Profiles

Mathew Block
Bachelor of IT

A CAREER in computer games is the stuff of dreams for many people.  But for Deakin graduate Mathew Block, it is a reality.

Mathew, 21, has been working at Firelight Technologies since he completed his Industry-Based Learning program with the company during summer 2006/07.

As a computer programmer with the company, he assists development of a software product, FMOD, which is a cross-platform sound engine used in hundreds of
game titles such as World of Warcraft, Call of Duty, Crysis and more.

Mathew said that he had always wanted to be involved in games production, and Deakin University had helped make a career in the field possible.

“Even before I was at high school I wanted to get into programming and software development,” he said.

“I was really lucky that Games Design and Development became available while I was at Deakin.”

Mathew completed the Bachelor of Information Technology course, majoring in Computer Software and Development and Games Design and Development.

He said the combination provided him with the skills to immediately enter the industry and to adapt to the evolving nature of IT throughout his career.

“My studies at Deakin have helped me a lot in my work at Firelight,” he said.  “At first I thought I would have problems since many of the technologies I work on were unfamiliar at the time.  It wasn’t until after I had spent some time working with these ‘new technologies’ that I realised university study isn’t just about learning specific skills for certain technology, it’s about learning the skills to be able to teach yourself new technology.”

Deakin’s Industry Based Learning program was another advantage for Mathew in gaining employment.

“Through the Deakin IBL program I was able to secure a three-month placement at Firelight Technologies during my summer semester studies,” he said.  “This opportunity enabled me to experience what it is like working in a real organisation before my degree was complete.”

At the end of his placement, Mathew was asked to stay on with the company as a full-time employee.  He happily accepted after gaining an insight into the nature of audio software.

“I was originally more interested in graphics, but after my IBL, I realised that the sound part of it all is really something.”

He is now looking forward to playing games that had been developed with the help of his own software.

“I’ll know which parts have been done by me and I’m looking forward to playing those games,” he said.

A highlight of working with a company that has clients around the world has been interacting with leaders in the IT industry.

“I haven’t been here for long, but I’ve already been working with some high profile companies, and they come to us for help, which is great.  I’m also learning so much about so many different things every day.”

One down side of working in the industry has been that Mathew does not get as many opportunities to sit around playing the computer games that he is helping to develop.

“Working full time, it means that I don’t get to play computer games as much anymore, but that’s ok when you’re working with them all day,” he said.