CGC: What are the hottest trends in game development technology these days?

Mayan: This may sound like a generic answer but there are a lot of big things happening with tech in games right now, especially with next gen on the way. We’re going to be seeing a lot more procedural and animatable textures, more intelligent AI, more of everything. I think customization is going to play a huge part. We already have that in games now but we’ve only scratched the surface of what can be done. We’re going to be seeing a lot of simulation such as muscle and skin deformation. Zbrush and normal mapping technology is really having an impact on how we do things. It’s exciting to see how much further we can push real-time art with tools like that. I do think caution needs to be taken with these advancements in tech. We can only make things look so good. The heart of games is good design and gameplay. If a game isn’t fun to play it doesn’t matter how good it looks. There definitely needs to be a balance.

CGC: What do you enjoy the most about the work that you do?

Mayan: I really enjoy creating art and being a part of this community. It really is a small world and you get to meet a lot of cool people and see some crazy stuff. It’s exciting to be on a project for so long and see your work in game and to know a lot of other people are going to see it as well. The best thing is the fact that I make video games!

CGC: How have does reality compare with the ambitions you had when you started into this industry?

Mayan: This is a great industry to work in and I’m glad that I do but I did have visions of it being a much more free and creative environment. I’m not saying that it isn’t but it’s hard to find that balance of creativity and doing what you want when dealing with the limitations of technology and deadlines. Time seems to always be working against you. This is true for a lot of companies. As artists we don’t like to have boundaries. I think the one thing that school can’t prepare you for is how much hard work goes into making these games and the toll it has on your life outside of work.