• 31Aug

  EA attend Indian ‘Game On’ events in Delhi & Mumbai

  Career paths, Developer Insight, EA Across the Globe, EA Offices across the World, Events, University Relations 756 Comments

    The entrance to ‘Game On’ Delhi   

  Very cool insight into gaming in India and an illustration of one way that EA are trying to message out about building successful careers in videogames.   

  Last week, EA attended ‘Game On’ events held in Delhi and Mumbai.  These events, organised by the MAAC, were aimed at raising the general awareness about careers in gaming in India.    

      En route to the event, fighting through the traffic   

  MAAC were the event organisers.  Here’s a little more information on them….The Maya Academy of Advanced Cinematics (MAAC) is one of India’s leading educators in 3D Animation and Visual Effects. Founded in 2001 to cater to the specific needs of high-end 3D Animation and Visual Effects companies, MAAC is a division of Aptech Ltd. which is a key driver of education, training and content in various domains like, IT, Hospitality, Language with more than 3 lakh students in 35 countries.  Today MAAC has a network of more than 70 academic centers spread across India and abroad, and a 30,000 alumni members who have been major contributors to the rapid growth of this exciting industry in India.   

  

   Inside MAAC Delhi:  Students get vital development practice & schooling

  With the rapid growth of the games industry globally and tremendous growth in India, MAAC is totally focused on driving initiatives to bring awareness about the scope of gaming as a great career option. To help drive awareness MAAC organised a specialized COUNTRY TOUR on GAMING in India and asked EA to join it in two key cities with Delhi on 20th Aug & Mumbai on 21st Aug. The GAMING TOUR focused on case studies and insight into the global gaming industry, how the education system in India is going to serve the gaming industry and a live gaming contest. The gaming event was introduced to more than 5000 students and professionals.   Matthew Jeffery, Global Director of Talent Brand, represented EA.

    

    ’Game On’  Careers in Gaming event in Delhi entrance    

  

   EA’s Global Director of Talent Brand represented EA in Delhi

  Jeffery messaged that EA is excited about gaming in India for several reasons and drew attention to the success of Indian films.  ‘India has a rich culture and heritage.  As we have seen from the worldwide success of Bollywood films, it is obvious that there is a Global appeal to Indian cultural films.  Now the question is, which Indian games development studio will be the first to create a globally successful ‘AAA’ game?  If it is possible in film, why not games?  Just think that there are people sitting in this room who could have that potential to create such games.  They could be the next Will Wright, Miyamoto or Kojima.  EA aims to help and uncover that talent and nurture them.  Very exciting times for gaming in India’.   

      Over 800 students and interested industry professionals crowded into the Auditorium   

  What makes India so exciting for growth?  Jeffery continued to enthuse the audience: ‘We see India as a good long term growth opportunity for the industry.  There is demand for consumer electronics/entertainment products like PC’s, LCD TV’s, Digital Camera’s, Mobile Phones and Game Consoles, and rapid adoption of internet with over 40 million current users. Those elements, plus new game offerings and delivery platforms will help the industry grow in this market.  We see opportunity for long term growth.  There is a strong talented pool of artists, programmers and game designers across India that can help contribute to the global interactive entertainment industry. We see potential here for talented individuals to build, grow and solidify a world class, unique gaming proposition. We also have to break through the myths of careers in gaming.  Gaming is the fastest growing media segment, and offers jobs in a stable industry, well paid, with companies like EA that offer well defined career paths, including promotion prospects.  And are fun !   The Indian games industry has so much potential.  Individuals need to believe in what is possible and achievable and make a difference.  Those bed room programmers, artists and game designers have to take risks, pursue a dream and start making those games that will place India on the gaming map’.

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  Tags: CDS, Delhi, Finance, Hyderabad, India, MAAC, Matthew Jeffery, Mobile, Mumbai

• 16Jul

  Skillset: Driving the UK Skills Agenda….Animation Day

  Career paths, University Relations 580 Comments

  

  EA is very proud to be a member of Skillset in the UK.  

  What is Skillset?  Well, Skillset is the Sector Skills Council (SSC) for Creative Media which comprises TV, film, radio, interactive media, animation, computer games, facilities, photo imaging, publishing, advertising and fashion and textiles. Their aim is to support improvements to the productivity of our industry to ensure that it remains globally competitive. They do this by influencing and leading; developing skills, training and education policy; and through opening up the industries to the UK’s pool of diverse talent.  Skillset conducts consultation work with industry, publishes research and strategic documents, run funding schemes and project work, and provide information about the challenges that face the industry and what we need to do to overcome them.  Lastly they also provide impartial media careers resources for aspiring new entrants and established industry professionals online and over the phone. Whether a freelancer looking for training information, a student furthering knowledge of industries or a public agency partner, Skillset aim to provide all with easy access to the information required.  To learn more, click here. 

  Leading the way for the videogame sector in the UK is Executive Chair, Industry Statesman Ian Livingstone who presides over a prestigious council with representatives from EA, Sony, Microsoft, ELSPA and TIGA amongst others. 

