Tag Archives: Jade Raymond

Train2Game News: More games should focus on real-world issues and events says Jade Raymond

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Video games can be used to focus on real-world issues and provoke intelligent debate. That’s according to Ubisoft Toronto boss Jade Raymond who was speaking about the state of the games industry in an interview with Develop.

“The Arab Spring, class divide, internet freedoms… why aren’t there triple-A games about these topics? We can actually use the interactive power of our medium to talk about these subjects in a way that can provoke discussion about them.” she said, adding that while these subjects probably won’t become the core focus of games, they can quite easily be made a part of them.

“I am a realist – at $60m per triple-A game it’s not likely we can make a subject like this the core of a brand new IP. Games may be stuck in this narrow genre of action shooters – but that shouldn’t mean we are stuck.” said Raymond.

“So why not weave more meaning into existing blockbusters? Maybe GTA could make a statement about the penal system? Or maybe games like Call of Duty could make a statement about sexism? Maybe Splinter Cell could make a statement about the ethics of interrogation?” she continued.

“The first step is to add that into existing blockbusters, it’s easier to do it this way than introduce a new IP and be riskier with your content and your message.” the Ubisoft Toronto boss added.

The full interview is available to read in Develop magazine, or on Develop Online.

There’s more from Jade Raymond here on The Train2Game Blog, including her advice on getting into the industry.

What are your thoughts? Should video games make more of an effort to focus on real world issues?

Leave your comments here on The Train2Game Blog, or on the Train2Game forum.

Train2Game news: Designing games specifically for girls isn’t the way to encourage more into the industry says Jade Raymond

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Train2Game students are likely to be aware that the games industry is currently rather male dominated. And while that’s slowly changing – there are plenty of both male and female aspiring game developers on the Train2Game forum – some believe more needs to be done to redress the balance.

However, according to Ubisoft Toronto boss Jade Raymond, designing games with a female audience in mind isn’t the way to encourage girls into the industry. Rather, if games are good, people of both sexes will be interested in game development.

“It’s not a question of making games specifically for girls, you make a good game and it will be played regardless of gender. A good game is a good game.” she told Eurogamer.

“I come from a family of three girls and we would sit around and play tons of games for our NES. I mean, can you say that Super Mario Bros. 3 is made for girls or boys? No, it’s more about exposure.”

And Raymond says that exposure is changing, as more and more girls own consoles.

“The truth is that perhaps my sisters and I were the exception because we had a console. Now that’s not the case. Games are everywhere. Just as many girls have a Nintendo DS as boys do. That’s step one towards thinking about a career in games.”

“Because if you haven’t been experienced them growing up, then you don’t think that it might offer a career for you. That is changing.” she added.

The full interview is over on Eurogamer, and is a fascinating read.  You can also get some advice on getting into the industry from the Ubisoft Toronto head, here on The Train2Game Blog.

What are your thoughts on Raymond’s comments? What do you think is the answer?

Leave your comments here on The Train2Game Blog, or on the Train2Game forum.

Train2Game news: “It’s time for our medium to grow up” says Ubisoft’s Jade Raymond

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Train2Game students will have become familiar with blockbusters such as Call of Duty or FIFA dominating sales charts, and comments on the Train2Game Facebook page find this to be a real shame when games with a deeper narrative don’t get the attention they deserve.

However, those with that opinion aren’t alone, as Ubisoft Toronto boss and Splinter Cell producer Jade Raymond believes its time game designers stopped relying on simple stories, and really started to explore narrative.

“I really do feel it’s time for our medium to grow up,” she told CVG in an extensive interview.

“I think we don’t need to make the equivalent to a Michael Bay flick in order to sell five million copies. I think things can be exciting, have meaning and hit important topics, and I’m not the only one that thinks that.”

Raymond pointed to film and TV having success with productions that have deeper narratives.

“I think every other entertainment medium or art form does manage to have commercial success and have the viewers or audience think or be inspired. Games, I think, have even more potential than that given that on top of the narrative side we do have all of the gameplay mechanics and we create rule sets from scratch which can have any kind of meaning embedded in them.” she said.

“It’s not easy to do that, because it requires breaking our recipe and trying to find new recipes, but I think it’s an important thing for us to strive for.” The Ubisoft Toronto boss added, referring to her time as Assassin’s Creed producer.

Jade Raymond has previously offered advice on getting into the games industry, which you can see right here on The Train2Game Blog.

What are your thoughts on Raymond’s comments? Do you think the games industry needs to grow up?

Leave your comments here on The Train2Game Blog, or on the Train2Game forum.

Train2Game news: Ubisoft’s Jade Raymond offers advice on getting into the industry

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Train2Game students looking for advice about getting into the industry could do worse than listening to Ubisoft’s Jade Raymond. She was responsible for the development of Assassin’s Creed as a new IP and is now charge of the Splinter Cell brand in her role as managing director of Ubisoft Toronto.

In an interview with gamesindustry.biz, Raymond offered useful advice to those looking to get into game development.

First of all, she says it’s important to know what your strengths are when it comes to game development.

“Be honest with yourself about what actually love doing. If you love art and you’re an artist and you’re doodling all the time don’t go into physics. Don’t try and be a bad programmer.” said Raymond.

“But we do have tonnes of jobs for great artists, or music, there’s so many different aspects, so many different specialties that are involved in making a game now almost anything you’re interested in you could focus on that and get a job in games.”

“So I think number one is be honest with yourself about what you actually like and what you’re actually good at and try and become that.” she added.

Of course, Train2Game offers four courses, all specialising in different areas of game development.

The Ubisoft Toronto Managing Director also suggested work placements, something that Train2Game also offers students, are a great way to get your foot in the door.

“And then the second part is to get internships and to really try and get real experience. Even if you’re working for free.” said Raymond.

“Game companies, it’s a big risk hiring someone who’s never worked anywhere before, so if you can work for them for free while you’re still a student and you don’t need or you’re used to not having much money then do that.  When I was young I hounded people, and obviously there’s a line between stalking… [laughs]”

She added that building up contacts and being persistent is key.

“But you know, build up your contacts, stay in touch, try and find out where you can work for free, where are they willing to take me for a couple of months, get some real experience and then you can put that on your CV, and often that company if you do a good job they’re going to hire you in a real role after.” Raymond said.

“And do that while you’re doing your studies so you’re not just doing the school side of it, you’ve got some real world experience.” she concluded.

Speaking of work placements, you can find out what various Train2Game students have achieved on them right here on The Train2Game Blog.

So Train2Game, what are your thoughts on Jade Raymond’s advice on getting into the industry?

Leave your comments here on The Train2Game Blog, or on the Train2Game forum.