That on paper may make you say ‘So
what?’, but I have a genuine understanding of digital technology, not just enough knowledge to mention buzz words hoping I’ll get away with it. While I’m not professing to be a
developer by any means, I have taken it upon myself to learn basic HTML so when I look at a web page, I understand how it’s constructed. Anyway, enough about that… my absolute ideal role is working in a social gaming company, I’d love to work with you and be a part of taking Mind Candy to the next level. I’m passionate… You get the gist here. Passion,
energy, vision, entrepreneurialism, fun – these are just some of the attributes we look for and when we can feel it in an application, we get a sense of how they might perform in an interview. Might.
So what was the worst? Our question: You’ve spent a week preparing for the interview, what’s your vision for the role? Their answer: Which job did I apply for again?
What are your tips for ‘winning’ an interview? Winning an interview means different things to different recruiters. For me, and Mind Candy, winning an
interview is much about a candidate being entirely themself. Comfortable in their own skin, able to articulate their vision for the role and how they sit within the company. At the stage where they meet me, it’s all about cultural fit. Could I spend three hours on a flight with this person? Do they seem like the type of individual that will feel at home in our studio, crank out amazing results and compliment our culture? I’m incredibly passionate about this part of the process as it’s a
huge responsibility to be part of retaining our cultural identity. We see dozens of CVs with skills we could definitely take advantage of but if this means diluting who we are and what we stand for, we won’t even consider it. Two top tips – don’t wear a suit and if you’re presenting, don’t use clip art!
Why should developers still be interested in working for a big studio when the ability to ‘go indie’ and self-publish has never been easier? Anyone asking that should come over to us for a visit – I’ll let you make
I’m incredibly passionate
about this part of the process as it’s a huge responsibility to be part of retaining our cultural identity.
your own mind up once here. During the last two months, three hires have come from clients who were visiting and the meetings were entirely non- recruitment related. Speaks volumes.
What area of the industry needs more investment? The Government needs to invest more in the UK games industry, provide better tax relief for businesses in the sector, and create the amazing ‘clusters’ that exist elsewhere in the world. In these areas the games industry then feeds back into and supports education, which then feeds into their recruitment.
NEW STUDIO ALERT!
Originally conceived as a ‘volunteer project’, Secret Crush has been founded by former Kuju creative director and Edge writer Ste Curran. He left his role at Brighton-based Zoe Mode to focus entirely on Secret Crush, which is currently looking for coders and artists. Said Curran on his blog: “This project isn’t a charity and I’d love for it
to make money some day. I am not counting on it. “But in order for it to get anywhere at all it needs some immediate
love, leadership and dedicated attention so that’s one of the things I’m going to be focused on for the rest of this year.”
More info
atwww.supersecretcrush.com WWW.DEVELOP-ONLINE.NET
MOVERS AND SHAKERS
Promotions and a new face at Develop, plus extra hands added to Fishlabs, Obsidian and Mind Candy
DEVELOP WILL FREEMAN has been promoted to editor.
He will drive the publication’s editorial direction and have day-to-
day responsibility for the print magazine, reporting to editor-in- chief Michael French Freeman (pictured above) joined
Develop in December 2008 as staff writer and became deputy editor in March 2010. The respected journalist also
writes about games every week for UK broadsheet The Observer. He previously worked for games
retail monthly In Stock, has also written for Pro-G and once worked in games PR. “Will has become a key part of the
Develop team since he joined us, and is respected by the development community - his promotion is well- deserved,” said MICHAEL FRENCH, editor-in-chief of Develop and its sister brand MCV. “As editor he will further
strengthen the Develop brand, which is already the leading outlet, in both its print and online guises, solely focused across on the games development community.” Meanwhile,
Develop has also hired CRAIG CHAPPLE, 24, as new staff writer. He joins Develop just months after being awarded a 1st Hons for Journalism. Will can be reached via
Will.Freeman@
intentmedia.co.uk Craig can be reached via
Craig.Chapple@
intentmedia.co.uk
multiplayer/online functionality. Jobse, who has worked at Virtual
Fairground and Gamundo, will take on the role of senior game system designer. She will support the studio in the creation of new sci-fi MMOs and the design of new in-game trading systems. Fishlabs CEO MICHAEL SCHADE
said: “Thanks to the numerous new additions to our team, we are now well prepared to expand our successful Galaxy on Fire series and win over a whole new target group.”
OBSIDIAN Troika co-founder TIM CAIN has been appointed as senior programmer at US studio Obsidian.
The move comes after Cain left his
role as programming and design director at Carbine Studios in July after five years at the developer. Cain previously worked at Interplay
from 1991 to 1998 and developed the original Falloutgame, before leaving his role as lead programmer/producer in 1998 to found Troika Games. Obsidian has worked on games
such as Fallout: New Vegas, Dungeon Siege III, Alpha Protocol and Neverwinter Nights 2. The studio is currently working on The Wheel of Time based on the Robert Jordan fantasy novel.
MIND CANDY The Moshi Monsters firm has hired BRAD SCHULTZ as head of Moshi TV at the studio’s new LA office.
Schultz will be responsible for
overseeing and growing the company’s new online TV division. The new platform will feature animated Moshi shorts and user- generated content. Schultz said: “I’m thrilled to be on
FISHLABSThe Hamburg-based mobile studio has hired experienced game designers MARK INTELMANN and EVA JOBSE. Intelmann, who previously worked
at Bigpoint, will take the position of online game designer, focusing on free-to-play monetisation and
board with such an exciting project. YouTube revolutionised the online video space, now it’s time to bring that innovation to the kids’ space. Our vision is to change the face of children’s content production.” CEO MICHAEL ACTON SMITH, CEO added: “We’re delighted to have Brad heading up this immensely exciting area of the business.
NOVEMBER 2011 | 49
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