{"id":3658,"date":"2025-10-16T00:03:55","date_gmt":"2025-10-16T00:03:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sites.wsagames.com\/ea3g23\/?p=3658"},"modified":"2025-10-29T14:31:28","modified_gmt":"2025-10-29T14:31:28","slug":"week-3-jamie-blacknell-alumni","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sites.wsagames.com\/ea3g23\/2025\/10\/16\/week-3-jamie-blacknell-alumni\/","title":{"rendered":"Week 3 &#8211; Jamie Blacknell (Game Developer)"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"alignleft is-resized\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/winchester.games\/img\/2020\/portage.png\" alt=\"Image for Project\" style=\"width:326px;height:auto\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Jamie Blacknell is an alumnus and one of the people who made the Portage game (Adam really likes this game!!! It does look really cool though&#8230;) with Alex Pollard and Billy Spendlove.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center wp-block-paragraph\">Here&#8217;s a synopsis:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center wp-block-paragraph\">&#8220;A single player journey; on foot and in a canoe, through the Boreal forest with peaceful mechanics and aesthetics. Created to allow for mindful, individual experiences which highlight the calming aspects of nature. The player will be encouraged to take their time while reflecting on their surroundings and themselves. Wild encounters within the forest provide points of interest and bring life to the forest. Since the journey is not about the destination, nor are there any significant goals to achieve, the player will be able to focus on the present moment.&#8221;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\" \/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center has-white-color has-luminous-vivid-amber-to-luminous-vivid-orange-gradient-background has-text-color has-background has-link-color wp-elements-1\">Jamie&#8217;s Talk Notes<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>He&#8217;s an in-house developer<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>It&#8217;s better to be a Jack of All Trades, Master of None (Better than Master of one)\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Opportunity to use loads of different skills<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\"><span style=\"text-decoration: underline\"><strong>Uni Preparation (How does the Uni prepare us?)<\/strong><\/span><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Whole development pipeline<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Working independently and in teams<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Self-starting<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Taught to be proactive with research<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\"><span style=\"text-decoration: underline\"><strong>Why was this Invaluable?<\/strong><\/span><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Excellent crash course<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Taught how to communicate effectively<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Problem sole in key areas<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\"><span style=\"text-decoration: underline\"><strong>What has changed since?<\/strong><\/span><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Ability to specialise (in the field he wants, development)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Communication challenges by being in new teams<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\"><span style=\"text-decoration: underline\"><strong>Communication between colleagues of different levels<\/strong><\/span><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Direct senior\/Management<\/strong>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Don&#8217;t over-explain what you&#8217;re doing<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Might have to translate, might not need to know or want to know what you&#8217;re doing<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Clear, concise and straight to the point<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Someone who doesn&#8217;t share your discipline<\/strong>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Be specific with the desired outcome; don&#8217;t tell them to do their job<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>They might need something from you<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Branch out of your own skill, try to learn their terminology, and be inquisitive<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Closes the gap in understanding<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Team Lead<\/strong>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The easiest type of communication as you have the same knowledge<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>No &#8220;translation&#8221; required. As with technical terms.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\"><span style=\"text-decoration: underline\"><strong>How University prepare for this?<\/strong><\/span><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Working in teams the whole time\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>People of different disciplines coming together<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\"><span style=\"text-decoration: underline\"><strong>Portfolios<\/strong><\/span><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Create things now &#8211; separate from your portfolio<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>General portfolio advice\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Minimum: LinkedIn, portfolio, website<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Others: Instagram, GitHub, Art Station<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\"><span style=\"text-decoration: underline\"><strong>Networking<\/strong><\/span><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Rise of AI, networking is as important as ever<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Speak to real people, take part in game jams<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Learn who the big people are in the industry<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Learn about the artists in the media you like<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Ask seniors at studios for portfolios<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\"><span style=\"text-decoration: underline\"><strong>Developer Portfolio<\/strong><\/span><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Show your source code<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Github Portfolio<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Treat it like another project I&#8217;ve worked on<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Code KISS &#8211;<strong> k<\/strong>eep <strong>i<\/strong>t <strong>s<\/strong>imple and <strong>s<\/strong>tandard<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Question if your code is maintainable<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\"><span style=\"text-decoration: underline\"><strong>3D Artist Portfolio<\/strong><\/span><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Artstation is a great place to be an artist<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Downside: There is a lot of competition<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Ideally, you want a pro account as it allows unlimited uploads<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Showcase that you can draw to a competent level\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Sketches, mood boards, photo bashing<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Take a concept and follow through with it<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\"><span style=\"text-decoration: underline\"><strong>Artistic Ability<\/strong><\/span><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Showcase you can work from a reference<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Show wire frames, UV layouts, poly counts, texture sizes, and texel density<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Understand optimisation like LODS (level of detail for meshes + textures) and mip map textures<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Showcase different texture maps<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Baking!!! Textures!!!