Steve Salmond
2D / 3D / Interactive
Introduction
About
Hi, I'm Steve. I'm a software developer and 2D / 3D generalist with over 20 years of experience. I have particular expertise in game development, 3D, VR, UI/UX, and a strong grasp of the fundamentals of good software design. I love nothing better than to work with a talented team on exciting creative and technical challenges.steve.salmond@gmail.com
My Work
Projects
Zero King
You're a Junker pilot. Prove your space combat skills in free-to-play, post-apocalyptic, multiplayer arenas.
#games
#unity3d
#steam
Grabity
Dance the tango of death in Grabity, a fast-paced, physics-based indie arena brawler.
#games
#unity3d
#steam
Island of Mystery
Josh and his dog crash back 700 years in time, to a mysterious land where taniwhas roam and ancient warriors rule.
#animation
#unity3d
#film-tv
Tipua
An upcoming animated series for young adults steeped in mystery, drama and surprising discoveries.
#animation
#unity3d
#film-tv
The MEG
We created a real-time, interactive, networked submarine sim for on-set use in a giant shark movie!
#interactive
#unity3d
#film-tv
VRTUE
Virtual reality user experiences populated with large autonomous agent crowds.
#vr
#unity3d
#archvis
Mystery Beats
A casual music game where you mix and match characters to come up with awesome and unique loops!
#games
#phaser
#web
Taniwha
Take control of four powerful Taniwha and restore the world in this epic adventure!
#games
#unity3d
#mobile
Flying Kiwis
Our deep-sleeping Kiwi is woken by a villain and needs to jump and run away to survive!
#games
#phaser
#web
Tahi Two
An engaging memory game that helps expand Māori vocabulary and knowledge in an entertaining way.
#games
#phaser
#web
Smallworlds
SmallWorlds was a sprawling online virtual world, attracting over 10 million registered players with a decade of continuous operation.
#games
#flash
#web
Blood Gate
An action/puzzle RPG adventure - players balance intense real-time combat with precision rune matching to defeat unspeakable demons!
#games
#unity3d
#mobile
Gopher Launch
With his spaceship running-on-empty in a star system far from home, our fearless Gophernaut needs your help!
#games
#unity3d
#mobile
Virtual Spectator
Virtual Spectator was instrumental in bringing realtime 3d graphics to live television.
#interactive
#c++
#film-tv
My work history
Experience
Technical Artist
Zero King
- Created in-game VFX systems and elements - thrusters, damage, nanobot repair, etc.
- Designed and implemented a modular building interface that allows players to construct their own ships.
- General modelling and texturing for in-game assets and environments.
- Shaders, materials, lighting, post-processing, and other rendering tasks.
2D / 3D Generalist
Adrenalin Group
- Developed a streamlined shot pipeline for animated TV shows with strong emphasis on turnaround speed.
- Used that pipeline to perform lighting, FX, post-processing and render out thousands of shots.
- Designed and delivered TANIWHA, a mobile game with a unique environmental cleanup theme.
- Created a number of web games for HEIHEI, a website aimed at New Zealand kids.
- Provided concept and illustration services for a wide range of projects.
VR Developer
CPRW
- Developed VRTUE, a crowd simulation system for use in architectural visualization contexts.
- Created interactive VR experiences to help the firm assess, validate, and present designs to clients.
Co-founder
Ninja Thumbs
- Designed, developed and released GRABITY, an award-winning physics-based indie arena brawler.
- Designed and implemented a novel, efficient and robust networked physics simulation system.
Motion Graphics Programmer
Manu One Ltd.
- Our team created a realtime networked simulation system for on-set use in The MEG, a major motion picture.
- Implemented touch screen interfaces for PC and mobile devices, used direct to camera by actors in many shots.
Senior Developer
Outsmart Games
- Senior software engineer for SmallWorlds, an online virtual community with over 10 million registered users.
- We developed a rich graphical client running in the browser, paired with a highly scalable backend.
Software Developer
Virtual Spectator
- Created realtime 3D viewing applications and TV graphics for sporting events such as the America's Cup, Volvo Ocean Race and World Rally Championship.
- Spectators were able to tune into live virtual coverage thanks to GPS data streams from custom onboard units.
Game Developer
Devious Creations
- Our team of six created a custom 3D game engine prototype featuring realistic outdoor environments, sophisticated character animation and physically simulated special effects.
Game Developer
Liquid Edge
- We developed an innovative sandbox game, RoboForge, featuring gigantic user-created robots battling for supremacy in online tournaments.
- My responsibilities included UI/UX design, coding, AI, realtime 3D graphics and networking.
My educational history
Education
Masters (HCI)
Carnegie Mellon University, USA
- Studied Human-Computer Interaction at CMU, focusing on user interface design and usability engineering.
Certificate (Graphic Design)
Auckland Institute of Technology, NZ
- A short course in graphic design, covering typography, layout, colour theory and print production.
BSc (First-Class Honours)
Auckland University, NZ
- Majored in Computer Science, with a focus on graphics, AI and software engineering.
Get in touch
Contact
Feel free to drop me a line!
steve.salmond@gmail.com