Tech Department 101
People behind the department There are three sub-divisions in the Department of Tech in Agate: Programmer (Game Programmer, System Programmer, Fullstack Programmer, etc.) As a Programmer, they need to develop the game by implementing concepts into actual playable games. Engineer (DevOps Engineer, Data Engineer, QA Engineer, etc.) To be an Engineer, one needs to make sure the developed game is stable and to ensure the technology pipeline is efficient and well improved. Research (Research Director, Lead Researcher, Tech Researcher, etc.) Their function is to explore new technology to find the best implementation for company standards. Overall, everyone in the Tech Department is required to provide the technological capability to orchestrate game components and infrastructure and also to bring the game design to life. Some targets they need to accomplish are ensuring the company possesses the best possible technology, improving tech crews to become world-class developers, and implementing the best tech advancement. Skills In order to develop and bring the game to life, crews in the Tech Department are required to master such essential skills, from coding to design. Their call is also to maintain the game, avoiding bugs and glitches. Fundamental Skills: Logic & problem solving General programming English Additional Skills: Verbal & written communication Basic leadership Tools Tools used by a Game Programmer Game Engine (Unity, PhaserJS, Unreal, Babylon) Game Engine has a library of programs to help the game development, including visual and sound design. Multiplayer Engine (Photo Fusion, Photon Quantum (Multiplayer Engine) Multiplayer engine is used by developer to create a multiplayer environment. Tools used by Back-end Developer Backend Framework (Dotnet, C#) Dotnet provides tools and libraries to build a compatible app or platform from desktop to mobile. A Backend Developer needs to master C# programming language to use Dotnet. Database (Rediss, MongoDB, Postgresq) Programmer uses the database to organize a collection of structured information that is electronically stored in a computer system. Tools used by Front-end Developer Web Framework (ReactJS, NextJS) This application is operated by a front-end developer to create a game user interface like menu arrangement, heads-up display, etc. Tools used by Development & Operations Programmer Deployment (Kubernetes) This tool helps developers manage applications made up of many containers and deploy them in different environments (physical or virtual machines). Cloud Server (GCP, AWS, Azure) Cloud Server provides storage for assets and computing resources over the internet for users to play the game from their device. Tools used by All Programmer Version Control (Git) A free and open-source distributed control system: tracking changes in any set of files, coordinating works among programmers, and collaboratively developing source code. Brainstorming & Documentation (Miro, Draw.io, Notion) These are the tools where ideas are being brainstormed, crafted, documented, and archived. If you think you want to be a part of this long experience, here are some tips on how to enter and enjoy being in our tech dept by two of our crews: Technical Director POV As a Technical Director, we are obliged to ensure the project is well delivered without going directly into that project. Yes, that’s another challenge. We need to monitor the end-to-end process even from scratch and provide suggestions when it is required. We are searching for those who are eager to learn. We need someone who can communicate well and collaborate. Knowledge is power. The more you have, the more you are needed in our dept. The quality of your portfolio is what we will be looking at. Lead Programmer POV The best and most challenging of working in Agate is that you are not just developing a game, but you are contributing to the whole ecosystem. We are required to adapt and strive to become better and better in the industry. It would be best if you had your own goal. Learn to master the basic tools and grasp the base theory by experimenting. Elevate your team and colleagues as much as possible. Be more proactive in approaching a discussion with people. Gain more knowledge. Keep progressing even if you need to catch up. Follow channels that might be useful on social media, like Instagram, YouTube, or anything else. Think you might enjoy being in our tech department? Head down to our vacancy list below and see if you match any of it! VACANCY ON TECH DEPARTMENT Position Department Division Contract Type 3D Artist Art Gamification Contract Type : Temporary Details 2D Artist Art Gamification Contract Type : Temporary Details Game Designer Design and Writing Full Development Contract Type : Temporary Details Social Media Specialist Finance, Corporate and Legal Support Contract Type : Temporary Details Load More
The Story of Agate’s Avatar
Introducing you Agate’s avatar, our R&D’s latest project consists of customizable avatar that transforms our vision into various features, art styles, and advance technology. The purpose is to create Agate’s own standard to innovate tools and techniques, research and validation, growth of improvement and learnings of new trend in the industry. The Design First layer of the process comes from the design dapartment. Their call is to ensure all features run smoothly by developing an enjoyable UI/UX along with suitable narrative concept and its limitation. ConceptingBehind a successful output, there is always a wide and powerful research. The purpose was to collect data and insight about what works better and how can we improve. After its done, we narrowed all the thoughts into specific concept of ideation and started to determine all the characters. Setting PrioritiesWhen the idea was settled, the call was to make suitable directions for the team to explore. Our team was required to prioritize the time, resources, and the beneficial impact to our user. To achieve this line, we forced every person involved to actively interact and effectively communicate with each other. As the first layer of the creation, there were several challenges await: in a very limited time, design department needed to create an avatar highlighting all features including the control of avatar appearance. To solve this limitation, our design department