Q&A with Codemasters (Malaysia) General Manager Maxime Villandre 19 June 2008 03:45 PM
By MONEY SHARMA
"We have one of the best talents and technologies at our development centre and we use our own game engines to make quality games"
What is the pedigree of Codemasters? The company was established in 1986 by the Darling brothers, Richard and David Darling, who have recently been commended by the Queen for their contribution to the UK gaming industry. Last year the company was taken over Balderton. The Codemasters campus is at Warwickshire and houses close to 500 employees.
Now we have another office which has just opened in Gilford. We also have offices in the US, Spain, France and Australia.
So now Codemasters is majorly into developing, publishing and distribution? Exactly. We do also publishing for other parties. The internal development cell is called Codemasters Studios. We also have a studio in Malaysia where we develop XBOX 360, PS3 and PC games.
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What about the Wii platform? No we don‘t touch Wii yet. That‘s been done by our third parties. We publish for but we don‘t develop for Wii. That could change this year. I think the Wii just took everybody by surprise. It was not expected to do so well and it was not in the race for the next generation console. But it came up really good. It‘s more of a family console, it‘s a different genre altogether.
The main problem is that when you make games for PC, XBOX 360 and PS3 it‘s almost the same kind of leverage so you don‘t have to strip down your game so much. But when you go to Wii, you have to strip down the game a lot; you have to downsize it.
Is there any technological difference between the Wii and the other next generation consoles? Yes there is. The Wii is nowhere the real-time rendering capabilities of the XBOX 360, PS3 or a PC with a good graphic card. So obviously you have to downscale a lot of what you have; it‘s either the assets or you have less polygons. Your textures could be a lot smaller or you will have a lot less objects per frame as compared to the other consoles.
So that‘s why we did not get into Wii. But now we will have to as there are as much Wii owners as XBOX owners. And that has surprised everybody.
How is the gaming market in Malaysia? Consoles are not sold in Malaysia as Microsoft and Sony don‘t have a presence there. Though, in Malaysia and China, consoles are sold illegally. In terms of market it‘s almost non existent. In Asia as a whole PC games are still in vogue. That will change when the consoles are introduced in China, the XBOX is still banned in China. Like in Singapore there‘s been so much PS2 around.
So what sort of work is done at Codemaster‘s Development Centre in Malaysia? We started our setup in Malaysia in 2006 and now we employ close to 80 artists at our studio. Codemaster‘s Development Centre in Malaysia is solely involved in development of games across all the platforms. Distribution and marketing is taken care off by our UK office. We have one of the best talents and technologies at our development store and we use our own game engines and other technology to make quality games.
How do you handle piracy in these areas? Well it‘s not our market. Our market right now is the US, Japan and Europe. So we don‘t have much distribution in Asia. It‘s a bit of a grey area. We sell to distributors and they handle it. We don‘t want to know the demographics until the market matures.
Which game are you showcasing at CG Overdrive? We have Race Driver Grid which was launched on May 30 in UK a major part of which was made in Malaysia.
What is the USP of Race Driver Grid? The USP is definitely the damage system with parts coming off cars. In other games you can bump other cars and it will not affect your racing. A lot of people were complaining about that. Race Driver Grid is a lot more realistic in that aspect. The graphics are spectacular, the engine plays very well. The game is good for the casual gamer as well as the hardcore gamers. We have the F1 licence three weeks ago. So we are the official F1 race driving game. Now we are authorised to make games on F1.
What are your observations about the Indian market? I know very little about the Indian market though one thing I know is that there is a good market for online gaming. The whole of South-East Asia is growing in terms of the gaming market.
What are your expectations from CG Overdrive? It‘s just to create awareness about Codemasters which has been around for a long time. A lot of people in Asia didn‘t know our games apart from Soccer Manager or Brian Lara Cricket.
TurtleinMotion Studio,a group company
of the RDB Organisation which has been engaged in production and distribution
of movies and television series for over 40 years ,is in search of talented
artists in the field of 2D/3D animation for our Kolkata based office in various
department
Script Writers
Character Designers
2D B/G Artist
Storyboard Artists
Layout Artists
2D Animators
Flash Animators
3D Artists
Marketing Executives (based in Mumbai)
Freshers may apply as interns.
Interested candidates may send an e-mail with
updated resume at careers@turtleinmotion.com
along with the link to your showreel or call at 033-6616-9718.
