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

Profile

Industry tested game programmer, with a Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Science (University of Toronto). I am eagerly looking for my next team, my last contract with SilverBirch Studios. I have also completed several independent homebrew games. 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.

Homebrew: Toronto, 2007 – Present
Programming games for the Nintendo DS in C, using the PA_lib & ndslib libraries
Available @ http://www.GillianLaidlaw.com

Three Sisters

• This old school cooperative puzzle/platformer was made at the Toronto Game Jam (T.O. Jam) in a weekend

• It is coded in flash, using ActionScript 2, and was fast and fun to make

• It features players with differing abilities, enemies with multiple behaviours and fast paced action!

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 bird’s flight towards the goal, a red star

• It's a quick game running at a hectic pace, 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

Professional Knowledge

Programming

• C/C++ (Nintendo DS, Unix, WinXP)

• Flash ActionScript (2 & 3)

• 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.

• 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