along with the tech and art department came up with solution to create preset for various parts, from facial to cloths. With those presets, player will have options of combination to costumize their avatar. The Art One of the important and significant roles in the making of Agate’s avatar comes from the Art Department: 3D Artist, Technical Artist, Concept Artist. Their call was to determine the character including style, concept, and model. We explored options, established visual style and created various approach. The goal was to create a direction and pipeline to fulfill the limitation and requirement. Our team used photoshop, blender, unity, and mixamo to bring the character into life. The chosen sci-fi theme was quite complicated and we were challenged to create it in a short period of time. Another challenge came from the tech art where they needed to make standard to accommodate the desired features and quality at its best. Previous Next The Tech Tech department was required to combine all the assets with an interface system to deliver a playable product where players can modify their avatar’s looks. The team needed to set up the customize feature based on utility and user preference. To run this idea perfectly, our team used Unity 2020.0.38ft as the main tool, specifically: Unity Timeline, Unity UGUI, Unity Animation System, and Skinned Mesh Renderer. Inside the idea of customizable avatar, our team created the design and system consist of various adjustable custom based on user preference. For example, player will have the control to pick their own color when using a slider. To create a comfortable experience for player to customize their avatar, our team has developed a very convenient and easy adjust system. Architecture Design Translating the mind concept from designer into system with all the mechanism was pretty much a challenge. To overcome the challenge, they separated those concepts into simpler based tasks as a system to change avatar’s looks. Product Manager & Producer The decision to validate whether the approach is correct or not was a call from our Product Manager. It took a tremendous amount of research and data to ensure the final result have met the expectation. At the same time, a Producer took part in ensuring all needs and requirements are effectively communicated and went perfectly according to its schedule. Previous Next Those are the men behind the creation of Agate’s avatar. Interested in taking a part? Head down to the vacancy list below and join our team! VACANCY LIST Position Department Contract Type Business Development Marketing Sales & Operation Contract Type : Regular Crew Details Finance Finance Contract Type : Internship Details Outsourcing Staff Studio Contract Type : Internship Details Art Director Art Contract Type : Regular Crew Details Load More
Indonesia Gaming Ecosystem: A Growing Landscape with a Promising Future
Indonesia’s game development ecosystem is rapidly growing and becoming more established, with a growing talent pool and local game development studios. However, the industry still faces challenges, such as a lack of funding and limited access to the global market. Despite these challenges, the future of Indonesia’s game development ecosystem looks promising, with potential for further growth and recognition in the international gaming market. What’s the current state of the global and Indonesian game ecosystem? Global The global gaming ecosystem is constantly evolving due to market growth and changing trends, especially during the pandemic when people spend more time at home. The industry is closely linked to technology and therefore changes every year. This can be seen in the evolution of platforms that we come to love, from the early years of console games shifted to arcades, and today we witness a plethora of mobile games on our phones. Additionally, new platforms such as the PlayStation 5, Xbox Series S Console, and cloud streaming have emerged, providing more immersive and realistic gaming experiences and appealing to a broader audience. Indonesia In the case of Indonesia, it all depends on how locally-made games are marketed rather than how games evolve along with the current state of technology. In the beginning, many Indonesian developers created mobile games because they were more accessible, and making PC games or buying consoles in Indonesia was still relatively expensive. Even so, the mobile market turned out to be top-heavy, making it difficult for new mobile games to catch up. As a result, Indonesian developers eventually switched to PC and console games, which were then exported because PC and console players were more open to trying new games. In fact, there are many capable Indonesian talents, but they deliberately do not target the local market, so many people don’t realize that Indonesian talents can make good games. What are the changes in the Indonesian game ecosystem these past few years? Other than the development change from mobile games to PC and console games, in 2022, there are many investments for the game industry, especially in Web3. This allows developers who used to make small-scale games with their own money to have the opportunity to make large-scale games with their own uniqueness. What challenges must be faced to grow the game development ecosystem in Indonesia? In Indonesia, many things must be self-taught as there are still not many professional paths to learn about game development. Also, while there are a few large gaming companies in Indonesia, such as Agate, many people who are hired still have limited experience in game development. Because many things must be self-taught, we don’t have benchmarks, and it also takes a lot of time, energy, and resources because we make a lot of trial and error. Many Indonesian game developers sell their services abroad, and after finding success, they often choose to relocate overseas. This makes it challenging to retain top talent who want to stay in Indonesia. How does Agate approach these challenges? Agate was founded with the dream of becoming a home for Indonesian game developers. To make this happen, Agate has several initiatives, such as creating Agate Academy, working with associations and incubations to create programs, gathering new talents, and providing education and mentoring. These things are done not only to resolve Agate’s