Developers In Vinland #5 – Jacques

Hello survivors! So, as we have announced in our latest blogpost, we are going to introduce our “Big Three”. This means: Jacques, our Art Director, Thomas, our Lead Developer, and Matthieu, the lead Game Designer (and our boss!). Today, we are talking to the one who created the art direction of Dead In Vinland. Meet, Jacques ! (or, Mr Jack, as we like to call him!)

Who are you?

CCCP: Tell us your name, your age, and your role at CCCP for Dead In Vinland?

Jacques: I’m Jacques, I’m 28, and I’m the Art Director of Dead In Vinland.

 

CCCP: What did you do before?

Jacques: I started with “classical” trainings because I didn’t know it was possible to study video games in France, and even less that it could be a realistic career choice. I ended up finding out about “Supinfogame” and I branched to “Game Art”. Looking back, it was one of the best decisions of my life ?

Your role for Dead In Vinland

CCCP: Tell us more about your role in the game.

Jacques: At first, I put images where there were only words or intentions: character conceptions, the first backgrounds, UIs… Then, I had to make some choices (Art Direction, animation technique, etc.) to be able to make the whole graphical content of the game with a reduced team. I produced many different things (but that’s what I love in this job): characters’ animations, backgrounds, UIs, icons, FX, cinematics, communication assets…

 

CCCP: What’s your typical working day at the moment?

Jacques: We’re almost finished with the project, so I produce the myriads of necessary assets  for the release of the game for the store: achievements, banners, videos, Steam Cards… It’s quite repetitive, but very interesting as I discover how a Steam page is made behind the scenes.

CCCP: Your favorite mechanics in Dead In Vinland?

Jacques: The tribute! The character that creates this system and his dialogues literally cracked me up. For the player, it also represents important milestones in the story and memorable moments of tension.

The Tribute system in Dead In Vinland!

CCCP: Your favorite character? Why?

Jacques: I like Eustache. He’s inspired of a real-life man who had many roles (monk, noble, pirate) and I think his character design reflects his personality of womanizer/crook…

Eustache, the Black monk

As a gamer

CCCP: Your favorite game?

Jacques: I obviously have many favourite games. However, the first that hypnotized me while I was still very young is “Medievil” on Playstation 1. I was begging the person that played to move forward in the story, even though he was done playing. I was blown away by the “Timburtonesque” world, fun and grim, the many secrets in the game and the splendid OST. Also, the hero is a skeleton in an armour…

CCCP: What have you been playing lately?

Jacques: Lately, I’ve been mostly playing three games.

• Into The Breach (like everyone else, I gave in)
• Dead In Vinland (for obvious reasons :p)
• Leage of Legends (to give some “GREAT SHOTCALLING” to my mates. They’ll know I’m talking about them)

In the office

CCCP: Describe your co-workers with 3 words.

Jacques: Ambitious (or reckless??) – Entertaining – Eggplant

 

CCCP: Any good anecdote from within the walls of CCCP?

Jacques: The Gamescom and its many anecdotes will forever be a strong moment for Dead In Vinland. I was particularly surprised (and moved) to see the live reactions from fans of Dead In Bermuda and new players when they were testing “Dead In Vinland”.

CCCP: Your favorite object at work?

Jacques: My desk is cluttered with many statuettes/books/comic books/board games… A certain (small) slanderous co-worker pretends I’m ready for the next yard sale with such a booth.

 

CCCP: Any advice for those who want to become an Art Director like you?

Jacques: I think the easiest thing is to be naturally passionate by what we do. If you like games and you’ve already thought about doing some by yourself or create some characters/worlds, that’s already a good thing. After that, it’s all about training and never giving up.