Task 5 – Progression Training

Programming Apprentice,

The starting weekly wage for this apprenticeship will be £153.85. The weekly hours are 37.5 Hours  and the apprenticeship contract will last 12 months. The company hiring  is T T Games based in Wilmslow, Cheshire. The responsibilities I would have is to implement games design, Take objects/characters and place them into a game, Learning logic,maths and AI and to take assets that have been created and placing them into a game and make them function.

Requirements,

Demonstrably strong talent and passion for programming game-play.
Fluent in object-orientated C+ with strong debugging and documentation skills.
A positive can-do attitude coupled with the ability to get things done

Qualifications,

Minimum 5 GCSE’s Grade C+ (including Maths)
Computing related college qualification (if appropriate)
A-Levels (Computing, Maths, Business Studies - if appropriate)

Game Artist Apprentice,

The starting weekly wage for this apprenticeship is £99. The weekly working days are Monday - Friday 9am to 4pm and the contract will last 24 months. As this game artist you would build and texture worlds and characters for games using 3D tools. You would also using motion capture techniques to bring your characters to life. Also you would learn digital colour, style consistency, User Interfaces and teamwork.

Requirements,

Technical knowledge in graphics-related software - thorough understanding of a 3D application, such as, Maya, 3D Studio Max or Blender.

Prior experience scripting or modding games and 3D software is also meriting.

Basic IT skills essential

Qualifications,

GCSE Grade A-C

Game Programmer Apprentice,

The starting weekly wage for this apprenticeship is £99. The weekly working hours are Monday - Friday 9am to 4pm and it is a 24 month contract. As this programmer you will learn 2D and 3D game programming using C++ and 3D APIs. You will work with a PC and dedicated hardware consoles such as Playstation Vita and Playstation 4.

Requirements,

Prior knowledge in C, C++, Java, or C#.

Knowledge of object-oriented or graphical programming is meriting.

Basic IT skills essential.

Qualifications,

GCSE Grade A-C (or equivalent)

Game Designer Apprentice,

The starting weekly wage for this apprenticeship is £99. The weekly working hours are Monday - Friday 9am to 4pm and it is a 24 month contract. This course will teach you how to kick start your own ideas. You will learn about project management, Managing and structuring documents and presentation techniques.

Requirements,

Basic IT skills essential. 

Analytical skills and thinking.

Attention to detail.

Qualifications,

GCSE Grade A-C (or equivalent)

Unity Games Developer Apprentice,

The starting weekly wage for this apprenticeship is £132. The weekly working hours are Monday - Friday 8:30am to 5:30pm and it is a 12 - 13 month contract. You will develop 2D and 3D games using Unity Pro. Work in teams to reach high end goals and participate in the final design process.  

Requirements,

Work with the project manager to break down high-level goals into tasks and timelines.

Implement the server communication protocol for fetching game logic over HTTP.

Prototyping and developing games following game design docs while actively participating at final design process.

Qualifications,

GCSE Grade A – C

App Design/Games Creation Apprentice,

The starting weekly wage for this apprenticeship is £125. The weekly working hours are Monday - Friday 9am to 5pm and it is a 12 month contract. As the apprentice you will create and expand new/current software. Creating desired artwork and improving it and working with design software such as Unity 3D, VB.net and Oculus Rift materials.

Requirements,

Computer literate.

Graphic/creation understanding/experience/interest.

Customer service experience/interest.

Qualifications,

Ideally a minimum 4 GCSE’s C and above Including Maths, English and ICT

Digital Marketing Apprentice (Computer Games Industry),

The starting weekly wage for this apprenticeship is £132. The weekly working hours are Monday - Friday 9am to 5pm and it is a 12 month contract. In this apprenticeship you will have many responsibility's such as;

Monitoring social media – Facebook and Twitter

Creating Tweets and promoting services on Facebook and Twitter

Writing and editing blog content for the website

Creating and editing Podcasts

Website project content updates

Acting as on camera host for game demos

Interviews with journalists

Writing press releases

Having an active interest in video games

  

Requirements,

Must be proficient in the use of IT

Keen Attention for detail

Flexible and able to prioritise

Qualifications,

Minimum of 5 GCSEs (A*-C grades) including English and Maths

Apprentice Illustrator/Graphic Designer,

The starting weekly wage for this apprenticeship is £200. The weekly working hours are Monday - Friday 9am to 5pm and it is a 15 month contract. Under guidance and instruction as this apprentice means you are responsible to create concepts and illustrations.  

