Luke Haslett's Portfolio
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Luke Haslett
Game Design Lecturer - PhD Researcher
A reliable, quick learning and highly organised individual with extensive academic experience. Interested in developing a career that combines practical design with research, whilst maintaining an interest in education and game development.
Education
2018-Present - Staffordshire University
PhD Scholarship in Games and X Reality
Thesis: Developing Narrative Design in Role-Playing Games with Natural Language Interaction for Non-Player Characters
Supervisor: Prof. Esther MacCallum-Stewart, Dr. Joshua Jackson (Formerly Dr. Yvan Cartwright)
Outline: The study first considers what narrative is and how it relates to a video game experience, as well as what approaches exist to deliver narrative content to a player, specifically looking at non-playable character (NPC) roles in narrative delivery. This feeds into an evaluation of the technology used for crafting narrative experiences in games.
Next, the review looks at natural language interaction (NLI). There are numerous studies in the field of NLI, so this section focuses on its uses for narrative games design as well as the recent investigations of LabLabLab. It also explores the technology available for developing and managing NLI, especially in the setting of a game engine toolkit.
Afterwards, human-computer interaction (HCI) is a key area for study, particularly what it is, how video games use it, and what technologies exist for players to interact with NPCs. This section also widens to look into the blending of systems for HCI and NLI practices.
2018-Present - Staffordshire University
PhD Scholarship in Games and X Reality
Thesis: Developing Narrative Design in Role-Playing Games with Natural Language Interaction for Non-Player Characters
Supervisor: Prof. Esther MacCallum-Stewart, Dr. Joshua Jackson (Formerly Dr. Yvan Cartwright)
Outline: The study first considers what narrative is and how it relates to a video game experience, as well as what approaches exist to deliver narrative content to a player, specifically looking at non-playable character (NPC) roles in narrative delivery. This feeds into an evaluation of the technology used for crafting narrative experiences in games.
Next, the review looks at natural language interaction (NLI). There are numerous studies in the field of NLI, so this section focuses on its uses for narrative games design as well as the recent investigations of LabLabLab. It also explores the technology available for developing and managing NLI, especially in the setting of a game engine toolkit.
Afterwards, human-computer interaction (HCI) is a key area for study, particularly what it is, how video games use it, and what technologies exist for players to interact with NPCs. This section also widens to look into the blending of systems for HCI and NLI practices.
2019-2021 - Staffordshire University
Postgraduate Certificate in Higher and Professional Education (PgCHPE)
Grade: Distinction
Modules: Teaching and Learning in Higher & Professional Education, Wider Professional Practice, Research Proposal, Conducting and Disseminating Research.
Postgraduate Certificate in Higher and Professional Education (PgCHPE)
Grade: Distinction
Modules: Teaching and Learning in Higher & Professional Education, Wider Professional Practice, Research Proposal, Conducting and Disseminating Research.
2017-2018 - Staffordshire University
MSc(Hons) 3D Computer Games Design
Grade: Distinction
Modules: Advanced Character Prototyping, Advanced Games Environment Design & Research, Advanced Vehicle and Weapon Prototyping, Mobile Games Development, Master's Negotiated Project, and Master's Portfolio Project.
MSc(Hons) 3D Computer Games Design
Grade: Distinction
Modules: Advanced Character Prototyping, Advanced Games Environment Design & Research, Advanced Vehicle and Weapon Prototyping, Mobile Games Development, Master's Negotiated Project, and Master's Portfolio Project.
2014-2017 - Staffordshire University
BEng(Hons) Computer Gameplay Design and Production
Grade: First Class Honours
Year 3 Modules: Senior Collaborative Game Development & Testing, Social and Mobile Game Development, Final Year Project, and Portfolio Project.
Year 2 Modules: Advanced 3D Games Engines & Scripting, Game Interface Design & Implementation, Gameplay Applications, and Junior Collaborative Game Dev & Testing.
Year 1 Modules: Intro to 3D Games Engines, Intro to Games Design, Intro to Realism in Games & Militainment, and Narratology for Games.
BEng(Hons) Computer Gameplay Design and Production
Grade: First Class Honours
Year 3 Modules: Senior Collaborative Game Development & Testing, Social and Mobile Game Development, Final Year Project, and Portfolio Project.
Year 2 Modules: Advanced 3D Games Engines & Scripting, Game Interface Design & Implementation, Gameplay Applications, and Junior Collaborative Game Dev & Testing.
Year 1 Modules: Intro to 3D Games Engines, Intro to Games Design, Intro to Realism in Games & Militainment, and Narratology for Games.
