0:00:02 > 0:00:03Do you know your Mario from your Minecraft?
0:00:03 > 0:00:05Or your Sonic from your SimCity?
0:00:05 > 0:00:08Can you solve the puzzle of platform or have a strategy for action?
0:00:08 > 0:00:12Are you a high-scorer or mad about power-ups?
0:00:12 > 0:00:16Then maybe you've got what it takes to be a games designer.
0:00:17 > 0:00:21Today, our rookies have an absolute passion
0:00:21 > 0:00:23to be high-scoring games designers.
0:00:23 > 0:00:25We take them behind-the-scenes
0:00:25 > 0:00:28at one of the world's biggest games design companies, to find out
0:00:28 > 0:00:31what games designers and developers really do,
0:00:31 > 0:00:35as we go All Over The Workplace!
0:00:53 > 0:00:56There are loads of different kinds of games you can play.
0:00:56 > 0:01:01How about platforms games, like Sonic or Super Mario?
0:01:01 > 0:01:04What about driving games like Forza or Burnout?
0:01:07 > 0:01:09But instead of just playing them,
0:01:09 > 0:01:11have you ever thought about making them?
0:01:11 > 0:01:13Get lost.
0:01:14 > 0:01:18Our rookies this week are aspiring games designers.
0:01:18 > 0:01:20Let's meet them.
0:01:20 > 0:01:21Hi, I'm Toby.
0:01:21 > 0:01:24I'm 13 years old, I'm from Kent and I want to be a games designer.
0:01:24 > 0:01:28Toby has already started making some of his own games.
0:01:28 > 0:01:30This is one of my first creations.
0:01:30 > 0:01:32Oh, the carrot has just died.
0:01:32 > 0:01:36My favourite type of game to make is, basically, just fun.
0:01:36 > 0:01:37Make them fun.
0:01:37 > 0:01:39Hi, I'm Kiya, I'm 11 years old.
0:01:39 > 0:01:42I'm from Birmingham and I want to be a games designer.
0:01:42 > 0:01:45Kiya makes her own games for her younger brother to play.
0:01:45 > 0:01:46That's a short game.
0:01:46 > 0:01:50I think it's important for girls to work in the games industry,
0:01:50 > 0:01:53because it's not all about the boys.
0:01:53 > 0:01:55Girls can do it too.
0:01:57 > 0:02:01Brummie Kiya and Kentish lad Toby meet up a skip and a jump
0:02:01 > 0:02:04from Toby's home, to meet Alex in Guildford.
0:02:04 > 0:02:06So, what do you think will be the most difficult
0:02:06 > 0:02:08part about being a games designer?
0:02:08 > 0:02:11I think the most difficult part is coming up with a good storyline,
0:02:11 > 0:02:13that everyone will be drawn in to play.
0:02:13 > 0:02:16And what skills do you think you've got that would make
0:02:16 > 0:02:18you good at games designing?
0:02:18 > 0:02:21I like maths and art, so I know how to create characters.
0:02:21 > 0:02:24And, with maths, you can figure out the circumference
0:02:24 > 0:02:26- and where things need to go. - What about you, Toby?
0:02:26 > 0:02:29Well, I've been making games for a long while and so,
0:02:29 > 0:02:32I know how to code as well.
0:02:32 > 0:02:34So, I think that's going to help quite a lot.
0:02:34 > 0:02:36Well, that's what you think,
0:02:36 > 0:02:38but this is what your families have to say.
0:02:38 > 0:02:42I think he's a perfectionist, so I think that'll be the one
0:02:42 > 0:02:44thing that does frustrate him more than anything -
0:02:44 > 0:02:46if it's not going quite right.
0:02:46 > 0:02:49He will get a game perfect, yeah, absolutely.
0:02:49 > 0:02:51Before he's happy, it needs to be perfect.
0:02:51 > 0:02:54If I think of a gamer, I always generally think of a boy,
0:02:54 > 0:02:56rather than a girl.
0:02:56 > 0:02:58Mentally, I think she's got the ability.
0:02:58 > 0:03:00It's just whether she can fit into a man's world
0:03:00 > 0:03:03and have that strength to push on through.
0:03:03 > 0:03:06- Are you too much of perfectionist? - I think so, yes.
0:03:06 > 0:03:09But in the world of commercial games, you know, you haven't
0:03:09 > 0:03:13got that time to keep perfecting every single tiny thing.
0:03:13 > 0:03:15And other people will be involved in the process.
0:03:15 > 0:03:17Will you be able to let it go?
0:03:17 > 0:03:19Um... No.
0:03:19 > 0:03:21It's got to be perfect.
0:03:21 > 0:03:25And, Kiya, there's a lot of boys work in the gaming industry.
0:03:25 > 0:03:29- There should be more girls, really. - There should be more girls.- Yeah.
0:03:29 > 0:03:31You're going to be working quite closely together.
0:03:31 > 0:03:33So, let's stop chatting, let's get on with it.
0:03:33 > 0:03:35Come on.
0:03:35 > 0:03:38So, have you ever wondered how many people it takes
0:03:38 > 0:03:40to make a computer game?
0:03:40 > 0:03:42One? Two?
0:03:42 > 0:03:4430? 100?
