Art Director, €Excellent

My client are one of the World's leading developers who after recent expansion now have studio's in five European countries. They create exceptionally high quality video games for all platforms and have forged an excellent reputation for the development of cutting edge engine and technical development.

They are nw seeking a highly skilled Art Director to work at their newest studio in Budapest.
Requirements:

• Credited Art Director on a minimum of 2 shipped titles on a major platform.

• +3 years of gaming industry experience.

• Demonstrated ability to be proactive and self motivated, work without direct supervision, and present the work of the team and the project in a professional manner.

• Capable of balancing a project’s creative and visual requirements within schedule and staff limitations.

• Demonstrated ability to integrate the creative and technical design processes while ensuring that high production values are never compromised. Balance impacts of deadlines and resources against quality requirements of a title and quality of life for staff.

• Passion for making games.

Excellent understanding of:

• Art direction as it relates to games development.

• Strategic allocation of resources for maximum effect.

• Color, light, form and function.

• Console and PC development processes.

• Technology and pipelines.

• Potential impact of production-phase change requests on quality, stability and schedule.

• Storytelling and game play.

Responsibilities:

• Champion exceptionally high but achievable production values.

• Direct and inspire an art team in the creation of a unified vision.

• In coordination with the Producer and Development Director ensure game ready assets adhere to the product vision.

• Facilitate communication and focus with artists.

• Coordinate with internal technology groups as it relates to pipeline and process.

• Along with the Art Leads ensure the timely delivery of art assets.

• Review levels, scenes, lighting effects etc. for maximum impact.

• Provide creative input, direction and mentoring / support to Art Leads and Artists.

• Work with studio executives and department leads for continual process improvement.

• Contribute innovative and original ideas towards all aspects of game production and development.

• Report to Executive Management.

More details are available by contacting Dan Sheil on 01709 876877, or via email: dan@aswift.com

Technical Manager, £Excellent+benefits

We pride ourselves on being one of the world’s largest video game developers in the industry today. Renowned for our reliable delivery of high quality games, our highly skilled staff put all their creativity and passion into our products using our industry leading technology. We also have an extensive network of outsource partners providing specialist skills and services that are of extremely high quality.


The Technical Manager is responsible for overseeing the programmers and is responsible for creating the Technical Design Document. The job holder will define programming standards and ensure that all programming tasks are carried out on time and to a high quality. They are also responsible for maintaining a stable code base.

Directly reporting to:

• Project Director

Expectations:
Below is a non-exhaustive list of the Company's expectations of the Technical Manager.

• To manage an effective and efficient team, promoting good team morale

• To define, prioritise and delegate programming tasks, ensuring high quality and consistency with the coding style are maintained.

• To co-ordinate all technical aspects of the project.

• Work with Tech Team to ensure best use of tools and technology.

• To liaise with the Project Manager to ensure that tasks are relevant to the schedule and projects goals are met.

• Create, maintain and oversee the Technical Design Document

• Ensure that the Creative and Design Managers are aware of any changes to the specification, and limitations of either hardware or software

• Work with the Creative and Design Managers to define and communicate technical limitations and guidelines, ensuring these are adhered to

• Ensure that all technical milestones are reached and take appropriate action if the project falls behind, or takes a new direction

• Responsible for producing stable milestone/interim builds

• Work with the Project Manager to ensure these are delivered to the publisher

• Running team meetings and ensuring good communication.

• Review/appraise staff and deal with general performance management of the programming team.

• Coordinate internal/external recruitment for team vacancies in conjunction with the Recruitment Department

Essential Qualities:

• Previous experience in computer games development essential

• Industry management experience preferable

• Hands on experience of game development and technical knowledge of development platforms are required.

• Have good knowledge of relevant programming packages (Visual C++, Source Safe and preferably Microsoft Project)

• Have a general knowledge of all major techniques involved in creating games (e.g. collision, basic physics, animation, memory management and optimisation of algorithms and platforms)

• Be able to keep team motivation high and enforce discipline

• Ability to communicate clearly, and concisely

• High initiative and co-ordination skills

• People management skills are essential

• Resilience and strength of character

• Professional attitude and work ethic

• Thorough approach to problem solving and able to function independently when required

• Needs to be comfortable working to deadlines

• Attention to detail is essential and all tasks must be carried out to the highest standard

• A willingness and ability to learn is essential

More details are available by contacting Hollie Heraghty at Aardvark Swift Recruitment - 01709 876877 or via email: hollie@aswift.com

Senior Producer, £DOE

My client have an excellent track record of creating games that appeal to more than the hardcore gamer, designing social and innovative games that everyone can enjoy without facing a steep learning curve.

They are looking for an experienced Senior Producer mto manage an exciting new project.

Key Responsibilities:
• Lead an internal team developing a title for PlayStation3, maintaining the highest-level quality standard throughout development.
• Maintain a strong, positive working relationship with the publisher and its team.
• Work with our Project Management and Lead teams to ensure clear definition and prioritisation of tasks.
• Play a contributing role in the development of new concepts.
• Help develop and evolve new and existing production methodologies.

The ideal candidates should have:
• A proven track record in producing successful videogames.
• At least three years' experience of working on console games at Producer level.
• A familiarity with the current demands of console community, online and graphics technology features.
• The ability to demonstrate exceptional leadership and communication skills within creative teams.
• Experience and understanding of large software publishing organisations and their processes.
• The ability to identify and manage potential issues at both a micro and macro level.
• A passion for playing and creating great videogame.