2012-2014 - The Bournemouth & Poole College
Level 3 Web and Games Development
Grade: Triple Distinction*
Modules: Games Development, Computer Game Design, Event Driven Programming, Object Oriented Programming, Human Computer Interaction, 3D Modelling, Multimedia Design, Communication and Employability Skills for IT, Computer Systems, Information Systems, E-Commerce, Project Planning with IT, Client Side Customisation of Web Pages, Mathematics for IT Practitioners, Web Server Scripting, Web Production, Digital Graphics, and Computer Animation.
Level 3 Web and Games Development
Grade: Triple Distinction*
Modules: Games Development, Computer Game Design, Event Driven Programming, Object Oriented Programming, Human Computer Interaction, 3D Modelling, Multimedia Design, Communication and Employability Skills for IT, Computer Systems, Information Systems, E-Commerce, Project Planning with IT, Client Side Customisation of Web Pages, Mathematics for IT Practitioners, Web Server Scripting, Web Production, Digital Graphics, and Computer Animation.
2011-2012 - The Bournemouth & Poole College
Level 2 Adult Numeracy
Level 2 Adult Numeracy
2001-2004 - Queen Elizabeth's Secondary School
GCSE
Subjects included: ICT, Business Studies, Media Studies, and Graphic Product Design
GCSE
Subjects included: ICT, Business Studies, Media Studies, and Graphic Product Design
Teaching Experience
Game Design Lecturer - Staffordshire University (2021-Present)
Currently Taught Modules: Narrative Design for Games (Module Leader), Pre-Production for Gameplay Designers (Module Leader), Rapid Games Design (Module Leader), Advanced Games Design, and Experimental Games Production.
Previously Taught Modules: Narratology for Games (Module Leader), Fundamentals of Gameplay (Module Leader), Gameplay Applications (Module Leader), Game Interface Design & Implementation, and Advanced Vehicle & Weapon Prototyping.
Duties: I am a games design lecturer for undergraduate and postgraduate courses, as part of the Staffs Uni Games Development Department. I currently lead three modules at levels 4 & 6, in addition to reviewing a previously ran module that still runs at British University Vietnam. I also support two level 6 modules via student supervision and assist in the delivery of level 5 & 7 modules. Previously, I have taught on additional modules in the curriculum. I have also been involved with the creation of new modules that form a new course structure. Additionally, I have duties around student & staff recruitment, administration, pastoral care, and general academic duties. Furthermore, last year I handled the recruitment pipeline for a Research Assistant in Games Design & Technology role, to which I was the line manager for as part of my PI responsibilities on a successful grant bid. Finally, I have actively engaged with industry partners to develop enhancement activities that reward students with industry experience, publishing opportunities, and monetary prizes.
Game Design Lecturer - Staffordshire University (2021-Present)
Currently Taught Modules: Narrative Design for Games (Module Leader), Pre-Production for Gameplay Designers (Module Leader), Rapid Games Design (Module Leader), Advanced Games Design, and Experimental Games Production.
Previously Taught Modules: Narratology for Games (Module Leader), Fundamentals of Gameplay (Module Leader), Gameplay Applications (Module Leader), Game Interface Design & Implementation, and Advanced Vehicle & Weapon Prototyping.
Duties: I am a games design lecturer for undergraduate and postgraduate courses, as part of the Staffs Uni Games Development Department. I currently lead three modules at levels 4 & 6, in addition to reviewing a previously ran module that still runs at British University Vietnam. I also support two level 6 modules via student supervision and assist in the delivery of level 5 & 7 modules. Previously, I have taught on additional modules in the curriculum. I have also been involved with the creation of new modules that form a new course structure. Additionally, I have duties around student & staff recruitment, administration, pastoral care, and general academic duties. Furthermore, last year I handled the recruitment pipeline for a Research Assistant in Games Design & Technology role, to which I was the line manager for as part of my PI responsibilities on a successful grant bid. Finally, I have actively engaged with industry partners to develop enhancement activities that reward students with industry experience, publishing opportunities, and monetary prizes.
