Hey everyone,
We're back with another Meet the Team! Take a peek inside the studio, learn more about the many careers and paths that led our collaborators to join Amplitude!
If you want to know more about us, or your niece wants to learn more about the career path of a game developer, or if you're just curious, read on.
He breathes life into 2D concepts to make them 3D realities, meet Hugo, aka Bartartist3D!
Who are you and what is your job at Amplitude?
Hey guys, I'm Hugo, 28! I've been at Amplitude for almost two years now. As a 3D artist, I have been working on Endless Space 2 all along its production phase, as well as on Endless Legend's last expansion, Tempest. My job is to create 3D models that rock your socks off, based on 2D concepts.
What were you doing before you joined the studio?
I studied at ENJMIN in Angoulême, before coming to Paris. I did an internship at Tindalos Interactive, working on Battlefleet Gothic: Armada, where I cut my teeth, and then I got my position with Amplitude.
What do you like the most at Amplitude?
Teamwork, and the trust of your colleagues when it comes to your work. Expectations are pretty high at Amplitude, but I wasn't put pressure on, and from the moment you show skill and motivation, you quickly get granted more responsibilities. I find this very gratifying, especially for an artist, as you put a lot of yourself into each of your creations.
What have you worked on that you're super proud of?
Without hesitation, the Horatio Dreadnought (Imperator-class carrier), and the Horatio ships' textures for the whole faction. It was quite a challenge to manage to take the awesome 2D concept and make it work in 3D, especially with the big animation constraints of these ships!
What are you currently working on?
By now you must be used to hearing "secret stuff", so I'll just say "stuff that I can't talk about" instead! Sorry. ^^
What's your favorite game of all time?
If I had to pick only one, it would be Morrowind. It was the first game to immerse me so deeply into its universe, and involve me so much into its stories. On top of that, it was beautiful.
What’s the game you dream of creating?
I have lots of ideas in mind, but I haven't made the effort to put them all together to make what could be the game of my dreams. All I can say is I'd like to create my own universe, with polished characters, and maybe stray away from graphic styles currently overused in games. Nowadays, we can do anything, but we mostly do more of the same...
Is there anywhere on the Internet where I can see more of your stuff?
Of course! You can check out my Artstation: https://www.artstation.com/hugo_barthouil You'll find the stuff I made for Amplitude, and some personal work.
What's your favorite race or character in our games?
I really like the Vodyani. It's the first faction I worked on when I arrived at Amplitude. At first I wasn't really into the design, but eventually I warmed up to it, and I find it very classy and perfectly suited to the faction's style.
Is there a funny story that happened to you at Amplitude?
When we did some decorating on the rooftop terrace on the 8th floor, I put the studio in touch with my girlfriend, who is a landscape designer. Not everyone knew, so when she came around to supervise the work, a bunch of my colleagues thought I was hitting on a perfect stranger!
What's the next place you want to travel to?
My next destination will be Subsaharan Africa, I think, off of the beaten path. Some sort of African trek would be cool!
What obscure movie would you recommend watching?
I recommend checking out The Broken Circle. This movie is a gem. Camera shots are loaded with emotion, and it's got the best soundtrack I know, provided you're not allergic to bluegrass. The story is kind of harsh so plan to be at least two for mutual moral support, and you can go on to watch an episode of Malcolm in the middle or South Park to stem the tears!
What gift idea would you suggest for the holiday season?
For the next holidays, how about a Mediterranean cruise? It's always good to relax and sip cocktails, and if you're a tourist from overseas, you'll see multiple countries in short order! If that's not a possibility for your budget, I would suggest Damasio's Windwalkers ("La horde du contrevent"), which is a masterpiece and will make you travel as much as any trip to the ends of the world. (NdE: I don't think the book has been translated, except for an Italian adaptation. Learning French will make you travel too!)
That's it for Hugo! We hope you found this interesting. Comments or additional questions, feel free to comment!
If there's a question you would like us to ask the interviewees, let us know!