UK-based Snipple Animation is building
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place where art, technology and sharp business acumen co-exist and complement
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At Snipple we hire only the best of the best,
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If you think you have what it takes to be a part of this world-class team, we
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We are currently recruiting for the following
positions: 1) Senior Modeler
2) Senior Surfacing Artist
3) Senior Rigging Artist
4) Senior 3D Animator
5) Senior 2D Animator
6) Production Manager
Reliance MediaWorks Limited is India`s
fastest growing film and entertainment Services Company and a member of the
Reliance Anil Dhirubhai Ambani Group.
The Company has a dominant and comprehensive
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Effects; Film Restoration and image enhancement; Digital Mastering: Studios
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Reliance MediaWorks invites you to be a part
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VFX Films Division in Mumbai & Pune shortly. We are in search of talent
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for:
Also send hard copies along with showreel
to:
Reliance MediaWorks Ltd. Plot No A - 62 and 63, Kodak Cinelabs Building, Behind
Tunga International Hotel, Post office Lane, MIDC, Andheri (E), Mumbai-93
Cornershop Animation Studio, A Zee Network
Company (Essel Group Enterprise) which focuses on 3D and 2D animation content
development and broadcast media has opportunities in various departments.
For our 2D Operations in Pune, we are
looking for following artists.
1. Visualiser
2. Flash Animators with 2D background
3. Storyboard Artist
4. 2D Compositor
5. 2D Classical Animators
6. Layout Artist
For our 3D Operations in Mumbai, we are
looking for following artists. 1. Art Director
2. Broadcast design and Motion Graphic Artist
3. 3D Animator
4. Lighting Artist
5. Compositing
6. Production Coordinator
Tasaa Infosolutions Pvt. Ltd (Formerly
Tasaa Netcom Pvt. Ltd) is a rapidly growing IT
corporate with focused interests in:
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We are a one step solution for all software needs
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Besides being a professional training and technical
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Requirement for Mumbai Programmer:
Candidate needs to know Programming: MEL and Python.
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Please send your CV at resumes@tasaa.com
or call at +91-22-42121717.
BIG AIMS, a premier animation training institute
of BIG Animation (I) Pvt. Ltd. a part of Reliance Big Entertainment - the largest
entertainment group in India is hiring for following position for various franchisee
locations in India:
1) Centre Head: Candidate with experience
of over 7 years in heading an animation or educational institute. The candidate
should have skills in marketing and
managing day to day operations of an institute.
2) Counselor: Candidate with of over 3
years of experience in counseling students and should have good communication
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3) Faculty: Candidate should have working
experience of minimum 3 years in a production studio and over 2 years as faculty
with a well established training institutes.
After Effects, Nuke,
Fusion ,Combustion, Boujou, Shake
Post-production (editing) faculty
Editing & sound
Premier, FCP & Editing
Interested candidates can e-mail their resumes
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send a hard copy of the resume along with demo-reel to "The Human Resources
Department", BIG Animation (I) Pvt. Ltd, 3rd Floor Muttha Towers, Don Bosco
School Road, Yerawada, Pune 411006.
Sheen Animation Studio Pvt. Ltd. A Delhi
based Production Studio is looking for talents in 2D and 3D for their ongoing
and new international as well as national projects. If you have the experience
an expertise of 2-5 years in the relevant domain handling any of the following
functions, apply in confidence.
Pre-Production
1) BG Design Artists
2) Character Design Artists
3) Matte Painting Artists
4) Concept Artist
2D Animation
1) Flash Animators
2) 2D FX Artists
3) IB And Clean-up Artist
Hiring for all VFX Positions Digital Media Imaging Ltd (a Reliance Media Works Limited company) is involved
in Digital restoration of films, content processing, and 3D Stereo conversion
of filmed entertainment. We are in the process of ramping up to become the biggest
2D to 3D conversion facility in the world. As part of the phase II of our growth
plan we are hiring Compositors and 2D to 3D Stereo conversion Artists.
The required Software skills are:
1+ years experience in any of the following
software platforms
Adobe After Effects, Adobe Photoshop, Combustion
Digital Fusion, Nuke, Shake
Smoke, Flame, Inferno
Silhouette Paint & compositing
3Ds Max, Maya or any other 3D software.
Traditional artists with Painting skills in
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Besides a Quality work environment and Sophisticated
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We offer you…
Specialized VFX and 3D Stereo conversion training
by an International team from Hollywood.
