to final in-engine assets – to establish technical and aesthetic guidelines for in-game art
Collaborate closely with the Creative Director and Product Designer, bringing a harmonious blend of creative ideas to fruition.
Lead the art department, offering guidance, feedback, and mentorship while working closely with production support to manage the team’s output.
Liaise with engineers to ensure that the art aligns with technical requirements, optimizing for both aesthetics and performance.

Qualifications:
Proven experience as an Art Director / Art Lead in the gaming industry, with expertise in transitioning art from concept to engine.
Proficiency with 3D industry-standard tools like Maya and/or 3D Studio Max
Strong leadership skills, with the ability to drive artistic vision and oversee a team of artists through the entire production pipeline.
Deep understanding of the technical aspects of game art creation and integration into Unreal Engine.
Excellent collaboration skills, with a track record of working closely with both creative and technical teams.
A dedication to pushing artistic boundaries while maintaining technical integrity.”

Game Designer:
“About:
We’re on a mission to create an innovative world where players can express, build, and connect in new and exciting ways. Our game design is inspired by simulation games (e.g. The Sims, Animal Crossing, Stardew Valley), and open world games (e.g. Minecraft, No Man’s Sky, Subnautica). If you’re passionate about these kind of games and understand what makes them resonate with millions, you’ll find a home with us.

Responsibilities:
Design, prototype, and iterate on game mechanics to ensure optimal user engagement
Understand the nuances of progression, NPCs, mini-games and resource management to ensure players are constantly engaged and challenged.
Work closely with the creative director & art director to ensure the game’s vision is being achieved
Collaborate with art & engineering teams to ensure game mechanics are feasible
Use data analytics tools to assess player behavior, tweaking game mechanics based on feedback and data.

Qualifications:
Shipped at least one majorly successful title in a lead design role.
Experience in designing free-to-play games with an emphasis on resource management and/or NPC relationships
Strong technical proficiency with game design documentation, tools and software.
Proficient in data analytics and ability to draw insights from player behavior.
Experience in using Unreal Engine for ideation and enhancing design documentation.”

Principal Engineer:
“About:
While the fusion of game design and AI is integral, it’s the harmonious blend of all game components — from gameplay to graphics, networking to physics — that defines our vision for Today. We’re building a game where every component matters, ensuring a cohesive and top-tier player experience. As we push the boundaries of what’s possible, we’re looking for leaders ready to tackle the challenges and innovate alongside us.

Responsibilities:
Lead the technical direction of the game, ensuring a robust foundation for all game systems, spanning AI, graphics, physics, and networking.
Standardize and optimize feature & mechanics implementation in Today Project. Implement clean high-quality C++ code, blueprints, and optimization tools.
Mentor and collaborate with a diverse team of engineers, fostering an environment of innovation and technical excellence.
Engage with other departments, ensuring that the technical strategy aligns seamlessly with the broader game vision.
Champion the integration of pioneering technologies and methodologies to keep Today at the pinnacle of the gaming industry.
Address and solve high-level technical challenges, optimizing both performance and scalability.

Qualifications:
Comprehensive experience with Unreal Engine 5, possessing an intricate understanding of its tools and capabilities.
High degree of proficiency with C++.
Demonstrable experience having shipped multiple games, with at least one in a lead engineering role.
A balanced grasp of various game development domains, including AI, with the prowess to meld them seamlessly.
Exceptional problem-solving skills, adept at navigating complex technical challenges.
A deep-rooted passion for gaming, combined with a drive to innovate and set new industry benchmarks.”

Network Engineer:
“About:
We’re building interconnected worlds that will host a bustling community of players. Drawing from the vast, shared universes of titles like No Man’s Sky and the intricate social hubs of VRChat, our goal is to create a seamless and expansive online environment. As Islands are crafted and communities flourish, the backbone of it all is a robust and reliable network. If you’re someone who understands the challenges of maintaining online spaces and thrives on ensuring players can connect without a hitch, we’re looking for you. Dive in, and help us architect the digital bridges that will connect thousands of Islands and millions of residents.

Responsibilities:
Design and implement scalable server architectures to support a growing number of players and their intricate virtual worlds.
Collaborate with game developers to integrate online features, ensuring smooth and synchronous gameplay experiences.
Implement and maintain security protocols to safeguard player data and prevent unauthorized access.
Monitor network performance, identifying bottlenecks and optimizing data transmission.
Stay updated with the latest advancements in network technologies and best practices, ensuring Today remains at the forefront of online gaming.

Qualifications:
Proven experience in networking for online games or lite MMOs.
High degree of proficiency with C++
Deep understanding of client-server architectures, load balancing, and network optimization techniques.
Proficiency in network diagnostic tools and software.
Strong problem-solving skills, with the ability to troubleshoot and address real-time networking issues.
Familiarity with the specific challenges of networking for social simulation and building games.”

Blockchain Engineer:
“About:
Our vision is a seamless blend of engaging gameplay, advanced blockchain technology, and a thriving token economy. As we forge new pathways in gaming, we’re integrating our proprietary tokens and leveraging the potential of NFTs. We’re in search of a Blockchain Engineer who’s adept at both tokenomics and the NFT landscape, ready to lead in this technical domain and shape an unparalleled gaming experience.

Responsibilities:
Design, develop, and optimize smart contracts using Solidity, focusing on the integration of our proprietary tokens and the management of NFTs within the game.
Spearhead the tokenomics strategy, ensuring the stability, utility, and value proposition of our tokens in and out of the game ecosystem.
Collaborate with game designers to weave blockchain elements, especially token-based transactions and NFT interactions, into the core gameplay.
Implement layer-2 scaling solutions and sidechains to enhance transaction speeds and reduce costs.
Work closely with the security team to conduct regular audits and vulnerability assessments, safeguarding our blockchain components, tokens, and NFTs.