talent problems but also to help solve talent problems in Indonesia. To actively reach for Senior talents, Agate takes the initiative to connect with people abroad, especially the skillful Indonesians who have worked in the game industry abroad. In addition, we also learned from experts such as ByteDance and worked with Activition Blizzard to become our mentors. For example, artists at Agate will discuss and receive input from the Art Director of Zelda Breath of the Wild every few weeks. Although we can’t hire them full-time, the insights or decisions they provide are often those we’ve not considered before. What are Agate’s reasons for advancing the game development ecosystem? It’s impossible to realize Agate’s dream of becoming a developer house if the game ecosystem isn’t moving forward. So, growing the ecosystem is not just an ideal; it’s a necessity. We need it to become big and fulfill Agate’s dream of becoming a home for developers. From the development of the ecosystem, Agate can get the best talent, build trust, and gain networks. What does Agate hope for the game development ecosystem in Indonesia? Game development is highly digitized, so there are no logistical, geographical, or physical limitations. This is an opportunity for Indonesia to compete with other countries that are far more advanced than us. We hope Indonesia can be on par with other countries that are more advanced in the game industry. Why does Agate attend various external events? As a part of the ecosystem, Agate contributes to the game ecosystem in Indonesia by improving as a company. One of the ways is by attending various external events to level up. Attending these events provides a range of benefits, including: Speaking opportunities Goals: Provide information about materials related to tech development, games, and other topics related to the game development industry and Agate’s business. Maintain the existence of Agate representatives’ public presence. Showcasing our products Goals: Help increase product and brand awareness. As a place to provide free trial products to the target market and get feedback from players. Networking and business matching Goals: Find and build relationships related to business development, such as investors, publishers, clients, and other game developers. Looking for and building relationships related to brand awareness, such as with TV, media, and Key Opinion Leaders (KOL). Sharing insights from attendees about the development of the tech world and its market demands to help get a more realistic picture in the marketplace. Research & Development Goals: Exploring trends and market in their respective roles. in their respective roles. Why does Agate do Merger & Aquisition? What were Agate’s reasons for M&A with Ekuator and Freemergeny? Agate recognizes that progress cannot be made
Leaders & Specialist In The Art Department
Creativity has always been at the heart of an art department. But sometimes creativity can be too elusive and intangible to pin down. This is why the leader and the specialist are important roles in the art department. The call is to ensure all creative deliverables are well executed and align with the client’s expectations. But what is actually the obligation of both roles? The role of an Art Leader Things You Need to MasterTo become one, an Art Leader must understand the basic art concepts from color theory and visual composition to 3D texture. You must translate abstract thinking into stunning optical outputs and an understanding of digital software like Adobe Photoshop, Blender, etc. Not only the creative manner itself, you will also need to have excellent management, communication, and problem-solving skills. This means you must be able to manage all deliverables, time, and workload, formulating creative solutions and giving necessary suggestions according to your artistic experiences. Challenges You Will Be FacingThere are lots of projects you’ll handle. The challenge is to manage all with 100% of your attention. Sometimes, you will need more human resources added to your team, which can be challenging. The Perks You Will HaveArt Leaders will have broader insights into the art pipeline and product direction, have the agency to turn the artistic vision into reality and have a decisive say in strategic decisions within the team. You will have the freedom to grow your team in such a creative way and participate in the global game industry. The role of an Art Specialist Things You Need to MasterAs an Art Specialist, you are required to have some specific skills and knowledge and master some particular tools to optimize the output. Other than that, soft skills will also be fundamentally required, especially problem-solving, time management, communication, and creativity itself. Challenges You Will Be FacingFull commitment to put your heart into the project you handle and the willingness to know more and explore such trends, styles, and art approaches might be very challenging, especially when you must learn something different from your taste and preference. The Perks You Will HaveYou can focus on learning the desired field and develop the required skills. You will also be the expert to solve specific problems in your team. If you think you are the right person to fill one of those positions, we are delighted to have you on our crew! Head to the vacancy list below and see which job matches you perfectly! VACANCY ON ART DEPARTMENT Position Department Division Contract Type 3D Artist Art Gamification Contract Type : Temporary Details 2D Artist Art Gamification Contract Type : Temporary Details Technical Artist Art Art Service Contract Type : Temporary Details Load More
Rising above Burnout: Understanding the Problem and Finding Ways to Bounce Back
