The Alpharetta based Hi-Rez Studios open for SCAD Atlanta students
Believe it or not, a formidable game developing community is just within short driving distance from SCAD. It’s the Hi-Rez Studios, Inc, a robust local game company that has an eye for our eager, confident Atlanta students. So all you ITGM majors out there, put on your game face, this might very well be the time of your lives.
Located just north of Atlanta in Alpharetta, the independent Hi-Rez Studios has been steadily designing video games since 2005. Through these three years, the Studio has exposed many budding video game creators and enthusiasts in their “Get in the Game, Georgia” program aimed to shed light on the development process of games to help cultivate Georgia’s gaming industry. Lately, they have collaborated with many colleges, universities, high schools, businesses, and clubs to create an interactive and educational experience.
Hi-Rez holds abundance of promises for the future of the Georgian gaming scene in terms of their equipments and man power. The studio currently consists of a 50-person development team of artists, animators, software engineers, and designers. It also maintains an on-site motion capture studio and a game testing lab. Naturally this wealth of resources places them in the forefront of what may be the first generation of Georgian game makers.
To solidify that esteemed position. Hi-Rez will soon release their long guarded brainchild, the impressively scaled massive multiplayer online game (MMOG), Global Agenda™: A fast paced multiplayer shooter that possesses graphic on par with the popular sci-fi role playing shooter, Mass Effect.
The game is currently in the early testing stage (Alpha Testing,) on August 13th, Hi- Rez launched the “Get in the Game, Georgia” Program offers the opportunity for local organizations and individuals to participate in the early, invitation-only alpha testing phase of Global Agenda, allowing game enthusiasts a close look at a game in development as players explore content, troubleshoot bugs, and provide valuable feedback.
Eric Chou, a concept artist who spent one semester in his high school as an intern in the studio, recalled his experiences working with the designers there. Throughout the semester he routinely designed different ambient concepts such as a shopping cart and an arch way. He also constructed the company’s website during his stay. He mentioned that Hi-Rez at the time had two concept artists and the various staff members, such as the programmers and directors worked in various location of the building but convene in bi-weekly meetings to showcase their work and plan for the future weeks.
“It was great, but I didn’t know much in the beginning, I had only 3 days a week and 3 hours per day there, they have the programmers, and 3D artists. The biweekly meetings were pretty cool, everyone can just show their works.” he recalled, “they were very helpful in deciding for my future colleges and gave me ample feedbacks and suggestions.”
SCAD students and alumni are also essential contributors to Hi-Rez’s production process. They have had at least two prior interns from SCAD; their Art Director, Chuk Vinson is a SCAD alumni. SCAD students, they want you, show some enthusiasm and a miracle opportunity may make your future more concrete.
Support Hi-Rez by checking their website and their first public preview of Global Agenda™ on November 8th.
For information on the “Get in the Game, Georgia” Program, please contact alphasupport@hirezstudios.com
For more information, visit www.hirezstudios.com