0:03:44 > 0:03:47Have you everyone wondered what all those people do?
0:03:47 > 0:03:49And how their jobs all fit together?
0:03:53 > 0:03:56Have you any idea where you are going to be going today?
0:03:56 > 0:03:58- No.- Not a clue.- Definitely not.
0:03:58 > 0:04:01OK, well, you're going to be going to the UK
0:04:01 > 0:04:06headquarters of one of the biggest games companies in the world...
0:04:06 > 0:04:08EA Games.
0:04:08 > 0:04:10- Oh, my God. That's awesome. - Whoa!- Come on, then, let's go.
0:04:12 > 0:04:17This is the studios of the gigantic, multi-award-winning games designers.
0:04:17 > 0:04:19It's here that they design
0:04:19 > 0:04:22and make some of the most popular games on the planet.
0:04:22 > 0:04:25The team here are really driven.
0:04:25 > 0:04:29Pete Lake has been in this business for nearly 20 years.
0:04:29 > 0:04:33Being into art, he started off as an artist for a motorcycle game
0:04:33 > 0:04:36and he rose to become an artistic director for one of the most
0:04:36 > 0:04:39successful driving games ever.
0:04:39 > 0:04:42And now, he's a senior games producer.
0:04:42 > 0:04:45So, what would you say are the three top tips for being a good
0:04:45 > 0:04:48- games producer?- Oh, tip number one, play lots of games.
0:04:48 > 0:04:51It's great. In my job, you get to play lots of games,
0:04:51 > 0:04:53to have a very good understanding of all the different
0:04:53 > 0:04:56types of video games out there and what's good and what's bad.
0:04:56 > 0:04:58Secondly, really talk to lots of people.
0:04:58 > 0:05:00Talk to the people that are playing the game.
0:05:00 > 0:05:02It's not necessarily about what I like doing,
0:05:02 > 0:05:04it's about what everybody else likes doing in their games.
0:05:04 > 0:05:07And the third thing is really just to be a little bit organised.
0:05:07 > 0:05:10I'm running a team of 20 or 30 people and you need to
0:05:10 > 0:05:13understand who's doing what and when and in what order.
0:05:13 > 0:05:16So, being a bit organised really helps.
0:05:16 > 0:05:17Pete's top tips are...
0:05:17 > 0:05:19Play lots of games.
0:05:19 > 0:05:21Brilliant fun, but it is research.
0:05:21 > 0:05:25Talk to people, that's how you find out what they like to play.
0:05:25 > 0:05:27And be organised.
0:05:27 > 0:05:29You'll need to coordinate what's going on, who's doing what,
0:05:29 > 0:05:31when and in what order.
0:05:31 > 0:05:35Well, of course, Kiya and Toby have been making their own games.
0:05:35 > 0:05:39Yes, Alex. Thank you. We've actually been playing your games.
0:05:39 > 0:05:40What?!
0:05:40 > 0:05:42Kiya, the shapes game was really, really fun.
0:05:42 > 0:05:45I love the choice that you have in playing the different
0:05:45 > 0:05:46types of game in there.
0:05:46 > 0:05:49Think about how you could use sound in other different ways,
0:05:49 > 0:05:52to feedback if the player's doing well or not during the experience.
0:05:52 > 0:05:54But keep up the characterisation. It's really good to have
0:05:54 > 0:05:57the characters, especially when they talk to you.
0:05:57 > 0:05:59That was great, the way you get instructions of the game
0:05:59 > 0:06:00through the characters in there.
0:06:00 > 0:06:03And, Toby, the vegetable patch game was really good fun.
0:06:03 > 0:06:06We had four people playing it, because the multiplayer side
0:06:06 > 0:06:08of things is really exciting. Have a think about
0:06:08 > 0:06:11how you can play with the scoring and the different game loops,
0:06:11 > 0:06:12just to make it more of a game,
0:06:12 > 0:06:15because one life just wasn't enough.
0:06:15 > 0:06:17Well, congratulations, you've obviously got a talent
0:06:17 > 0:06:20for making games. So, come on, what's our first task?
0:06:20 > 0:06:23Good question, Alex. I've got them right here. Here you go.
0:06:23 > 0:06:24- Thank you.- Thank you.
0:06:24 > 0:06:26"You are challenged to make a racing game.
0:06:26 > 0:06:29"We'll give you a team of artists, designers and developers
0:06:29 > 0:06:30"to help you."
0:06:30 > 0:06:33"You'll both need to lead the team, to make sure you've got a demo ready
0:06:33 > 0:06:36"to show in time for a big gaming festival."
0:06:36 > 0:06:39- This is awesome. This is really awesome.- That's amazing.
0:06:39 > 0:06:42Let's start things off. Let me try something, OK?
0:06:43 > 0:06:46- Whoa!- Whoa! - I feel like I'm actually in a game.
0:06:46 > 0:06:49And we've just moved up a level.
0:06:49 > 0:06:51Well, we're here today not just to have fun.
0:06:51 > 0:06:53Cos when we make video games,
0:06:53 > 0:06:55we come out and we experience things in real life.
0:06:55 > 0:06:58So, today, we'll get out there, see how the karts feel,
0:06:58 > 0:07:00think about what it's like to drive them.
