Responsibilities:

 * Execute design tasks for an Xbox 360 action game as scheduled by the company Director
 * Create, document, and communicate design elements and systems such as AI routines, mechanics, combat, controls, inventory and user interface
 * Collaborate with the design team to refine gameplay mechanics and ensure that associated controller input is intuitive, responsive and user friendly
 * Organize and maintain documentation in accordance with company standards regarding formatting, conciseness and internal development terminology
 * Continually push the creative envelope and strive to make the best game possible within the projects constraints
 * Must effectively receive and give constructive criticism
 * Must be self-motivated, proactive and continually strive to improve
 * Guard game vision and bring to the attention of management risks, problems or issues associated with the established game design
 * Other game design related tasks as deemed necessary by management (Press, interviews, attending international trade shows etc)

Minimum Requirements:

 * 2 years game mod experience or equivalent study demonstrating exceptional knowledge, ability and talent
 * Strong portfolio
 * The ideal candidate is well versed in mechanics design, systems design a...

Click here for the rest of this news item!

It's always interesting to see what software game developers use to complete particular tasks, and this press release from Autodesk is quite ingenious as it showcases a whole variety of Autodesk products and how they were used in some of the big name games that have been released this year. Worth a read!

(press release)
Sydney, Dec. 17, 2008 - Autodesk, Inc. (NASDAQ: ADSK) has announced that most of the top games hitting the shelves this holiday season have been created with Autodesk products. Autodesk technology helps game developers execute their creative vision from start to finish. This season, it has been used by numerous developers to create games that offer believable characters, wondrous environments and enthralling game play, such as: Fallout 3, Far Cry 2, Gears of War 2, James Bond: Quantum of Solace and Mortal Kombat® vs. DC Universe.

Fallout 3
Bethesda Game Studios used Autodesk 3ds Max software to create the post nuclear role-playing game Fallout 3 for the Xbox 360 and PLAYSTATION 3 game consoles and PC. The game takes place in Washington DC, 200 years after a global atomic war that has left the United States all but destroyed. "Fallout 3 offers an expansive world, unique combat, realistic visuals and a great cast of dynamic characters," said Istvan Pely, lead arti...

Click here for the rest of this news item!

Are you working in the games development industry and need a break?  Share your experiences working in crunch without the pressures of working
in it!

Senior Programming Teacher

The Academy of Interactive Entertainment (AIE), the leading training school in game development and 3D animation, is looking for a focused individual to deliver the second year of our Advanced Diploma of Professional Game Development (Software Development) at our Melbourne campus.

The Advanced Diploma is a strongly practical and intensive course that focuses on the core programming skills and technology needed for games. The successful applicant will develop, co-ordinate and deliver course content to students while working within a small, supportive and highly skilled team

Duties and Responsibilities
• Developing and delivering the course content of the second year of our Advanced Diploma 
• Supervising and supporting the course content of the first year of our Advanced Diploma
• Developing new courses and teaching materials
• Monitoring and documenting student progress and assessment
• Maintaining industry relationships 
• Collaborating with other teaching staff, particularly as it relates to student group project development

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
• Detailed, practical...

Click here for the rest of this news item!

Announcing: studio gameOn! a six week studio as exhibition as part of the State Library of QLD

GAME ON exhibition

January 5th - February 13th

Studio GameOn is an opportunity as part of the GAME ON exhibition at the State Library of Queensland.  The exhibition is open to the public from November 17th through to February 15th. The studio will run from January 5th to February 13th. The Studio GameOn challenge? To put together a team of game developers and make a playable game in six weeks!

And all in full view of the public! Live stream will be active from day one (Jan 5th) when the team actually have to set up their own machines....

FOLLOW the process:

http://studio-gameon.com/

WATCH the process:

http://au.youtube.com/user/studiogameon

HELP the process:

http://making-games.net/forum/

Some aspects of the project are empty as yet - we haven't uploaded the footage of the INDUSTRY BOARD going through the applications, nor the interviews with our own JOHN PASSFIELD, 3 BLOKES and ADRIAN COOK of Wildfire studios - all coming soon!