Did you know? Working in the game industry isn’t always fun and games. The people behind the games also have the same struggles as employees in other industries, including burnout. Burnout can stem from various sources, including job stress, lack of stability, and long working hours. Let’s delve deeper into this topic! What is Burnout? Burnout is a condition that arises from unmanaged stress in the workplace, affecting both employees and employers alike. When experiencing burnout, you may experience fatigue, negativity, and a decrease in job performance. You might feel physically, mentally, and emotionally exhausted. Plus, negativity might make you feel indifferent toward your work. Burnout can also lead to decreased productivity and feelings of inadequacy when you might feel like you’re not accomplishing as much as you want to. What Factors Contribute to Burnout? Burnout is a common thing that can happen in all industries. But what are the causes? You might want to remember these major factors that can contribute to burnout! Here they are: Unfair Treatment at Work Unmanageable Workload Lack of Role Clarity Insufficient Communication and Guidance from Leaders Unrealistic Deadlines In the game industry itself, burnout isn’t limited to only big console game studios. Burnout can happen in any part of the game industry, from large studios to indie developers. One of the contributors is “crunch time,” which refers to extended work hours, often surpassing 40 hours a week, over a prolonged period. At Agate, while crunch time may occur, we have implemented preventive measures, which will be discussed later in this article. What are the Signs of Burnout? Insomnia Research indicates that prolonged stress impacts the delicate balance of the neurological and hormonal systems responsible for regulating sleep. So, when you’re not sleeping well, it can make feelings of burnout worse. Difficulty sleeping at night may be a warning sign of burnout. Physical exhaustion Feeling wiped out all the time is another big sign of burnout. It can be a common sign of burnout if you need to nap every day after work. Changes in eating habits Changes in eating habits, such as eating more or less than usual, can also indicate burnout. This can happen when you’re too busy or stressed to eat or crave more food. Stress hormones can also play a role, making you less hungry when you’re stressed and super hungry when the stress goes away. Headaches and stomachaches It is noteworthy that burnout can occur simultaneously with mental health conditions such as depression or anxiety, which may also lead to physical symptoms. Depression can make your muscles ache, give you stomachaches, mess with your sleep and change your appetite. Anxiety can give you headaches, make you feel sick to your stomach, and make it hard to catch your breath. How to Deal with Burnout? Contact professional help If you’re dealing with physical symptoms of burnout, it’s a good idea to check in with your regular doctor or a mental health professional to determine if it’s from stress or something else. Address the root of the problem It’s important to address the root of your problems. For example, burnout usually comes from work-related stuff. However, chronic stress can have various causes, such as financial and relationship problems. It’s important to take a step back and figure out what’s going on so you can find a way to fix it. Request better working conditions If your working condition contributes to your burnout, it’s important to address the issue by speaking with your leaders or HR team. In Agate, we offer various resources to promote a positive work atmosphere, such as free coffee and designated quiet spaces for employees to recharge and focus. Other than the various resources, leaders in Agate are also very open to discussing the working conditions. Also, there are Talent Relation functions that are ready to listen and solve our crews’ burnout issues. Ensure you have some freedom and autonomy in your job When coping with burnout, it’s important to maintain a sense of control in your work. This can include having the ability to prioritize tasks and decide which ones to tackle first, whether it’s starting with the most challenging or easiest tasks based on your preference. Having control over your job can greatly help in managing burnout. Try to make time to do what you love Concentrating on work for extended periods can be draining. That’s why taking a break and engaging in activities you enjoy are essential. It can be as simple as watching your favorite movies or spending time with your closest ones. How We Identify and Address Our Crews Burnout Burnout can have multiple causes, but it’s often the result of systemic imbalances within an organization. That’s why Agate conducts a monthly well-being and burnout checkup to determine what systemic change we need to adjust to create a better work environment for everyone. Here’s how we do it: GatherIt’s important to recognize that our employees may be experiencing increased workload and emotional stress outside of work, which can contribute to burnout. That’s why we gather data about our crews’ problems and issues through monthly well-being checkups. AddressThe data we gather will be analyzed to determine if the issues fall under professional well-being, such as workload, rewards, and benefits, or general well-being, such as team dynamics and company policies. Only by having a clear understanding of our workplace, team, and behaviors can we make meaningful changes to improve the well-being of our employees. SolveWith the data, we take steps to make adjustments such as managing workload, implementing new procedures, offering rewards, etc. We also provide opportunities for learning, team bonding, and events to improve the overall well-being of our employees. Talent’s Insight What made Agate aware of burnout? “We spend at least 1/3 of our weekdays at work interacting with each other. Many things such as issues, decisions, and discussions, can happen during the day. The interaction and daily work definitely affect crew well-being, including burnout levels.” What drove Agate to create a
DISC in the Workplace: Unlocking the Benefits of Different Strengths and Perspectives
