Pavel Podgorny

If you work in Australian Game Audio, I want to hear from you! I've created a survey to help us understand how our game audio professionals are working, where they're working, and how sustainable this work is. Working in game audio, you often have to be a composer, sound design, and technical audio professional all in one, and despite there being a lot of multi-talented Australian audio folk in this industry, there is often a lack of job opportunities. Additionally, it is not uncommon for audio work to be outsourced, regardless of the available and more than capable talent located in our backyard. If you have 10 minutes, please fill in this survey. I'll be writing up a report once this data has been collected to help inform what steps the Australian Game Development industry need to take to create more sustainable jobs in Australia, and how to improve the game audio pipeline so that we can foster and grow amazing senior talent! Survey link: https://lnkd.in/gCEsRRKi #gameaudio #gamedev #australiangamedev #composition #sounddesign

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🎮🔊This survey for Australian Game Audio professionals is still open, so please get your responses in! And if you can give the original post a cheeky share so we can get as many diverse voices as possible, I would super appreciate it. 👾🎵 I’ve already got so much great data! Thank you to those composers, sound designers, technical implementers and all of those in between for taking the time to fill this in so far. If you (or any of your friends) are Australian Game Audio Professionals, I want to know how you work, what you do, and what you think would improve the industry. The aim is to get a comprehensive snapshot of exactly how game audio professionals are working, what disciplines they span, what opportunities exist, and to understand where and what kind of support is needed. I also want to note that if you’re an Australian and are working internationally, I still want to hear from you, and there is a question that speaks to Aussies working abroad. Additionally, people coming up, finishing studies, changing career/industry, I also want to hear from you so we know what supports need to be in place to ensure there are opportunities for new and fresh talent. There is a section of the survey that caters for this. Thank you! I can’t wait to get some more responses and share the findings with you all soon 😊

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What is the future of procedural tools in game development? What role do they have to play? Procedural tools can offer assistance in development, and our panelists discuss the future possibilities. Here is the second of the three panel discussions at GDC. Give it a watch, especially if you weren't able to make it out to GDC this year! #womeningames #femaledevs #gamedevs #unrealengine #houdini #procedural

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Did someone say Universal Controller support? 🎮🕹️ Over the past week or so I’ve been working on implementing Universal Controller support for Summit Games Studio’s ‘Cosmic Cowboy’ 🤠. It’s currently still in development but so far we’ve officially switched to the new Unity InputSystem and it’s possible to switch between a huge range of controllers (as well as KBM) at runtime. Check out the progress below and give me your thoughts 👇 Kickstarter 👉 https://lnkd.in/eeZpkK6q #gamedev #games #indie #indiegame #csharp #gamedesign #gamescommunity #gamingcommunity #startup #game #gameindustry #gaming #indiegames #gamersunite #itchio #programming

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𝐄𝐱𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐝 𝐅𝐮𝐥𝐥 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐜𝐤 𝐆𝐚𝐦𝐞 𝐃𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐥𝐨𝐩𝐞𝐫 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐓𝐞𝐜𝐡𝐧𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐥 𝐀𝐫𝐜𝐡𝐢𝐭𝐞𝐜𝐭 𝐒𝐞𝐞𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐄𝐱𝐜𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐎𝐩𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐞𝐬! Dear Hiring Manager, With a decade of experience in the gaming industry, I bring visionary leadership, end-to-end solutions, and expertise in engaging with product stakeholders. Proficient in technologies including 𝐔𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐲, 𝐂#, and 𝐕𝐑. I also possess specialized knowledge in 𝐉𝐚𝐯𝐚, 𝐒𝐩𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐁𝐨𝐨𝐭, 𝐍𝐨𝐝𝐞.𝐣𝐬, 𝐄𝐱𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐬, 𝐑𝐄𝐒𝐓𝐟𝐮𝐥 𝐀𝐏𝐈𝐬, 𝐌𝐨𝐧𝐠𝐨𝐃𝐁, 𝐌𝐲𝐒𝐐𝐋, and 𝐀𝐖𝐒. Here are some key highlights of my career: 🔹 𝐀𝐫𝐜𝐡𝐢𝐭𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐚𝐥 𝐄𝐱𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐭𝐢𝐬𝐞: With a robust foundation in designing scalable and maintainable games, I excel in selecting the most suitable tools and software for products. My experience extends to the Backend with AWS, ensuring seamless integration and deployment. 🔹 𝐓𝐞𝐜𝐡𝐧𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐥 𝐋𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐩: Over six years of leadership experience have honed my skills in conducting code reviews, troubleshooting, and enforcing best practices, fostering a collaborative and productive work environment. 🔹 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐡𝐞𝐧𝐬𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐒𝐤𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐒𝐞𝐭: From deep knowledge of Data Structures, OOPs, SOLID Principles, and Design Patterns to proficiency in Dependency Injection and System Design, I bring a well-rounded skill set to every project. 🔹 𝐃𝐚𝐭𝐚-𝐃𝐫𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐧 𝐀𝐩𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐚𝐜𝐡: I have a proven track record of employing a data-driven approach to solve user problems in games. Utilizing analytics and user feedback, I iterate on features and mechanics to enhance player engagement and retention. 🔹 𝐅𝐮𝐥𝐥 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐜𝐤 𝐃𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐥𝐨𝐩𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭: In addition to Unity and C#, I am proficient in Java for backend development, complemented by expertise in AWS services. 🔹 𝐕𝐑 𝐃𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐥𝐨𝐩𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭: With over three years of hands-on experience in Unity and C#, I have contributed to multiple VR apps and games for leading platforms such as Oculus, HTC VIVE, and Google Daydream, leveraging Oculus SDK, SteamVR, and Social VR. 🔹 𝐎𝐩𝐭𝐢𝐦𝐢𝐳𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧: I adhere to industry best practices for optimizing Unity applications, ensuring optimal performance and user experience. I am enthusiastic about exploring new opportunities where I can leverage my skills and contribute to innovative projects. Please feel free to reach out to me directly or via phone: (+𝟗𝟏 𝟖𝟖𝟔𝟎𝟒𝟗𝟓𝟑𝟖𝟐) for further discussion. 𝐓𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐤 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐭𝐢𝐦𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧.

