Senior Environment Artist

Joining us from the pea inside a referee's whistle comes Matt 'taff' McDaid. Made by dipping ball bearings alternately in oil, milk, and then more oil, Matt delights in all manner of environmental artistic creation, management, elucidation, adjustment and obfuscation. Before gracing the Splash palaces, Matt worked at Free Radical and undisclosed government facilities. His hobbies include Cavorting, drawing steel bars into rails with his teeth, letting a million flowers bloom, and playing C minor triads, second inversion. He also taunts clouds and elicits chagrin. In emergencies, he can be utilised as temporary replacement catharpins or, if need be, a mizzen topgallant or studdingsail.

Matt's favoured franchise coffee bar serving sizes are Nano, Wideawako, YourOwnHeado and Audacious. He casts his own thimbles in a sand mould, amid showers of sparks from his faithful reverbatory furnace, Rex. He describes himself as being no larger than a breadbin, but his loaves are enormous, spanning the sky like a heaven of bread. So piercing is his stare, it can be used as a sort of awl. He smells like a hundred swans, and sounds like angry sloths. He's the one with the eagles and the napkin. Yeah, him.

Things You Were Too Afraid To Ask...

Every once in a while, we interrogate one of our own and put their answers up for all the world to see. Read on to find out more about what Matt does, how he ended up at Splash Damage, and more.

What do you do at Splash Damage?

As an Environment Artist it’s my responsibility to create jaw-dropping , immersive vistas for our characters to run around in!

Why did you want to work in the games industry and how did you get started?

After completing an Arts & Multimedia course I was employed by the Ministry of Defense to create simulation software (video games but for grown-ups!) for various aircrafts and rotorcrafts. This involved me working on site and subsequently living right next to an airfield. After a few years of being awoken at 5am to a fleet of flying Apache Helicopters, I decided enough was enough. I loved my time there and was fortunate enough to meet some great characters, however on a professional level there wasn’t much scope for artistic license. Having already had a passion for games, I thought there could be no better industry to broaden my skills. I was fortunate to get a couple of interviews and later landed a role as an Environment Artist.

Do you have any tips for people wanting to break in?

Be prepared to work hard and practice hard. Knock-backs are inevitable, probably more so if you’re just trying to break into the big wide world. It’s how you deal with them that matters. If you put the effort in, you will get the rewards - just be patient!

What other games have you worked on?

I consider myself fortunate to have worked on the now-shelved Star Wars: Battlefront III. With the benefit of hindsight, rather than looking at it as three years wasted, I consider it three years learning my trade. I got to work alongside some fantastic guys who taught me a lot. I’m afraid all the other ‘games’ I worked on would be considered ‘MoD Classified’ under some sort of Government Act, “so if I told you... well, you know how the rest goes!

How did you end up at Splash Damage?

To put it short, I wanted a new challenge and I really feel as though I have something to offer. Being a fan of Wolfenstein: Enemy Territory, I was already well aware of Splash Damage and with them arguably being the best independent game developer in the UK, I really wanted to be part of the company.

What is it like to work at Splash Damage?

The team we have here is just awesome. It’s a pleasure to come in on a daily basis and work alongside some of the most talented guys in the industry. There are no ‘Ivory towers’ going on here, everyone just gets on and has fun which translates into our work.

What are the best and worst parts of your job?

On a day-to-day basis, you only get to see what your particular department has been working on. So for me, the best part has to be when you see everybody’s work all come together on the big screen, followed up Jared’s “WOOOooo!!!!”

The worst part is losing at Foosball!

What was your first gaming experience?

My first gaming experience came in the form of my brothers ZX Spectrum 48 K back in the mid 80’s. All I can remember playing on it was a Pirate adventure game called “Booty” and “Horace Goes Skiing.” Even after a 15-minute loading time, it was hit or miss as to whether or not the game would actually load. Happy Days!

What types of games do you like, and what's your favorite game of all time?

I’m pretty open to all kinds of games really and have played many a good game, but the one gaming experience that sticks out for me is “The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time” on the Nintendo 64. A classic in its own right. Obviously being a red blooded male I like the “Call of Duty” and “Ghost Recon” series too. You’re probably most likely to find me these days frequenting the FIFA lobbies in search of a good game of football. If you know me, you’ll know how much I love my football!

What's the meaning behind your nickname?

I tend to inherit it wherever I go in England. “Taff” is a general term given to people who come from Wales. It derives from the River Taff that runs from the Brecon Beacons down through to Cardiff.

What do you enjoy doing when you're not at work?

Getting out! I love to pack a rucksack and get in to the wild for days on end! It’s great for unwinding! Whilst I’m at home, and providing my wife isn’t watching any reality dross I try and catch up on whatever football I can. The odd bit of Photography gets a look in too.