Diversity is common in the workplace, but it can sometimes lead to conflict among the crews. It’s important to understand that everyone might act or react differently in a certain situation. You might wonder if only there’s a way to develop a greater understanding of our teammates, those we work with as colleagues, and those we manage and lead. Well, the good news is: there’s a way! Personality assessment tools like DISC can do just that. DISC is a personality assessment tool Agate uses to improve communication in the workplace, guide career decisions, and empower meaningful professional connections. What is DISC? DISC stands for the four main behavioral styles described in the DISC model: Dominance, Influence, Steadiness, and Conscientiousness. Each person usually has a combination of these styles, but only one or two will be the most prominent. Dominance People with a preference for Dominance (D) tend to be confident and emphasize accomplishing results. They are motivated by winning, competing, and gaining success. Strengths People with D personality establish clear objectives and devise plans to attain them; they’re able to plan quickly and analyze resources and skills needed to finish something. With their drive to win and compete for success, they enjoy taking on challenges and finding solutions to overcome them. ChallengesPeople with a D personality type may become frustrated with those with a low level of ambition due to their strong desire to win and succeed. However, it’s important for them to keep in mind that goals cannot be accomplished without assistance and that they should learn to trust others to reach their goals. Patience and clarity when explaining things to those around them could help in that regard. Another challenge they need to overcome is their tendency to display sensitivity. An Example of D Personality from our game, Valthirian Arc: Hero School Story 2 MotivationWinning every fight PositivesBrawny, Competitive, Disciplined LikesSport, Confrontation Chad is a very competitive person who sees anyone stronger than him as a challenge. Overall, he is just a simple young man who wants something simple: to be stronger than everyone else. Maybe, he’s actually too simple to be true. Influence Those with the Influence (I) preference tend to be more open and emphasize relationships and influencing others. They tend to be enthusiastic and hopeful, making the work environment fun. If you come across someone who enjoys talking, making friends, and creating social events, they likely have a high Influence preference. StrengthsThey excel at persuading, motivating, and selling ideas to others. Additionally, they are adept at creating a pleasant environment and fostering relationships with other people. ChallengesThe I personality type may find it challenging to stay organized, requiring someone to follow them up on their responsibilities and projects. They may also have trouble concentrating for prolonged periods and should try to manage their time better and slow down their pace to listen more to other people. An Example of I Personality from our game, Valthirian Arc: Hero School Story 2 MotivationFollow any mood booster PositivesAttractive, Good fashion sense LikesColors, Ornaments, Love A carefree and happy-go-lucky young woman whose bubbly personality and beauty make her very well-liked. This suits her perfectly, as she also likes people and friends. Steadiness People with a preference for Steadiness (S) tend to be consistent, calm, and patient. They are people who emphasize cooperation and sincerity. What they do is driven by opportunities to help and sincere appreciation. This personality enjoys identifying and providing what others require without seeking recognition or acknowledgment. Strengths They are known for their steadiness and are calm, composed, and patient. This allows them to create a safe and welcoming work environment. People with the S personality are adept at working toward a group consensus, setting objectives, assigning duties, and valuing everyone’s input. Challenges Despite appearing to be composed and collected on the outside, S personality is quite sensitive to criticism and confrontation. They tend to struggle to express their true emotions openly. In a relationship, instead of facing conflicts, they will do whatever is necessary to maintain peace. An Example of S Personality from our game, Valthirian Arc: Hero School Story 2 MotivationBeing his true self PositivesKind, Resourceful, Big-hearted LikesHealing, Helping Hugo is a kind young man who believes that everyone must be true to themselves and pursue the future they wish. He is mostly a pacifist and would prefer to avoid fighting and physical confrontation. His true calling for being a hero is to help and heal people in need. Conscientiousness Those with Conscientiousness (C) personality are known for their attention to detail, accuracy, expertise, and competency. They tend to think carefully before taking any action and make it a point to do thorough research before making decisions. Despite this, they are quite guarded when it comes to their personal life, not willing to share their feelings even if it could be beneficial for them. StrengthsPeople with C personalities are known for their high standards and thoroughness in gathering and analyzing information. When it comes to decision-making, they can think ahead, plan long-term objectives, and weigh the pros and cons of a particular situation. ChallengesType C personalities often find it difficult to deal with changes and unexpected situations and interact with particularly expressive people. Though they’re known for their expertise and competency, they should keep in mind that they can obtain a better comprehension by appreciating the standpoints of others and considering them when they make their assessment. Another challenge that they need to overcome is to verbalize their feelings better. An Example of C Personality from our game, Valthirian Arc: Hero School Story 2 MotivationNot get involved with anyone else PositivesCreative, Quirky, Smart LikesMagic, Monsters, Technology Alphonse is a genius Magi whose aptitude for understanding the arcane arts is unmatched by most. He is admittedly a bit awkward and withdrawn, which, at first glance, may be viewed as a side effect of his dedication to his craft. Why do we use DISC? Conflict ManagementThe DISC assessment allows us to understand how each person
Designer Story Event Recap: A Guide for Aspiring Designers