Requirements,

Ability to work to a plan

Illustration

Good verbal communication

Confidant grasp of English language (spelling and grammar)

Experience with Adobe Illustrator

Qualifications,

Applicants must have no higher than a level 2, or equivalent, in Graphic Design.

Testing and Quality Assurance Apprentice,

The starting weekly wage for this apprenticeship is £187.50. The weekly working hours is 35 hours throughout Monday - Friday and it is a 12-15 month contract. You will be responsible for assisting with the testing and support of our portfolio of mobile and desktop games and apps that Red7Mobile develops for the gambling industry.

Requirements,

Proactive

Responsible

Good initiative

Personable

Ambitious

Qualifications,

A minimum of 5 GSCEs (or equivalent qualifications) at grade C or above including English and Maths.

Apprentice IT Technician,

The starting weekly wage for this apprenticeship is £175. The weekly working hours are Monday - Friday 8am to 5pm and it is a 24 month contract. The role of an Apprentice IT Technician is the main customer facing interface for the company providing telephone based and on-site IT support.

Requirements,

Understands security threats, firewalls and vulnerabilities.

Understands the importance of service level agreements, standards and/or agreed response times and operates within these parameters.

Understands and operates effectively in the business environment and responds to business issues related to network engineering.

Qualifications,

At least five GCSEs (or equivalent) at grade C or above including Maths, English and either IT or Science.

Ideally, you will have either a minimum of two A levels (or equivalent) a Level 3 Apprenticeship qualification or Level 3 BTEC.

Task 4 – Progression – Higher Education

Courses;

Course 1,
Games Development, University of Bolton.

This course is based in Bolton at the University of Bolton and last for the duration of 2 years. In this course we will be doing many things over the two years we will be there. In the first year, It will be based on learning 3D Computer Design Graphics, Digital Sculpting, Sound for Games and a Programming unit. In the year after that I will study Environment Modelling for Games, Advanced Level Design, Intermediate Games Scripting, Portfolio work and Data Structures for Games.

 In the description for this course it says, 'You will need grounding in the key software packages, like Unreal Engine, Unity, Autodesk Maya, Photoshop and ZBrush. It also mentions that you will work in a team based environment. Also in the second year there is also a chance to build your experience by allowing you to get some work placement.

Course 2,
Games Design BSc (Hons), University of Bolton, On this course I would be taught by enthusiastic staff that can relate to me as they too play games. Each week you will develop your abilities in a whole range of techniques. The critique sessions will help you to develop your ideas and your ability to implement them. This will support you in your development of a high quality portfolio of work.          

Entry Requirements,
260 UCAS Points,
You should also have five GCSEs at grade C or above (or equivalent) including English and mathematics.                                                                                                                                                                           
There are three different levels (Years) in this course,

Level 1, Introduction to Level Design; Mechanics and Metrics; Sound for Games; Introduction to Games Programming; Scholarship; Introduction to 3D CG.                                

Level 2, Intermediate Games Scripting; Advanced Level Design; Intermediate 3D for Games; Portfolio Project; Games Narratives; Employability and Enterprise.

Level 3, Advanced 3D for Games; Advanced Games Scripting; Research methods; Games Design Theory; Major Project (double module).

Course 3,

Games Art BA (Hons), University of Bolton, On this course you will do both 3D and 2D game art. The course will be studio-based and the staff there have experience within the games industry itself so they know what they are talk about.

Entry Requirements,
260 UCAS Points,
You should also have five GCSEs at grade C or above (or equivalent) including English and mathematics.

