RTA Media Production grad scores first place at Develop at Ubisoft

RTA Media Production student Darian Schumacher recently emerged victorious in the highly competitive Game Design category at the Develop at Ubisoft competition earlier this year. Schumacher’s design was praised for its definitive understanding of the player experience and how their concept compliments different playstyles, earning well-deserved recognition for their outstanding design skills.

The Develop at Ubisoft (DAU) competition offers a platform for emerging talent in equity-deserving groups and underrepresented gender identities to showcase their abilities in various aspects of game development. This year, the competition expanded to include and encourage students and recent graduates who identify as a woman, transgender, non-binary, and/or Two-Spirit to apply in an effort to create a truly inclusive environment that’s reflective of the wider community.

At the intersection of innovation and video game mechanics

The game design category challenged participants to design a new supremo for the popular video game Far Cry 6, for which Schumacher was awarded first place. They delved into the intricacies of their design process, revealing the complexity and thoughtfulness that went into their winning submission. "The challenge that we were presented with was designing a new Supremo, which is essentially a backpack that gives your character different power-ups for Far Cry 6," said Schumacher. 

Their design, named Camaleon, introduced a unique take on conditional invisibility. When activated, the player would become invisible for a limited duration, but factors such as noise, weapon usage, and proximity to enemies would still affect their stealth. They even developed a narrative tie-in to explain the technological limitations of their Supremo.

However, the true challenge for Schumacher was integrating their innovative ideas seamlessly into the game's existing features. With a firm understanding of Far Cry 6's mechanics, Schumacher embarked on an immersive exploration of the game, playing it extensively to experiment with different playstyles and envision their Supremo's potential in diverse scenarios.

Leveraging the power of a class discord

Schumacher explained how they heard about the competition from their professor, Dr. Kristopher Alexander, who shared the opportunity on the class Discord channel. Seizing the chance to potentially work at Ubisoft, a studio behind some of their favourite franchises, Schumacher applied with cautious optimism, never expecting to be chosen, let alone win. 

"I read the details of the competition, saw that it was for inexperienced game designers, and I fit the demographic that they were looking for, so I applied, thinking that there was a zero percent chance they would pick me," stated Schumacher.

Alexander also points out that the gender disparity in gaming has been decreasing slowly over the years, making it even more important that all genders are supported in the industry.

“With the  (PDF file) Electronics Standards Association of Canada (external link)  recently reporting that men and women play games equally in Canada, it would make sense to push toward a future that engages voices and superpowers that speak to the playing numbers to help those numbers be reflected in the development of video games,” he said.

Schumacher also emphasized the invaluable learning opportunity the Develop at Ubisoft competition provided. "I think that the competition was first and foremost a great learning experience — winning was just the cherry on top," they remarked. The meticulous scrutiny of their design details and continuous adjustments to satisfy the judges shaped them into a more knowledgeable and adept designer, ready to tackle the demands of the industry.

Forging a career in game development

Schumacher, along with the other two winners of the competition, will also receive a paid internship from Ubisoft Toronto to gain real-world experience and mentorship from top talent at Ubisoft: providing essential entry-level experience in an industry known for its difficulties in obtaining opportunities.

“I sincerely hope that my upcoming apprenticeship with the studio leads to a longer career at Ubisoft and the ability to work on the franchises that got me into this field in the first place, which is honestly more than I had ever dreamed of when I started doing game design courses as part of my time in the RTA School of Media,” stated Schumacher. “Winning this competition and working as an apprentice at the studio has jump started my career in the gaming industry in a way that usually takes years to achieve.”

Schumacher believes that competitions tailored for equity-deserving groups, such as Develop at Ubisoft for women, non-binary, transgender, and Two-Spirit individuals, are especially crucial. These programs represent a positive step towards an inclusive gaming industry, combating the negative reputation often associated with the treatment of minorities. Schumacher’s enthusiasm for such initiatives underscores their commitment to fostering positive change and highlighting the importance of representation within the gaming realm.

Interested in learning more? Check out the Develop at Ubisoft competition site (external link, opens in new window)  to see Schumacher’s winning game design.

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