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how to get into the games industry?

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#1

Hi, I am a tradional sculptor and I am just getting into zbrush, though I’m starting to see the huge advatages of digital sculpting already.

So I’m thinking it would be quite nice to get a job in the games industry being a digital sculpture (I’m making prototype toys at the moment), but I have no idea what sort of things a games company look for in a portfolio.

So my question is this : while building up a ‘digital’ portfolio of work - what should it include, what do games company’s look for? how many pieces of work should be in there? what type of sculpts etc

I’d really appreciate any advice on this matter - thanks guys

#2

http://www.gamecareerguide.com/

This should be a valuable resourse…

#3

While Sculpting is a good skill, its really just “High poly modeling” as far as video games are concerned. Generally what you do to make a game asset is:

  1. Create a “low poly” model in 3DS MAX or any modeling software ( 3ds max is industry standard. Some companies also use maya. )
  2. UVMAP the model as one whole 4x4 texture.
  3. Export to a sculpting software package ( in this case Zbrush. Zbrush is actually already being used by some companies due to its somewhat recent boost to Zmapper ) and add heavy detail, but do not extrude anything too much.
  4. Bake normal maps from the high poly, and apply them to the low poly you made before.
  5. Texture the model in photoshop with both diffuse/specular maps. Base the diffuse map off of the normal map you made before.
  6. Render 3D object with all maps applied - if it looks good, your done !

That was a very basic overview with some stuff purposely left out. if it sounds like something you would want to get into you can check out more at Gameartisans.org or Game-artist.net . Alot of the members on those sites have portfolios that should give you the basic idea of what game companies are looking for.

Just be aware that Video game artists are not “just” artists. You need to be computer savvy and have at least a basic understanding of how game engines “work”.

#4

Hi Jedah,

That is some real solid advice - thanks very much.

I have done a few pieces of digital sculpting for a toys company - making prototypes (which are then printed out) Do you know of what other sorts of companies use digital sculptors to produce the work?

what companies need digital sculptors (using zbrush)?

thanks allot for your advice

Sean

#5

It may be possible to get a job as “just a sculptor” in larger game companies, but I am not 100% sure. Most artists in the game industry are capable of modeling, texturing, and sculpting.