  Many students in the UK are confused by the explosive growth in degrees, particularly those focusing on videogames.  What should they study?  Where should they study?  Are some Degrees ‘worth more’ than others?  What are the Degrees to avoid!Through a very thorough review process, Skillset accredits the best Gaming Degrees in the UK, (with Industry support).  This is a key guide for students as games degrees have received a bad rap and some have been hastily put together. The goal….to help students best decide.

  Skillset have again been at the forefront of the skills agenda.  At a recent event they brought together some of the most talented animation graduates from the UK’s most industry-savvy courses together under one roof in Soho for industry to meet.  Even better is that they filtered the best of the current crop too- into the best new breed of 3D, 2D, and stop frame animators!  As well as a great conference, Skillset arranged for an informal exhibition space allowing the best graduating students from Skillset Accredited degree and postgraduate courses to showcase their innovative and inspiring work. A new addition for the 2010 showcase was a screening room to view selected student work.

   

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  Tags: Accreditation, Animation, Animation Day, Animators, Games Degrees, graduates, Ian Livingstone, Matthew Jeffery, Skillset

• 16Jul

  Animation 10: Inspiring the future Animators of the UK

  Competitions, University Relations 333 Comments

  

  

  Hey all.  Exciting news in from Animation 10.  The judging over, the awards have been given and it is a privilege to give readers an insight into one of the most prestigious Animation competitions across the world.

  Credit to Manchester University for driving this great initiative in the UK.  Underpinning this competition is the desire to ensure that school children gain confidence with using computers and essentially learn how to have fun with technology.  Of course, the end product is the creation of compelling animated shorts.  Due to these great aims, EA is proud to be a title Sponsor, (thanks to EA’s Kate Booth of the Outreach team for driving EA participation). 

  So what is Animation 10 all about?   UK schoolchildren aged 7-19 are invited to create an animated film using their computer, and submit it to the competition.  Entries can be from individuals, or groups (of up to 4 members) and should be about a minute long.  Animation 10 only accepts animations created using one of the following approved packages: Alice, Scratch, Greenfoot, Flash(includes pre-Adobe Macromedia Flash), or Serif.

  

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  Tags: Animation 10, Kate Booth, Manchester University, Matthew Jeffery, Toby Howard, University Relations

• 03Jul

  EA Career Paths….Producer

  Career paths, Opportunities 149 Comments

  

  Fancy being a Producer on Spore?

  Next up in our Career Paths series is…..a Producer.

  An EA Producer is responsible for ensuring the successful delivery of a game to a high creative standard. Producers oversee the whole lifecycle of the game from concept to launch. Their role is to ensure that Game Designers clearly define the game concept (i.e., its ‘X’ or the unique idea that makes it stand out from other games), and the market positioning of the game (including defining the target audience). The Producer must then ensure the game stays on target throughout the whole development process. Producers provide the link and liaise between the development studio and the marketing and sales departments. They work with marketing to ensure the maximisation of the game’s marketing and advertising strategy and budget. Producers also co-ordinate the release of screenshots and demo discs with the game’s marketing manager, coordinate the outsourcing of audio, cutscenes, and language localization, and oversee focus tests on early versions of the game.

  So take a look at this video from Matthew Jeffery, Head of Global talent Brand, giving an insight into the role of a Producer, what skills and experience EA look for…and a great definition of what a great Producer looks like.

  Again, if this interests you….and you want to explore a career as a Producer….EA is hiring across the globe today…take a look at www.jobs.ea.com

  EArl

  © 2009 Electronic Arts Inc. All rights reserved. All trademarks are the property of their respective owners

  

  

  Tags: Career Path, Matthew Jeffery, Producer, Spore

• 02Jul

  EA Career Paths……Project Management

  Career paths, Opportunities 212 Comments

  

  Think you could project manage the Skate 2 team?

  The Project Manager (PM), also called Development Director (DD) at EA, is a critical role and responsible for ensuring the successful delivery of a game, on time and within budget. Prior to production they carry out a detailed analysis of the game design and work out the project ‘milestones’ (specific targets that have to be met by certain dates), agreeing upon these with the key technical and creative managers, such as the Game Designer, Art Director and Lead Programmer. The PM/DD then works out a schedule for the project and decides the personnel and equipment needed. They control the financial resources and negotiate all contracts with suppliers and contractors. Once development is underway, the PM/DD monitors the team’s progress against the schedule. They must be able to prioritize when production deadlines are a concern, manage risks, and plan for contingencies. Finally, the PM / DD is responsible for all people management on the team and entasked with motivating and developing all staff under their management and develop their career.

  For more information watch this EA Career Paths insight video on Project Management by Matthew Jeffery, Global Head of Talent Brand……if this interests you, take a look now at www.jobs.ea.com and look at the latest Project Management vacancies across the globe today.

  EArl

  © 2009 Electronic Arts Inc. All rights reserved. All trademarks are the property of their respective owners

  

  

  Tags: Career paths, Matthew Jeffery, Project Management, Skate 2

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