To Whom It May Concern:
I'm a strong generalist programmer with over eight years of game industry and hobbyist experience. I'm looking for a full-time position, preferably starting no earlier than September 2009.
I grew up with computers and have always had a passion for creating games. Even before I started programming I made board games, card games and puzzles. I remember checking out library books and typing in hundreds of lines of BASIC code to make text adventures. I experimented with MUDs (and MOOs) as a "programmer". My first real games were written in HyperCard and I found that I loved combining stories, artwork, sound, logic, and simulation to make them come alive. I still think it's magic.
Before starting university I released a shareware game for the Mac (a puzzle game inspired by Lemmings), which was picked up by a publisher. I've since ported the game to PalmOS and Flash: www.enigmasoftware.ca/squish
Now I consider myself to be a very strong C++ programmer. I'm comfortable with object-oriented programming, generic programming, templates, the STL, Boost, and Design Patterns. I'm a strong believer in using the best tools for the job, and will readily use engines, middleware, and scripting languages as appropriate. In fact, I advocate using high-level/domain-specific languages wherever possible. When it's not possible, I'm no stranger to low-level memory and performance optimization.
I document my code, I have a keen eye for detail, I'm very organized, I love a challenge, I have my own opinions, I take pride in my work, I play well with others, and I don't need to be spoon-fed.
My notable work experience includes working for Irrational Games in Boston (now 2K Boston), and BioWare in Edmonton, Alberta.
At Irrational I worked with a small team of programmers on a 3rd-person survival horror game for the PlayStation2 and was involved in almost all aspects of the game, personally designing several critical systems. I worked closely with artists, animators, sound engineers, and testers. Unfortunately the project was cancelled, but the experience I gained there was invaluable.
At BioWare I started out building a general purpose GUI framework for the Technology Architecture Group. I then transitioned to Dragon Age and became the Senior GUI Programmer on the project. I was responsible for the design and maintenance of the GUI system and implemented or oversaw almost all GUIs in the game. We used a combination of C++/Flash/ActionScript and the Scaleform GFx library to build the system. I also provided support and mentorship to junior programmers.
You can find some recommendations on my LinkedIn profile:
http://www.linkedin.com/in/henrysmith
Please let me know if I would be a good fit with your team, and thank you for your time,
Henry Smith
henry@enigmasoftware.ca