Entries tagged 'kinect'
Good Science's Shannon Loftis: Gaming as critical work
Geek in question: Shannon Loftis Job title: Studio Head – Good Science Studio
Shannon Loftis can barely walk ten steps on campus without someone waving to her, saying hello or shouting her name. Since starting as a temp at Microsoft in 1992, Shannon has spent almost 20 years rising through the ranks of gaming and making more than a few friends and admirers along the way.
As the head of the company’s prestigious Good Science Studio, her team was tasked with creating the original games for Xbox Kinect. Good Science’s first release was Kinect Adventures, which shipped with every first-generation Kinect.
I met up with Shannon to find out the secret of her ongoing success in one of the most desirable and competitive areas in the tech industry.
How did you get your start in gaming?
In the mid 90s, I was doing database design and project management for Microsoft. The story I heard was that Bill Gates was really into playing online bridge and decided that we should have a version of the game on the then-emerging technology of MSN.I came to games to work on that project, which evolved into a virtual card table, which evolved into an online gaming service, which evolved into a lot of other new things. At the same time, Microsoft was ramping up in sports games, flight simulation games, and was inventing new ways of PC gaming.
You must have seen gaming change quite a bit since then.
Gaming is big business these days. It is huge compared to other types of entertainment - even movies. The industry has a lot of creative brilliance and with Kinect we are really pushing the boundaries of technology. The technology is just so much more powerful now, and we can do so much more for people.While some people dismiss gaming as too violent or just for kids, there is much more to it than that. It’s critical work. Entertainment is a fundamental human need, and gaming is a great way to give people a moment of pleasure and enjoyment in an otherwise stressful day. Life gets faster and faster paced and interactive entertainment is a great release.
There are a lot of other game studios out there. Why have you stayed with Microsoft?
I fell in love with the culture and still find it intoxicating that everyone around is so smart and is somebody you can learn from.That and Microsoft’s huge range of opportunities. You never find yourself at a dead end here. There’s always something new and exciting and the company keeps evolving. For example, it is the only company that could pull off something like Kinect.
How did Good Science start?
A bunch of people started working on Kinect when it was still “Project Natal” back at the end of ‘08. All that we had at that point was a rudimentary camera duct-taped to a very expensive PC with a high-end graphics card. It was up to us to turn that into a consumer-friendly product.I was working for Microsoft in the United Kingdom at the time and the company asked me to move back to Redmond to start Good Science in ‘09. Our goal was to figure out what kinds of experiences were best to introduce Kinect to the world.
And how did you structure the studio?
Good Science bridges the gap between incubation and research. The goal was to make a team of flexible creative generalists. We wanted to find the best way to introduce the world to full-body, no controller gaming and no-barriers UI. Hence, Kinect Adventures. And we’ve got some great new stuff in store too.How many people work at the studio?
The size of Good Science is wildly variable as it expands and contracts depending on the projects at hand. At the smallest it can be 45 people and at the largest it is about 75.So, it’s like its own startup within Microsoft?
Microsoft is a fairly fractal company, so teams must know how to stand on their own. Good Science has a ton of creative freedom, like a startup, but we’re able to tackle big challenges and boldly move forward with the support of Microsoft.Unlike a lot of startups, we have the focus and depth to make really big bets.
Did you know right away that you were onto something huge with Kinect?
We had lots of challenges to overcome but knew pretty quickly that what we had was magic. Seeing the crowd reaction when we showed it off at E3 in 2009 was one of the most exciting experiences of my life.Do you plan to stay in gaming for the rest of your career?
It’s likely too late for me to cure cancer or go the moon, so this is still my shot at deep, fulfilling work.Kinect is already profound and will be even more so in the future. For example: there is a Kinect “hack,” Jewel Mine, that helps rehabilitate people who have had strokes as the interactive movements can repair neural damage.
This is all just the start. I look forward to being along for the journey.
A Glimpse into the Kinect for Windows Team
Jason Pankow is a regular contributor to Dear JobsBlog, but that's just in his spare time. His real job is devoted to searching the world over for top technical talent - most recently as part of Kinect for Windows. Jason took a few minutes to write about his new recruiting gig with this group at Microsoft. The stuff they are working on is pretty unreal. But don't take my word for it. Just read what he has to say...then see if you or someone you know is ready to take on a new career challenge in 2012!
About 2 months ago, I started supporting the Kinect for Windows team. At first I was unsure what to expect. Kinect was launched to change the way people play games and experience entertainment. How would that translate to Windows? I honestly had no clue. Here is what I have learned about the innovative and highly gifted Kinect for Windows (K4W) team and the product they’re developing. 
The release of Kinect for Xbox in late 2010 not only resulted in a Guinness World Record being set for the “fastest selling consumer electronics device,” but it lit a fire of innovation. Technology savvy consumers and developers quickly saw the advantages of using Kinect to interact with computers using simple gestures, voice commands, and movement.
The transformative powers and limitless possibilities of Kinect became known as the Kinect Effect.
