Champions Online: Cryptic Introduces Rob Overmeyer

In the latest Champions Online Meet the Team feature, Cryptic introduces producer Rob Overmeyer. As associate producer for the content team, Overmeyer works with mission designers and environment artists on the world setting and story. He’s into PvP stating it “calls to me” and enjoys listening to early jazz while playing to get him “In the Mood.”

Overmeyer began his career as a QA tester and brings six years of experience working with various developers to the table. His advice to budding developers looking to break into the games industry emphasizes both skill and location.

Getting into the gaming industry is a strange task. It is neither easy nor hard to get in.

Depending on the aspect of gaming that you want to get into, you will need determination, dedication and/or a degree. For a role as a programmer, you will need proper training and knowledge of magic. I say magic because so many times I see the impossible manifest when no one is looking. An artist does better when they have a nice portfolio showing their visual style and talents and they keep on top of the latest tools. Design is a group that requires more of your personality and analytical abilities. A designer is best when they dissect a game and rebuild it. A vivid imagination or a fanatic appreciation of all things geek doesn’t hurt, either.

Being near a studio that needs quality assurance or customer service help is a good way to get in and see what the industry is like. You can work on a seasonal basis and get exposure to most, if not all, of the different aspects of game development.

For those of you in the right location to hire on to Cryptic, here’s a list of openings for the Los Gatos, California Studio. The independent developer of massively-multiplayer online role playing games is currently working on Champions Online and Star Trek Online.