0:07:00 > 0:07:02Look at the track, where are the best bits of it?
0:07:02 > 0:07:04And think about how to make this a game.
0:07:04 > 0:07:07- What are all the different ways we can win?- This is my kind of job.
0:07:07 > 0:07:08Come on, then, let's go!
0:07:08 > 0:07:12This is serious work. It's all about research.
0:07:12 > 0:07:15The track is looking slippy, but that will give them
0:07:15 > 0:07:18a feel for what it might be like driving in the game they design.
0:07:19 > 0:07:21They can speed up down this straight,
0:07:21 > 0:07:23but you have to stay on track, Kiya.
0:07:25 > 0:07:28Are the rookies taking these corners too fast?
0:07:28 > 0:07:31Looks like they made it.
0:07:34 > 0:07:39Oh, maybe not. Toby's lost it on the curve and taken Mr Riley with him.
0:07:39 > 0:07:41All good experience for the game.
0:07:41 > 0:07:43THEY CHEER
0:07:46 > 0:07:50- What was the best bit for you?- I think the long stretch across there.
0:07:50 > 0:07:52You just go as fast as you want.
0:07:52 > 0:07:55OK. Going in a straight line, there's less to go wrong.
0:07:55 > 0:07:58Although, at one point, you started off-roading, didn't you?
0:07:58 > 0:08:01You went off the track onto the grass. I thought, "This is amazing."
0:08:01 > 0:08:03- Yeah.- "What's she got up her sleeve?"
0:08:03 > 0:08:05What about the bit down the bottom there?
0:08:05 > 0:08:07Cos that was really slippery, wasn't it?
0:08:07 > 0:08:10And you were like, "Whoa!" All over the place, weren't you?
0:08:10 > 0:08:12That was the hardest corner for me.
0:08:12 > 0:08:14I was always trying to not spin round.
0:08:14 > 0:08:17You've got to put the pressure on the steering wheel, so it won't go.
0:08:17 > 0:08:19I think we should take all of this back and try
0:08:19 > 0:08:21and put it into the game.
0:08:21 > 0:08:22OK? Let's go.
0:08:24 > 0:08:27When you're writing for a game,
0:08:27 > 0:08:29you have to talk to lots of different people.
0:08:29 > 0:08:32So, you have to talk about design with the designers
0:08:32 > 0:08:34and work out how they're going to make the game play
0:08:34 > 0:08:37and what they're going to make the game levels look like.
0:08:37 > 0:08:39You have to talk to the artists about what they're going to
0:08:39 > 0:08:41make the characters look like.
0:08:41 > 0:08:43Then, you might need to talk to the sound department to
0:08:43 > 0:08:46talk about what they're going to do with the voice actors
0:08:46 > 0:08:48and how they're going to record it.
0:08:48 > 0:08:49Or even composers, to see how
0:08:49 > 0:08:52the music will fit into the story of the game.
0:08:53 > 0:08:56Back to base, to put the driving experience into action
0:08:56 > 0:08:59at the ideas meeting with the team.
0:08:59 > 0:09:01We've got lots of pictures to use as inspiration
0:09:01 > 0:09:03and we've got the whole team here to help.
0:09:03 > 0:09:06- Ready?- BOTH:- Yeah.- Let's go.
0:09:06 > 0:09:09- I like the idea of the desert. - OK, what about the desert?
0:09:09 > 0:09:14We could have it racing through canyons and stuff like that.
0:09:14 > 0:09:17- You've got the dust blowing all around.- That's a good idea.
0:09:17 > 0:09:20Obviously, we had a really slippery experience go-karting today,
0:09:20 > 0:09:23do you think it could be a little bit more like that in the desert?
0:09:23 > 0:09:26- Yeah.- Actually, a vehicle like that moon buggy might be pretty good.
0:09:26 > 0:09:28Check that one out.
0:09:28 > 0:09:30- Kiya, anything catching your eye? - The snow.
0:09:30 > 0:09:33The snow? What about the snow?
0:09:33 > 0:09:35Cos you wouldn't have that much friction,
0:09:35 > 0:09:38which means it's not as easy to drive in the snow.
0:09:38 > 0:09:41- Right, what do you think, John? - Yeah, snow could be great.
0:09:41 > 0:09:45I mean, like you guys experienced today, slippy environment,
0:09:45 > 0:09:47trying to taper your speed to your environment,
0:09:47 > 0:09:50to make sure you're not spinning out all over the place.
0:09:50 > 0:09:52Already, there are some good ideas bouncing around.
0:09:52 > 0:09:55The research has got the creative flow going.
0:09:55 > 0:09:58What do you like about this one?
0:09:58 > 0:10:01I like the good scenery, trees, grass, greenery sort of thing.
0:10:01 > 0:10:04But also you've got the big cliff in the background.
0:10:04 > 0:10:06You're driving along and then, suddenly, you don't
0:10:06 > 0:10:09- realise that there's a massive drop. - Yeah.
0:10:09 > 0:10:11And you have to shoot over the edge, like, "Argh!"
0:10:11 > 0:10:13Yeah, that could be one of the jumps, couldn't it?
0:10:13 > 0:10:15Where you're jumping off the edge.
0:10:15 > 0:10:17Can you imagine driving off the edge of that cliff?
