There's no doubt that Video Games are the 21st Century’s new creative medium. To me they are a burgeoning art form, an exciting technical business, and of course, the ultimate in entertainment.
The design and production of games is one of the most
enjoyable things I have ever been involved in. Nowhere else is there such momentum of energy as among inspired artists,
programmers, and designers. As a designer and producer I have experienced this first hand and am convinced that it's what
I want to pursue for a career.
Contact: joehharding AT gmail.com
Production Experience:
ArtSpark Competition: Project Leader
HBMG Foundation's ArtSpark competition is a twelve week arts festival during which creative teams create either theatre productions or video games.
I lead Alchemic Studio in our ArtSpark entry of
Eyrus, a 2D RPG. My responsibilities included keeping the team on schedule, writing the
story of
Eyrus, producing our cut scenes, and managing our work flow. The competition is ongoing.
May 2008 - August 2008
HBMG Foundation's ArtSpark
Critical Mass Interactive: Assistant Producer
Critical Mass Interactive (CMI) is both a video game developer and an outsource provider to developers and publishers.
As an Assistant Producer I was responsible for the execution of projects and the smooth functioning of the workspace environment.
I coordinated and helped produce art for clients while also researching game technology and compiling data in preparation for
larger, ongoing CMI productions.
July 2008 - June 2008
Critical Mass Interactive
Game Court Competition: Co-Producer
As a team leader I hosted all of our meetings, contracted out our visual art and music design,
assisted in the game concept creation, and worked to create an effective presentation.
Our game,
Downers Grove, is a point and click adventure in the style of film noir developed
for handheld systems. Our pitch was awarded first place. My partner and I were lauded for
our workable design and clear presentation.
2008 Gamecraft Competion hosted by EGaDS.
April 2008
Gamecraft Rules
Alchemic Studio: Founder, Producer
Alchemic Studio is a
Half Life 2 MOD team. I recruit and organize members. It is my job to equip
them with any and all equipment, skills training, support and encouragement. I keep our projects
on track, ensure open communication between all members and closely monitor the progress of
the team. Alchemic Studio completed our last project,
Pizzirvana , on time and entered it in the
2007 Independent Game Conference in Austin, TX.
August 2007 – Present.
alchemicstudio.org
iD Tech Camp, University of Houston Location: Lead Instructor
iD Tech camp is a nation-wide summer program specializing in exposing children to technology in
a camp setting. My responsibilities included the instruction of children, ages seven to seventeen, in
the use of multimedia and game development software, ensuring the safety and happiness of the
children and staff, maintaining camp records, dispensing medication, and assuming all responsibilities
when the Director is absent. The production (scheduled work, progress insurance, compilation, exportation)
was entirely my responsibility for my own group of eight students as well as for all the students under
the other instructors.
June 2007 – August 2007.
www.internaldrive.com
Houston Public Broadcasting Station (PBS) KUHT: Assistant to Anchor/Producer
My responsibilities included assisting in communication between the Producer and the technical team,
managing and writing public releases concerning current projects, seeking air time for existing
work, advising in editing, and maintaining professional and personal relationships with guests
on Mr. Manouse’s show, InnerVIEWS with Ernie Manouse.
May 2007 – August 2007.
www.houstonpbs.org
Education:
University of Texas at Austin (Austin, TX) 2007 - Present
Double Major:
BS in Mathematics: Mathematical Sciences
BA in English (English Honors)
Student in the Bridging Disciplines Program: Digital Arts and Media.
Bridging Disciplines Program
www.utexas.edu
Kenyon College (Gambier, OH) 2006 - 2006
I voluntarily withdrew from Kenyon after one semester. I decided that the school lacked the resources and
location to help me achieve my desired career as a game producer. Austin was my new first choice location.
www.kenyon.edu
Software Skills:
As the Lead Producer for our MOD team I have had to bring to bear my own experience making games.
I am a capable artist and designer and am confident in my ability with all of the following applications.
Hammer World Builder (HL and HL2 maps)
GTKRadiant (Quake maps)
Warcraft III World Editor
Age of Empires Series Map Editor
Command and Conquer World Creator
Torque Game Builder
Beyond Virtual
Softimage’s XSI
Milkshape 3D
Photoshop
The GIMP
Microsoft Office
Adobe Acrobat
I am currently designing my own Text-Based Adventure game, editing the Half Life 2 Source Code, and designing my website using the following languages.
C++
HTML
PHP
I have extensive experience scripting (See Half Life 2 HUD modification screen shots on Portfolio). I also am skilled in
many other 3rd party game editing applications that require scripting and an in depth understanding of the technical
relationships between code, art, and design. I have taught myself these skills and have also taught them to others.
Awards and Achievements:
• President, Electronic Game Developers Society (EGaDS!) May, 2008
EGaDS!
• First place in Gamecraft for
Downers Grove . Gamecraft Competition held at University of Texas at Austin (hosted by EGaDS), April, 2008
• Accepted into the English Honors Program, April, 2008
English Honors Program
• Junior Officer, Electronic Game Developers Society (EGaDS!) May, 2007
EGaDS!
• Second place in Game Court for
Evolution Derby . Game Court held at University of Texas at Austin, May, 2007
• Received a score of 5 on both Calculus BC and English Literature AP exams, May, 2006
• Excellence Award in English IV AP, May, 2006
• Member of National Honor Society, April, 2005 - May, 2006
• Excellence in English Award (Spring Branch Independent District), May, 2005
• President’s Service Award for Community Service (Teen Category) Silver Level (240 hours), May, 2005
• Most Creative Programming Award for
Dirty Crime , a text adventure written in Visual Basic. Summer programming
course at University of Texas, Austin. July, 2002
Hobbies:
• Making video games and MODs.
• Reading, currently The Once and Future King by T.H. White.
• Playing, currently The World Ends With You.
• Movie watching, Blade Runner and Lost in Translation are currently my favorites.
• Writing short pieces of fiction and maintaining a journal.
• Keeping in shape through jogging and biking.
• Working with computer hardware. I have built two computers.
• Painting both on canvas (oil) and models (acrylic).
My Strength Finder 2.0 Top Five Talents:
Futuristic
Activator
Responsibility
Relator
Deliberative