If I do not meet the requirements to get on this course then my portfolio can solely get me on this course if it good enough.

Course 4,
Games Programming, University of Bolton, This course will last for three years and I would learn C++ as it is the most commonly used coding language in games design. I would build both 3D and 2D games and to enable realistic behaviour and movement to be modeled.

Entry Requirements,
260 UCAS Points,
Also I should have five GCSEs at grade C or above including English and Mathematics.

For the first year entry I would need to go and partake in an interview to be accepted into the course.

Course 5,

Games Design, University of Bolton, This course would last two years and they have had eleven years experience in delivering the information if this course. The staff have work in and owned their own studios which means they know exactly what they are on about.

Entry Requirements,
160 UCAS Points,

For the first year I will need to go into an interview to be accepted into the course.

Task 3 – Skills Audience and Personal Statement

Name

Daniel Shepherd

What is/are your dream job(s)?

What do you have to do to start working in that industry?

I would love to do 3D Modelling for a video games company. To achieve this I would have to keep practicing using the software to enhance my skills and become better at 3D modelling and to build up my portfolio to help increase the chances of an employer picking me over my competitors.

What skills do you possess now?

Don’t list your qualifications as they are on you CV. Talk about what you did within those subjects that you’re good at and enjoyed.

A personal skill of mine is that I can learn new things rather quickly, for example one of my best subjects was Music-tech. I learned how to use the software with ease quickly and with limited help. I also enjoyed mathematics as it gives your brain a challenge and is rather easy to pick up quickly. I may not have got an amazing grade in this subject but I did enjoy doing it. Science was also a subject I enjoyed to do well, Physics and Chemistry however I did not enjoy Biology.

Have you carried out any work experience or voluntary work?

Don’t list your qualifications as they are on you CV. Talk about what you did within those subjects that you’re good at and enjoyed.

No I have not had any official work experience.

What soft, transferable skills do you possess now or need to develop and how?
Problem solving	Communication	Numeracy
ICT	Creativity	Honesty
Efficiency	Innovation	Trustworthiness
Teamwork	Entrepreneurship	Reliability
Self-presentation	Punctuality	Humour
Confidence		Empathy
		Numeracy
Try to use examples from your everyday experience and that negatives can sometimes be turned into positives.
I have used a computer for as long as I can remember in my home as well as at college so I am confident with my skills in ICT and everything surrounding that subject. I am pretty good at maths I am quick to figure out a problem and I am persistent on the problem if I am having trouble with it.

What personal interests and hobbies do you have or have had in the past?
Films Listening to music Video Games Socialising	Sports Travel
However uninteresting you may think your interests are, even if you’ve not taken them very far, put them down.
I haven't got to many hobbies but my main one is Video Games. The video games I play are very competitive. Another hobby that I enjoy doing is tennis. It is something I don't do often but I have always loved to play it. I used to play a multitude of instruments varying from the violin, guitar and I played the drums. I stop learning how to play these instruments due to it costing a lot to get the lessons needed to advance.

Task 2 – CV

Curriculum Vitae

NAME	Daniel Shepherd
ADDRESS	12 Duke Street, Walkden, Manchester M20 1AB
TELEPHONE	0161 790 1234 (Home)      07711 805857 (Mobile)
EMAIL	danielshep16@gmail.com
WEBSITE	www.susanking.com
FACEBOOK / TWITTER /BLOG	@danielshepherd Daniel_W_Shepherd danielshepherd.blogspot.com
DATE OF BIRTH	29 January 1999
EDUCATION	2010 – 2015 – Fred Longworth high School 2015 – 2017 - Salford City College – Eccles Sixth Form Centre
QUALIFICATIONS	GCSE Mathematics - (C) GCSE English - (C) GCSE Science - (C) Statistics – (C) BTEC Music-tech - Merit Pending – Level 3 Games Design

WORK EXPERIENCE

SKILLS & PERSONAL QUALITIES

Hard working & reliable Good Attitude Enthusiastic Take pride in my work

INTERESTS

Video Games Tennis Music

REFEREE

Harry Arnold New Media Tutor Eccles Sixth Form Centre Chatsworth Road Eccles Salford M30 9FJ 0161 631 5000 harry.arnold@salfordcc.ac.uk

Task 1 – Portfolio

Portfolio

Link to portfolio; https://danielshepherdsite.wordpress.com/

Unit 78 - Vector Images.