Qualifications:
Deep expertise in Ethereum-based development with hands-on experience in Solidity, Web3.js, token development, and NFT platforms.
Proven track record in designing and implementing tokenomics for gaming or similar applications.
Familiarity with layer-2 solutions like Optimistic Rollups, zk-Rollups, and sidechains.
Comprehensive understanding of decentralized systems, consensus algorithms, and cryptographic principles.
Experience with integrating blockchain functionalities within game engines, emphasizing real-time token and NFT interactions.”

Game Economist:
“About:
We’re pioneering a dynamic in-game economy that seamlessly blends traditional free-to-play models with the cutting-edge potential of blockchain and NFTs. Today contains a rich marketplace where players trade, invest, and interact in ways previously unimagined. If you have a deep appreciation for game economies and see the potential of integrating blockchain, you’re in the right place. We’re looking for someone who understands the nuances of player behavior, the intricacies of virtual economies, and the transformative power of NFTs.

Responsibilities:
Design and oversee the in-game economic systems, ensuring a balance between player engagement, monetization, and fairness.
Collaborate with game designers to ensure economic mechanics align with the overall vision.
Analyze player behavior, spending patterns, and market trends to refine and optimize the game’s economic model.
Work alongside blockchain engineers to integrate NFTs, ensuring a seamless and rewarding player experience.
Forecast and model potential economic scenarios, preparing strategies for various market conditions.

Qualifications:
Extensive experience in designing and managing virtual economies, especially in social simulation or building games.
Proficiency in economic modeling tools and data analytics.
Strong understanding of free-to-play, micro-transactions, in-app purchases, and the potential of blockchain in gaming.
Ability to collaborate and communicate complex economic concepts to a multidisciplinary team.”

+infos(oficial): LINK

A Saber em Gaia procura Material Artist, Lead Envirnment, HR Director, Tech Designer, Physics Designer, Physics Programmer, QA Tester:

+infos(oficial): LINK

Procura-se um Game Designer – Casual Games (Almada, hibrido/Portugal), em que:

As a Game Designer you have a talent to create fun and exciting game experiences for our players. You’ll be an expert in all things Casual and an impressive track record of designing successful hybridcasual, casual or hypercasual games.

What Does The Job Actually Involve?
Working as part of the design team, taking responsibility for multiple mobile game projects, from an initial pitch all the way to global launch.
Keeping track of market trends and coming up with game ideas that will be well received by the ever-changing casual gaming audience.
Designing compelling game mechanics using modern mobile design principles.
Creating, balancing and tuning game mechanics, game difficulty and UI flow.
Creating levels and additional content using Unity, for new and existing games.
Evolving and adapting game designs based on play testing, feedback and live metrics.
Driving long term player engagement by understanding mobile players needs and motivations.
Supporting the Executive Producer on the project in delivering a reasonable and fun experience to our players

Your Hard Skills
A minimum of 2 years experience in a game design role with at least one published relevant game
Strong written and verbal communication skills.
Knowledge of mobile free-to-play game monetisation and advertising techniques.
Ability to work creatively in a demanding team environment.
Absolute passion for playing and making video games, especially mobile games.
Strong creative ideas and imagination, able to entertain players with challenges, humour, surprises and fun.
Positive attitude, self driven, able to work alone or as part of a team.”

+infos(oficial): LINK

Procura-se um Junior Level Designer (Lisboa/Portugal), em que:

Arkadium is seeking a creative and passionate Junior Level Designer to join our Product Team. As a Junior Level Designer at Arkadium, you will work closely with our experienced team to craft engaging and enjoyable casual levels that captivate our players. This is an excellent opportunity to kickstart your career in the gaming industry and be part of a company dedicated to producing high-quality and fun games. This role reports directly to the Lead Game Designer.

Responsibilities
Craft fun and engaging levels for a variety of free-to-play casual puzzle games, such as match-3, mahjong, trivia, word games, and others
Playtest, iterate and balance level designs based on internal feedback, user interviews, and game analytics
Brainstorm and propose tweaks to the gameplay experience while keeping engagement, retention, and monetization potential in mind
Outline and document gameplay experiences aligned with the product vision for each level, in terms of layout, mechanics, pacing, difficulty, variety, and fit in the overall level progression
Create specification documents outlining how game features and gameplay mechanics work
Work with the Lead Game Designer to define level design guidelines and best practices
Collaborate frequently with a variety of other teams, including product managers, engineers, artists, and QA
Stay up-to-date with industry trends and casual game design best practices.

Requirements
A bachelor’s degree in game design or a related field, or equivalent practical experience.
Enthusiasm for casual games and a solid grasp of the elements that make them enjoyable and engaging.
Familiarity with mobile casual puzzle games and a strong interest in exploring innovative methods to enhance player engagement within this genre.
Exceptional problem-solving abilities coupled with meticulous attention to detail. Demonstrated capacity to iterate and refine designs based on feedback and data.
Strong analytical skills, capable of weighing the pros and cons of each decision.
A positive and constructive mindset that focuses on solutions rather than merely identifying problems.
Proficient in both written and verbal English communication, facilitating effective collaboration with team members.
A foundational understanding of how games function from a technical perspective.
Experience using Unity Engine is a plus.”

+infos(oficial): https://corporate.arkadium.com/careers/we-are-hiring/

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