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bladesway
20-06-2008, 12:29 PM
Hi guys,
Avonstorm Gaming is currently recruiting Flash Action scripter and Java Programmers for a Paramount Published Cell phone game. I thought this community might be the ideal place to find out if anyone is interested in South Africa. If you are a capable coder in Action scripting or Java please send us your CV to jsmit@avonstorm.co.za and stipulate whether you would prefer a Contract position, Full time position or Internship.

The available positions range from Intern to Lead Programmer so all ranges of experience is welcome.

Have a great one, Looking forward to hearing from all of you.

Coolhand
23-06-2008, 11:06 AM
You guys have some fantastic artwork in "Kingdom of Eromey".

Nice!

dislekcia
23-06-2008, 05:09 PM
I'll lob your request at a few good flash people I know :)

-D

bladesway
25-06-2008, 01:53 PM
thanks alot guys, we worked our asses off on trying to get it perfect ;-)

liquid.silver
25-06-2008, 02:04 PM
Do we need to live near a certain place like jhb? I like in somerset west/stellenbosch depending on the date. I wouldn't mind doing a bit of work from home. I'm not able to relocate and I can't work full time, but if that's not a problem, i'm keen. I know this request is very similar to another thread, but you didn't specify.

bladesway
28-06-2008, 05:45 PM
well if you are good and dont need constant overview we can sertainly use you to make specific components from time to time. half of our company is run by remote anyway. we have a game designer in canada, illustration team in jhb, core coding team in waverly(pretoria) and core design team in Moreletapark (pretoria). we also out source work to teams in russia, so when it comes to location we are rather versitile. but as previously metioned you would need to be fully self sufficient and competent =)

liquid.silver
29-06-2008, 01:10 PM
Okay, I'll update my cv and send you a copy. Then we can discuss what you think I should work on, if anything is suited to me. Should be within a week or so.

xyber
30-06-2008, 10:02 AM
Hi bladesway

I've cloned your post on sagamedev - http://forums.sagamedev.com/topic.aspx?topicid=431

bladesway
01-07-2008, 12:24 PM
Thanks alot m8. =)

liquid.silver
04-07-2008, 02:37 PM
Unfortunately i won't be applying for work. My circumstances have changed and i now have work throughout the year. I only very recently became aware of this. Sorry bout that.

EtienneK
07-07-2008, 03:32 PM
Hmm, would love to apply... But I'm not too sure if turning your hobby into a job is such a good idea! :D

bladesway
07-07-2008, 04:28 PM
lol. So keep your hobby a hobby but take it to the next level then ;-) Thats what we got the contractor jobs for. we do outsource specific applications to contractors from time to time and you can take a Project by Project aproach. If you're interested =)

dislekcia
07-07-2008, 04:54 PM
There's nothing better than earning money doing something you enjoy.

Bladesway, what kind of projects do you outsource? QCF is pretty damn busy at the moment, but it's always a good idea to have more contacts for future work :)

Also, could you post a little more about what it is that you guys are doing and what you've produced? I'm sure loads of readers would be keen to know more about you and your business model. You might even want to look at doing an interview for Dev.Mag.

-D

bladesway
07-07-2008, 06:24 PM
Well, let’s see, what we do and who we are. For the last year and a half we have been focussing mainly on our own games such as Kingdom of Eromey: Wappet (www.avonstorm.co.za/wappet (http://www.avonstorm.co.za/wappet)) and Colonies (http://www.avonstorm.co.za/colonies)

KOE: Wappet is a MMOMG (Massively Multiplayer Online Mobile Game) which until a month ago was being developed 100% locally but due to some Difficulties with the J2ME functionality we have had to outsource the final phase of development to a very professional Company in Russia that have done lots of other games and a few smaller games with us.

Colonies is our Big Bang project and we have already Planned 3 consecutive games in that setting. Starting with a single player RPG we plan to develop this as a high budget PC/Console Game. The following version is to be a MMORTS where you can colonise various planets with your chosen race.

About 3months ago we were approached by various international companies that requested that we do outsource work for them the most notable of which is Paramount Interactive Media South East Asia who has provided us with a list of games for mobile that they wish to have completed. We are also developing a few Flash games for various companies as both Educational tools and appendix media to their websites.

I can unfortunately not yet name the external projects we worked on as we are under strict NDA's =/

Our Business model is fairly odd but it works. Lol. With KOE: Wappet we already have Mibli and FNB willing to commit to our new business system. How it works is Players may choose between a Pay or Take a Sponsor options. With the Sponsor option the player may play the game for free but has to view in game ads such as "This Battle has been sponsored by X" or "Our Chat System is sponsored by X". This way players that want to play the game but cannot afford to can still play and player that dislike ads in games can pay. Other companies that are currently positive about the concept but have not yet officially agreed are Mac Donald’s, ABSA, Virgin, Cadbury’s, Billabong and Coke. Some of these are obviously pitched thought the respective companies Advertising Agency and some have pre-existing partnerships with one another and so were brought in by another company.