This screenshot is showing all the vector images that was created during the Unit 78 - Digital Graphics for Computer Games. The first three images are the work I did in Illustrator by tracing over a rasterized image made in Photoshop using multiple images. The next four images are the T-shirts I made the present the vector images I made. I did 4 different versions of these shirts one with the typelogo on it, one with the player, one with the boss and a combination of the boss and player.

Unit 78 - Mock Assignment

This is the final piece of art I did for the mock assignment. I used the jewel case template to place the raster image I made from multiple images including a image of myself in a pose I required. To do that I got someone to use a camera to take a picture of me. Once i traced around it I used my company logo to place it in the middle of the case near the bottom to say its made by me.

Introductory Assignment 

This is some of the art I did for the introductory assignment. As this was at the beginning my art work wasn't the best but I think it wasn't bad for a first attempt. The two sprites that look like cops are the same person but would be played as an animation for him shooting and the block is the floor I used in my game

This is the pixel art assets I created for the Mekka Hornet rebuild assignment. I have never been good at creating pixel art but for this I think I did improve. Above you can see the Typelogo, Coin, Power-ups, boss, animations, Players, Blood, Bullets and Turrets.

In Unit 73, we had a task to be part of a group to present a game idea to a teacher and the image above is the slide of our slideshow we made as visual effect while we talked.

Also in Unit 73, I created a bunch of sound assets to place in my game. This sounds vary from the game music, enemies getting hit and victory sound. 

Task 5 - Professional Bodies Supporting the Industry

Professional Bodies that support the games industry  are as followed;

1. UKIE
2. IGDA
3. Women in Games
4. BAFTA
5. MEF

UKIE;

UKIE or also known as UK Interactive Entertainment is the only trade body within the UK's games industry. They are not-for-profit and are very passionate about games and surrounding businesses within the industry.

They help company's by offering support and help their members by protecting there Intellectual Property, by offering cheap prices. They also help to make you understand how to value and promote your IP.

http://ukie.org.uk/sites/default/files/cms/files/UKIE%20logo.jpg

IGDA;

IGDA or also known as International Game Developers Association is a organisation which is a non-profit membership who cater to all individuals who create games. As their name suggest the are an international organisation which aim to help with the development of peoples games with a wide variety of job roles. For example, Programming, Artists etc...

They say that they work with anyone who is wanting to be a game designer to help achieve their desired goal.

http://www.bohle.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/IGDA.jpg

Women in Games;

Women in Games or for short WIGJ is a network for women in video/online gaming. They help to try and influence more women to become part of the gaming community as it is thought to be very male orientated.

Women are portrayed very wrong in video games compared to how women are in actual fact. This leads to groups like this that try and eliminate that view by making a new way to see women in the video game industry.

http://img01.thedrum.com/s3fs-public/styles/creative_review_large/public/creative_review/222362/cr_images/bikini-girl-grand-theft-auto-v.png?itok=lEgi4vMl

BAFTA;

BAFTA or also known as British Academy Games Awards, is an award ceremony where people vote on certain category's voted by the British public. They are honoring outstanding creative achievement from upcoming creators.

https://bafta.thirdlight.com/file/25313237951/width=500/height=208/format=JPG/fit=stretch/crop=0x74+999x416/rev=7/t=392870/e=never/k=49f2b0b9/Games%20Awards%20Logo%201.jpg

MEF;

MEF or also known as Mobile Entertainment Forums aim to help game developers make mobile games. They help by allowing the individual to monetize their product they have made for the mobile device. They are based around the world but the main places are America, Britain and Asia.

