Dare to be Digital 2014

Michael Callaghan

Industry Quote

“The Dare model rewards creativity & teamwork as well as risk taking.

It is the Gold standard for project based competitive team work”

Richard LeinfellnerVice President-Outsourcing, EA Europe

What’s it all about?

The UK & Ireland’s premier games development competition

Dare 2013 was hosted at the University of Abertay, Dundee. Scotland

Teams based in Dundee for 10 weeks (June to August)

Help from industry specialists; mentors, visits, talks etc

Prizes awarded and prototypes displayed at special awards ceremony and talent showcase

The three best prototypes as judged by the industry will be nominated for the BAFTA Ones To Watch Award.

Why should you apply?

Hone your skills Enhance CV Demo for interviews Exposure to industry greats Experience of working as part of a team Receive £1700 project fee p/p Team budget £200 Build contacts in industry

Why should you apply? (continue)

Work with friends and make new ones with similar interests

Chance to showcase your skills Opportunity to start own business Work on your own ideas Free accommodation Prizes to be won Attend AND exhibit at Dare Protoplay Be part of the UK’s Premier Games Development

Competition Have a chance at winning a Bafta!

"...it gave the entire team a better chance to integrate into the working world after we graduated: we left the competition with a product to put on our showreels, invaluable teamwork skills and further insight into the industry. It also helped me get a foot in the door in companies I normally wouldn't have had access to"

A Dare student quote!

UU Team Bathroom Buccaneers

UU Team The Creeping Dark

UU Team Hoe Down Show Down

Dare 2012 documentary

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yQ55vQzLRa4&feature=player_embedded

Raptor:Project Thanatoshttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=igPDISRqew8&list=PLB6BC953F7A0E61BD&index=1&feature=plpp_video

Loan Wolf: Pixel story http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wqvOKx0OsZU

Kind of a Big Deal:Starcrossedhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VSUO5dtWnx8&feature=player_embedded

CLOCKinROCK: Liminal Magibrawl http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ydMASlIxd0Q

High standard of competition

Complete the online application form at www.daretobedigital.com

FAQ’s on website

How to apply – it’s easy!

Key Dare 2014 Dates

OPENING DATE: February

CLOSING DATE: April 2014

April InterviewsResults announced

June to August 2014 competition

Application process

What to expect on Dare

Team breaking the ice

What to expect on Dare (continue)

• No holidays during June – August

• Hard work, more hard work and even more hard work

• Not much sleep, very little sleep, no sleep!Student quotes;

“Exhausting but worth it”

“Would recommend Dare in a heartbeat”

“9 out of 10 – too much stress for a 10 ”

“Very very draining, otherwise perfect”

“An opportunity of a life time – life changing experience”

“Best Experience Ever!”

‘Dare ProtoPlay’ 2014

• Public vote

• Showcase/Demo

• Final Judging/Awards Ceremony

What to expect on Dare (continue)

Interview Day

Time keeping – (arrive 10 mins prior to interview)

All members of the team present

20 mins to present, 10 mins for Q & A

The name and skills of each team member

Every member of the team plays a part

Teams present to an Industry Panel - sell yourselves (storyboards, Artwork) - impress (handouts, slogans)- memorabilia (goodie bags, outfits/t-shirts)

Selection Criteria (continue)

The Project Team – Is the team balanced, involving creative/technical staff and

someone willing to take on the business aspects? – Clarity of your plan– Have the team determined a plan for development of their

prototype over the 10 weeks?

Innovation/Creativity– Does the idea demonstrate innovation and/or creativity?

Ambition of the team– Does the team display eagerness to enter the games

industry?

Skills required

PROGRAMMING

Technical Skills

– Knowledge / working use of C++ / Java

– Mathematics

– Physics

– Experience of various tools, software languages, programmes learnt at Uni / College or any self taught

Artists

Concept Art- Working sketches, Life Drawing, Concept design, Illustration,Storyboarding

Character Artist- 3D Character Modeller, Working sketches, Life Drawing, Illustration

Environment Artist / World Builder- 3D Environment modeller, Illustration, Storyboarding

Skills required (continue)

ARTISTS (Continued)

Animator

- Animation – 2D & 3D, Lifedrawing – proportion & style

Technical Artist

- Technical & creative flair, Strong logical & problem solving skills, Ability to communicate across disciplines

Specific Skills

Desire to create / work within the interactive entertainment industry

Passion / Gamer / interest and enjoyment Able to communicate with non programming /

technically minded individuals Patience, work may get very frustrating / problem

solving Team player, pressure, deadlines

Team composition examples

Example 1

Team Leader* - 2 programmers - 1 Artist - 1 Audio

Example 2

Team Leader - 3 Programmers - 1 Artist

Example 3

Team Leader - 2 Programmers - 2 Artists

*Team Leaders can be either programmers/artists/audio

What the students said!

“10 out of 10 - Dare presents a once in a lifetime opportunity”

“…you cant get this experience anywhere else”

“Without Dare, I would not have had a chance of getting the job I have”

“…you learn a lot about how you cope under pressure”

Where students are working now

BBC Scotland Interactive

Rare

Electronic Arts

Lionhead

Rockstar North

Creative Assembly

Codemasters

Core Design

Genuine Games

Denki

Real Time Worlds & many more

Next stages

Go to Dare site Look at 2008/9/10/11/12/13 entries Get ideas together Get trained up Compete

100 Words to pitch your idea

Avast me hearties! You are the Captain of a miniature Pirate Galleon.

It is your goal to make yourself the only Captain of the bathtub. Your

ship is armed with one forward and eight side-facing cannons. While

searching for booty, dodging soap-bergs and bottles of shampoo,

you’ll be battling other scurvy dogs through the foamy fog.

Thar’ll be doubloons for the taking and power ups to help ye sink yer

foe, choose yer course wisely or I’ll make ye walk the plank!

GOOD LUCK!

www.daretobedigital.com