0:10:17 > 0:10:19It's got a river as well,
0:10:19 > 0:10:21- sort of a stream or a lake. - Oh, yeah, there's a lake.
0:10:21 > 0:10:23Yeah, that'd be really great, actually,
0:10:23 > 0:10:25for opportunities for splash up.
0:10:25 > 0:10:27Just like there would have been in the desert with the sand.
0:10:27 > 0:10:29- That's a good idea. - That's a really good point.
0:10:29 > 0:10:32There were some pictures of waterfalls around, I think.
0:10:32 > 0:10:35Excellent. Audio-wise, do you think that would be good, Rosa?
0:10:35 > 0:10:37That could sound very cool.
0:10:37 > 0:10:41OK, so, we're looking at a racing game that takes the best
0:10:41 > 0:10:43pieces of the mountains and desert and forest.
0:10:43 > 0:10:48- So, we can have different routes. Is that about right?- Yeah, sounds good.
0:10:48 > 0:10:50- How does that sound, team?- Perfect. - Yeah.- Yeah!- Great.
0:10:50 > 0:10:52Let's get to work.
0:10:52 > 0:10:56When we got the task of making the racing game for a big festival,
0:10:56 > 0:10:57I was really shocked.
0:10:57 > 0:11:01I'm really excited about making the game for a big games festival,
0:11:01 > 0:11:02but also quite nervous,
0:11:02 > 0:11:05because we have a deadline and we have to finish it by then.
0:11:05 > 0:11:10Going go-karting was really, really fun for research and so, I want
0:11:10 > 0:11:13to put a lot of that stuff that we experienced today into the game.
0:11:13 > 0:11:16It was really fun to see what other people's ideas were and to have
0:11:16 > 0:11:18good ideas together.
0:11:18 > 0:11:21Hey, Toby, I think you did a fantastic job today,
0:11:21 > 0:11:23full of energy and passion for video games.
0:11:23 > 0:11:26I'd like you to think more about how you can go beyond reality.
0:11:26 > 0:11:28Think about things we can do in video games
0:11:28 > 0:11:30that you could never do in real life.
0:11:30 > 0:11:32Hey, Kiya, it's been great working with you today.
0:11:32 > 0:11:34You were really good fun testing the cars.
0:11:34 > 0:11:37What I'd like to see a little bit more of is when you're working with
0:11:37 > 0:11:40the team, be a little bit more confident, try and speak up.
0:11:40 > 0:11:43You've got some great ideas, but they're not always coming across.
0:11:43 > 0:11:45Right, the next task is going to be two things.
0:11:45 > 0:11:48First of all, vehicle design.
0:11:48 > 0:11:50You're going to come up with the actual cars that are going to be
0:11:50 > 0:11:54flying around your environment. And also the game environment,
0:11:54 > 0:11:56with an artist. OK?
0:11:57 > 0:11:59- Yay!- Ow!
0:11:59 > 0:12:03Art director Max Boughen has been a games artist for ten years.
0:12:03 > 0:12:06He's a crucial part of the team that designs
0:12:06 > 0:12:08mega-successful driving games.
0:12:08 > 0:12:11He has worked on some of the biggest titles around
0:12:11 > 0:12:13and has great advice for the rookies.
0:12:13 > 0:12:15Can you give us three top tips
0:12:15 > 0:12:19on becoming a 3D artist in the gaming industry?
0:12:19 > 0:12:21Sure. First thing is to be super passionate.
0:12:21 > 0:12:23If you're passionate, it becomes really easy.
0:12:23 > 0:12:25The next thing is to pay attention to the world around you.
0:12:25 > 0:12:27The more you take in the world and the more you pay
0:12:27 > 0:12:30attention to it, the better you'll be at recreating it.
0:12:30 > 0:12:32And the last thing is, specialise a little bit.
0:12:32 > 0:12:35Once you've found that passion and you know you're creative,
0:12:35 > 0:12:37if you specialise in something, it'll just get easier to do.
0:12:37 > 0:12:40If you can specialise, then you're going to go far.
0:12:40 > 0:12:42Max's top tips are...
0:12:42 > 0:12:44Passion - if you love what you do,
0:12:44 > 0:12:46that will show in the work that you do.
0:12:46 > 0:12:48Observation - look at the world around you.
0:12:48 > 0:12:51That helps when creating your game environment.
0:12:51 > 0:12:54And specialise - develop your strong points
0:12:54 > 0:12:56and that'll help you in your dream job.
0:12:56 > 0:12:58Right, guys, we're going to design our vehicle now
0:12:58 > 0:13:01and we're going to use modelling clay.
0:13:01 > 0:13:03Now, we haven't got much time at all, so, I think the easiest way
0:13:03 > 0:13:06we can do this is to think about what a hovering vehicle
0:13:06 > 0:13:09- could look like.- Cos it's hard to do wheels in a short amount of time?
0:13:09 > 0:13:11Exactly. I think wheels will make it too tricky.
0:13:11 > 0:13:14I think it would be too difficult. We'll take the best of what we do
0:13:14 > 0:13:17and translate that onto the computer.
0:13:20 > 0:13:23Like the go-karting, this looks like a lot of fun,
0:13:23 > 0:13:26but there is a serious purpose.