Opportunity to work on popular international
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Opportunity for tremendous internal growth
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Long term association will be rewarded based
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We are an employee centric organization, who
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We are in a growth phase with ambitious plans
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on building careers meaningfully for each employee with a very caring & warm
working culture where everyone is approachable and believes is being proactive
to building a great organization together with a fantastic employee experience
and great results from each employee.
Be part of an exciting journey! Technicolor India (previously Paprikaas) is a premiere animation studio,
based out of a state-of-the-art centre of excellence in Bangalore, working on
international projects for marquee clients in animation, gaming and Film visual
effects.
Technicolor India is currently seeking
highly talented artists to work on international projects in animation and film
visual effects.
If you are game for tough challenges, cut out to work in high pressure situations,
and are armed with excellent credentials in any of the following disciplines: Concept Art
Matte Painting
Modeling
Texturing
Effects
Character Animation
Lighting & Compositing
Film Visual Effects (Rotoscopy, MatchMove, Paint & Prep) or Production Management
ANTS is seeking talented artists and teaching
faculties to be a part of the expansion team and work on various national and
international projects. Areas of key vacancies are: Lighting, Animation and Rigging,
Dynamics, Game Design, Texturing, Creative Art, Designer, Web Developer and Content Creator. Interested candidates can send their resumes and works to hr@antsindia.com.
URL: www.antsindia.com,
Phone Numbers: 080 - 40627000 (ext) 224
Redchillies.vfx is all ready to start
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Loads of challenging 3D and Compositing visual effects work is to be done for
the live action sci-fi superhero film starring Shah Rukh Khan as a superhero.
We are currently looking out for extremely talented
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are Lead Lighting Artist (3DS Max), Animators (3DS Max),
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Moving Artist, to name a few. For details on many more vacancies Click
here.
Apply on hr.vfx@redchillies.com
with your show reel OR send in your showreel at the following address: Ground
Floor, Crescent Towers,Off New Link Road, Oshiwara, Near Morya Estate, Andheri-W,
Mumbai-58.
India`s No.1 Multimedia & Animation Academy
with one of the best state of the Art infrastructure requires trainers in the
field of:
3D Animation: Experience in a 3D Production
Environment. Must have good working knowledge of Max or Maya with simulation
systems-particle, cloth, fluid, fur.
Editing & Vfx: Experienced Candidates
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software will be added advantage (Apple Shake & Fusion).
Flash Animators: Experience in Flash with
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traditional animation skills.
Pre Production Artists: People from fine
arts background with pre production experience of animation industry.
Graphics: Candidates with Print Media
and Advertising background with sound knowledge of Photoshop, Illustrator, Corel
Draw & Indesign.
Candidates with Adobe & Autodesk certification
would be preferred.
India`s largest Animation & Multimedia Training
Facility reputed for its path-breaking academic initiatives and profound
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CLOTH HAIR & FUR ARTIST
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MAYA INSTRUCTOR
3D STUDIO MAX INSTRUCTOR
Dilsukhnagar Arena is a people-friendly organization
offering enriching and rewarding careers with the emphasis on personal as well
as professional growth. You will be working with some of the most talented people
in an empowering, challenging and inspirational work-environment with ample
"Learning and Career Progression" opportunities.
Cornershop Animation Studio, A Zee Network
Company (Essel Group Enterprise) which focuses on 3D and 2D animation content
development and broadcast media has opportunities in various departments.
BIG AIMS, a premier animation training institute
of BIG Animation (I) Pvt. Ltd. a part of Reliance Big Entertainment - the largest
entertainment group in India is hiring for following position for various franchisee
locations in India:
Sheen Animation Studio Pvt. Ltd. A Delhi
based Production Studio is looking for talents in 2D and 3D for their ongoing
and new international as well as national projects. If you have the experience
an expertise of 2-5 years in the relevant domain handling any of the following
functions, apply in confidence.
Hiring for all VFX Positions
ANTS is seeking talented artists and teaching
faculties to be a part of the expansion team and work on various national and
international projects. Areas of key vacancies are: Lighting, Animation and Rigging,
Dynamics, Game Design, Texturing, Creative Art, Designer, Web Developer and Content Creator. Interested candidates can send their resumes and works to 
India`s No.1 Multimedia & Animation Academy
with one of the best state of the Art infrastructure requires trainers in the
field of:
