Software Engineer

January 20th, 2009

Posted by Zoe at 16:32

While we don’t currently have any engineering opportunities available, we invite you to submit a resume for us to keep on file. Below is a general idea of what we look for in a production team member. Please send your resume to jobs@slantsixgames. For more information, read our Career FAQ.

The Software Engineer works closely with our existing production team to write code for a next generation software product.

Key contribution areas:
-Help to maintain code in a specific area of expertise
-Help to maintain common code for the project
-Conform to any coding standards and guidelines
-Implement software in C++ and other languages
-Debug and optimize software
-Participate in design and code reviews
-Design software systems through consultation and coordination with other programmers
-Write design documentation
- Assist and mentor other programmers in areas of domain expertise or specialization

A successful performer in this role will:
-Collaborate with artists and designers on the requirements and design of tools and systems
-Have a strong aptitude in math and programming
-Demonstrate strong architecture and software design skills
-Windows applications experience
-Require strong C++ skills
-Communicate effectively at all levels and interact well with others

Education and Experience:
-Degree in Computer Science or equivalent experience
-4+ years of game development experience
- 2+ shipped titles


Concept Artist

January 20th, 2009

Posted by admin at 16:26

JUNIOR/INTERMEDIATE CONCEPT ARTIST (3 MTH TERM)

Slant Six Games currently has an opportunity for a passionate Concept Artist to join our team.

The Concept Artist is responsible for producing high quality concept artwork and maintaining the integrity and quality of the artwork throughout the lifecycle of the product. In collaboration with the Product Development team, the Concept Artist helps define key game elements, including character and background designs, and colour schemes. This includes modern Earth and science fiction (fantasy, futuristic, etc…) themes.

Key Contribution areas:

· Create high quality concept artwork that clearly conveys the vision, style and setting of the game

· Maintain the integrity and “look and feel” of the artwork between pieces.

· Contribute to a projects style guide for each assigned title covering all artistic aspects of the game.

· Work with necessary departments to solve design issues as they arise.

· Participate actively in visual development and project meetings.

A successful performer in this role will:

· Create high quality concept artwork based on interaction with the project leads.

· You should be able to show a broad range of abilities including: characters, vehicles, weapons, props and environments.

· Experiment with environments in various conditions and times of day.

· Demonstrate creativity and innovation in designing and developing artwork for new games and game upgrades

· Demonstrate an exceptional eye for design and colour and an in-depth knowledge of the gaming community

· Solid sketch skills: Clearly defined forms, knowledge of anatomy, perspective and design.

· Communicate effectively at all levels

· Demonstrate high levels of technical competence in creating artwork using on-line tools e.g. Photoshop

· Have a strong eye for design, colour and print layout

· Maintain focus in the face of many, potentially conflicting, demands on their time

· Provide color keys, mood paintings and style sheets from rough to fully realized paintings.

Education and Experience:

· Degree in fine art.

· Demonstrated ability to produce high quality concept work.

· 3+ years of game development experience would be an asset.

Portfolio and Resume:
Interested applicants may forward their resume and a 2D portfolio (digital format preferred, no originals please) to jobs@slantsixgames.com.

Please include samples from at least two-three of the following categories:

· Environment - Architecture integrated with terrain

· Interior architecture

· Character/Costume design

· Creatures

· Vehicles and technology

· Props, items, objects

Show at least two examples of a concept’s evolution from rough to final drawing. Include samples of color work.

Preference will be given to local candidates. All candidates must be legally eligible to work in Canada.


Production

January 20th, 2009

Posted by Zoe at 16:15

While we don’t currently have any opportunities available in our production teams, we invite you to submit a resume for us to keep on file. Below is a general idea of what we look for in a production team member. Please send your resume to jobs@slantsixgames. For more information, read our Career FAQ.

Summary of Job:
The Producer is responsible for overseeing the whole lifecycle of the game from concept to launch and ensure the successful delivery a game to highest creative standard. They work closely with all disciplines to develop schedules, milestones and the overall plan. They establish and maintain project budgets and ensure the game stays on target throughout the development cycle. The Producer liaises between the studio and the client and coordinates the client’s feedback, expectations and project priorities to the developers. They would be required to provide leadership and relationship management skills to the development team. The Producer typically manages a production team of 2-8 employees.

Major Duties and Responsibilities:

Overall Project Management
• Plan and manage large scale projects from start to finish, i.e. workforce plan, estimates, tasks, dependencies, projections, risks, issues, etc.
• Works with Engineers and Stakeholders to define and gather project requirements.
• Tracks all project components, resolving issues and obstacles quickly to keep projects moving forward.
• Communicates project status to team, client(s) and Directors on a regular basis.
• Works with supporting groups such as QA, outsourced contractors and localization teams to ensure that requirements for their team are not overlooked.
• Assist Stakeholders with prioritizing projects to keep resources working effectively.
• Manage and optimize release delivery.
• Ensure consistent project management process is in place at the start and throughout all phases of the project.
• Defines and drives process improvements throughout the project.
• Fosters environment of collaboration and open communication with between all individuals on the development team.

