Tag Archives: Manchester

Moving from Team17

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Nearly two years ago, Team17 offered me the opportunity to leave my previous company to work full-time as a games programmer for the video games industry. I have no regrets about taking that opportunity.

On top of getting to work on various titles for various platforms, from a souls-like action RPG to a music-rhythm game with pigeons, I got to move to Manchester and work with some brilliant and talented people.

Last year, I moved into my own house to escape the struggles of renting, and now, outside of spending fifteen hours a day writing code (for work and pleasure), I’ve taken up writing, sword fighting and enjoying the northern countryside.

Following my departure, I’ll take a short break from everything for now, but I wish everyone I’ve worked with and those still working at Team17 best wishes and a promising future!

Jamchester 2016

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Last weekend I took part in Jamchester, a games jam that took place in Manchester (obviously) at The Studio in the city centre. What makes this games jam different from the other game jams that take place on-site is that this is considered a “professional game jam”.

Unlike student game jams (like Staffordshire’s Global Game Jam or University of Hull’s Three Thing Game) or amateur game jams (like Ludum Dare), Jamchester is a games jam aimed at professional game developers, particularly the indie game studios that take place around the Greater Manchester area. While there were some student teams (and a student category), the majority of entrants are all professional game developers with a variety of experience in the games industry.

I was encouraged to go by the team at Desk Dragons, and managed to get one of the last tickets to get in. I managed to leave work early in order to get to Manchester before the jam began, and I was amazed at how well organized the jam was. Every table had a branded notebook and “survival kit” containing shampoo, wipes, toothpaste with a toothbrush. There was a schedule with food provided all day with buffets and even a BBQ in the late afternoon. Almost all of this was possible with the amount of sponsors, as the money from the tickets went to the charity Special Effect.

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