Are you an aspiring designer who wants to develop your leadership skills and level up your career? Worry not! On December 17th, 2022, our Design Director, Fandry Indrayadi, and our Associate Design Manager, Ignatius Tommy Eka Putra, provided some insightful tips at the Designer Story event. The event was held hybrid, so participants can join both offline and online. Let’s check it out! Fandry (center) and Tommy (right) are sharing their tips and experiences about leadership in the design industry. In the event, Tommy and Fandry shared about the two options available for designers who want to step up their careers to a higher level: SpecialistThey typically become experts in a particular field within the design domain. Generalist-managerial They typically take on a lead position of a design team for a particular project in the company. As a generalist-managerial, there are three career choices that you can take: Lead DesignerYou’ll be responsible to lead the team and ensure the quality of the project. As a lead designer, you’ll collaborate with stakeholders of the project to ensure the timeline and goal of the project are achieved while actively participating in the decision-making process. Design DirectorYou’ll be in charge to ensure the quality and development process of a large project is up to the company’s standards. If there are any issues during the project, a design director will be the problem solver. In a project, you’ll take the responsibility to ensure the design direction of a project and supervise the design progress with other lead designers. Studio Design Director You’ll ensure multiple projects’ quality and development process is up to the company’s standards. In the team, you’ll also work with lead designers and design directors from various projects to supervise, synchronize, and act as an advisor to the team. Tips from experts at Agate to help designers prepare themselves to become a leader: What are the roles and responsibilities of a Design Director and Design Manager? The main tasks of a Design Director are: Ensuring that all designers and the project’s progress are in line with the agreed goal and vision for a game. Having strategic thinking to find a long-lasting experience in the game based on user behavior. The main tasks of a Design Manager are: Helping to manage other designers. Acting as a bridge between the Design Director and other designers. The general differences between the two roles are: The Design Director focuses more on the direction of the design aspects of a project. The Design Manager focuses more on team or people management. Are there any changes when you transition from a designer to a lead designer? What are the differences in the problems and the skills that need to be developed? What a solo designer or designer in a team focuses on: Observing the environment and behaviors around. Particularly things or experiences that can be implemented into the game. Solving problems that exist in the game in order to provide the desired experience. Communicating and presenting ideas, concepts, and designs that have been created. Documenting processes and ideas obtained from oneself or other team members. As a lead or manager, you usually go directly to the field less often. The main tasks of a leader or manager are: Being a good listener who knows how to effectively communicate ideas, concepts, or feedback to other designers. Putting team members in the suitable position according to their abilities and knowledge. Being a decision maker in determining solutions for problems that arise in a project. Providing opportunities for other designers to learn from the problems or mistakes that arise. What do you wish you had known when you first became a lead designer? When becoming a solo designer, one usually focuses on their own thoughts and does not overthink about other things outside of the work being done. In comparison, a lead or manager has to understand the management of human resources and the direction of the project is made. If you’re looking to begin a career in leadership or management, some of the skills you should develop are: Ability to look at the work and situation of others (especially members of the team) Time management Ability to manage people What is the difference between spending your time when you were a solo designer and a lead designer? Are you still designing games/products? When comparing the time spent as a solo designer and lead designer, the most noticeable difference is the intensity of being able to jump in and help design the game. As a lead or manager, more time is spent on the strategic side to ensure the game’s direction and vision are still relevant. In addition, a lead or manager will also spend more time being the mediator in issues faced by their team members, which takes up more time in meetings. As a solo designer, more time can be spent designing the game or product. How to manage time and focus on becoming an effective leader? There are some tips to be able to manage time efficiently and also to make sure that there’s no timeline setback from a project. Establish time or schedule to work on your tasks, discuss with other people, and have meetings (use an online calendar to be focused and organized). Delegate some tasks to other people in the team. Make a priority scale for tasks. Usually, the main priority for a designer is the core gameplay, so focus on that first. Is there any advice for aspiring lead designers? Tips from Tommy: Learn to trust your team; this will allow the team to grow. Learn time management as early as possible; setting a work schedule is one way to do it. Learn how to manage people within the team. Try to be a good support system for the team. Tips from Fandry: A lead or manager should also have good design fundamentals. This means that a leader should continue to hone their skills in the: Observation Critical thinking Verbal and non-verbal communication
Agate’s Internship Program: Kickstart Your Career in the Game Industry
