Skill set (7)
Joe in a few words
Sometimes, as game devs, we are just too close to our projects to see what’s really working with them, and what needs changing. We get over-attached to the way we’ve done things, even if it’s not what’s best for the project overall. And, like a frog sat in a pot of gradually boiling water, we don’t perceive the danger until it’s too late.
But it doesn’t have to be that way. Hiring a design consultant to look at your game might seem like overkill, but it can be a great way to solve some of the above issues. Having an external expert view can help to get a project “unstuck”, maximising the fun elements of a game while giving clear and actionable guidance on what to change or cut. Naturally, you’re not bound to making any of the changes I suggest, but they can be extremely helpful when you’re stuck, and can even – in some cases – help to diffuse issues surrounding office politics and individual team member’s attachments to particular features or ways of doing things.
As a design consultant I can help you with:
✔️Quick reviews of your entire game, resulting in a report giving clear, actionable feedback.
✔️Focussed reviews on specific elements such as narrative, balancing, or core mechanics.
✔️Re-organising existing design documentation into more usable or client-friendly formats.
✔️Flexible rates based on hourly or daily workloads.
I’ve worked with multiple videogame studios over the years, and seen all sorts of team dynamics and different ways of doing things. I’ve also worked in the more experimental area of “serious games”, which are meant to impart some sort of marketing or political message. During my time as a Game Design educator, I’ve also read extensively on topics such as the psychology of game design, and I know how to communicate with different sorts of people and for different purposes. Whatever your game’s needs, I have insights to share, and an initial scoping call is free before any contracts are exchanged.
Experience
- Canterbury Christ Church UniversitySenior Lecturer in Games DesignEDUCATION & E-LEARNINGAugust 2018 - Today (6 years and 4 months)Canterbury, England, United Kingdom✔️ Teaching: pitching, planning, representational ethics, games marketing, and creative-sector entrepreneurialism.✔️ Course marketing, social media, and outreach events.✔️ Employability Director for School of Creative Arts and Industries.✔️Teaching and supervision of postgraduate students in media/arts up to postgraduate level.✔️Facilitating interdisciplinary collaboration between staff and students across School of Creative Arts and Industries.✔️External Examiner for Staffordshire University’s Games and related degrees.
- Freelance (Games & Playable Media)Freelance Game DesignerENTERTAINMENT & LEISUREJanuary 2018 - Today (6 years and 11 months)Working on games individually and collaboratively, including:✔️ Game design documentation for commercial games and 3rd party game experiences.✔️ 2D videogame prototypes using GameMaker Studio 2.✔️ "Serious games"; using board-games to create educational and satirical content.✔️ Related media production including audio/music design.Clients including Karta, Itzy Interactive and Canterbury Festival.
- Burke & BestAssistant ProducerENTERTAINMENT & LEISURENovember 2015 - August 2018 (2 years and 9 months)Canterbury, England, United KingdomAs Assistant Producer I worked directly under the company’s Managing Director to coordinate a team of programmers and artists. In this role, I undertook multiple organisational and creative responsibilities to help the business grow and find success in the mobile “freemium” space. My game credits include titles published by the Turner Broadcasting Corporation, Adult Swim Games and Mediatonic (now part of Epic Games).
3 recommendations
JO
JB
RB
James O'Connell and 2 other people have recommended Joe
19.02.2023
I had the pleasure of being tutored by Joe whilst attending a Games Design course at university. Joe does not simply teach a skill, then mark your work according to how well you can regurgitate it. He ensures you understand exactly what it is you are learning, so you can continuously develop your own skills to achieve the highest marks possible.
When I started university, I had no knowledge of games design. Thanks to Joe, I finished with a First Class degree, and the ability to figure things out for myself. His lessons were something to look forward to, and he would always cater to my learning needs, as I sometimes requested him to explain instructions differently if I did not understand them the first time. Instead of just repeating himself, he would happily and patiently guide me through the problem again until he was sure I completely understood it.
Joe changed my mind about education, he showed me how to learn properly in a way that suited me and that it does not have to be difficult. Anyone would be lucky to have Joe as a tutor, and I am grateful he was mine.
When I started university, I had no knowledge of games design. Thanks to Joe, I finished with a First Class degree, and the ability to figure things out for myself. His lessons were something to look forward to, and he would always cater to my learning needs, as I sometimes requested him to explain instructions differently if I did not understand them the first time. Instead of just repeating himself, he would happily and patiently guide me through the problem again until he was sure I completely understood it.
Joe changed my mind about education, he showed me how to learn properly in a way that suited me and that it does not have to be difficult. Anyone would be lucky to have Joe as a tutor, and I am grateful he was mine.
19.02.2023
Joe is a reliable, intelligent and thoughtful worker with a vast array of knowledge that they are able to utilise creatively and strategically.
16.02.2023
I worked with Joe in my time as producer on mobile games where he fulfilled dual roles of production and design. Joe is easy to get along with, a great communicator, creates concise documentation and is able to back up his design thought processes clearly. A real team player to boot, who improves any group he is part of.
I would not hesitate to recommend him to you as a great hire, and I personally hope to collaborate with him again at some point in the future.
I would not hesitate to recommend him to you as a great hire, and I personally hope to collaborate with him again at some point in the future.
Education
- PhD and BA in Media and Cultural StudiesCanterbury Christ Church University2015My doctoral research project investigated how demographic factors structure young people’s experiences of technology for work and play. I presented outputs at multiple conferences including a BSA symposium for Masculinities Studies, Keele University’s Teenage Kicks youth studies conference, and twice at DiGRA’s annual Games Studies conference. During this period I taught undergraduate modules in Media Industries, Media and Society, and Professional Communications.
Certifications
- Phd in Media & Cultural StudiesCanterbury Christ Church University2015