0:13:26 > 0:13:31The modelling clay vehicles help the 3D artists realise their ideas.
0:13:40 > 0:13:43Things are really taking shape, as the deadline looms.
0:13:43 > 0:13:45Right, everybody, that's time.
0:13:45 > 0:13:48We need to stop what we're doing and put this into the computer
0:13:48 > 0:13:51- and get it into our game.- Cool.
0:13:51 > 0:13:53- OK.- Yeah, great.
0:13:53 > 0:13:56Max now has their brilliant models and is setting about
0:13:56 > 0:13:58bringing them to life.
0:13:58 > 0:14:00He'll use the clay models as a guide.
0:14:10 > 0:14:14My top three tips for anyone wanting to get into the games industry
0:14:14 > 0:14:15is develop as much skills as you can,
0:14:15 > 0:14:18in the area you want to work in. Be as determined as possible.
0:14:18 > 0:14:21Don't let anybody tell you you can't do something or achieve it.
0:14:21 > 0:14:22And, thirdly, go out
0:14:22 > 0:14:26and meet as many people in the industry as you possibly can.
0:14:28 > 0:14:31Max is happy with the vehicle designs, but are the rookies?
0:14:31 > 0:14:34OK, here we go. Ready?
0:14:34 > 0:14:36Ta-da!
0:14:36 > 0:14:39- Whoa!- Look at that. - That looks amazing.- Amazing.
0:14:40 > 0:14:42There we go.
0:14:44 > 0:14:47I think they're really good. I think they all work together
0:14:47 > 0:14:49really well. And I'll tell you what I like best about them,
0:14:49 > 0:14:52they all look like they're going to travel really fast.
0:14:52 > 0:14:55- So, that's cool.- I can't believe we've actually done that.
0:14:55 > 0:14:56- BOTH:- Thank you.
0:14:56 > 0:14:59I think that's a big, big yes from Toby and Kiya.
0:15:01 > 0:15:03I just love graphics in games.
0:15:03 > 0:15:06I love the way they look, so when we used modelling clay to create
0:15:06 > 0:15:09our vehicles, I was really excited.
0:15:09 > 0:15:12When you see them being transformed onto the screen,
0:15:12 > 0:15:14it looks even more realistic,
0:15:14 > 0:15:17because they have all the special techniques and designs in them.
0:15:17 > 0:15:20We had to work really fast, as we had a deadline.
0:15:20 > 0:15:23And, being such a perfectionist,
0:15:23 > 0:15:26I just couldn't handle not being able to finish my sledge.
0:15:26 > 0:15:28Kiya, I think you've done really well today.
0:15:28 > 0:15:30I can see so much passion in this from you.
0:15:30 > 0:15:31There's nothing wrong with failing,
0:15:31 > 0:15:34so you might as well come out with ideas a little bit faster.
0:15:34 > 0:15:37But, overall, the idea you came out with was fantastic
0:15:37 > 0:15:38and I can't wait to see it in the game.
0:15:38 > 0:15:41Toby, you could've have made your model a little bit bigger.
0:15:41 > 0:15:43But you knew exactly what would work in the game
0:15:43 > 0:15:44and that's the main thing.
0:15:45 > 0:15:49You've just caught me playing a new game. It's really good.
0:15:49 > 0:15:54- Oh, can we play?- Yeah, sure. - Oh, this is cool.
0:15:54 > 0:15:55And me.
0:15:57 > 0:15:59How do you make a game that's this popular?
0:15:59 > 0:16:02Well, this guy should know.
0:16:02 > 0:16:04John Stanley is a games designer,
0:16:04 > 0:16:08who has worked on titles played by millions of gamers around the globe.
0:16:09 > 0:16:12John specialises in high-octane driving games.
0:16:13 > 0:16:15So, John, can you tell us
0:16:15 > 0:16:18what your three top tips are for becoming a games designer?
0:16:18 > 0:16:21My three top tips... Number one, probably the most important,
0:16:21 > 0:16:23play lots of games.
0:16:23 > 0:16:26Number two, try and see all the elements that make up a game.
0:16:26 > 0:16:28Try it and see how the game comes together.
0:16:28 > 0:16:31And number three, take on feedback.
0:16:31 > 0:16:34Get as much feedback about your designs as possible.
0:16:34 > 0:16:37John's top tip for the rookies are... Play lots of games,
0:16:37 > 0:16:40that broadens your knowledge of gaming.
0:16:40 > 0:16:44Analyse them, try to identify the bits in successful games that
0:16:44 > 0:16:47come together to make the game so good.
0:16:47 > 0:16:51And get feedback, which will help at improving your games.
0:16:51 > 0:16:54OK, we've designed our vehicles now. What's the next step?
0:16:54 > 0:16:56The vehicles are looking great,
0:16:56 > 0:16:58but we need a track and we need one quick.
0:16:58 > 0:17:01We also need to make sure that we make this game fun.
0:17:01 > 0:17:03We're on a deadline, so we'd better get going.
0:17:05 > 0:17:08I think we should do a big straight part at the beginning,
0:17:08 > 0:17:11so they can speed up.
0:17:11 > 0:17:15You could do a bit of a narrow bit, so not everybody can fit in.