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I like sharing the good news about the video game industry (because I know many people have been burned by working through it). Although, as a whole, the industry is expected to continue growing year after year. What do you think this means? The concept of diversity becomes the inevitable truth. Growth encompasses variety and innovation, bringing a richer palette of stories and experiences. This transformation is driven by a new wave of creators who are not just making games but also crafting cultural bridges. A fantastic example is the upcoming game 'Rooster', which celebrates Asian heritage in a deeply authentic way. The team behind Rooster has a shared vision of representing this culture through fun and accessible gameplay experiences, which aligns beautifully with broader industry trends toward inclusivity and representation. It seems like they love what they do to boot! If there was a clear path to surviving the video game market while also enriching the social impact of gaming, IMO, it would be to get behind and champion these vital initiatives. #diversity #equity #inclusivity #asianheritage #rooster

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Whatever happened to one interview and a handshake? Some more thoughts on cover letters in Gamedev/Tech Or ‘Yay more hoops to jump through’ 1.Consider your audience. Different teams need different things, is the company big or small, are they a new start-up or well established? Each of these criteria tend to favor different aspects of a personality and skills. It’s vital to be authentic, but there is nothing stopping you from emphasizing certain skills and traits according to your audience. 2. Personalize. Do you need to research the entire 15-year history of the company and name drop their most obscure IP? Probably not. Do you want to include the correct company name and the job title for the role you are applying for? And does it help to show you’ve done a few minutes of research about what the company does? Definitely. Pro-Forma is your friend here. Have a template you use and can very slightly adapt to each role you apply to. 3. Communicate effectively. So much of Game Dev is about effective communication, often in written form – this is a chance to showcase that skill. Be concise, be clear, be professional. Tech hiring managers tend to be analytical by nature so present the facts in as balanced a way as possible, striking a balance between giving a good account of yourself and not overselling. Does first/third person matter? Not really – do whatever makes sense to you. Best of luck people!

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✨When There Are So Many Layoffs in Gamedev, Should I be Bothered? Maybe It is Time to Consider a Change of Industry?✨ This question needs to be looked at from various angles, reflecting on your professional experience and considering your current concerns. ✨ How worried are you about all the news of layoffs?✨ Does this background worry hinder your ability to function and work normally? If so, you need an action plan. First and foremost, ✨assess the uniqueness and success of your experience✨. Have you been able to bring something new to the company, achieve outstanding results? If the answer is more yes, then you can feel more confident, as with such expertise and experience, even in the event of layoffs, it will be easier for you to find a new job in the industry. ✨Look at the job market to see how in-demand your field and profession are✨. If layoffs were to happen tomorrow, how many gaming companies could you apply to? Make an approximate list of these companies. It's also important to ✨assess your emotional and psychological state✨. If the thought of layoffs, industry crises, or the rise of AI is depriving you of normal sleep, perhaps it's worth seeking help from a therapist. It wouldn't hurt to ✨create a "backup plan”✨, considering how you can apply your experience from the gaming industry to other fields and, most importantly, whether there are suitable vacancies in other industries. Evaluating other industries, check if there's a crisis in them. How promising would your new activity be in a new industry for you? And overall, does the thought of a new industry interest you? It's important that you enjoy your work. If you realize that it makes sense to move into a new field, ✨evaluate your decision from a financial point of view✨: will the new job cover your minimum financial needs at the start, or do you need a safety net/partner's income/temporary freelance or consulting projects? How much time will you need to retrain? If you've considered all the risks and are ready for them, then we wish you good luck! The truth is, ✨money will continue to flow into the games industry ✨ because people have played and will continue to play. The question is just to weather this storm, see the emergence of new trends, and continue to create new hits. If your involvement in the industry and game production outweighs all these concerns, you probably won't leave. But make sure you have plans B and C, just in case!