http://www.mediabuzz.com.sg/images/stories/asian_e_marketing/2013_01/5mef.jpg

Task 4 - Contracts, Legal and Ethical Obligations

Contractual Obligations are as followed:

1. Employment
2. Development
3. License
4. NDA
5. Collaboration

Employment;

A Employment contract is to make sure the employee is confident in their knowledge of the terms in the company and/or what the company expects of you as well as what you can expect for the company to do for you in return. Within this contract, you can expect to read about the confidentiality while you are employed by the company. This means you cannot talk about upcoming products, problems or information to anybody/organisation as this could allow people to use the information against you to affect your business.

http://viewhr.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/Contracts-of-Employment-Solicitors1.jpg

Development;

The publisher for a game usually hire people, developers, to create their desired games so a development contract will be used as an agreement of the terms that are put forth so everyone knows what's expected in the deal.
The terms will consist of the essential information which the developer, who is being hired needs to know for example; What the publisher will pay for the developers time, How long the developer has to create said game and if they will receive any sort of proportion of the profits made.
Another thing that will be in the agreement will be the ownership as it is important to know whether the publisher owns the IP or if the developers do.
The last thing I know that will be in the agreement will be the warranties. The developing company which has been hired will need to swear to not use anybody's work/code and it is the publishers job to make sure nothing has been stolen as it is illegal.

http://www.kpdirection.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/contract1.jpg

License;

A license is a way to grant permission (by the company) to use the licensed material. A license is also a term for when you purchase a piece of software e.g. Photoshop. If you buy this then you have a license attached to that account so buying this, the company (Adobe) has given you permission to use the full edition of the software.

A license under Intellectual Property laws commonly has several conditions beyond the beginning purchase these conditions are term, territory and renewal provisions, all created by the licensor

Term: Most licenses are only valid for a certain length of time. Doing so means if the price of the license had increased, the licensor can get more money and gets a knowledge of how many people are subscribing to this license.

Territory: A license could be only available in the country you purchase it in. For example, if you purchase this said license in the United Kingdom then you cannot use it in other country's like United States etc...

http://blog.realdealdocs.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/royalty-licensing-agreement.jpg

NDA;

NDA means Non-disclosure Agreement or i is sometimes known as a Confidentiality Agreement (CA). This is an agreement between two parties that outlines confidential material, knowledge or information that the two parties wish to share with another a certain purpose. It is a contract which both parties agree not to say information about the project that the agreement is about.

There are two types of NDA's, Unilateral NDA and Bilateral;

Unilateral: A Unilateral Agreement is a one-way agreement where one party wants to disclose certain information to the other party involved but also require it to remain a secret for their certain reason. They must get the discloser's permission to then forward this information.

Bilateral: A Bilateral/Mutual Agreement is when two parties will exchange information which then is needed to remain a secret. This is highly common in business where collaboration is used.

http://pad3.whstatic.com/images/thumb/1/1a/Write-a-Non-Disclosure-Agreement-(NDA)-Step-1.jpg/aid1556402-728px-Write-a-Non-Disclosure-Agreement-(NDA)-Step-1.jpg

Collaboration;

Collaboration means to work with others to do certain tasks/goals. It normally requires two or more parties to join as one to complete a project which both teams are aiming to finish. In collaboration, it usually needs a leader to do most of the decision making.

An example of this in the games industry would be if a company hired an outsourcing company to help them on their project then the outsourcing company would have to agree to this collaboration contract before doing any sort of work on it.

http://image.shutterstock.com/z/stock-vector-illustration-showing-a-signed-contract-and-two-shake-hands-in-token-of-alliance-and-collaboration-29304151.jpg

Legal Obligations are as followed:

1. Copyright
2. Trademark
3. Patent
4. Registered Designs

Copyright;

Copyright is a legal right that is created to allow the creator exclusive right to their original work. It allows them to control the use and distribution between other company's. Copyright is a form of Intellectual Property.

