Two soon-to-be game graduates are the top in the province when it comes to 3D Digital Game Art, after scoring first and second place wins at Skills Ontario.
Game Development student Matt Mackie (Grimsby) won first in the competition and an opportunity to progress to nationals at Skills Canada, while Sara Zolnierczyk (Mississauga) from the Bachelor of Arts (Honours) Game Design joint NC/Brock program achieved second place. Both students have recently completed their final year of studies and will graduate this spring.
“It feels really great to have won the 3D Digital Game Art competition but, also, so surreal. I didn’t really expect to win based on how challenging the competition was,” said Mackie. “Now that I have, I’m just overjoyed … this reaffirms all the skills I’ve gained over the past three years, making me very proud of myself for being able to provide them in such a unique experience like this.”
“For me, winning second place is a stimulation to get better and it has made me even more determined to continue in the lifelong journey of mastering my 3D modeling skills,” said Zolnierczyk. “I am so incredibly grateful to have gotten this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to experience this competition and test my limits.”
The competition
Student competitors faced the challenge of creating a 3D model of a butler robot and a base for it to stand on, based on concept art provided. The model was required to be UV unwrapped, textured and displayed. .
“I tried to tie in as much context about the butler robot into the model as I could, blending in the elements of both ideas to create something fun,” said Mackie. “I 3D model all the time, but feeling like I was competing against others was a foreign feeling for me.”
Zolnierczyk’s vision was to create a lavish and charismatic character through the use of patterned and polished metals with a balanced colour palette, while being mindful of keeping within the limitations and requirements of the supplied project art.
For both students, it was their first 3D modelling competition. While they took on the challenge from home, they faced the pressure of racing against the clock.
“The biggest challenge in competing was making sure to budget time wisely,” said Zolierczyk, who noted that she got so caught up on finishing details near the end, that she was only minute away from being disqualified.
“I’ve never had to complete my work flow in such a short amount of time. There was no time to second guess myself about anything,” said Mackie.
From passion to profession
Both students share a passion for video games that dates back to their childhoods.
Mackie recalled that he enjoyed playing video games as a child, and always loved art and being creative. At the age of 18, after a year in a university science-based program, he realized he wanted to switch gears and pursue career in art.
“Game Development was the first program I looked at and it immediately caught my attention,” he said. “The combination of my two favourite pastimes sealed the deal for me.”
He has enjoyed his experience in the program, and believes it has helped him to succeed.
“When I started this program, I struggled to make a chair in 3D. Now I’m able to make a full character model in a day if that’s what I have to do. That’s all thanks to the skills and techniques I acquired during my time in the program,” said Mackie. “The best part, for me, is that you never really stop learning new techniques that make you better at what you do.
“The eagerness to learn those things and the tools to create anything you can think of were ultimately given to me within this program.”
Zolnierczyk recalled how her passion for video games first began when she was five years old and her family gifted her a PlayStation Portable.
“Growing up, I had always turned to gaming as an escape. Video games hold such a beautifully unique and immersive way of encouraging players to become a part of the script like no other form of entertainment,” she said. “Since Grade 9 high school, I just knew that I was meant to pursue a career within the gaming industry.”
When she found out about NC and Brock’s joint degree program in Game Design and Development, she enrolled to pursue her dreams.
“II was absolutely exhilarated and starry-eyed about the sheer thought about my dreams of becoming a game designer finally coming into fruition,” she said.
Zolnierczyk attributes her success to her experience in the program and to the help she has received from her dedicated professors.
“My success is a product of their teachings,” she said.
‘Not an easy feat’
School of Media Professor Rick Goertz applauded the students for their achievement. He noted that NC game students are encouraged to participate in game jams, competitions and other related events to extend their experience and improve their overall skill set. Students were selected to compete at Skills Ontario by faculty based on their attitude, passion and skill set in digital art.
“Any time students have a chance to practice their craft it is an enhancing experience,” said Goertz. “Participating in competitions, such as Skills Ontario, also brings with it some added stress. Quick and thoughtful decisions are crucial in producing a strong piece in a tight timeline – solid personality traits to develop over the course of a career in game development.”
The fact that NC students took the top two spots is “not an easy feat,” said Skills Ontario manager of Communications Emina Zukančić.
“3D Digital Game Art is a fairly new contest and we congratulate Niagara College competitors for taking two spots on the podium in 2022,” said Zukančić. “In 2019, Niagara College achieved second and fourth place, so this accomplishment is definitely something to be very proud of.”