From around the world, people were using Kinect in ways never before imagined. Recognizing this enthusiasm and energy, Microsoft formed the Kinect for Windows group. K4W is a fast growing team that is building the hardware, software, tools and resources to enable the use of Kinect beyond gaming and entertainment. The team has already launched two beta versions of a non-commercial software development kit (SDK) and will be releasing version 1.0 hardware and software in early 2012.
Lead by Craig Eisler, formerly the Corporate Vice President for Entertainment Clients and the Zune Music and Video Business, Kinect for Windows has the passion, drive, and resourcefulness of a startup while being part of a well-established Microsoft business group. The team has grown rapidly and WE’RE STILL GROWING!
We are actively looking for people with diverse backgrounds and experiences to join the team!
What does it take to succeed in the Kinect for Windows group? I asked Craig who explained, “We’re seeking people who embrace constant innovations and welcome the opportunity to become a part of the journey. As a new group, team members must have the flexibility to accept new challenges and branch into areas that have yet to be defined.”So…is this you? Currently, the team is hiring software development engineers and technical program managers. Engineer roles are available for a range of skills and experience levels including system development for audio and graphics systems, building and executing automated and manual test plans, and developing SDKs and UI frameworks.
Check out our latest Kinect for Windows job openings for full details on what kinds of qualifications we’re seeking.
Microsoft encourages our employees, partners and customers to “Be What’s Next". The breakthrough natural user interface (NUI) platform being developed and evangelized by the Kinect for Windows team isn’t just on the cutting edge of technology…it is what’s next!In early 2012, the Kinect for Windows commercial program will launch -- ushering in the use of Kinect-enabled devices in education, healthcare, automotive, retail, and more. This program will also increase the need for people of varying viewpoints, ready to lay the groundwork to enable businesses and industries to utilize the many capabilities of Kinect software, hardware, and resources to create innovative, highly interactive applications and experiences for their customers.
If you are a techy geek like me (and I suspect you are or you wouldn’t be reading this post) keep your eye on the Kinect for Windows team.
Think you’re up for the challenge? Feel free to apply and find out.
A day in the life of Kinect for Windows
There’s no disputing that Microsoft is a big company. But along with that big company status comes an incredible dedication and investment in research and development, which in turn leads to innovative technology breakthroughs. Case in point: Kinect for Xbox 360. The fastest selling consumer electronic device ever. But what’s next for Kinect? And who at Microsoft is tasked with taking it to the next level? Well, you are in luck. We asked the K4W (that’s “Kinect for Windows” for those not in the know) team to photo-document a day in their life. Follow along as we discover what it’s like to work on a small startup team, what they create and, of course, the ever burning question – are they hiring?
Studio D is the home of the newly formed K4W team. Their task? Build on the success of Kinect for Xbox 360 by creating a commercial SDK for Windows developers to harness the awesomeness of this technology to develop next generation natural user interfaces and Kinect powered controls for Windows. Whew – that was a mouthful!
Now let’s open the door and find out more about the team.
Xbox LIVE community patrolled by Enforcement Unicorn Ninja
The ‘Softie in question: Boris Erickson
The job title: Enforcement Unicorn Ninja, Xbox LIVE
With millions of gamers inhabiting the Xbox LIVE community, creating a safe and fun environment is paramount. Not to fear: Microsoft has its very own special ops division charged with policing this world. One of the more colorful members of the team is Boris Erickson, whose title is Enforcement Unicorn Ninja. And, yes, we are being completely serious.
All joking aside, Boris holds an important role in helping keep harmony between gamers. He is also responsible for Vulcan, the software that arbitrates complaints from gamers and determines what, if any, corrective actions may be enforced. We caught up with Boris the day before he left for some face time with the gamers at The Penny Arcade Expo (PAX) in Boston.
Ok, Boris: Does your business card actually say, “Enforcement Unicorn Ninja”?
Yes. I was told I needed a new title and asked if I had any requests. I asked if I could work “ninja” in there, and in two days I had this new title. It fits me, and it’s always a good icebreaker.
What are your job responsibilities as the Enforcement Unicorn Ninja for Xbox LIVE?
The primary part of my day is making sure that the toolset I designed—called Vulcan—keeps running. People file complaints on Xbox LIVE, and Vulcan is the conduit through which those complaints come to our enforcement team. The team then reviews the information and takes appropriate action.It sounds like there is a whole team of ninjas. Do you see yourselves more as police or chaperones?
We do want to be chaperones but we don’t want to be authoritarian. We’re not going to take action on someone for dropping an occasional expletive in a game, like if you get sniped from all the way across the map. We like to think of ourselves as enabling safe, fun experiences for people.
It seems like a fine line to walk. Is it important for the people on the team to come from differing backgrounds?
We think it is important to have a team from all over the map. We value a diverse population in our investigators not just in gaming platforms like Xbox or PC, but diversity in gender, race, and age. Because sometimes we come across content that is super offensive to one of us, but it’s kind of grey area, so we’ll all talk about it.
Does that mean you are responsible for making the community standards for the gamers?
It’s more about reflecting a community standard, because we don’t want to be the arbiters of morality. We want to make sure that the team isn’t getting in people’s private lives, but when you come into the public sphere, into the public arena, that’s when we get involved.