Both our own games are 100% self funded and so the outsource work is all to raise money to continue development on projects. Airgames is currently named as our primary distributor and have committed to advertising us through every channel they have available. Although we are also going to keep it going in the long run and hope to out source more and more to local developers. Our company vision is to seed a local industry, not just get one company going then leave. That is also why we welcome project by project jobs. one of you might do a project and impress us, next time we ask you to do something bigger so you get 3 guys working with you and soon you are ready to accept international outsource jobs for affordable rates except you can speak proper English, unlike the problem developers all over the world currently have with Asian companies that do the same.

Since Gaming is the Largest Entertainment industry in the world I find it rather sad the we have about 4 local developers where a country like New Zealand with Half the amount of people have close to 14.

So that is pretty much who and what we are. Shoot with questions and I would be happy to answer. *suspiciously looks around the class to see if anyone is sleeping* o.O

=D

01DT!m3r
08-07-2008, 08:24 AM
Colonies sounds very interesting .will it be released this year and where ? thanks :)

Repline
08-07-2008, 02:09 PM
By any chance you need a new Financial Manager / Accountant / Accounting officer... :p :D

bladesway
23-07-2008, 10:08 PM
Hi guys,
We are now recruiting many more people for an upcoming project. The jobs will be on a 1year contract and we will be requiring people of various skills.

Positions currently available:
Development Positions:
1 Senior Programmer, 5years+ Experience in high level programming, Necessary abilities are C++, capable in at least 2 more languages and moderate people skills. Preferred abilities include C #, XNA experience, Symbion experience, and graphic design and Game Development experience.

4 Programmers, 2years+ Experience in mid level programming, Necessary abilities are C++, capable in at least 2 more languages and moderate people skills. Preferred abilities include C #, XNA experience, Symbion experience and Game Development experience.

3 Graphic Designers, 2years+ Experience in Design, Necessary abilities are Illustration, Maya capable with animation, Photoshop, Flash, Paint Shop Pro and moderate people skills. Preferred abilities include, Sound engineering, Level design and Game Development experience.

1 Game Designer (Game strategist), 2years+ Experience in some form of Problem solving position, Necessary abilities are the ability to find solutions to complex problems, wide knowledge of games as well as game mechanics, Mush have designed at least 1 game(Paper based or digital) either professionally or independently and moderate people skills. Preferred abilities include, Programming in a scripting language, Level design, and Flash, Photoshop, Maya, Strong Mathematics and Game Development experience.


Training Positions:

1 Game Development Lecturer, 2years+ Experience in Programming and Game Design either professionally or independently, Necessary abilities include C++, a vivid knowledge of game design theory and strong people skills. This position is mainly in charge of training and developing interns into skilled members of the team.

1 Game Design Intern positions is available, no previous experience needed, openness to learn and a talent for problem solving. This is purely a training position and though it includes a pay check you will be required to do long hours of studying and on the job training.

2 Graphic Design Intern positions are available, no previous experience needed, openness to learn and at least a first year in graphic design behind you. This is purely a training position and though it includes a pay check you will be required to do long hours of studying and on the job training.

2 Programming Intern positions are available, no previous experience needed, openness to learn and at least a first year in some form of programming behind you. This is purely a training position and though it includes a pay check you will be required to do long hours of studying and on the job training.


CV submission to jsmit@avonstorm.co.za

You are welcome to submit your CV Repline, we are under strict budget but maybe we could use you to manage it ;)

dislekcia
23-07-2008, 10:25 PM
Based where and what types of packages are on offer?

bladesway
23-07-2008, 11:10 PM
Hi, we are based in Pretoria. We are currently moving offices to accommodate the new larger staff so the interviews and tests begin in October with the opening of the new office. The positions are contract positions starting with a 3month probation leading to a 1year contract and that may turn into long term employment. All positions include the standards required by law for contract workers. We are taking on two experienced lead developers from America to head up the project. Wages vary from low to high based on experience and expertise.

Coolhand
24-07-2008, 01:33 PM
Sounds like a pretty big project you have on the cards there!

Good luck with the recruitments (not an easy thing to find that many game developers in SA...), and keep us posted :)

bladesway
24-07-2008, 01:49 PM
Yeah, Its very tough to get developers here. Especially with experiance. hehe. and yes its a failry large game we are building ;) will make its name and demo available as soon as it is ready to be announced. :D

EtienneK
27-07-2008, 03:29 PM
tests begin in October

What kind of tests? :P

bladesway
01-08-2008, 06:01 PM
lol. well, the main book to study is Lawnmowers for dummies. Lol. its just a basic test to see how fast you can code/design and how strong your problem solving abilities are. You dont have to stress about it too much ;)

EtienneK
01-08-2008, 09:17 PM
Not stressing. Was just curious. :)

Etiko
27-05-2009, 09:22 AM
Are these guys still alive? Their website hasn't been updated in ages.

dislekcia
27-05-2009, 11:11 AM
As far as I know they ran into a few problems on a project last year that really messed up their budget. Bladesway is working on writing a novel and a supporting writer's site AFAIK. Haven't heard anything else from them in a while tho :(

Cloud_Ratha
27-05-2009, 11:37 AM
Its a shame. I've been dying for a good mmomg! I have tibia but it such a badly designed port. And useless without a premium account. I looked at bladesway's blog and he hasn't updated since jan this year :(