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Gillian Laidlaw
contactme@gillianlaidlaw.com
www.GillianLaidlaw.com

Profile

Industry tested DS programmer, with a Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Science (University of Toronto).   I am eagerly looking for my next team, having just completed an upcoming DS title with SilverBirch Studios.  I have also completed several independent homebrew games for the Nintendo DS.  My goal is to be a key player of an innovative team, making forward looking and artistically creative games.


Citizen of Canada and the United States of America


Education

University of Toronto, 2001

    • Bachelor of Science, Major Computer Science

Game Development Experience

Contract Programmer: SilverBirch Studios Inc., Toronto, May – Nov 2008

  • Credited Programmer of an upcoming Nintendo DS commercial release.

  • Worked as part of a team using the multiplatform engine to create a casual title.

  • Independently implemented 4 minigames in C, and enhanced several more.

  • Was primary bug fixer for all minigames, and gui code until end of contract.


DS Homebrew: Toronto, Spring 2007 – Present
Programming games for the Nintendo DS in C
Available @ http://www.GillianLaidlaw.com

Flock

  • Flock is a action/puzzler game, with a top down perspective, using collision detection, sprite rotation; multiple backgrounds coded entirely using C.

  • The players use the stylus place up to four arrows to direct the birds flight towards the goal, a red star. It's a quick game with a only three rounds per game, running at a hectic pace. Up to three A.I. opponents use their own arrows to alter the flight paths towards their own stars.  The puzzle mode challenges the player to direct all the birds to a goal while avoiding all the hazards with only a few arrows.

YarrgH!

  • It was made at the Toronto Indie Game Developers Jam over the course of a weekend. It is a game of fast action, hitting the falling air pirates with the stylus gives you bounty points while you protect your ship and space cat allies sabotage the enemy vessel. It was my first DS game, done with comic artist Eric Kim. The simplicity of the concept was perfect for the jam's pick up and play format.

Professional Knowledge

Programming

  • C/C++ (Nintendo DS, Unix, WinXP)

  • Redmine Bug Tracker

  • Homebrew DS (ndslib, PA_lib)

  • Unix Scripting (Csh, Ksh)

  • Object Oriented Design (C++, Java)

  • Java (Unix, Win)

  • Database Scripting (SQL, PL/SQL, 7i & 8i)

Theory

  • Computer Graphics (Java)

  • Network Theory

  • Operating Systems Design (Java)

  • Formal Mathematics (Calculus, Linear Algebra, Computation, Logic)

  • Logical & Functional Based Programming (Prolog & Lisp)

  • Compiler Theory & Low Level Circuit Design & Assembly (Unix)

  • Device Drivers & Microprocessors (Unix)

  • Database & File Systems Design (C++)


Previous Programming Experience

Intermediate Applications Programmer: CIBC Cards, Toronto 2001 – 2006

  • Designed, programmed, tested and made improvements to the performance & functionality of a third party black box application

    • Primarily by scripting in ksh & csh, but also coding database extracts using SQL & PL/SQL

  • Part of an on call team responsible for dealing with application issues, as well as planning & implementing upgrades & enhancements

  • Mentoring – Personal resource for a colleague transitioning from mainframe to Unix development

  • Promoted from Junior to Intermediate in 2002


Desktop Support: CIBC Verisign, Toronto July - August 2000

  • Technical Setup & Integration of a new separate office, and subsequent support.

  • Conducted set-up design and installation of desktops at new office

    • Provided troubleshooting between difference versions of windows as well as networking and hardware support (Win9x, NT, 2k)


Volunteering

Peer Facilitator:  Church St Community Centre     2004 – Present

Committee Member:  University of Toronto Pride Committee     2000, 2001
For more Information:        contactme@gillianlaidlaw.com