Global Agenda’s character specialist, Jerry Gardiner takes some time to talk with us about how he makes the characters look fantastic in this weeks meet the team.

Jerry, tell us a little about what you do at Hi-Rez Studios.

As a Senior Character Artist,  I model and texture character suits, weapons, devices and NPCs.  I also oversee the technical aspects of weapon and device creation and keep track of those assets through the pipeline.

How did you get into the gaming industry? How did you get to Hi-Rez Studios?

Hi-Rez is my first job in the gaming industry and I’ll have been here for 4 years at the end of July.  Like most of the artists at the studio, I’ve been an avid gamer since I was young.  Somehow though, I never really considered getting into game development.  I tried studying engineering for a year and a half and hated it, so i ended up going to school and getting a BFA in Art, specializing in painting.  That, by chance, led to the Digital Production Arts program at Clemson University, though I was going there with movie animation in mind. After graduation I began applying for jobs. My friend Mick Larkins [now, lead Tech Artist on Global Agenda] had been hired at Hi-Rez soon after the studio formed and he was nice enough to help me get my foot in the door. Thanks Mick!  I can’t imagine the work environment anywhere else being as great as it is here.

Describe your video game experience; when did you start playing/making games?

Growing up I played mostly console games, starting with the Atari 2600.  I’ve had most of the major consoles since then, and of course got into computer gaming along the way.

What is your favorite class/character to play in Global Agenda?

I do best as an Assault, but really enjoy the various strategies behind the Robotics class most.

What are you most excited for in Global Agenda?

Tracking Rocket Launchers.  I love seeing someone jet packing away, trying to escape when their health is low. Let them get a little further away…a little further… they think they’re going to make it! Then I launch a missile that swerves and connects, and they fall from the sky like a rock.

What experiences do you draw from when creating content for the game?

I look at a lot of the stuff being created for the Unreal engine by various studios.  But also a get a lot of inspiration from the other character artists here, who are top-notch.

What advice do you have for someone who wants to break into gaming?

Find out who is the executive producer of a local gaming studio, like our own Todd Harris for instance.  Stalk them relentlessly, which is easy to do what with the internet and all.  I’m sure they will be impressed by your determination and hire you in no time.  Or you could work extremely hard. You decide.

Favorite game(s)?

I don’t know, here are some that I remember liking over the years:

Gladius

Neverwinter Nights

Bioshock

Red Dead Revolver

SSX series

Baldur’s Gate 2

Final Fantasy VII

Warcraft III

WOW

Zelda

Final Fantasy Tactics

Dune

Soul Calibur series

Portal

Galaga…

What do you do in your free time?

Play games and hang with my daughter, Paige.  Occasionally paint, play basketball and watch movies.

What is on your iPod/MP3player?

Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds, Mark Lanegan, Clutch, Antony and the Johnsons, Richie Havens, Tool, Monster Magnet, Bjork, None More Black, Jimi Hendrix, Dropkick Murphys, Flight of the Conchords…

Some Personal Art From Jerry Gardiner

Here are a few of my paintings from when I was back in school, I havent taken the time to photograph any of my current stuff….