Client Relationship
• Clearly define creative vision, game design features and unique capabilities with client, Director of Development and Creative Director.
• Uphold creative vision by communicating feature prioritization, stakeholder input/feedback, product review/feedback to the development team.
• Manage relationship between client and studio and ensure client is regularly informed with project updates, contingencies and plans.

Production Team Management
• Utilize succession and workforce planning tools to identify staffing requirements to build the production team in line with studio’s long-term strategy
• Hire and develop production team members to deliver exceptional project management skills
• Leads monthly performance feedback and regular coaching to individuals on team
• Partners with individuals to create personalized annual development and career goals
• Coordinates, prepares and delivers annual performance reviews, with leads, to production team members.
• Identifies opportunities for experienced team members to mentor and transfer knowledge to more junior team members.
• Partners with Talent Management (HR) to address and resolve performance issues quickly.

Required Skills, Abilities and Experience:
• College/university degree preferred; professional or advanced degrees an asset.
• Producer experience on a minimum of 2-3 major title or Associate producer experience on 3-4 major titles in a video game development organization.
• Strong comprehension of all aspects of game production (I.e. graphics, design, programming, audio, QA, and localization).
• Proven ability to lead production team of 8-10 people.
• Ability to provide creative feedback and speak with authority on issues of design and gameplay.
• Ability to think outside the box in challenging and ambiguous environment; being resourceful and creating constructive and innovative solutions.
• Ability to effectively partner with clients, leads and team members to establish alliances and aid in strategic planning.
• Can translate business goals into action.
• Proactively identifies risks and manages budget plan effectively.
• Familiarity with various project management methodologies.


Spotlight: Software Engineer, Bram Stolk

January 18th, 2009

Posted by Zoe at 11:16

Today we’re having a chat with software engineer, Bram Stolk. What kind of name is Bram? Well we didn’t ask him that but you can find out a few interesting things about him below:

Favorite Quote:
“Programming today is a race between software engineers striving to build bigger and better idiot- proof programs, and the Universe trying to produce bigger and better idiots. So far, the Universe is winning.” (R Cook).

How many years in the games industry?
1, after 10+ years as a Virtual Reality software engineer

What do you consider prerequisites for your job?:
MSc in Computer Science

How long you’ve been at Slant Six Games?
1 yr

Best part of the job:
You develop games! …and the company actually pays you to do this.

Morning web surf:
geenstijl.nl

Favorite Work Perks
Getting an award from the hands of none other than Seth MacFarlane (yes… the dude from Family Guy!)

What do you like about Vancouver?
The girls are prettier here

What kind of person do you need to be to work here?
You need an immature sense of humour (which is a good thing to have of course)

What do you do for fun?
Excessive speeding on a motorcycle and learning to fly a small airplane.

What games do you play?
Mercenaries

If I weren’t working at Slant Six games I’d be:
Developing Virtual Reality technology for Academia.


The Best in BC Business

January 18th, 2009

Posted by Zoe at 11:11

The results are in and we’ve been voted #11 in the ranks of the 100 Best Companies to Work for in BC! This is our first year participating in the annual survey that surveys both staff and management in companies of 100 employees or more. The videogame industry did well overall with a few of our friends up on the list. Of course, we like the friendly competition because we plan to beat them all next year on our way to being #1.


Slant Six Outpaces the Competition

This weekend, a group of our hard working team members participated in the annual Vancouver Sun Run, a 10km race through our beautiful city with over 50,000 participants. Not only did we place FIRST in our division, beating out 118 other teams, but we placed tenth out of all the corporate teams that ran the race. The next time someone suggests that game developers are basement dwelling couch potatoes, perhaps you can suggest they take a look at our website. High performance game developers who can outrun you in the street.  Pretty impressive don’t you think?

more »

Match Making in Confrontation

A new update from our friends over at the official SOCOM blog gives you the scoop on one of the highly anticipated feature updates in the upcoming 1.5 release for SOCOM Confrontation… the Tournament feature! Find out how tournaments will function with details on structure, registration, scheduling and teams. Read it all here

more »


Japanese translator/interpreter neeed in Vancouver, BC. Knowledge of the video game industry a plus. Contact .

Follow us on Twitter

 

KB_03VL_03DG_02FF_01VL_01DT_01UW_01XR_01