<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Showing your artwork in different software is important\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>In-engine screenshots<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Different Lighting Configs<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Unreal, Unity<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Learn one of these software programs\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Autodesk<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Zbrush<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Substance Painter<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Photoshop<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>High-quality tutorials on Udemy, Gumroad, Artstation<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\"><span style=\"text-decoration: underline\"><strong>Attention to Detail<\/strong><\/span><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Details are important, but don&#8217;t add for the sake of it<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Think about how it fits with the pieces<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Think about the &#8220;context&#8221; of the model<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\"><span style=\"text-decoration: underline\"><strong>Passion Pieces and presentations<\/strong><\/span><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Avoid work you&#8217;re not interested in<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>A handful of strong, well-presented pieces will stand out against 15 props<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Show inspiration, not plagiarism<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\"><span style=\"text-decoration: underline\"><strong>Soft Skills<\/strong><\/span><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Good communication<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Willingness to try<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Dedication + Hard Work<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Interviews\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Turn up presentable<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Dress appropriately<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Eye-contact<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The Uni encourages you to be self-starting\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Working in teams from Day 1<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\"><strong><span style=\"text-decoration: underline\">Truth And Rewards<\/span><\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Competitive and challenging industry<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Deadlines can be tough, and communities can be unforgiving<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Rewarding\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>You get to see the design to release<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Working with talented people<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Getting a community that values your work<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\" \/>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\"><span style=\"text-decoration: underline\"><strong>My Question for Jamie<\/strong><\/span><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">We had the opportunity to ask Jamie a question, and my question was, &#8220;Do you get imposter syndrome? If so, how do you cope with it?&#8221; Below are his answers:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>You wouldn&#8217;t be there if you weren&#8217;t good<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Communicate with teammates<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Don&#8217;t compare yourself to a higher or lower level<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>It&#8217;s hard, but it will get easier<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This helped me as I struggle with Imposter Syndrome a lot in my work, and hearing this advice from an industry professional was really helpful. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\" \/>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-content-justification-center is-layout-flex wp-container-core-buttons-is-layout-fe48e5de wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button has-custom-width wp-block-button__width-50 is-style-fill\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link has-very-light-gray-to-cyan-bluish-gray-gradient-background has-background has-large-font-size has-custom-font-size wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/sites.wsagames.com\/ea3g23\/2025\/10\/08\/guest-speaker-1-careers-department-talk-with-year-2\/\"><strong>Last Week<\/strong><\/a><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-button has-custom-width wp-block-button__width-50 is-style-fill\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link has-cool-to-warm-spectrum-gradient-background has-background has-large-font-size has-custom-font-size wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/sites.wsagames.com\/ea3g23\/2025\/10\/23\/week-4-olivia-gregory-2d-concept-artist\/\"><strong>Next Week<\/strong><\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Jamie Blacknell is an alumnus and one of the people who made the Portage game (Adam really likes this game!!! It does look really cool though&#8230;) with Alex Pollard and Billy Spendlove. Here&#8217;s a synopsis: &#8220;A single player journey; on foot and in a canoe, through the Boreal forest with peaceful mechanics and aesthetics. Created&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[43],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-3658","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-professional-contexts"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/sites.wsagames.com\/ea3g23\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3658","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/sites.wsagames.com\/ea3g23\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/sites.wsagames.com\/ea3g23\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sites.wsagames.com\/ea3g23\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sites.wsagames.com\/ea3g23\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=3658"}],"version-history":[{"count":23,"href":"https:\/\/sites.wsagames.com\/ea3g23\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3658\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":4255,"href":"https:\/\/sites.wsagames.com\/ea3g23\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3658\/revisions\/4255"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/sites.wsagames.com\/ea3g23\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=3658"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sites.wsagames.com\/ea3g23\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=3658"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sites.wsagames.com\/ea3g23\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=3658"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}