The life-spam of a copyright claim is the authors life plus 50 to 100 years. So that means that the claim is valid until 50 to 100 years after the author dies depending on the jurisdiction.

Work that has been used without the author's permission is known as, Copyright Infringement. The most common form of this is in software, film and music.

http://www.idesigni.co.uk/blog/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/copyright-e1412084239201.png

Trademark;

A Trademark is a recognizable image/logo that makes you know what the said logo is used for for example a company/product. The owner of the trademark can be an individual, organisation or any legal entity.

There are three symbols that are related to trademarks;

TM - This is for an unregistered trademark, usually used to promote or brand goods.

https://i.ytimg.com/i/ySthDMbSiFODXFKtqNpwig/mq1.jpg?v=54334ad4

SM - This is for an unregistered service mark, usually used to promote or brand services.

http://www.p2lexperitus.com/images/sm-image.jpg

R - This letter is surrounded by a circle, used for a registered trademark.

http://figures.boundless.com/11238/full/trademark-symbool.png

Patent;

A Patent is a set of exclusive rights granted to an inventor or assignee for a short period of time so that the invention created in disclosed from the public. Patents are another form of Intellectual Property.

Infringement of these patents are when the third party company's make, use or sells the pantentee invention with their permission.

http://www.techcityuk.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/patent.jpg

Registered Designs;

The Registered Design Act that is in the United Kingdom that concerned Copyright and related rights like the ones you see above. The act speaks about the application for registering a design that has been abandoned or refused.

http://fredericreich.com/wp-content/uploads//2012/12/registered-logo-design-BW.png

Ethical Obligations are as followed;

1. Violence
2. Rating
3. Education
4. Stereotyping
5. Addiction

Violence;

Violence in video games are often set around the content within the game whether it is too violent for people of certain age category's. It is argued that video games is a rather big impact on the kids nowadays as it may influence their behavior/see it as a role model.

A great example of this is Grand Theft Auto or for short GTA, is well known for it's violence and overall unrealistic way to roam around a city. People debated whether games like these where you can get a weapon and go attack someone is something the kids of today shouldn't be seeing as they may think its alright to do.

http://tower.mastersny.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/ViolentGames-1_1.jpg

Rating;

PEGI or also known as The Pan-European Game Information is an age rating system where it is aimed to help put restrictions to the age groups playing certain types of games that may contain something not suitable for their eyes to witness.

This helps parents know what games are rated safe for their child to play without the risk of being influenced in anyway what so ever. However, most parents do not abide by this system as they will purchase these over aged games for their children so it may as well not even be there.

http://blog.ultima.pl/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/PEGI.jpg

Education;

Education within video games aim to provide helpful information that may help the user learn whilst playing a game. These games tend to be rather serious compared to the video games that come to mid which pop into your mind at the first instinct.

These games usually take the form of an educational game as well as an entertainment game, maybe a 50-50 mix to try and trick the user that they are playing a video game where as they are learning information.

https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRHXHu36Q19U07L8x0VUal5HCDIiAdbhBOGK7Yt5RLj1EqJ-sAs3g

Stereotyping;

Stereotyping within games are widely ranged but the one we all know is the way people see different races (mainly black coloured people). Video games normally have this impression that black people are aggressive and are apart of gangs and so forth. Once again a great example of this is in Grand Theft Auto V, where one of the main characters, Franklin, is forced to do certain task for someone which is not exactly considered legal.

http://vignette4.wikia.nocookie.net/gtawiki/images/8/8c/Franklin_Artwork-GTAV.png/revision/latest?cb=20130501082944

Addiction;

Finally, there is a massive problem within the industry where people can become addicted to their favorite games that may cause them to not go outdoors to do activity's and socialize. This is normally because the players would prefer to be in a virtual world compared to the real one as it may be stress relief to the certain individual and may be their way to escape. To be addicted to a video game may lead to people developing medical conditions like depression and so on.

http://images.addictionblog.org/cherrycake/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/Video-game-addiction-Top-10-signs-and-symptoms-of-pathological-gaming1.jpg