How do the gamers view you then?
Generally most of the public sees the enforcement team as a vital resource for Xbox LIVE for keeping the peace, keeping the rules and keeping people on reasonable behavior. We don’t like to be arbiters of what’s acceptable. We believe in like-minded gamers gaming in like-minded ways.
Mainly, Xbox LIVE Enforcement is there to guide people and help maintain a fun and safe place for gamers to connect.
And clearly that’s what is all about – a fun and safe connection point.
Yes, especially as we try to bring more families into the fold with Kinect and broader entertainment offerings on Xbox LIVE. We want people to have video Kinect chats with their grandma across the country, and creating an attractive environment for everyone is important.
Do you think anyone can find a place within the Xbox LIVE world?
The Xbox LIVE community is as diverse as any community out there. And I believe Xbox LIVE is a greater microcosm of the wider population of the planet than most of the other Microsoft software user demographics.
So yes, I think there is room for everyone on Xbox LIVE. Mostly because the technology is so capable and it’s just going to get more accessible and more multi-purpose as time goes on. As more people come to this forum our job is to sort of help people form communities within the larger community.
And keep the peace?
Indeed.Go behind the scenes at Xbox
Ever wonder what it's like to work for Xbox? C'mon, everybody has… haven't they?
Just before Kinect launched late last year, Tina from Channel9 teamed up with Xbox's Larry Hryb (AKA Major Nelson) to get the inside scoop on the day-to-day behind the global phenomenon that is Xbox.Check out our video tour of where Xbox employees work, eat, play Kinect (and bocce ball), create the future of gaming, and, of course, mingle with life-sized elephant sculptures.
Massive Microsoft Store opens in Seattle-area
Crowds packed Bellevue Square mall this morning as the seventh Microsoft Store (and the first on the company’s home turf) officially opened its doors.
The first 1,000 people into the store received VIP tickets to a Miley Cyrus concert at the store on Saturday. The next 1,000 got two general admission tickets to the show.
And in a surprise move later in the day, Dave Matthews took the stage for a special acoustic performance.
Raphael Mun: translating dreams to Xbox
‘Softie in question: Raphael MunJob title: Software Development Engineer for Xbox Platform
First off, congratulations on the launch of Kinect. Was working in gaming a life-long dream for you?
As a little kid in Korea, I was originally into reading. But everything changed when my dad came back from a work trip to Japan with an Atari system and a vector graphics cowboy game. Next thing I knew, I was playing games until my nose was bleeding-Nose was bleeding?
You know what I mean: a lot. I was hooked. Then came Super Mario World. After that, I didn’t read so much any more.Tell me about the jump from playing games to creating games.
My family moved to Virginia and I did the Center for Talented Youth summer program at Johns Hopkins before I started in the 6th grade. It was there that I learned Java and made my first tic-tac-toe game.Chris' adventures at Product Fair 2010
As a Staffing Manager in the Windows/Windows Live Division, I have the opportunity to see broadly across what’s going on with the Windows Division. Additionally, I sometimes get a glimpse into how our efforts connect to other Microsoft business units around the world, which is great, especially if you’re the kind of person who took apart a Rubic’s Cube just to see how it works. So, I jump at any chance to get an even bigger or different perspective of Microsoft as a whole.Yesterday, I walked over to the 2010 Microsoft Product Fair which was held at the Soccer Field on the Redmond Campus. Yep, there’s a soccer field right in the middle of campus. The Seattle Sounders have come out a few times and practiced here; last year Nate Jaqua signed a poster for my son and mentioned that he really liked the field – I guess That’ll Do. Anyway, back to the Fair:
It’s a bunch of tents, big tents, with folks from different businesses and teams showing off the newest developments in their products or services, many I recognized and a few that I only knew on a superficial level.
Xbox 360 is hiring for Kinect
I’m a games guy. I LOVE games. I speak gamer. I say “w00t” and talk about “pwning noobs”. I frequently use acronyms like FPS, RTS, and MMORPG. My gamerscore is pushing 30,000. Not too shabby for a married dad who works full time. This is only one of the reasons why I am SO excited about the official announcement of Kinect for Xbox 360. The other reason? This is a project several years in the making. I - and the amazing team I work with - have been recruiting like crazy, seeking out and hiring some truly remarkable studs to make Kinect a reality.
Rock out in the Microsoft candidate experience lobby
If you haven’t seen our candidate experience lobby in Building 111, you’re going to want to come check it out.We’ve had quite a few recent additions to our lounge including the newest games, Modern Warfare 2 controllers (for the serious gamer) and a sweet new Rockband set up - complete with ACDC “Back in the Black” drum sticks!
We’re also setting up some Zunes and (soon) Windows 7 Phones at the bar so candidates can explore the great variety of Microsoft devices while waiting for their interviews…
Our updated lobby creates the ultimate Microsoft experience for candidates while they’re here visiting us. It’s an awesome place to start the Microsoft journey, rock out, or just relax!
Who knows, soon you may be able to play Kinect in the lobby too.
-Kelly