Interview

What do i know about the position/company?

The position of Senior Games Designer at Jagex entails working as a team in the design of Runescape's gameplay mechanics and story lines. It also must include a broad understanding of the MMO market. This job requires co-operation between other senior members of the design team in the creative and development process. 

Jagex was founded in 1999 by Andrew and Paul Gowner. Their flagship game was Runescape, an MMORPG that was developed in the same year Jagex was established. FunOrb, a casual gaming portal developed by Jagex has released 43 games. Transformers Universe is their new major game currently in development.

Questions.

Would i be tasked with designing the levels for Transformers Universe?

How big would my design team be?

Do you have any themes in mind for Runescape's quests and story lines?

What other design departments will i be communicating and working with?

http://www.gamesrecruit.co.uk/JobDetail.aspx?id=14060

http://www.jagex.com/careers/jagex/

Body Language

Good:

• Sitting up straight: This displays your interest and intent to listen in the interview.
• Eye contact: Shows your undivided attention in the interview, if there is more than one interviewer make sure to occasionaly address them with a gaze.
• Nod and react positively to questions: Projects enthusiasm towards the interviewer.
• establishing personal space: Gives your interviewer comfort and a boundry between you, being too close will make him/her uncomfortable.
• address your interviewers: Maintains your interest and is good manners.

Bad:

• Monotone: This can bore your interviewers, an enthusiastic voice can make you come accross as overly excited and emotional.
• Leg movement: This can distract your interviewers immensely.
• Shifty eyes: This can display untrustworthy and secretive message.
• Stare: This creep out your interviewers and make them uncomfortable.
• Facing the door: This can make your interviewers think you could charge for it at any moment.

http://www.careerbuilder.com/Article/CB-746-Getting-Hired-The-Interview-Body-Language-Dos-and-Donts/

http://www.forbes.com/sites/meghancasserly/2012/09/26/10-body-language-tics-that-could-cost-you-the-interview-and-the-job/

Possible Career Paths

Fiction Writer.

A fiction writer's  job is to craft the games' overall narrative. This entails writing the dialogue, directing the voice actors in their readings and to script the cut-scenes and intros. They must be able to differentiate between game writing and novel writing. The requirements of game write must be that of a person who is an avid gamer with a great understanding of video games in general, and must have experience with creative writing, screenplays and dialogue. Must also work along side the develpment team.

http://www.gamasutra.com/php-bin/news_index.php?story=17902#.UKY3yYfG98E

http://jobs.gamasutra.com/jobs/75666-20717/Game-Writer-TimeGate-Studios-Sugar-Land-TX-USA

http://www.mymajors.com/careers-and-jobs/Video-Game-Script-Writer

Level Designer

The job of a level designer requires creating the environment of the level, adding objects and entities. A designer has to deal with balancing, pacing and scenario creating while working alongside the development team every step of the way. Requirements must include; experience with game engines, an understanding in architecture and lighting, an ability to use basic programming and an ability to work in a team with good communication skills.

http://jobs.gamasutra.com/jobs/17672-20286/Lead-Level-Designer-Capcom-Game-Studio-Vancouver-Inc-Burnaby-BC-CAN

http://jobs.gamasutra.com/jobs/362-31387/Level-Designer-Irrational-Games-Irrational-Games-Quincy-MA-USA

http://www.videogameinsiderjobs.com/video-game-designer-job-description/

SWOT analysis

Strengths

• ·       I am a hard worker when I put my mind to it.
• ·       I am passionate about my work.
• ·       I am very specific about what I want from my work.
• ·       Despite my disability, I have a good imagination and mind.
• ·       I find it easier to work in a group.
• ·       I am very literate.
• ·       I have an eye for detail.

Weaknesses

• I procrastinate because I find it hard to get started.
• ·       I can get distracted easily.
• ·       I over develop details which can slow my progress on work.
• ·       I struggle being heard due to my quiet disposition.
• ·       I lack confidence in conversing with my peers.
• ·       I find it a bit harder to work on my own.
• I find it difficult to discern meaning from questions. I’m very logical

Opportunities

• ·       To develop new skill sets in 3DsMax, Photoshop and other software for developing games.
• ·       To further develop my creative writing skills.
• ·       To help create games accessible for people with physical disabilities.
• Drama club
• Aquarium summer mix

Threats

• ·       My disability does present some hindrances in my physical abilities such as typing speed, reach and finger dexterity. If I don’t exercise my hands they could get worse.
• ·       Changes in game culture such as lack of creativity and imagination in development.
• ·       Procrastination may prevent me from meeting deadlines.
• I have had no experience in Sociology. This is a factor that level designers need.
• Databases
• Directorial directions