Consulting



I'm currently a freelancer, even though I don't normally work from free, and I don't own a lance. Here’s what I can do to help you on your current project:

Industry
  • Core systems design. I’ve worked on trading-card games, sims, corporate training (“serious”) games, and social media games. I have a technical and analytical approach, identifying systems that need to be designed and then integrating the pieces into a coherent whole. I can work alone or with small or large teams. Thanks to my technical background, I’m able to design systems that can be implemented with fewer programming resources, saving your project time and money.
  • Game balance. I can work within an existing system to discover what mix of numbers, stats and abilities lead to a balanced and fun metagame environment. I specialize in the balance of trading-card games and other turn-based strategy games.
  • Scripting. Whether you use Lua, Python, or a proprietary language, I can implement game behavior in a shockingly short period of time. I specialize in learning a new scripting language and then discovering ways of implementing new and original mechanics.
  • Game analysis. Every day, I break, abuse, and destroy six games before breakfast, just for fun. One of these can be yours. Receive a report of strengths and weaknesses of your game, written in a way that won't embarrass you in front of your publisher.

Academia
  • Adjunct teaching. I can teach classes in game development, either working with your existing course materials and lesson plans or providing my own. Courses I’ve taught previously include Game Industry Survey, Game Criticism/Analysis, Game Design, Rapid Prototyping (paper and digital), Intro Game Programming (using C++), Capstone (project-based game development).
  • Course content creation. I can create materials (including lecture notes, course content, assessments and rubrics) to allow other professors to teach courses in the areas of game design, game programming, and project-based game development. I can provide content for online and on-ground courses.
  • Curriculum development. If you’re starting a new game development program of study, I have helped 3 schools (two-year and four-year colleges and universities) to design their curricula and I can do the same for your program. Work includes developing major/minor course requirements, course descriptions and prerequisites, and integration between similar programs in your school.
  • Workshops. I can provide workshops (duration of anywhere from 4 hours to 1 week, depending on your schedule and needs) for the benefit of your students and/or faculty on the subject of game design, game programming, or the game industry. My workshops, like my classes, are usually a mix of theoretical concepts and hands-on practice. I’ll work with you to determine your desired learning outcomes, and design a custom workshop to match your requirements.
  • If you want to know more about my academic qualifications, download my Curriculum Vitae here (PDF).

Contact
Write me at ai864@yahoo.com and let me know what I can do for you.