GameConnection GameConnection Paris 2011Paris 2011

Insiders Guide to Video Game OutsourcingInsiders Guide to Video Game Outsourcing

Introduction:Introduction:Kaj SwiftKaj Swift

• SEGA Sports

Lead Animator

Cinematic Director• SEGA Studios

Lead Animator

Cinematic Director• Backbone Entertainment

Outsourcing Manager

My Role as the My Role as the Outsource Outsource ManagerManager

• Maintain external vendor database• Establish art test and assess vendor strengths

and weakness• Draft and negotiate contracts• Set up art pipeline and asset tracking systems• Provide technical and artistic feedback to ensure

assets meet studio quality standards• Manage risk and project timelines

Company Company BackgroundBackground

Key Clients and ProjectsKey Clients and Projects

Foundation 9 EntertainmentEntertainment

• Foundation 9 is the largest independent developer in the US

Foundation 9 EntertainmentEntertainment

• Foundation 9 is a collection of five separate studios that share technology and resources.

Backbone Entertainment

• Founded in 1992 as "Digital Eclipse", Backbone Entertainment has shipped more than 100 titles

Backbone Entertainment

• Backbone Entertainment specializes in developing original and licensed IP for all gaming platforms - licensed sources include comic books, film, television and consumer products.

Video Game Video Game Outsourcing TrendsOutsourcing Trends

Staying ahead of the curveStaying ahead of the curve

Current Outsourcing Current Outsourcing TrendsTrends

• What Powerful Next Gen Consoles mean to development cycles

• China - The 800 Pound Gorilla

• How XBLA and PSN are changing the game

• Future of Mobile and Social Gaming

• Emerging Gaming Verticals

Best sites for staying on Best sites for staying on top of the top of the business sidebusiness side

of Video Gamesof Video Games

www.gamasutra.com

www.gamesindustry.biz

www.next-gen.biz

Popular Consumer Video Popular Consumer Video Game Sites Game Sites

www.g4tv.com

www.ign.com

http://kotaku.com

www.joystiq.comwww.gametrailers.com

Who are the Industry Who are the Industry Players and How to Players and How to Connect withConnect with ThemThem

Breakdown of the Video Game IndustryBreakdown of the Video Game Industry

Getting Your Name Getting Your Name Out ThereOut There

• Gamasutra Contractor Listings

• Using Linkedin Groups

• Newsletters and Articles

Making A Big Making A Big Impression at EventsImpression at Events

• GameConnection• Game Developers

Conference • E3• Siggraph• Gamescom• CGC China• China Joy• www.gdmag.com for

listings of events

DirectoriesDirectories

• Game Conference directories• www.g4tv.com/games/developers-a/• www.gamedevmap.com

Moving Things to the Moving Things to the Next LevelNext Level

• Keys to building a strong relationship

• When to follow up and what to say

• How to be competitive and set yourself apart from the crowd

What to look for in an What to look for in an Outsourcing PartnerOutsourcing Partner

Standing Out from the CrowdStanding Out from the Crowd

How Vendors can put How Vendors can put their Best Foot Forwardtheir Best Foot Forward

• What makes a high quality portfolio and demo reel

• Defining the Specialty of the Studio

• Size of teams• Ensuring Network

and IP Security

• Be software compliant

• Making sure you have clear written and spoken communication & project management skills

• How to get a glowing reputation

What to look for in a What to look for in a Video Game Company Video Game Company

and/or Projectand/or Project

• Track Record

• Point Person

• High Profile Projects

• Flexibility

• Prompt Payment

Price PointsPrice Points

• Very High $200+ MD (Western Developers)

• High $175 - $200 MD (Next Gen)

• Mid $140 - $175 MD (Down loadable Content)

• Low $110 - $140 MD (Portable and Flash)

Video Game AssetsVideo Game Assets

Specialties and StandardsSpecialties and Standards

Populating Worlds Populating Worlds

• Building clean (Quad) geometry. No n-gons• Build within Poly Budgets (Frugal, Good

Silhouettes)• Textures – Color, Specular, Diffuse, Normal• Clean efficient lay out of UV’s

CharactersCharactersConcept

Pre-high res modeling in Maya

High-res Sculpture Model

Low-res in-game mesh and UV’s

Texturing

Understanding Anatomy

Topology of a Next Gen Model

In-Game AnimationsIn-Game Animations

• Blocking, First Pass, Polish Pass

• Timing• Weight• Silhouette• Understanding the

12 Principles of Animation

Cinematics & Cinematics & CompositionComposition

• Story – Antagonist & Protagonist = Conflict• Understanding color theory• Dynamic Lighting (Key light, Fill light, Rim Light,

Background light)• The Rule of thirds• Middle ground ,Foreground and Background• Using Camera angles for more dramatic shots• Pacing and editing tips• It is important to work in Layers

Learn from the Best in Learn from the Best in CinematicsCinematics

• Blur Studios - http://vz3.blur.com/• Blizzard - http://us.blizzard.com• Bioware - www.bioware.com

Concept Art StagesConcept Art Stages• Thumbnails • Line Art• Value / Lighting

Pass• Color Pass• Polish Pass• Understanding

Technical Specs

Other DisciplinesOther Disciplines

• Building Levels

• UI (User Interface)

• Character Rigging

• Audio

• Engineering

• Q & A

Tools of the TradeTools of the Trade

• Autodesk Maya• Autodesk 3D Max• Adobe Photoshop• Pixologic Zbrush

A Solid Art Pipeline is the A Solid Art Pipeline is the Key to a Successful Key to a Successful

ProjectProject• Defining File Naming Conventions• Directory Structures and Mirrors• Asset Tracking Software (TestTrack Pro,

Jira, Bugzilla, Hansoft)• Version control (Perforce, Sourcesafe,

Alienbrain)• Checklists (Exporting – Delete History,

Freeze Transforms and Reset Transforms)• Signing Off (Track Assets in Excel)

Bids, Contracts and Bids, Contracts and ProjectsProjects

Navigating the fine printNavigating the fine print

The Bidding ProcessThe Bidding Process

• Art tests• Breaking down asset

lists and knowing what questions to ask

• Presenting Professional Quotes

• Follow Up

Understanding The Understanding The Fine Print of ContractsFine Print of Contracts

• Non Discloser Agreement (NDA)

• Request for Proposal (RFP)

• Work for Hire Contract (WFH)

• Change Order Contract (COC)

Moving forward with Moving forward with the Project the Project

• Define the point person• Expectations of Deliverables• Clear e-mail communication• Video conference calls (Weekly or bi-

monthly)• Pay attention to details• Setting up database to track asset status • Finish strong

Conclusion Conclusion Get ready to take your Get ready to take your game to the next levelgame to the next level

SummarySummary • First I talked about my background and let you know

exactly what an Outsourcing Manger does.

• Second I went over the major trends in video games and let you know how you can stay on top of them.

• Third I talked about who the players are in the game and outsourcing industry and how to get to them.

• Forth I gave you some specific tips in what to look for in ideal partners.

• Fifth I discussed the different art assets and pipelines involved with outsourcing

• Finally I discussed Bids, Contracts and moving Bids, Contracts and moving forward with Projectsforward with Projects

Next:Next:Workshop SectionWorkshop Section

• Next Gen Training• Vendor Case Study• Portfolio and Demo Reel

Review• Questions and Answers

Session

Kaj SwiftKaj SwiftOutsourcing ManagerOutsourcing ManagerBackbone EntertainmentBackbone Entertainment

kswift@backb.comkswift@backb.com

+1(510) 379-2444+1(510) 379-2444