Alex Johansson
Alex Johansson is currently working as a Games Dev, in which he been teaching games development since the last decade and been building Mobile Games for the last 7 years. As the head of the studio, ALJO, he produced experimental games like MORSE
He talked through teams to talk about his journey from where he started to where he is at now, as well as what he learnt through that process and his advice on what / not to do.
​
1. Controllers
One of his advice was to create a game using a unique controller, rather than the conventional keyboard and mouse or controller since it is the easiest way to stand out. As he says, "Breadboards beats Keyboards every time" - meaning that it doesn't matter if the controller is not what you are expecting, as long as its different from conventional controllers.
One of his games, MORSE, is about Ida Brockett (the player), "a working class telegraphist flung into a pivotal role operating a mysterious machine at a black site buried in the British countryside.2. MORSE uses a custom made controller (by himself and Katy Marshall), which is a telegraph - players use this to have inputs for certain letters (a tap = a dot, press and hold = dash). This in itself creates a diverse experience, allowing players to become Ida and communicating through Morse Code.
Custom Controller for the game MORSE. Players tap on the telegraph to communicate through morse code
2. Networking/ Connections
Networking is really important nowadays - through social media and inviting people through different events/ meetings. That also includes making connections with other people outside of the gaming industry (such as musicians, fine artists) as they have different perspectives on views. They might have a different intake for a solution that I may have not thought about, but can be more effective solution for it. Also, diversity (race, colour, sexuality, gender etc.)
Getting into communities (such as a local game dev network) and making safety nets are just as important. It is advised that we get into a network of people on the same level as me since we are on the same position, enabling us to grow together and whenever an opportunity comes, we can share and recommend it to each other.
​​
​
3. Experience
Creating more games, whether good or bad, is important when applying for jobs. It is best that we prepare something now rather than leaving it until later, so that we have something to showcase when we finish the course. Just like Dan Bernardo said, put that extra effort into doing something that you want to do - more sketches/ drawings during free time. Through making games, you will get experience, knowing things like coding, and demonstrating how much you know about games development. However, we know how long it is to produce a game (through research, ideation, prototyping), so working in a group will help (more networking). You get to know how it is like to work within a team and what the strengths and weakness we have, therefore more experience with Teamwork.
We should keep taking those opportunities that the Uni gives us, such as events like Game Jams or going to talks (can be anything).
Even if things don't go well, at least we tried and failed instead of doing nothing.
​
4. Personal
It seemed obvious, to make sure that you keep up with your health. However, there was a time where he suffered from extreme burnout due to the amount of work and travelling from place to place to do talks. If you don't keep healthy (not just physically but also mentally), then you won't be able to keep up with making more games.
There are some roles within the gaming industry that we want to go into (For me, I want to focus more on Concept Art), however rather than looking at one point, we should have several points so at least it broadens our horizons and opportunities, so that we can form a basis and make a decision of where I want to go next.
​
With the things that he had experienced, he said to ask for advice from others as well since his journey is not the same compared to others. But, It is well noting from his experience about the issues that he faced, and how we could prevent that from happening.
​
What I learnt
Having Unique controllers was something I did not put too much thought in, but realized how important it is - to allow players to be immersed in a game. When thinking about game ideas, I will think about what controllers I will use, as well as how they should work mechanically. Even though I have no experience in making those controllers, I should not leave them out from the ideas yet.
Having connections and networks is important nowadays - having social media so that I could record my progress and have other people talk about the work. Allows other people to see how went from one things to another. Connections with other people outside the course is good as well as we get more ideas for games, taking their experience with certain things and communicating that idea into a game.
Experience is key. Gaining experience through making games will help us understand the process of Games Development. I had gained some experience from making games from this course, so I put what I have learnt to this project. I can also use this for building a portfolio/ writing a CV - many gaming companies want their employees to have some experience before going into the industry. I should also attend Game Jams and events to, again, make connections with people.