Building a Career in Game Development & Geospatial Tech | Insider Tips & Skills

Ready to combine your passion for game development with the world of geospatial technology? This exciting video features insights from Mason Gaw, an expert in the field who started as a student and is now a full-time professional at Esri, the leader in geospatial technology. Learn about the exciting career paths in game development, how to leverage Unity and Unreal Engine with GIS, and the essential skills to stand out in this fast-growing field. Whether you're into programming or exploring cutting-edge tech like digital twins and AR, this video is packed with valuable knowledge to kickstart your career in game dev and geospatial!

Chapters:
0:00:00 - Introduction and Welcome
Introduction to Mason, the guest from Redlands, California.

0:00:24 - Mason’s Background and Journey to Esri
Mason shares his background and how he ended up at Esri.

0:01:38 - How Mason Joined Esri
Mason describes his internship and transition to a full-time role.

0:02:15 - Mason’s Educational Background
Mason talks about his undergrad and master’s experiences, creating his own game design major.

0:03:23 - Discovering GIS and Game Engine Integration
Mason explains how he learned about GIS and Esri's game engine SDK.

0:04:17 - Key GIS and Game Engine Concepts to Learn
Important GIS concepts to know: 3D object layers, feature layers, and datasets.

0:05:47 - Game Engine Software Used at Esri
Discussion of Unity, Unreal Engine, and other modeling tools used at Esri.

0:06:57 - CityEngine and its Role at Esri
Mason touches on CityEngine and its integration with Unreal.

0:08:02 - Programming Languages for GIS and Game Development
Key languages to learn: C#, C++, Python, JavaScript, and Swift.

0:10:08 - The Impact of AI and ChatGPT at Esri
Mason talks about Esri’s use of ChatGPT, mostly for checking code and grammar.

0:11:59 - Digital Twins and Omniverse at Esri
An introduction to digital twins and their use in AR/VR at Esri.

0:14:45 - Real-Time Sensor Data in Digital Twins
Discussion on integrating real-time sensor data with digital twins.

0:16:12 - Differentiating Yourself in the GIS Job Market
Advice for standing out without a GIS degree: projects and programming skills.

0:18:39 - Non-Technical Disciplines and Roles at Esri
Overview of non-technical roles like product engineering and documentation at Esri.

0:21:05 - What is a Product Engineer at Esri?
Mason’s role as a product engineer, handling samples, bugs, and stress testing.

0:28:10 - Interview Tips for GIS or Esri Positions
Tips for interviews at Esri, including the process and technical interviews.

0:33:58 - API Key Setup for ArcGIS in Unity
How to set up an API key for ArcGIS in Unity and common issues.

0:40:30 - Sample Viewer in Unity
Mason showcases GIS samples in Unity, including building layers and weather data.

0:57:47 - Conclusion and Future Vision for GIS and Game Engines
Mason discusses the future of GIS in game engines and continued expansion.

This video was recorded during one of my lectures at the Rochester Institute of Technology.

Software used:
ArcGIS Maps SDK for Unity - https://developers.arcgis.com/unity/

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Thanks for stopping by!
Brian Tomaszewski, Ph.D.
@bangeobrian
http://gisfordisastermanagement.com/
  / brian-tomaszewski-452b1387