WHAT I DO:
I have many years of hands-on responsibility in the following areas of game development...
 
• GAME DESIGN
I'm experienced in creating projects from scratch and fleshing out high concepts with detailed design specs.
 
• STORYTELLING
Nowadays most games rely on narrative, in one form or another, to separate themselves from the competition.  I've written many screenplays, for movies and games alike, and know how to bring the power of story to bear on game play, how to integrate the two, and how to deliver a gripping experience to players.
 
• CINEMATIC PLANNING
Games are still evolving, but the language of film was perfected 75 years ago, and without a working knowledge of its complex grammar, cinematic sequences -- cutscenes -- cannot be effective.  I'm well-versed in creating cinematic moments that propel both story and gameplay.
 
• GAME MECHANICS
Core features drive game play.  I have successfully created the basic elements for a number of titles.
 
• LEVEL OUTLINES & WALKTHROUGHS
I know how to define and lay out levels, with their pipelines, hubs, patterns of exploration and sequences of enemy encounters, and I can translate my work into solid documentation for level designers.
 
• COMBAT SYSTEMS
I've spent a lot of time designing & refining combat, including weapon types, powerups, and the subtleties of game tuning & tweaking.
 
• BOSS DESIGN
There's nothing I like better than inventing boss monsters and integrating them into overall game plans.
 
• CONTROLS & CAMERA SYSTEMS
Good controls & good camera coverage are vital to the success of modern games. 
I know how to make them work.
 
• PRODUCTION PLANNING
Production pitfalls can easily trap the unwary; I have the experience to help avoid them.
 
• SCRIPTING
I'm an accomplished game scripter, proficient in a variety of languages.
 
PROFESSIONAL ORGANIZATIONS:
 
     > Game Developers Conference Advisory Board, 1996-2006
     > Game Developer Magazine Editorial Advisory Board, 1997-2011
     > Game Writers Conference Advisory Board, 2005
     > IGDA Awards Advisory Board, 2000-2011
     > E3 Faculty, 2001, 2002, 2004
     > Game Designers Workshop
     > Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences
     > Writers Guild of America, west
     > Directors Guild of America
 
CRAFT SKILLS:
 
     > All desktop apps
     > Photoshop
     > Web design & production
     > Flash
     > Programming in C-style languages
     > Teaching & lecturing -- GDC; E3; IGDA SF; USC; SF State Extension;
        Hannover Development Workshop 2004; Game Writers Conference 2005;
        Stagconf Vienna 2011
privacy
Site © 2011 Hal Barwood / Finite Arts
privacy