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Scott Starks

Design Portfolio

Table of Contents

Games .................................................................................................................................................................. 2

Game Design Documents ................................................................................................................................ 3

Game Environment Modeling ......................................................................................................................... 4

3d Modeling ........................................................................................................................................................ 5

Texturing and Lighting...................................................................................................................................... 7

Creative Writing ................................................................................................................................................. 8

Resume ................................................................................................................................................................ 9

Scott Starks
Games

Design Portfolio

I took lead of this team as project manager, maintaining and update project timelines and schedules. I also worked to design gameplay mechanics and level layout, and designed and implemented UI elements.

This is a work in progress prototype. This build shows the play environment that I modeled, as well as the player weapon and a simple enemy. At this stage of the project we have to chosen to use flat toon shading without textures while we prototype gameplay mechanics, which are being worked on currently by our programming team.

These games are included on the accompanying disc located in the back panel of this portfolio. In order to play them you must have the Unity 3d web player plugin installed, which is available for free at unity3d.com/webplayer/. Once installed simply navigate to the WebPlayer file, select Open With in the right-click menu, and select the browser in which the plugin is installed.

Scott Starks
Game Design Documents

Design Portfolio

The following is an excerpt from a conceptual design document that I created for a game titled The Outsider.
Rough Plot: Game opens with cutscene showing the exiled Orian training with the Element of Air, Kela in the forest. The player then guides Orian through a tutorial level, learning to use basic movements and attacks, and air powers. The level ends in another cutscene, where Kela tells Orian that only he can save his homeland from destruction. While reluctant to help the kingdom that banished him, Orian heads through the forest toward the castle city of Karisval, accompanied by Ryn. When Orian reaches the city he meets Ryn, a girl healing the injured on the outskirts of the city. In a cutscene she tells Orian that he must enter the castle and defeat Vorne, the necromancer in command of the evil army, to rescue the king and save the kingdom. Orian travels to the central plaza, where he meets the Element of Water, Lyria, in the central fountain and learns the power of water. Orian enters the castle and finds the king. In a cutscene, Orian learns that King Marden allowed Vorne to enslave the kingdom in order to hunt down and destroy the elements. Orian defeats the King, then in another cutscene the king, now repentant, reveals that Vorne can only be defeated by a master of the elements, and tells him to seek out Elio the sage. Orian confronts Vorne and is defeated. Vorne reveals Ryn as Aryndia, the kings daughter, and takes her to his desert stronghold. Gameplay Description: The Outsider is a 2d platformer. The player controls Orian through the areas running and jumping to navigate the levels and using ranged weapons and elemental powers to dispatch enemies. The player is free to explore the levels to find weapons and enhancements to help them progress through the game, very similar to early entries in the Metroid series by Nintendo (Metroid and Super Metroid, namely). Artistic Style Outline: The Outsider is designed to be colorful, vibrant, and visually striking. The textures and backgrounds will be stylized for a hand painted look. Similar art styles can be found in games such as Braid, developed by independent software developer Jonathan Blow, or Bastion, developed by Supergiant Games. Environments: Overview - The environments in The Outsider will break up into 4 basic categories; Forest, City, Mountain, and Desert. Each type of environment will present unique obstacles and enemies. The obstacles faced in each environment will correspond to the elemental power unlocked by the player that area.

Included on the accompanying disc is the complete design document for The Outsider, as well as design documents I created for a game concept The Experiment, and the document I created and used to guide the production of Mayan Madness.

Scott Starks

Design Portfolio

Game Environment Modeling Goldies Diner

A fairytale environment made for use in a video game. Focus on efficient modeling and texturing for runtime processing.

Interior of Diner environment. Space allows for players to interact with NPCs and experience story elements of the game. Also include objects to interact with for gameplay elements such as crafting or purchasing for merchants.

Exterior close up of diner entrance.

Scott Starks
3d Modeling Starks Arcade

Design Portfolio

Air Hockey Model Modeled efficiently for games designed for online streaming.

Claw Game Machine Model Modeled with pieces to facilitate simple animations to bring life and interest to the play environment.