Please contact Simon for more details on this exciting position on 01709 876877, or via email: simon@aswift.com

Creative Director - Action IP with AAA Publisher-owned Studio, $DOE + relocation assitance

My publisher owned client has a history of producing the highest quality of AAA games. They are currently looking for a highly experienced Creative Director to join their team developing a new Action IP.

Job description:
• Determine guidelines in creating contents for various projects within the industry, including artistic direction, sound direction, the scenarios and the mechanics of the game
• Oversee all artistic aspects on projects to ensure a level of development that meets the industry’s highest standards
• Ensure to provide a clear vision and respect it through all stages of the project
• Provide artistic mentoring to your team
• Oversee all design documents delivered to the client
• Maintain a regular communication with the client and or licensees to ensure consistency of visual and conceptual projects
• Participate in the preparation of development plans and details of resources needed for production

Requirements:
• At least one project completed as Creative Director on a new generation console project
• Ability to communicate the projects vision and the businesses
• Creative spirit
• Excellent problem solving
• Excellent analytical skills
• Resourceful & initiative
• Demonstrates a high level of leadership
• Excellent teamwork
• Good ability to negotiate with external resources, suppliers, and head office
• Excellent knowledge of the video game industry in general

For more information please contact Simon on 01709 876877, or via email: simon@aswift.com

Senior Project Manager, £negotiable DOE

My client have an excellent track record of creating games that appeal to more than the hardcore gamer, designing social and innovative games that everyone can enjoy without facing a steep learning curve.

They are looking for an experienced Senior Project Manager to work within their game team.


The successful applicant will be responsible for:

• Forecasting, planning and reporting studio resourcing plans in line with the company business plan
• Developing, tracking and managing game budgets
• Reporting progress on game spend for all projects
• Overseeing all project schedules ensuring we can deliver projects on time and on budget every time
• Constantly assessing process with a view to improvement
• Ensuring the game teams keep on track
• Constantly assessing and producing solutions to solve risk
• Managing external and third party teams
• Driving our project management methodology and processes forward
• Delivering a strategic staff development plan within the Project Management team
• Reviewing department performance

The ideal candidate should have:


• Proven planning, organisational and prioritisation skills
• Proven success in driving project management methodologies within an organisation
• Expert in project management methods and tools
• Excellent numerical and process analysis skills
• Strong budget analysis and management skills
• Career development and coaching skills
• Excellent problem solving skills
• Excellent written and verbal communication
• Excellent negotiation and presentation skills
• The ability to leading and deliver projects
• Be able to clearly report Management Information
• Education to degree level or possess an equivalent professional qualification
• Have proven knowledge of project management methodologies and scheduling software
• Excellent Microsoft Office skills
• At least 5 years proven project management experience
• Experience of working in a related industry
• Proven experience of leading a team
• Be organised, adaptable and a positive self starter with a can-do attitude


For more information please contact Simon on 01709 876877, or via email: simon@aswift.com

Senior Producer, £Neg+ Benefits

My client is currently in the midst of a recruitment drive as they begin work on a number of new projects.

As part of this they are seeking to recruit an experienced Producer to oversee one of their development teams.

Required Skills:

• Highly responsible, self-directed, detail oriented problem solver with a desire to contribute to a creative environment.

• Outstanding organization, communication and exceptional management skills/leadership

• Superior attention to detail

• Exceptional project management practices and software including Project, Excel, PowerPoint, Visio and Word.

Demonstrated Ability To:

• Work well/respond to pressure

• Communicate effectively within a large group/multiple project environment

• Think critically, and apply analytical skills in resolving complex issues

• Quickly master proprietary tools and development processes

• To take direction and criticism

• Meet deadlines designated for team projects

• Professionalism and the ability to function well within a team

• Self motivated

Education/Experience:

• Bachelor's Degree a Plus.

• Minimum 5 years experience in the production of console and/or PC games.

• 1 shipped title as a full 'Producer' and minimum 4 years management experience.

Please contact Simon for more details - 01709 876877, or via email: simon@aswift.com

Project Manager - Games Experience Essential!, To £30k plus benefits

My client have an excellent track record of creating games that appeal to more than the hardcore gamer, designing social and innovative games that everyone can enjoy without facing a steep learning curve.

They are looking for an experienced Project Manager to work within their game team.

The successful applicant will:

• Be required to schedule and run the day to day activities of projects using Hansoft, and other tools.
• Use Excel to undertake analysis of statistical data in order to maximize efficiency.
• Need to be able to communicate well with all the project stakeholders.
• Be required to regularly report on progress as well as provide detailed management information.
• Confidently manage large project budgets.
• Assess the risk to all projects.
• Have good working knowledge of Project Management methodology
• Support the Operations Manager with various ad-hoc tasks.
• Demonstrate excellent attention to detail
• Use their strong Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, Powerpoint, Outlook) knowledge


The ideal candidate should have:

• A minimum of 4 years Project Management, ideally within the Videogames Industry.
• Excellent analytical skills.
• Very strong Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, Powerpoint, Outlook) knowledge.
• Strong MS Project/Hansoft knowledge.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills.
• Ideally Project Managed on at least 2 shipped titles.
• Effective time management and personal organisation.

More details available on request.