Network Specialist (C# / Unity), Jack Dean & Company

We are seeking an experienced Network Specialist, with experience of working on games using C# and the Unity Engine, to help support the development of Great North Road, a new multiplayer 2D narrative adventure game for PC.

The Company

Jack Dean & Company is a new non-profit organisation set up to deliver the artistic projects of Jack Dean and his collaborators. We work with exceptional and inspiring artists to tell stories of how things could be.

The Project

Great North Road is a narrative-driven multiplayer adventure game about who we want to be after the apocalypse. It will see the players take on the role of a caravan of settlers headed north along a strange future version of England’s A1 motorway. They will face a series of surreal and mythical encounters from English folklore on the way, cooperating to solve problems and making difficult collective decisions that will meaningfully impact the narrative. The project is supported by Arts Council England. We released a prototype for PC & Mac in October 2020, but we are keen to explore smartphone releases as well in the long term.

The Role

We are looking for someone to work closely with Jack Dean (writer, composer and creative lead), Christopher Harrisson (art and animation) and Daniel Shapley (C# developer) on the online multiplayer aspects of the game. As such, they will need understanding both of the creative and collaborative process of game development and the technical requirements of multiplayer networking. Our goal by the end of the development period will be to have the code, hosting and systems in place to get us effectively and affordably through both testing and production in later 2021, and release in 2022. This role can be done remotely, but ability to attend face-to-face meetings is a plus. Pending further fundraising, this role will be continued and expanded to support further development of the game.

Fee 

£2340 (based on 20 days’ work at £117 per day on a freelance basis).

Timeline

The development period will run from January to April 2020. January to March will be focused on implementing online multiplayer, and April on sharing and teaching the systems with the rest of the creative team, as well as fixing bugs found in playtesting. As this is a task-based role, we can offer a fair amount of flexibility in when the work days take place, but ability to attend some meetings during weekday daytimes would be ideal.

Person Specification

Essential

– A friendly, empathic and personable approach to game making.

– Experience of working closely with creatives of different disciplines and levels of game development knowledge.

– Fluency with the C# programming language.

– Experience of making games with the Unity Game Engine.

– Experience of using networking solutions like Mirror to create multiplayer games.

– Experience of using hosting services like Amazon EC2 to set up games in the cloud.

– Flexibility, open-mindedness and willingness to experiment with different ideas.

– An enthusiasm for story-driven games.

Desirable

– Teaching or training experience.

– Experience of using the .Net programming language.

– Ability to attend face-to-face meetings in Exeter or Bristol, UK.

– Experience of conducting alpha testing. 

– Experience of developing games for smartphone.

How To Apply

Please send a CV and a brief cover letter outlining your suitability for the role, including links to relevant projects, to jackdean1989@gmail.com .

Deadline for applications: 5pm on Sunday 27^th December 2020.

Interviews in Exeter or over Skype during the week of 11^th January 2021.

If you have any questions before applying please feel free to get in touch on the above email.