IM Students Learn Gaming from an Expert

04/15/2015 1:01 PM

By Shanlee Bratten ’15

Bradley interactive media students recently had the opportunity to learn from accomplished narrative game designer, Mike Breault.  Approximately 100 IM students heard Breault share advice and wisdom from his more than 30 years’ experience in the gaming industry.  

Mike Breault has worked in the game industry since the 1980s, and has worked on a variety of digital and analog games in several capacities. His primary focus is game design, narrative design, and scripting and his work includes Elder Scrolls Online, Far Cry 3, Call of Duty: Black Ops, Singularity, Wolfenstein, Red Faction: Guerrilla, Saints Row, and many more. Mike is also currently co-teaching IM/CIS 451, Game Design, this semester.

Breault’s primary piece of advice to students trying to break into the field was to familiarize themselves with every aspect of game design.

“I think students entering the industry today should have a basic foundation of all the disciplines involved in the game industry,” he says. “It’s vital to have at least a basic understanding of every aspect of game development to be a valuable member of a multi-disciplined development team.”

Breault also emphasized the importance of developing excellent communication skills throughout college to have a well-rounded skill set when entering the work force.  He stated, “These are skills students should be working on during their college years to get used to exercising their creativity within the constraints of a team framework.”

 During his talk he also stressed the value of group projects and the ability to work well with others.  “Communication and cooperation are critical to success in such a team-oriented environment,” Breault says. “Your discipline talents will get you into the industry, but your people skills and teamwork will keep you in there for the long term.”

His lecture also touched on his personal experience when dealing with ethics and morality on the job. He encourages students to always do what they feel is right and to not fear turning down a project due to moral conflict.

Additionally, Breault spoke about the importance of feedback and constructive criticism in projects. He also encouraged students to increase their creativity by reading, giving examples of ideas he had based on books he’d read.

Breault told students that making connections is important. Good connections can help boost your career, but more than that he says building good relationships with coworkers increases your overall job satisfaction.