Open Days

Since 2005, we at Blitz Games Studios have been running Open Days at our Leamington Spa offices. These annual Open Days are part of Blitz’s continued commitment to improving the knowledge base of the future of the industry's game developers.

Open Days for 2011 have now taken place and we are not currently planning to run any more until 2012. Please follow us here, on Facebook or on Twitter to find out when registration will open again – it’s usually around the end of September or beginning of October.

The student days are intended for anyone who wants to work in game development; that doesn’t mean only people who are on actual games courses, it could also include those studying courses like Computer Science, Animation, Audio Technology and Illustration – any one of a number of courses where the core skills are related to games development. If you’re not sure whether your course is getting you on the right track, take a look at our Blitz Academy website where there is a wealth of information about the jobs and skills needed in development.

The aim is to give people who want to work in games a chance to experience a little of the reality of that industry, to give them a feel for what the work entails and to pass on helpful information and experience from our talented and enthusiastic employees. The day includes overview presentations from the main games disciplines - 2D Art, 3D Art, Animation, Audio, Game Design, Programming, Project Management and Quality Assurance - as well as talks by Andrew and Philip Oliver, who founded the company back in 1990, about the business side.

There’s a studio tour so that you can see the range of games that we’re currently working on and during the afternoon you will get at least an hour to sit down with someone who is doing the job you want to do, and ask them as many questions as you like! You can also bring your portfolio and get direct, constructive and helpful feedback.

If you think that you would benefit from knowing more about your chosen career, this is absolutely for you. Please note that anyone wanting to attend one of our Open Days has to complete a work sample and send it to us – this is because we get a lot of applications and need some way to sift them so that the places go to really deserving people! But please don’t think you’re not good enough to gain a place – we always try to pick a really good mix of people with potential and talent.

It is also worth noting that project management is not generally an entry level position in the games industry and the role is dependent on having a broad range of development experience. We do cover project management as part of the day's presentations, but we don't accept applications from students citing project management as their primary discipline; the same is true for QA.

All the days are free to attend and lunch and refreshments are provided. We are sorry we are unable to pay travel expenses.

Student feedback from the 2011 Open Days included:

"Inspiring and exciting to see how a real-life games company works!"

"Really interesting, talented and passionate people at Blitz. Thank you very much for a great day and this fantastic opportunity."

"Hands-on info is super motivating!"

"Having the animators go through my work and give me points was extremely helpful – thank you!"

"Great day, thank you, learnt a lot. A big eye-opener!"

"Amazing opportunity, really pleased there are people in the industry who are so keen to help others break in and get an insight. Thank you!"

"The best way to spend my birthday!"

If you have any further questions regarding the Open Days, please contact us at OpenDays@BlitzGamesStudios.com.

To follow Blitz Academy on Facebook, go here: www.Facebook.com/BlitzAcademy
To follow Blitz 1UP on Twitter, go here: www.Twitter.com/BlitzAcademy