Case Study - Creative North
Creative North is a game development company specialising in games for mobile phones. Established at the end of 2004, the company combines commercial game development with the Creative North Academy, a learning and skills-based environment offering work placements to students. The aim of the Academy is to provide employment and training to young people who are passionate about games.
Based in Huddersfield, Creative North works closely with the university, giving the best of the undergraduates on its games development courses a head start in the industry, by putting them together with more experienced programmers and artists to work on commercial projects. There are currently 6 trainees on the scheme, working as 2 separate teams, specialising in different aspects of game development.
The ratio of staff to trainees is high, but as director Phil Mundy explains, this isn't really a one-to-one mentoring scheme as the students are so driven by passion. 'The students brought their own ideas. These were brainstormed and we talked about what was possible. We then got the teams together and worked out a schedule. The aim is to get them working on a commercial title. The quality of the ideas has been incredible and there has been lots of innovative and original material. It's a very dynamic environment.' The trainees are still doing their courses alongside the placement and come in to the development studio two days per week, but often stay longer than the set hours as they work to meet deadlines.
Selection is by application, CV, showreel, and interview. The ability to work as part of a team is crucial. Creative North trainee Ade Esan, a 2nd year student on the games programming course at Huddersfield University, believes that this has been a valuable feature of the placement. 'Working in a team environment has been great. It's given me the chance to work with artists and sound designers. Communication skills are vital - having to make sure everyone is on the same wavelength. You have the game in your head and have to communicate that idea and make sure everyone is going in the same direction.'
Creative North hopes to employ some of the trainees when the placements end. 'We've been amazed by some of the skills people bring to the table and wouldn't be at this stage without. If we can't directly employ them we might be able to recommend them to other companies' says Phil Mundy. 'The scheme is like an extended interview. It's also a fast track, offering a good 8 - 12 months of real industry experience. The students particularly learn the importance of team working. They also gain an understanding of commercial development models. And the product must be 100% or it is not commercial - there is no second best or pass standard. They learn what it takes to develop a commercial product.'
Funding for the scheme comes partly from Huddersfield Pride (supported by the European Regional Development Fund) and also from the commercial side of the company. Creative North owns the IP, but there is potential for the trainees to make money from their games as the company operates a royalty share model. 'There are two options for distribution' says Phil Mundy. 'We can advertise and make the games available as downloads on the website. Or we can go through a more established distribution route, such as I-play. I-play is interested but they want to know if the design will translate to the device and for that they need to see alpha and beta versions. We are approaching that stage now which will be the first real test of the commercial viability of the projects.'
Mobile phone games development is relatively short - about 3 months - allowing the trainees to see quick results. Ade Esan is enthusiastic about this aspect of the scheme. 'The work with Creative North is what it's all about - programming games that will go on the market. I'm enjoying the challenge of programming for mobile phones. I'd like to programme for other consoles and PCs, but it's about the way you think - trying to fit the game within the limitations. The only real difference is the language you use. This is a great learning opportunity. I can't wait to have the product - everything coming together and something that other people will play. It's extremely exciting.'
He's also optimistic about his career prospects as a result of the placement. 'I'm hoping that this will lead to work. We'll be competing with people who have been in the industry for years, but this experience will be invaluable. Mobile phone gaming is growing and there are lots of future job prospects. Programming for games is my passion and this has been a great chance for me.'
For more information: www.creativenorth.co.uk
Based in Huddersfield, Creative North works closely with the university, giving the best of the undergraduates on its games development courses a head start in the industry, by putting them together with more experienced programmers and artists to work on commercial projects. There are currently 6 trainees on the scheme, working as 2 separate teams, specialising in different aspects of game development.
The ratio of staff to trainees is high, but as director Phil Mundy explains, this isn't really a one-to-one mentoring scheme as the students are so driven by passion. 'The students brought their own ideas. These were brainstormed and we talked about what was possible. We then got the teams together and worked out a schedule. The aim is to get them working on a commercial title. The quality of the ideas has been incredible and there has been lots of innovative and original material. It's a very dynamic environment.' The trainees are still doing their courses alongside the placement and come in to the development studio two days per week, but often stay longer than the set hours as they work to meet deadlines.
Selection is by application, CV, showreel, and interview. The ability to work as part of a team is crucial. Creative North trainee Ade Esan, a 2nd year student on the games programming course at Huddersfield University, believes that this has been a valuable feature of the placement. 'Working in a team environment has been great. It's given me the chance to work with artists and sound designers. Communication skills are vital - having to make sure everyone is on the same wavelength. You have the game in your head and have to communicate that idea and make sure everyone is going in the same direction.'
Creative North hopes to employ some of the trainees when the placements end. 'We've been amazed by some of the skills people bring to the table and wouldn't be at this stage without. If we can't directly employ them we might be able to recommend them to other companies' says Phil Mundy. 'The scheme is like an extended interview. It's also a fast track, offering a good 8 - 12 months of real industry experience. The students particularly learn the importance of team working. They also gain an understanding of commercial development models. And the product must be 100% or it is not commercial - there is no second best or pass standard. They learn what it takes to develop a commercial product.'Funding for the scheme comes partly from Huddersfield Pride (supported by the European Regional Development Fund) and also from the commercial side of the company. Creative North owns the IP, but there is potential for the trainees to make money from their games as the company operates a royalty share model. 'There are two options for distribution' says Phil Mundy. 'We can advertise and make the games available as downloads on the website. Or we can go through a more established distribution route, such as I-play. I-play is interested but they want to know if the design will translate to the device and for that they need to see alpha and beta versions. We are approaching that stage now which will be the first real test of the commercial viability of the projects.'
Mobile phone games development is relatively short - about 3 months - allowing the trainees to see quick results. Ade Esan is enthusiastic about this aspect of the scheme. 'The work with Creative North is what it's all about - programming games that will go on the market. I'm enjoying the challenge of programming for mobile phones. I'd like to programme for other consoles and PCs, but it's about the way you think - trying to fit the game within the limitations. The only real difference is the language you use. This is a great learning opportunity. I can't wait to have the product - everything coming together and something that other people will play. It's extremely exciting.'
He's also optimistic about his career prospects as a result of the placement. 'I'm hoping that this will lead to work. We'll be competing with people who have been in the industry for years, but this experience will be invaluable. Mobile phone gaming is growing and there are lots of future job prospects. Programming for games is my passion and this has been a great chance for me.'
For more information: www.creativenorth.co.uk