Graduate Teaching Assistant - Staffordshire University (2018-2021)
Taught Modules: Game Interface Design & Implementation, and Narratology for Games
Duties: Assisting and supporting academic staff in the delivery of quality education to students in the department of Games and Visual Effects
- Delivering teaching and teaching support, including lectures, seminars, tutorials, and other feedback support sessions
- Preparing appropriate learning materials, keeping up to date with subject area and course/module requirement
- Contributing to the preparation for teaching and marking of assignments and examinations
- Providing administration for module delivery to include attendance monitoring and module evaluation
- Providing personal tutor support to students
- Participating in the development of innovative teaching and learning strategies
- Participating in occasional marketing and recruitment activities
Taught Modules: Game Interface Design & Implementation, and Narratology for Games
Duties: Assisting and supporting academic staff in the delivery of quality education to students in the department of Games and Visual Effects
- Delivering teaching and teaching support, including lectures, seminars, tutorials, and other feedback support sessions
- Preparing appropriate learning materials, keeping up to date with subject area and course/module requirement
- Contributing to the preparation for teaching and marking of assignments and examinations
- Providing administration for module delivery to include attendance monitoring and module evaluation
- Providing personal tutor support to students
- Participating in the development of innovative teaching and learning strategies
- Participating in occasional marketing and recruitment activities
Grants
2022
Innovate UK Smart Grants: January 2022
- Grant # 10034423
- Name of Funding Organization: Innovate UK
- Amount Awarded: £500,000 for the project - £100,000 for Staffordshire University
- Period of Grant Award: Sep 2022-Aug 2023
- Title of Project: The Application of RichCast for Education and Serious Games
- Role on Project: PI for Staffs Uni
Details: In partnership with Panivox, this project investigates cultural development prospects using innovative interactive storytelling software for natural language interaction. This software application is known as RichCast. This includes researching potential serious games applications for culture and heritage, healthcare, finance, climate change, and more. The research aims to reveal current workable solutions for tackling this problem, identify their strengths and weaknesses, and proposing development recommendation reports that drive RichCast towards being the most viable solution for natural language storytelling. Content development cycles aim to test the solution and its value for the previously mentioned cultural development.
2022
Innovate UK Smart Grants: January 2022
- Grant # 10034423
- Name of Funding Organization: Innovate UK
- Amount Awarded: £500,000 for the project - £100,000 for Staffordshire University
- Period of Grant Award: Sep 2022-Aug 2023
- Title of Project: The Application of RichCast for Education and Serious Games
- Role on Project: PI for Staffs Uni
Details: In partnership with Panivox, this project investigates cultural development prospects using innovative interactive storytelling software for natural language interaction. This software application is known as RichCast. This includes researching potential serious games applications for culture and heritage, healthcare, finance, climate change, and more. The research aims to reveal current workable solutions for tackling this problem, identify their strengths and weaknesses, and proposing development recommendation reports that drive RichCast towards being the most viable solution for natural language storytelling. Content development cycles aim to test the solution and its value for the previously mentioned cultural development.
Research Publications
2023
- Submitted to IDEA - Interdisciplinary Design of Emotion Sensitive Agents - International Workshop.
2020
- Submitted to The International Conference on the Foundations of Digital Games (FDG) 2020.
Conferences & Presentations
2022
- Communities and Communication - Diverse Voices 2022 Conference. Presentation on the State of Natural Language Interaction in Video Game Design Research.
2019
- Staffordshire University's 7th Postgraduate Research Conference. Poster Presentation on Literature Review Influenced Research Objectives.
2023
- Submitted to IDEA - Interdisciplinary Design of Emotion Sensitive Agents - International Workshop.
2020
- Submitted to The International Conference on the Foundations of Digital Games (FDG) 2020.
Conferences & Presentations
2022
- Communities and Communication - Diverse Voices 2022 Conference. Presentation on the State of Natural Language Interaction in Video Game Design Research.
2019
- Staffordshire University's 7th Postgraduate Research Conference. Poster Presentation on Literature Review Influenced Research Objectives.
Skills
Software Knowledge
Advanced: Unreal Engine 4/5, Adobe Photoshop, Visual Studio, Visual DarkBasic, Adobe Premiere, Microsoft Office, Windows os
Basic: Unity, 3DS Max, Adobe Flash, Adobe InDesign
Software Knowledge
Advanced: Unreal Engine 4/5, Adobe Photoshop, Visual Studio, Visual DarkBasic, Adobe Premiere, Microsoft Office, Windows os
Basic: Unity, 3DS Max, Adobe Flash, Adobe InDesign
Programming Languages
Advanced: UE4/5 Visual Script, CSS3, HTML5
Basic: C#, C++, JavaScript, jQuery
Advanced: UE4/5 Visual Script, CSS3, HTML5
Basic: C#, C++, JavaScript, jQuery
Honours & Awards
Gradex 2017 - 1st Place
May 2017 - Staffordshire University
Awarded 1st Place in the "Computing, Engineering, Sciences & Technology Graduate Exhibition", voted by judges from industry in the "Games Design and Production" category
Gradex 2017 - 1st Place
May 2017 - Staffordshire University
Awarded 1st Place in the "Computing, Engineering, Sciences & Technology Graduate Exhibition", voted by judges from industry in the "Games Design and Production" category
Junior Recognition Award
April 2016 - Staffordshire University
Peer-voted recognition award for my efforts towards a collaborative project. The projects in the module included students from art, design, programming, and production disciplines. ~30 teams consisted of ~15 students each, with 2nd and 3rd year's acting as juniors and seniors, respectively.