0:17:15 > 0:17:18- That's a great idea. - So, you could have barriers there.
0:17:18 > 0:17:21- So, it'll go out like that.- Yeah.
0:17:21 > 0:17:23And then the rest of the track will go this way.
0:17:23 > 0:17:28So, it'll come down here, like this. We'll bring this guy up, like this.
0:17:28 > 0:17:32And then it goes up over a waterfall and then to the finish line.
0:17:32 > 0:17:35I think you maybe ought to enter it slightly on a curve,
0:17:35 > 0:17:38so you could end up crashing into the entrance.
0:17:38 > 0:17:40- Sounds good.- Oh, yeah.
0:17:40 > 0:17:42The waterfall could be about there.
0:17:42 > 0:17:44Yeah, I like the sound of that a lot.
0:17:44 > 0:17:46With John's help and the go-karting experience,
0:17:46 > 0:17:49they're about to bring their track to life, with twists,
0:17:49 > 0:17:52turns and other pitfalls, to make a very tricky challenge.
0:17:52 > 0:17:56Have I got that right, guys? Have we got everything we need in our track?
0:17:56 > 0:17:58- Yeah.- Fantastic.
0:18:00 > 0:18:03The track has been sketched out and now,
0:18:03 > 0:18:05it needs to go into the computer.
0:18:05 > 0:18:08- Just click, just there.- Click on the side.- OK, just there?
0:18:08 > 0:18:10- Where my finger is. - There?- Yeah, perfect.
0:18:10 > 0:18:13At this stage, it's crucial to get the track layout right.
0:18:13 > 0:18:16- This is my kind of thing. - Are you looking at what I'm doing?
0:18:16 > 0:18:19There's a lot of testing, user feedback,
0:18:19 > 0:18:22thinking and tweaking to be done, before the game is ready.
0:18:22 > 0:18:24That high, shall we do it?
0:18:24 > 0:18:27Yeah, because then it gives it a bit of a drop.
0:18:27 > 0:18:30Track layout done. Lots more to do, though.
0:18:30 > 0:18:32Like music and sound effects.
0:18:34 > 0:18:37Enter Rosa Dachtler,
0:18:37 > 0:18:40an aspiring expert in just that.
0:18:40 > 0:18:42She's studying audio technology
0:18:42 > 0:18:45and splits her time between the studio and studying.
0:18:45 > 0:18:48Rosa knows that as well as looking amazing,
0:18:48 > 0:18:50a game has to sound amazing.
0:18:51 > 0:18:53First up, the music.
0:18:53 > 0:18:56So, see what you think of this. Maybe for the main menu.
0:18:56 > 0:18:58CLASSICAL MUSIC PLAYS
0:18:58 > 0:19:01- That's cool.- I like that. - Yeah? You like it?- Yeah.
0:19:01 > 0:19:04It's kind of like a waiting room, when you go onto it.
0:19:04 > 0:19:05Yeah, exactly.
0:19:05 > 0:19:08Now, we've got a couple of options for the actual race.
0:19:08 > 0:19:10DRAMATIC MUSIC PLAYS
0:19:10 > 0:19:12That's very, very dramatic.
0:19:18 > 0:19:21Steady on, Alex, it's only music.
0:19:23 > 0:19:25I thought the world was going to end.
0:19:25 > 0:19:29- ROSA:- OK, here's option two. This is a little spacey and a little racier.
0:19:29 > 0:19:30MUSIC PLAYS
0:19:30 > 0:19:31The reactions from Alex
0:19:31 > 0:19:34and the rookies showed that music can be really effective.
0:19:40 > 0:19:42Toby and Kiya obviously like Rosa's music suggestions
0:19:42 > 0:19:45and it looks like it's made it to the game.
0:19:45 > 0:19:48Music ticked, what about the vehicle effects?
0:19:48 > 0:19:50Here's one.
0:19:50 > 0:19:53VEHICLE EFFECT PLAYS
0:19:53 > 0:19:55- Oh.- Here's another one.
0:19:55 > 0:19:58REVVING NOISE
0:20:00 > 0:20:02Oh, I like that.
0:20:03 > 0:20:05A bit flightier.
0:20:05 > 0:20:07That one is a bit like mine, because mine is a hover board.
0:20:07 > 0:20:10- OK, so, are you guys happy with those sound effects?- Yes.
0:20:10 > 0:20:12You like those vehicle sounds?
0:20:12 > 0:20:14So, if you like, we can put you guys in the game.
0:20:14 > 0:20:16- What?- What do you think? - That's awesome.
0:20:16 > 0:20:18That's cool.
0:20:18 > 0:20:20OK, Kiya, when you're ready
0:20:20 > 0:20:23go ahead and say, "Three, two, one, go" into the microphone,
0:20:23 > 0:20:26- as excited as you like.- OK.
0:20:26 > 0:20:29Three, two, one, go!
0:20:29 > 0:20:33All right, let's have a listen to that real quick.
0:20:33 > 0:20:36"Three, two, one, go!"
0:20:36 > 0:20:39- Well done, you're the winner.- Nice.
0:20:39 > 0:20:41- We can make that sound as cool as you like.- Yeah.
0:20:41 > 0:20:43With lots of different effects on it.
0:20:43 > 0:20:46Music and effects are done.