Arcade Machine Model Interactive object players can use to play an embedded mini- game. Designed to be easily re-skinned for different mim-games.

Scott Starks

Design Portfolio

Arcade Machine Model Close up view of the control panel.

Arcade Machine Model

Textured to the theme of Mayan Madness.

Scott Starks
Texturing and Lighting

Design Portfolio

In this piece I created and applied textures and normal maps to low poly objects to achieve the desired look.

Here again I combined textures, normal maps, and simple models with lighting to create the mood of the scene.

Scott Starks
Creative Writing

Design Portfolio

The following is small sample of my writing. It is a scene from the background story of Orian, the main character of the game The Outsider. On the disc included with this portfolio you can find the entire chapter in which this scene takes place.
Garen backed toward Orian, still alert. Careful, hes not alone, he whispered. Your little friend is quite perceptive, mocked Eril as multiple figures emerged from the shadows. You brought the whole gang, I see, said Orian. He was feeling tense, and knew that he would have to either run or confront the band of bullies. The group of boys with Eril spread out around Orian and Garen, and began closing in on them. I never thought an orphan beggar could cause me so much trouble, said Eril. He stood in the center of the ring of hoodlums, directly in front of Orian and Garen. So, tell me. How did you do it? Do what? asked Orian. You know what you did, growled Eril, his voice getting louder as he became increasingly angry. You picked up your first bow less than a month ago, and you shot 3 perfect bulls-eyes. No one is that good. Eril walked up to Orian, getting very close to him as he spoke. Orian refused to show fear and stood there, unwavering. I watched that final shot. Arrows dont just turn in the air by themselves. Eril was shouting now, and was very close to Orian face. Ill ask you one more time. How did you do it? Orian stared straight back at Eril, expressionless. I have no idea what youre talking about. Erils face relaxed suddenly. Fine, he said, much calmer now. He turned and walked away from Orian. You know, things didnt have to be this way. Eril waved his arm toward two of the boys, his back still turned from Orian. The boys grabbed Orian by his arms and restrained him. Eril turned toward Orian, pulling a small club out from beneath his tunic. Well see who is second best at this academy, he scowled. Eril charged toward Orian, pulling the club back to attack. Orian felt a rush of panic and emotion. His feelings felt like fire running through his veins. He closed his eyes and images of Eril bullying him filled his mind. He felt anger welling up inside of him. He opened his eyes and saw Eril running toward him. He focused all his thoughts on the boy in front of him and let the emotions flow through him. Just as Erils club was going to make contact with his face, he released the surge of power. It felt and sounded like an explosion. A powerful blast of wind rushed from Orian in all directions. Nearby trees and academy banners were knocked over or bent from the blast. All of the surrounding boys were thrown to the ground, including Garen. Orian stood paralyzed in the center of the blast site. He had never channeled anything nearly as powerful as that, and could not believe what he had done.

Scott Starks
Game Designer www.scott-starks.com esstarks.scott@gmail.com PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE Skyfallen (working title) Designer/3d Artist RNG Studios Designed and created Launch Room level Created design docs for gameplay mechanics and level design Kinship Designer/ 3d Artist Nascent Games Created level design docs for Stages 1 and 4 Created docs for gameplay mechanics and UI design Modeled and textured enemy spacecraft 2012 916.517.6312

2012

Mayan Madness Project Manager/ Designer 2012 Mayan Madness Dev Team Led team of 7 in creation of level managing production pipeline and scheduling Created level and game design docs Acted as art director, overseeing creation of concept art, 3d environments and props Designed and implemented UI elements SOFTWARE SKILLS Broad understanding of game mechanics and features Knowledge of reward systems and schedules Dynamic and engaging level design 3d environment and prop modeling Lighting Basic JavaScript Design and project planning documentation Well organized; work well under deadlines Excellent written and verbal communication Passion for playing and making games Conversational Spanish 3D Autodesk Maya, Autodesk Mudbox, Unity 3d 2D Photoshop

EDUCATION Bachelor of Science in Game Art and Design - The Art Institute of Sacramento Specialization in Game Design To Graduate in September 2012