STAFF PROFILE: GARY, GAME DESIGNER
What is your background?
In my younger days I spent far too long playing video games, I think I've owned virtually all the console systems from the Atari VCS right up to the PSP and Xbox 360.
I started work at Rare as a games tester, working on literally hundreds of games from the NES days right through to the early N64 games like Blast Corps and GoldenEye. I was eventually given the chance to work as designer on the Game Boy conversion of DKC3, obviously I jumped at the chance and haven't looked back since, having worked on virtually all the handheld games Rare has produced since. These games include Conker's Pocket Tales (GBC), Perfect Dark (GBC), Sabre Wulf (GBA), Banjo Pilot (GBA) and the DKC trilogy (GBA). I have recently started work on a DS project.
How did you get to work at Rare?
By accident, I never had any intention of applying to work at Rare. I had just left college and was struggling to find a 'proper' job at the time. I picked up the local rag and spotted an advert for a games tester, so I applied, had an interview and was given the job before I had actually got back home from the interview. Fourteen years later I am still here and my Mom still asks when I am going to get that 'proper' job.
What do you do day to day?
I turn up at Rare around 8.30ish (8.59 if I'm honest) and grab a coffee, scan the net to see if anything important has happened overnight within the industry (and the previous night's footy scores). I then get down to my work, which normally involves hassling programmers to add the next great feature to the game. If I'm not doing this then I'm probably speaking with the artists about cutting down the graphics after they have exceeded the poly limit by 10,000 polygons. With any time left I will be either placing down objects on the levels or actually spending some time playing the game.. |