0:20:46 > 0:20:49Now what's needed is to bring all the different elements together
0:20:49 > 0:20:51to complete the rookies' game.
0:20:51 > 0:20:53That's where coding comes into play.
0:20:53 > 0:20:56Ace coder Edwin is on hand to give the guys
0:20:56 > 0:20:58an insight into the coder's role.
0:20:58 > 0:21:01Code is literally written instructions for a computer.
0:21:01 > 0:21:04You have an artist who'll create what you see.
0:21:04 > 0:21:06A designer will think of what your game is going to be like
0:21:06 > 0:21:08and how it's going to work.
0:21:08 > 0:21:10But a programmer is more someone who implements all of that.
0:21:10 > 0:21:13So, they actually take instructions from a person
0:21:13 > 0:21:15- and write it in a way that the computer can understand.- OK.
0:21:15 > 0:21:18So, every single thing that happens in the game,
0:21:18 > 0:21:21you have to write it all out as instructions for the computer
0:21:21 > 0:21:23- to understand what's going on? - For most games, yes.
0:21:23 > 0:21:25- And coding is the same as programming?- Yes, coding
0:21:25 > 0:21:27and programming are the same.
0:21:27 > 0:21:30I can't stress how important it is to have coders, just like Edwin,
0:21:30 > 0:21:34so that we can actually get the game to play how we want it to play.
0:21:37 > 0:21:39You don't fall into the gaming industry,
0:21:39 > 0:21:42you're here because you love it.
0:21:42 > 0:21:45It's quite hard to get into and the people who get the jobs
0:21:45 > 0:21:48get them because they're really dedicated.
0:21:48 > 0:21:52Yes, playing games gives you a huge advantage, because it gives you
0:21:52 > 0:21:55a really big frame of reference
0:21:55 > 0:21:57for all the different games that are out there.
0:21:57 > 0:21:59But if you're going to be an artist,
0:21:59 > 0:22:02you need to really work on your art. You need to be a good drawer.
0:22:02 > 0:22:04If you're going to be a character designer,
0:22:04 > 0:22:07you need to spend your time drawing characters, making up characters.
0:22:07 > 0:22:10If you wanted to be a coder or a developer, you're going
0:22:10 > 0:22:13to have to get your maths skills really up to speed,
0:22:13 > 0:22:17your physics skills really up to speed,
0:22:17 > 0:22:21and keep working really hard at that. And then, as Dom said,
0:22:21 > 0:22:25there's musicians, writers, so many different areas of the games
0:22:25 > 0:22:28industry that you can come and work at.
0:22:29 > 0:22:30- ALL:- Hello!
0:22:30 > 0:22:34The entire office has assembled to give some feedback on the game.
0:22:34 > 0:22:38- So, how are you feeling? - Yeah, bit excited and a bit nervous,
0:22:38 > 0:22:42cos we haven't seen it before and we're just going to play it now.
0:22:42 > 0:22:44- What about you, Toby?- Yeah, I agree.
0:22:44 > 0:22:47I'm really excited to see what's come so far,
0:22:47 > 0:22:49but at the same time, really, really nervous.
0:22:49 > 0:22:51- Well, let's see how it goes. - Let's do it.
0:22:52 > 0:22:54- There we are.- Look at that.
0:22:56 > 0:22:59Everything the rookies have been working on,
0:22:59 > 0:23:01throughout the whole project, has been built in.
0:23:01 > 0:23:04Their vehicle designs have been included and the game
0:23:04 > 0:23:06environment is looking impressive.
0:23:06 > 0:23:09Oh, is that the short cut? Go the short cut, go the short cut.
0:23:09 > 0:23:12- Oh, yeah.- Here's the jump.
0:23:12 > 0:23:15Elements of the track design still have to be added. And the music
0:23:15 > 0:23:18and sound effects are to be inserted, too.
0:23:18 > 0:23:20So, guys, has anyone got any ideas for this, how we
0:23:20 > 0:23:21can make it a bit better?
0:23:21 > 0:23:23Yeah, we could add some effects,
0:23:23 > 0:23:25that would make it look a lot better.
0:23:25 > 0:23:28In the ground, could you put little bumps to go over?
0:23:28 > 0:23:30- So it makes it a bit harder. - I think that is a great idea.
0:23:30 > 0:23:33- I think on those long flat bits, we could put lots of bumps in.- Yeah.
0:23:33 > 0:23:36It's impressive, but there's still a lot to be done
0:23:36 > 0:23:37before it's ready for the festival.
0:23:37 > 0:23:40How about a spontaneous round of applause, everyone?
0:23:40 > 0:23:41THEY CHEER
0:23:41 > 0:23:45I didn't expect that the game would come out that good.
0:23:45 > 0:23:48We've only had a little bit of time on it and now,
0:23:48 > 0:23:50it looks that amazing and that brilliant.
0:23:50 > 0:23:53My favourite bit was when we recreated the models
0:23:53 > 0:23:55on the computer and saw them come to life,
0:23:55 > 0:23:58as well as doing all the audio for the game itself.
0:23:58 > 0:24:01That was really, really fun and enjoyable.
0:24:01 > 0:24:04Putting your own voices into a video game is really cool.
