gTalk with Jonathan Bard of Ubisoft Montreal: Directing The Prince of Persia Camera

Directing the Prince Of Persia Camera: A Sustainable Development Approach

Where: bitHeads
             1309 Carling Ave
             Ottawa, ON

When: 6:30 pm, Monday, April 20th

Format: 60-minute Lecture

Featuring: Jonathan Bard  (Generalist Programmer, Ubisoft Montreal)

RSVPs are NOT required. This event is free of charge.

Session Description

The topic of the camera in 3D games has rarely been discussed by game developers or academic papers, which, even today, makes it more of a black art than of a science. This talk will give attendees an in-depth look at the technology behind PRINCE OF PERSIA's camera, and how the focus on flexibility, scalability and reusability allowed it to reach its much-needed artistic quality.

It will show that even for a task as game-specific and low-level as creating a videogame camera, it is still possible to come up with reusable, long-term solutions without sacrificing quality, empowering artists and ultimately leading to a better experience for the player.

Takeaway

This talk will cover a wide range of topics related to camera development and will provide many solutions to the key problems that are: game-specificity, artistic control and flexibility. Attendees will learn the key requirements of a powerful camera system, and should leave
with enough knowledge to create their own system and avoid the many pitfalls that lay along the road.

Intended Audience and Prerequisites

The intended audience is gameplay programmers interested in implementing an extensive camera system for any type of game. Engine programmers may also learn the tips and tricks that were used to create the "camera engine" of PRINCE OF PERSIA and other projects at Ubisoft. At last, technical level designers interested in camera behavior will have an in-depth look at the artistic work implied in such a system.

About gTalk

gTalk is a game industry speaker series and networking event that takes place in various locations across southern Ontario. Each gTalk event will feature presentations by one or more prominent game industry speakers. Following the presentations, attendees will have an opportunity for Q&A and networking. Over the course of an evening, speakers and audience members will explore relevant industry themes in an informal setting.

The gTalk series is part of a larger "GameON" (GameOntario) effort by Interactive Ontario to connect and promote the Games Industry in Ontario. GameON is made possible through the Entertainment and Creative Cluster Partnerships Fund, administered by the OMDC, on behalf of the Ministry of Culture.

The gTalk series is produced by Interactive Ontario, with the support of the OMDC and PricewaterhouseCoopers.

This gTalk is in Partnership with