April 2016 - Staffordshire University
Peer-voted recognition award for my efforts towards a collaborative project. The projects in the module included students from art, design, programming, and production disciplines. ~30 teams consisted of ~15 students each, with 2nd and 3rd year's acting as juniors and seniors, respectively.
Student of the Year
July 2014 - Bournemouth & Poole College
Recognition award based on hard work and commitment, as well as dedication to the curriculum with student representative duties.
July 2014 - Bournemouth & Poole College
Recognition award based on hard work and commitment, as well as dedication to the curriculum with student representative duties.
Employment History
Sep 2021-Present - Staffordshire University
Game Design Lecturer
Duties: As outlined above.
Sep 2021-Present - Staffordshire University
Game Design Lecturer
Duties: As outlined above.
Sep 2018-Aug 2021 - Staffordshire University
Graduate Teaching Assistant
Duties: As outlined above.
Graduate Teaching Assistant
Duties: As outlined above.
Aug 2020-Sep 2020 - Staffordshire University
Hourly Paid Part-time Lecturer
Duties: Escorting students in and out of campus facilities during heightened Covid-19 protocols.
- Supervising students across 3 specific computer suites.
- Ensuring governmental and University covid regulations & procedures were adhered to at all times.
- Acting as a point of contact for any specific technical or digital issues.
- Liasing regularly with management on the lab conditions and student wellbeing.
Hourly Paid Part-time Lecturer
Duties: Escorting students in and out of campus facilities during heightened Covid-19 protocols.
- Supervising students across 3 specific computer suites.
- Ensuring governmental and University covid regulations & procedures were adhered to at all times.
- Acting as a point of contact for any specific technical or digital issues.
- Liasing regularly with management on the lab conditions and student wellbeing.
2014-2021 - Attainment of Academic Skillsets
2013-2014 - Lush Cosmetics
Production Assistant
Duties: Here I returned to a previous role where I worked within the mail order warehouse. I kept a flexible attitude to assist in all aspects of the business, particularly ensuring excellent customer service and utilising my IT skills to aid with daily administrative tasks.
Production Assistant
Duties: Here I returned to a previous role where I worked within the mail order warehouse. I kept a flexible attitude to assist in all aspects of the business, particularly ensuring excellent customer service and utilising my IT skills to aid with daily administrative tasks.
2013-2013 - Chiquitos Restaurant Bar & Mexican Grill
Bartender
Duties: A customer-facing role where I quickly built rapport with patrons to ensure a positive dining experience, whilst maintaining an organised workspace.
Bartender
Duties: A customer-facing role where I quickly built rapport with patrons to ensure a positive dining experience, whilst maintaining an organised workspace.
2012-2013 - Zest Renewables
Floor Manager
Duties: Building a team of nine people in a Call Centre environment, I looked at daily processes to identify issues and redefine them to increase efficiency. During my time, I increased turnover and reorganised the framework for the operation to run smoothly. I then returned to education and my role changed to part-time development & training.
Floor Manager
Duties: Building a team of nine people in a Call Centre environment, I looked at daily processes to identify issues and redefine them to increase efficiency. During my time, I increased turnover and reorganised the framework for the operation to run smoothly. I then returned to education and my role changed to part-time development & training.
2011-2012 - Attainment of Academic Skillset
Additional Experience
May 2018-Sep 2018 - Oatcake Games
Game Designer for the Tranzfuser game development competition representing Staffordshire University.
May 2018-Sep 2018 - Oatcake Games
Game Designer for the Tranzfuser game development competition representing Staffordshire University.
Jan 2017-Aug 2017 - Digital Kiln Studio
Gameplay, UI and UX Designer
Duties: Invited to join a private game development studio during my 3rd year at uni, Digital Kiln was run by Staffordshire University lecturers committed to producing and publishing industry-quality games, and I was brought on as a Game Designer with a focus on UI/UX Design.
I was responsible for creating, reviewing and iterating; information architecture, screen layouts, wireframes, and interactions between content and the user. I also worked closely with artists and programmers to ensure a clear vision was understood, through the use of reference materials and interaction guides.
Gameplay, UI and UX Designer
Duties: Invited to join a private game development studio during my 3rd year at uni, Digital Kiln was run by Staffordshire University lecturers committed to producing and publishing industry-quality games, and I was brought on as a Game Designer with a focus on UI/UX Design.
I was responsible for creating, reviewing and iterating; information architecture, screen layouts, wireframes, and interactions between content and the user. I also worked closely with artists and programmers to ensure a clear vision was understood, through the use of reference materials and interaction guides.
References
Multiple available upon request.
Multiple available upon request.