0:24:04 > 0:24:06Toby, you did a fantastic job.
0:24:06 > 0:24:09I think something you could maybe work on is your teamwork aspect.
0:24:09 > 0:24:10I know you're very passionate
0:24:10 > 0:24:12and you want to get your ideas out there quickly
0:24:12 > 0:24:15but it's always good to think about what other people are saying.
0:24:15 > 0:24:17Kiya, you did really well on the track design.
0:24:17 > 0:24:20You were really thinking about what the player wanted.
0:24:20 > 0:24:22I was really impressed at how quickly you picked up the software,
0:24:22 > 0:24:25making the track. That was fantastic work. Very impressed.
0:24:25 > 0:24:28Wow, Kiya and Toby have made a game.
0:24:28 > 0:24:31They've worked out the style, designed their vehicles,
0:24:31 > 0:24:32even laid out the track.
0:24:32 > 0:24:34The question is, does anybody want to play it?
0:24:34 > 0:24:37Let's meet some real gamers to find out.
0:24:39 > 0:24:43This is one of the UK's biggest gaming festivals,
0:24:43 > 0:24:46where top designers test their games.
0:24:46 > 0:24:50Kiya and Toby's game, which they've called Kito Blaze, is ready.
0:24:50 > 0:24:54The team at the games studio have spent quite some time finalising
0:24:54 > 0:24:56the audio design...
0:24:56 > 0:24:58Three, two, one, go!
0:24:58 > 0:25:01..as well as the track, the vehicles and the game environment.
0:25:04 > 0:25:08Kito Blaze is ready to be unleashed on the game-playing world.
0:25:08 > 0:25:11- Hi, would you like to come and play our game?- Come on.
0:25:11 > 0:25:13Would you like to come and play Kito Blaze?
0:25:13 > 0:25:15You can defy gravity with hover boards.
0:25:15 > 0:25:18The rookies are doing a great job of attracting attention.
0:25:19 > 0:25:23I love the graphics, how it's really easy to play.
0:25:24 > 0:25:26What do you like best about it?
0:25:26 > 0:25:28Probably the graphics.
0:25:29 > 0:25:33Do you think you can make it to first?
0:25:33 > 0:25:35Probably not.
0:25:35 > 0:25:37This is a massive drop, to make it fun.
0:25:39 > 0:25:41Argh!
0:25:41 > 0:25:43Out of ten, what would you rate it?
0:25:43 > 0:25:45- Ten.- Ten?- Definitely.
0:25:47 > 0:25:48- Ten.- Ten? Was it that good?
0:25:50 > 0:25:52Yeah!
0:25:52 > 0:25:55The game is going down a storm with the public,
0:25:55 > 0:25:57but what do the critics think?
0:25:57 > 0:26:01Aoife Wilson is an influential games journalist, who travels the world
0:26:01 > 0:26:05interviewing celebrities and games developers, talking about games.
0:26:05 > 0:26:08Aoife has given Kito Blaze a whirl.
0:26:08 > 0:26:11I really, really liked it. I have to say, I'm really impressed
0:26:11 > 0:26:13you guys put that together so quickly.
0:26:13 > 0:26:15I love the fact that there were loads of jumps.
0:26:15 > 0:26:17Really, really good idea to end on a fake jump, cos you're going
0:26:17 > 0:26:20towards the finish line and you see it and you're like, "Yeah!"
0:26:20 > 0:26:23I was just blown away. The designs were really unique as well.
0:26:23 > 0:26:26So, you guys did a fantastic job.
0:26:26 > 0:26:29Kiya and Toby have had an incredible,
0:26:29 > 0:26:32hands-on experience of life in the games business.
0:26:32 > 0:26:35Do they get top marks from the mentors in the know?
0:26:38 > 0:26:41Kiya and Toby, it's been wonderful working with you on this project.
0:26:41 > 0:26:43You've shown some incredible, creative ideas
0:26:43 > 0:26:45and are full of passion every day.
0:26:45 > 0:26:49You certainly have everything that you need to work in this industry.
0:26:49 > 0:26:52You definitely have what it takes to be a games artist in the future.
0:26:52 > 0:26:54I can see you've got real passion for it and I say, go for it.
0:26:54 > 0:26:56The main thing that impressed me? Your passion.
0:26:56 > 0:26:59Passion for the game and making the game is one of the most
0:26:59 > 0:27:03important things about being a games designer. Well done, guys.
0:27:03 > 0:27:05Fantastic job.
0:27:05 > 0:27:09Kiya, Toby, you've had a really good look around the gaming industry.
0:27:09 > 0:27:11Do you still want to be games designers?
0:27:11 > 0:27:13Yeah, I want to be a games artist, like Max.
0:27:13 > 0:27:18Because I think it's creative and I like art
0:27:18 > 0:27:21and you get to use a bit of maths.
0:27:21 > 0:27:26I want to be just like Max, again, with the games artist
0:27:26 > 0:27:29but as well as an audio designer, because that was really,
0:27:29 > 0:27:30really interesting as well.
0:27:30 > 0:27:33OK, well, fantastic. I think you've done brilliantly.
0:27:33 > 0:27:35You should be really proud of yourselves. Well done.
0:27:35 > 0:27:37- Thank you.- Yeah!