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The Sumo Group closures really have broken me a bit, and I need to rant about the state of things. I'm sorry if it seems I'm glossing over all the closures before this one, but so many ex-students went there, so many ex-colleagues passed through there, and so my timeline is just filled with people looking for work. We keep talking and talking about the economic factors involved, Brexit and Covid and this and that ... the thing I can't stop thinking of is that in my life I've watched the world slowly pitch into a place of despondent capitalism. Art has become more about making stars and fame than helping people escape and reflect. A drive for "truth" and objectivity has resulted, paradoxically, in people putting more stock in spreadsheets and numbers than people. I can't help but feel that if you're bleating about finance and trade deals and business decisions, you're ignoring the fact that general support for artistic and creative endeavours has declined sharply and is still declining, even in the so-called "art world". Games are ultimately always going to be the first to fall in a culture war against creativity, because games are ultimately and profoundly pointless things. That's the whole majesty of the medium: they make us feel profound feelings, they help us explore our existence by being separate from reality, but to do so they MUST bring us nothing tangible in return. The truth is that our industry will probably bounce back to some degree, but it's not any financial structures or cost systems that will save game development as a medium and an art form - it's a cultural shift to recognise the importance of expressive and explorative subjective art in the world today, and the need to support creative endeavours without the pressure of financial recompense.

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Play the game in your head before you code a single line. You must imagine every detail: gameplay, flow, visual style, UI, etc. ↳ The clearer your vision, the smoother the development. ↳ If you can't picture it distinctly, development will be chaotic. Because every new game starts in your head, in your imagination. So push it to the limits before spending any resources on development.

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Something for our gamedev friends here! One of the main features of our own level editor is a script visualizer, which you can see in the picture here. Aaaaand we will be releasing this level editor along with the game! The dates and details are still TBA, so stay with us to hear the freshest info! #IndieGameDev

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Game Testing: All in One, 4th Edition is available now. This is a revised, updated, and classroom-friendly version of the leading textbook for game testers and test managers. Order your review copy at the link below: https://lnkd.in/gDhH8gsq #gamedev #QA #gametesting #testing #gamedesign

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I've just published https://gdscript.live since it's a tool I've wanted for a few years now, but no one else has seemed to make something similar the feature set I want. The main goal is to help share and test #GDScript snippets for answering #GodotEngine (#Godot4) questions, but I have also added a profiler to help test performance of different implementations of an algorithm/feature (eg: all the different ways of constructing a String); similar to what https://quick-bench.com provides for C++. Everything runs locally in browser. The "Share" button fully encodes the current script within the URL, so sharing examples should be effectively permanent. You can find the script in this image here: https://lnkd.in/gd6QqFbj

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Jumped into the targeting system and fleshed it out finally. Now its much easier to use. Also added stamina for the player with the fancy new UI shader system i wrote. Yes there will be sprinting too. Just need some tweaks to cut down on the visual noise and i get to move onto more UI stuff. #unity3d #csharp #ui

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Getting into the games industry can be tiring. Been there.   But how did I make it work with 2 kids (3rd otw), full time job with 45 min commute, exercise routine, house renovations and some me time? Schedule.   Try the schedule.   Find flaws in the schedule.   Make schedule better.   Repeat.   For me that was study 1 – 2 hours after my family had gone to bed.   Study as in study technical game dev skills or write articles about stuff I was learning, for the sake of posting on LinkedIn.   Not both because I found that to be draining, so I focused on 1 or the other per session.   Simple. Effective. Enjoyable.   What about general stress levels?   By default having a schedule reduced stress greatly. And most Fridays I made sure to give myself the night off to have a solid 6 hour gaming session with the boys.   Go make a schedule. Make it fun. Make it better every week. #gamesindustry #growth #mindset #careercoaching

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[Please repost! 💜] Hello, #Tasmania, Did you know that we're running a Tasmanian Game Development Incubator? Well, we are. And we're getting ready to move into future rounds of the programme. Express interest here: https://lnkd.in/gRCPB2qa Here's what our newly reimagined Round 3 and beyond look like: 📚 A library of written and video content on topics ranging from starting a small business for game development, to project management for games, to pitching games, to programming with specific tools for games (e.g. Yarn Spinner, Godot, and more). 📆 At least three 1 hour mentoring sessions, where you'll have access to us, and our colleagues, to talk about your projects, business aspirations, and plans, and get feedback. 🎮 Industry sessions, including online presentations from worldwide industry figures, and connections around the world. 💰 Assistance writing applications for funding from, for example, Screen Tasmania and more. It's a simpler approach than our previous rounds, but this will allow us to serve more people, as there has been a lot of interest. 😎 Let us know you're interested here: https://lnkd.in/gRCPB2qa This round and future rounds are funded exclusively by Secret Lab. The current and previous rounds of this programme were supported by the Tasmanian Government through the Department for State Growth. Hon Madeleine Ogilvie MP, Michael Ferguson, Jeremy Rockliff, Alex Sangston, Andrew McPhail, Evan Maloney, PJ Madam, Oliver Potter, Tasmanian Game Makers Inc. Startup Tasmania TasICT ACS (Australian Computer Society) #Tasmania #GameDev #Games #GameDevelopment #Tasmanian #Hobart #Launceston #Burnie #Devonport #VideoGames #NarrativeGames #GamesIndustry #Incubator

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