STAFF PROFILE: ANDY, GAMES PROGRAMMER (cont.)
What do you do day to day?
As a Software Engineer on a game team, I work on the technical software systems that make the game do what it does (as opposed to working on gameplay, the other software discipline, which involves taking what the game does and making things fun for the player). For example, I am currently working on a camera system - that is, showing the player the best possible view of what they are doing; an audio system - enabling the musicians and sound engineers to create the most immersive aural experience possible; and the localisation - which involves working with both our script writers and translators in Dublin, Japan and Korea so that our game can be released worldwide at the same time. Essentially, what this all boils down to, is writing code - lots of it - and communicating with other people (programmers and non-programmers) with the intent of allowing them to do their jobs effectively.
What is it like to work at Rare?
The people:
The game team of which I am a part is comprised of sociable and friendly people who work hard to make the game the best it can be. I also communicate daily with the musicians, people in R&D, translators and occasionally people from other game teams. Everyone at Rare and at Microsoft has a professional attitude and is committed to creating fun games.
The environment:
The barns in which we spend our working days are peaceful, well-lit, almost serene places, which really allows you to concentrate on the task at hand. When staring at a computer monitor has become too much, it is relaxing and refreshing to be able to gaze out of the window across the countryside, and spend a few moments quietly watching a buzzard hovering above the fields on the hunt for prey - before returning to work once more. |