The internship program in Agate aims to give the opportunity to students, especially those in their final year of university or people who want to experience working in the game industry. With the program, Agate offers a first-hand experience where interns can learn, work, and discuss directly with professionals in the game industry. Not just that, the interns also have the opportunity to get the golden ticket that will prioritize them to be recruited in Agate in the future. Out of 28 interns who graduated in 2022, 9 are now working in Agate as a regular crew. What do you think about the internship program? “We’re very happy with this internship program in the Quality Assurance Department. With this program, the future generation of the game industry can gain working experience directly, and we can also learn many things from the interns from various backgrounds.” How was your internship experience in Agate? “The opportunity to join Agate was an excellent experience for me. From the Kampus Merdeka Program in 2021, I started my career as an Intern in the Talent Department here. I could learn many interesting things, from soft skills to hard skills, that I didn’t have before. I also feel that Agate is a comfortable workplace, especially for fresh graduates. That’s because Agate is a suitable place to learn and improve self-ability to build a career in the future. Now I have become a Talent Development Staff, and I am ready to grow to be an epic crew in the following years.” “Initially, I learned about game development with my friends in college. In the past, I made several games, but most weren’t finished; they were still prototypes. Then, I saw an internship opportunity at Agate and went for it. I learned a lot in Agate, especially about the culture here that suits me well. It’s about positivity, collaboration, level-up, and excellence. I used to be a person that’s afraid to make mistakes. However, in Agate, I met many good mentors, and they shared positive values and culture in Agate which made me learn new perspectives about many things. I feel lucky that I got to meet supportive mentors and teams that care for my development. It made me comfortable learning new things. Also, when I wanted to step up to be a lead or explore another role, many seniors supported me and gave me many recommendations about where to start if I want to go there. All in all, I learned and got so many new things, both technical and soft skills. I learned more about game development and also about self-improvement. It’s all thanks to my mentors that have been patient in teaching me during my internship.” The internship program is meant to give interns the opportunity to explore and develop their careers while also learning new skills. We aim to produce a new generation of game developers through this program. Are you ready to be one of them? Check out the vacancy list below! INTERNSHIP VACANCY LIST All DepartmentsTechTalentStudioProductionMarketing Sales & OperationDesignCorporateArt Internship Search Position Department Contract Type Talent Manager Art Department Art Contract Type : Internship Details Production Support Production Contract Type : Internship Details Digital Marketing Marketing Sales & Operation Contract Type : Internship Details Tech DevOps Tech Contract Type : Internship Details Load More
Talent Development Programs: How We Support Our Crews’ Growth in Agate
In Agate, we strive to be better at growing our crews to the next level. That’s why we support our crews’ growth by providing various Talent Development programs. Let’s take a look at our programs! Performance Management To ensure we give every crew the same treatment and chances, we uphold the system of meritocracy. Meritocracy is a system that assesses individuals based on their competency and cultural alignment. We conduct a periodic review to assess their soft skills, technical skills, and cultural alignment in the company. We aim to give crews fair rewards and feedback continuously for our crews. Leadership Review Not only for the crews, but we also conduct a review for all the leaders and managers in Agate. The reviewers consist of direct reports, peers, direct leaders, and crews from other departments working with them. Learning Materials Aligning with our core value to level up, we always strive to support our crews to improve their skills. We facilitate them by giving them access to learning materials requests across various platforms and formats. Career Path & Grade Up Session Here, crews have the right to always grow for their career path. We provide an opportunity for crews to get promoted. They can submit a grade-up request to their leaders and head departments. PDP (Personal Development Program) Agate’s leaders and mentors also get hands-on with our crews’ development. One example is when our crews need guidance or advice to track their development skills plan. Personal Development Program is a program that allows every crew to level up with guidance given by their leaders. Overall, the result of this program impacts our crews’ well-being, especially for fairness, growth, and reward. What do our leaders think about the Talent Development programs? All Talent Development programs are created from crews and for crews. We’re always open to listening to our crews’ needs in their career milestones. Our programs are created to fully support our crews’ growth and needs such as providing mentors for new crews to guide and help them. Also, we’re providing access to learning materials, so it can be easier for our crews to develop both their personal and professional skills. It’s nice to see ourselves growing along with others; I’m happy to be a part of the team that always supports others’ growth personally and professionally! The Talent Development programs help the lead to plan the development of the crew’s career potential in the future with measurable standards and expectations, as well as finding solutions for a crew whose performance can still be improved. Similarly, the leaders are graded with a 360-degree grading system to prevent subjectivity and ensure all crews, including leaders, always conform with Agate values.” Performance Management: For a company to thrive, we must ensure every crew carries their responsibility well. It’s important to acknowledge which crew performs excellently and which crews need to improve. That’s why an accurate performance management system is required. Leadership Review: The review also goes both ways for the leaders. Every crew has the right to give an evaluation to their leaders. From there, every crew can appreciate their leaders or help identify leaders that need help. This program is the starting point of the Leadership Development series in Agate. Learning Materials: Here, everyone has the same opportunity to learn. How quickly a person can develop in Agate will be primarily determined by how much effort the person puts in. We provide a variety of self-study materials according to the needs of the crew at Agate. Grade Up: Crews have the right to submit an evaluation for grade-up, so we can provide a reward that matches their abilities. In addition, if a crew is not qualified to level up, they will get clear guidance about what improvements they should make to level up. Personal Development Program: We also offer a Personal Development Program (PDP), which allows everyone to grow to be their best version. PDP is created to encourage crews to continuously improve with a more concrete target they can achieve within one to three months. Grade Up: We provide the opportunity for crews to grade up when they think they’re ready for more responsibility. This aligns with the Meritocracy system and Level Up spirit. With a Grade-Up session, the crew can request promotion without feeling ‘pushy or ambitious.’ It is a very transparent system where people are promoted based on merit. Career Path: We give crews choices to determine their career path and the skills needed to reach their career goals. This clarifies the learning process and helps the crew stay motivated to learn new skills. Leadership Review: It doesn’t matter how great the company is; it’s the leaders within that matter. If there’s a bad leader, it impacts the crews under them negatively. The system of meritocracy here doesn’t only apply to crews but also all leaders. Leadership Review helps the company to identify leaders that need improvements to be better. Performance Management: Meritocracy is a good system for fast learners and competent people. Performance Management allows the crew to showcase their capability and growth. This will help the department to identify and promote rising stars’ talent. Personal Development Program: We appreciate people who keep learning new things and push them to be more capable. The Personal Development Program allows them to showcase their growth, so we can give them the opportunity to match their aspirations. Learning Materials: Some learning materials are not accessible because they’re locked behind a paywall. Also, the paid version is sometimes far better than the free version; by providing free access to those materials, we help our crews’ learning speed significantly. All in all, our crews’ growth is our priority. With these programs, we aim to create a comfortable workplace for our crew to level up and unlock their full potential. If you’re interested in joining our team, check out the vacancy list below! VACANCY ON TALENT DEPARTMENT All DepartmentsTechTalentStudioProductionMarketing Sales & OperationDesignCorporateArt All Contract TypesRegular CrewInternship Search Position Department Contract Type Talent Manager
Artist’s Weapon: Skills and Tools To Master
The gaming industry, a continually evolving creative field, provides many opportunities for artists to follow their passion and build successful careers. Since the gaming industry is constantly expanding, artists need to keep up with the rapidly evolving skills and tools used in the industry. What Skill Does An Artist Needs? An artist is responsible for a visual aesthetic that includes color, composition, value, shape, textures, anatomy, and perspective. With the variety of elements that Artists need to create, what are the essential skills required for an Artist? LeadershipAn artist is responsible for completing a project, which may be multiple, one at a time, with numerous people in a team. Leadership skills must bring out the finest qualities in team members and inspire them to collaborate to accomplish a common goal. CommunicationAs communication goes both ways, an artist must be able to speak their mind and listen. Artists must translate their vision into words and communicate it, not just visuals. TeamworkTeamwork skills are needed because, in game development, an artist will work closely with the team to achieve the goals set at the beginning. Problem-solvingArtists will encounter various obstacles during their work. It will only worsen if the issue is not handled by the deadline. That’s why an artist needs to be a problem solver. CreativityParticularly in game development, an artist must be a creative individual capable of producing innovative ideas for their artwork. Time managementArtists need to use time wisely and productively. They also need to manage their time to focus and control the time to complete their tasks. Good time management can increase work productivity. Attention to detailArtists must be able to carry out and finish a task while demonstrating thoughtful thought for all aspects concerned, no matter how minor. This entails efficiently managing time and resources while monitoring and verifying work or information. What Tools Do Artists Utilize? Raster Illustration (Adobe Photoshop)Rasterization is a technique with a pixel-by-pixel system. It allows the creation of complex shapes and color blendings, such as creating concept art or 3D texturing. (Vector Illustration) Adobe IllustratorVector is an illustration technique with a data calculation system that is unaffected by the number of pixels, such as creating UI assets. UI/UX (Figma and Adobe XD)These tools are used to design User Interfaces in the game, such as buttons, pages, head-up displays, and the outcome when it is run by the player/user. 3D Modelling (Zbrush and Blender)3D Modelling involves creating three-dimensional points or vertices by vertex objects in 3D space. Zbrush and Blender are famous for making 3D objects because they are easy to use and have a broad scope for making games and cinematic assets. Rigging (Blender)Rigging is like giving a “bone” to an object/character so it is ready to transform as animation. 3D Animation (Blender, Rokoko Studio)Animation is the phase where the rigged object is moved and posed keyframe by keyframe into a sequence that matches the desired movement in the game. Such as idle, walk, run, jump, attack, etc. Texturing (Blender, Adobe Photoshop, Substance Painter, Substance Designer Texturing)Texturing gives color to 3D objects; the basic principle is similar to raster illustrations. Game Engine (Unity Engine, Unreal Engine)The final phase is to transfer the finished asset into the game engine to develop the game itself. Again, a specialist game artist must master the game engine’s features and tools to set every visual asset properly. If you think you can utilize these tools to your advantage and more, head down below and show us what you’ve got! Vacancy ON ART DEPARTMENT Position Department Division Contract Type 3D Artist Art Gamification Contract Type : Temporary Details 2D Artist Art Gamification Contract Type : Temporary Details Technical Artist Art Art Service Contract Type : Temporary Details Load More
