Mike Pickton
Technical Art Director at Playground Games- Claim this Profile
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Bio
Chris Hodgson
I have had the pleasure of working with Mike on both Watch_Dogs and The Division and if I had my way I would work with him on every project. Mike is an exceptional Tech Artist; the tools he created for The Division are now the backbone of the art pipeline both in house and at other Ubisoft studios around the world. He has also created a wealth of engine tutorials, training materials and overseas pretty much all tech related issues with the Ubisoft Reflections art team currently working on the Division. The bottom line is that Mike is the guy you have to hire if the opportunity arises, you won't be disappointed.
Sophia Coney 🏳️🌈
Mike joined our team at the start of summer 2012 for a three month internship before planning to return to university in September, we were so impressed with his quality of work and mature attitude we offered him an extension. He is quick to learn, meticulous and dedicated with a great artistic eye and a knack for solving technical issues. I'd offer Mike a job on the spot any day, he'd be a great addition to any team and I hope to have the pleasure of working with him again in the future.
Chris Hodgson
I have had the pleasure of working with Mike on both Watch_Dogs and The Division and if I had my way I would work with him on every project. Mike is an exceptional Tech Artist; the tools he created for The Division are now the backbone of the art pipeline both in house and at other Ubisoft studios around the world. He has also created a wealth of engine tutorials, training materials and overseas pretty much all tech related issues with the Ubisoft Reflections art team currently working on the Division. The bottom line is that Mike is the guy you have to hire if the opportunity arises, you won't be disappointed.
Sophia Coney 🏳️🌈
Mike joined our team at the start of summer 2012 for a three month internship before planning to return to university in September, we were so impressed with his quality of work and mature attitude we offered him an extension. He is quick to learn, meticulous and dedicated with a great artistic eye and a knack for solving technical issues. I'd offer Mike a job on the spot any day, he'd be a great addition to any team and I hope to have the pleasure of working with him again in the future.
Chris Hodgson
I have had the pleasure of working with Mike on both Watch_Dogs and The Division and if I had my way I would work with him on every project. Mike is an exceptional Tech Artist; the tools he created for The Division are now the backbone of the art pipeline both in house and at other Ubisoft studios around the world. He has also created a wealth of engine tutorials, training materials and overseas pretty much all tech related issues with the Ubisoft Reflections art team currently working on the Division. The bottom line is that Mike is the guy you have to hire if the opportunity arises, you won't be disappointed.
Sophia Coney 🏳️🌈
Mike joined our team at the start of summer 2012 for a three month internship before planning to return to university in September, we were so impressed with his quality of work and mature attitude we offered him an extension. He is quick to learn, meticulous and dedicated with a great artistic eye and a knack for solving technical issues. I'd offer Mike a job on the spot any day, he'd be a great addition to any team and I hope to have the pleasure of working with him again in the future.
Chris Hodgson
I have had the pleasure of working with Mike on both Watch_Dogs and The Division and if I had my way I would work with him on every project. Mike is an exceptional Tech Artist; the tools he created for The Division are now the backbone of the art pipeline both in house and at other Ubisoft studios around the world. He has also created a wealth of engine tutorials, training materials and overseas pretty much all tech related issues with the Ubisoft Reflections art team currently working on the Division. The bottom line is that Mike is the guy you have to hire if the opportunity arises, you won't be disappointed.
Sophia Coney 🏳️🌈
Mike joined our team at the start of summer 2012 for a three month internship before planning to return to university in September, we were so impressed with his quality of work and mature attitude we offered him an extension. He is quick to learn, meticulous and dedicated with a great artistic eye and a knack for solving technical issues. I'd offer Mike a job on the spot any day, he'd be a great addition to any team and I hope to have the pleasure of working with him again in the future.
Experience
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Playground Games
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United Kingdom
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Computer Games
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300 - 400 Employee
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Technical Art Director
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Apr 2022 - Present
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Lead Technical Artist
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Oct 2018 - Apr 2022
I led a team of four Technical Artists to support all art teams on the Fable project.Our work includes: - Delivering empowering, rapid-iteration art tools in collaboration with the Tools Engineers.- Collaborating with art teams to push the visual quality through content and shader iteration.- Consulting with Rendering and Systems teams to make investments in our proprietary game engine.
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Senior Technical Artist
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Mar 2018 - Oct 2018
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De Montfort University
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United Kingdom
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Higher Education
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700 & Above Employee
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Part Time Lecturer (Game Art)
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Oct 2015 - Apr 2018
Responsible for delivering live workshops and tuition to Game Art students. The module I taught (Game Production) gives students the hard skills needed within modelling, texturing and engine usage as well as providing a technical understanding of game development. Responsible for delivering live workshops and tuition to Game Art students. The module I taught (Game Production) gives students the hard skills needed within modelling, texturing and engine usage as well as providing a technical understanding of game development.
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Ubisoft Reflections
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United Kingdom
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Computer Games
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200 - 300 Employee
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Senior Technical Artist
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Jul 2016 - Mar 2018
Senior Technical Artist supporting the environment team on Tom Clancy's The Division and The Division 2.My primary responsibilities were:- 3ds Max and Python tooling- Supporting Environment Artists (workflow, troubleshooting, optimization)- Mentoring Junior Technical Artists- Prototyping and solutions- Communication and collaboration with other Ubisoft studios
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Technical Artist
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Nov 2014 - Jun 2016
Technical Artist supporting the environment team on The Division.In this role I created the 3ds Max tools used by several Ubisoft studios on the project. I supported the art team with asset pipeline and management, shader requests, troubleshooting, training, collaborating with the Technical teams in other studios and other miscellaneous tasks as required for the project.
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Junior Technical Artist
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May 2013 - Oct 2014
In this role I worked on the following titles for Ubisoft:The Division - Environment Art technical support, primary 3ds max tool developer (maxscript)Watchdogs - profiling, optimisation recommendations, tool development (maxscript)The Crew - asset database analysis, tool development (maxscript)
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De Montfort University
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United Kingdom
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Higher Education
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700 & Above Employee
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Student (Game Art Design)
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Sep 2010 - Jun 2013
The course focused on developing 3d art alongside a foundation in traditional art skills. While studying, I specialised in environment art. In addition to receiving a strong First Degree (hons), I also received student rep of the year award for my contributions to the student community. The course focused on developing 3d art alongside a foundation in traditional art skills. While studying, I specialised in environment art. In addition to receiving a strong First Degree (hons), I also received student rep of the year award for my contributions to the student community.
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Lockwood Publishing Ltd
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United Kingdom
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Computer Games
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100 - 200 Employee
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3D Artist Intern
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Jun 2012 - Dec 2012
3D Artist internship focusing on environment and technical art. 3D Artist internship focusing on environment and technical art.
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Codemasters
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United Kingdom
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Computer Games
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300 - 400 Employee
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Quality Assurance Technician
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Oct 2008 - Aug 2009
Testing and bug reporting for various games including DiRT 2 Testing and bug reporting for various games including DiRT 2
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Codemasters
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United Kingdom
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Computer Games
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300 - 400 Employee
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Quality Assurance Technician
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Mar 2008 - Jun 2008
Testing and bug reporting for various games Testing and bug reporting for various games
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Education
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2010 - 2013
De Montfort University
BA, Game Art Design
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