Game Development Reference
In-Depth Information
projects. You may decide to make your company all virtual and have the company headquarters in a virtual
world. There are some advantages to this, such as easy scalability of workspace, access control via private
or self-hosted islands, and a built-in testing ground for your new designs. The importance of a production
manager, who daily takes on the roles of social buffer, trafic cop, and diplomat, cannot be overstated. Daily
communication among your groups can be supplemented by having a companywide chat channel, the virtual
equivalent of the water cooler meeting, so people can take advantage of crowdsourcing when they have a
problem or question. Other key people are the ofice inancial manager and the systems/worklow manager.
In a virtual design ofice, these folks provide a stable base of operations, and an organized, functional envi-
ronment where the creative and production teams can do their work.
3.3.5 o
rganizaTional
s
TruCTure
for
a
s
mall
d
esign
o
ffiCe
You may be just starting out or, for project budgetary reasons, need to keep your team smaller. A small dedi-
cated, highly skilled team can accomplish much with careful planning; see Figure 3.11 for an overall picture.
Organizational Structure for Small Virtual Design Oce
First Lead - skill set
Secondary Lead - skill set
Secondary Lead - skill set
Art Director
Creative Director
3D Model
Specialist
Code /
Script Writer
2D Graphics
Specialist
"Play Tester"
Project Manager
shares skills
All connect through Company site
and/or virtual world region
Outsource: Billing and bookkeeping / Back o
ce work
Purchase 3D models, animations, and sound when possible
Hire web specialist when necessary
Outsource special skills / Concept Illustration / Sound Design etc.
FIGURE 3.11
Chart showing the organizational structure of a small virtual design ofice and how content purchasing,
outsourced ofice management and web specialists would be utilized.