WATCH THESE SPACES:

The studio only has six weeks to produce a playable game - they might need help! You can m...

Click here for the rest of this news item!

Pandemic Studios Brisbane is in the news recently because of Matt. Who the hell is Matt? Well, a question might just help with the answer. The "Where the hell is Matt" videos have been quite a phenomenon on youtube, drawing over 30 million views and grabbing the attention of a few corporate sponsors, the latest of which coming from Visa.

More interestingly, the goofy dance that Matt Harding does many times in his travel videos originated at the very offices at Pandemic Studios in Brisbane...After high school, Harding, following his dad’s advice, decided to skip university and become a video game developer. His career took him to Brisbane’s Pandemic Studios in 2000 for 2 1 /2 years. It was there he devised his now famous jig.Find out more at thewest.com.au!
Click here for the related link!

Academy of Interactive Entertainment (AIE) has earned much recognition as Australia's leading educator for the game development, 3D animation and visual FX industries with campuses in Sydney, Melbourne and Canberra. AIE Sydney is a brand new campus (www.aie.edu.au/sydney) set up by a fun, supportive and experienced team. We are seeking a 3D animation teacher to deliver our Advanced Diploma courses commencing in 2009.

Duties and Responsibilities

    * Delivering the course content using a combination of lecture style sessions and practical tutorials
    * Planning, creation and development of new course materials, including creation of lesson plans and tutorials
    * Advising and assisting students on both creative and technical issues
    * Monitoring student progress including attendance, coursework, informal and formal assessment
    * Evaluating student course work in both practical and theory exercises


Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

    * Detailed, practical, up-to-date knowledge of Maya 2009
    * A passion for 3D animation and being creative
    * Industry experience in game development, 3D animation or visual FX is highly valued
    * Knowledge of middleware game development platforms (eg: UT3 or Gamebryo) or would be an advantage.
    * Knowledge of ...

Click here for the rest of this news item!

I've always thought the next step for the gaming podcast geniuses at AustralianGamer started doing some visual media - being able to see the games while they're talking about it makes perfect sense. It's a perfect match, and we're seeing most large gaming sites delve into their own t.v shows and making them available for viewing online. Well, the AustralianGamer guys, along with Zero Punciation's Yahtzee, are doing one better by developing and producing their own pilot with the aim of it getting picked up on television. Game Damage is the new show, and you can stream it at the Game Damage website. Game Damage represents a new face of gaming media; fronted by three proven individuals with a genuine love and enthusiasm for games, it combines light and squashy gaming humour with a delicious crunchy centre of reviews, previews and 'discussions' on the many facets of the subculture (read: shouting arguments).

Be sure to pass on your comments and support to the guys at the Game Damage website at the following link!
Click here for the related link!

The long running (t)sumea awards took a small hiatus last year which we're happy to simply award the entire year to Infinite Interactive for Puzzle Quest anyway, but we're back at it again this year! For the next two weeks, we're opening the nominations for the 2008 tsumea awards and I've posted the categories below, filled partially with the finalists from the 2008 GDAA Awards.

When I have some time free, I'll be filling all the cateogries with titles released in 2008, but in the meantime, you're all more than welcome to post any titles / developers that are missing or should be nominated. In two weeks, we'll open the awards for voting which everyone is welcomed to take part in.

1. Best Handheld game

Zoo Hospital, Torus Games
MX vs ATV untamed, Tantalus

2. Best Mobile game

Dung, Firemint
Pink Slip 3, Firemint

3. Best Console game

De Blob, Blue Tongue
Monster Jam, Torus Games

4. Best PC game

Monster Jam, Torus Games
Space Chimps, Red Tribe

5. Best Art

De Blob, Blue Tongue
Monster Jam, Torus Games

6. Best Audio

De Blob, Blue Tongue
Zoo Hospital, Torus Games

7. 2008 Game of the Year

De Blob, Blue Tongue
MX vs ATV untamed, Tantalus

8. Most Anticipated Game

9. Independent Developer of the Year (less than ...

Click here for the rest of this news item!