Xing (Ken) Wei
Summary
With over 15 years in the game industry, I have overseen external development for AAA, Mobile, and Web3 game projects, handling procurement, budgets, legal compliance, and relationships. My diverse expertise in game art, outsourcing management, and business development uniquely bridges cultural and technical gaps, ensuring project success through strategic collaboration.
Overview
19
19
years of professional experience
Work History
External Development Lead
Immutable
04.2022 - 12.2023
- Inherited and addressed outsource-related issues accumulated over 2 years including submission consistency, contained budget overruns, streamlined communication, iteratively revised processes, ensured contract compliance, and tracked down overdue legal documents and invoices.
- Strategically re-adjusted external resources for the entire game department in steps, from 7+ different vendors to 1 primary co-development partner.
- Designed and supervised the development of a brand new procurement system and vendor database for managing external suppliers capable of automate process including launching RFPs to screening and offboarding.
- Centralized management of production budgets, invoices, and legal compliance, while collaborating with marketing, ecosystem, finance and legal teams.
External Development Manager
Relic Entertainment
03.2021 - 04.2022
- Worked closely with internal tech team and all external vendors to automate art content testing and validation pipeline for auto deployment of proprietary engine-ready assets.
- Closely tracked productivity and generated reports for all art vendors while working with SEGA legal team on legal compliance.
- Acted as one of the hiring manager for interview and onboarding the new External Development Director for AOE4.
Outsourcing Supervisor
Relic Entertainment
10.2019 - 03.2021
- Streamlined the project - Company of Heroes 3, significantly minimizing the requirement for additional staff and resources by conducting a thorough assessment of existing challenges and swiftly implemented the most optimal art production pipeline leveraging external vendor support.
- Acted as one of the hiring manager for interview and final screening the new outsourcing artist for COH3 before dive back into AOE4.
Outsourcing Associate
Relic Entertainment
04.2018 - 10.2019
- Worked closely with both internal and external art teams for Microsoft's classic IP - Age of Empire IV (AAA) streamlining existing workflow while working extra hours to validate and provide feedback for external art submissions.
- Support internal team of art gatekeepers, art director, producers and outsource manager for implementation of new working pipeline while test and iterate new methods and tools.
Game Artist (Outsourcing)
Wappworks Studio
03.2015 - 08.2015
- Sourced and onboarded art outsource teams for mobile game project: Card Wars - Adventure Time: Fionna & Cake (formerly ranked second in North American downloads).
- Set and produced benchmark art assets while maintaining a personal production efficiency approximately 3X that of the average external artist.
Game Artist (Outsourcing)
Tinymob Games
01.2014 - 01.2015
- Streamlined art asset creation processes through efficient use of software tools such as Photoshop, Illustrator, and Maya.
- Streamlined and optimized the outsourcing workflow, fostering efficient communication and heightened productivity in collaboration with art vendors for the mobile game project - Tiny Realms (Pocket Gamer Gold Award).
- Produced internal benchmark art including: 3D modeling, hand-painted textures, lighting, rendering, UI, and interface icons.
Business Development (Outsourcing)
Trias CG
11.2011 - 03.2013
- Successfully built the company's overseas market from scratch to multiple international renowned partners within 12 months.
- Established and managed over 50 game projects , including: Risen 3 (AAA), Disney Dream Kingdom (mobile).
- Secured strategic partnerships & led business meetings and negotiations at GDC and XDS.
3D Instructor
HUST (Capilano 3D Animation Program)
03.2008 - 01.2011
- Instruction based on Capilano's curriculum, covering software such as MAYA, Photoshop, Zbrush, etc., in English.
- Mentored new teachers, sharing valuable insights and strategies for classroom success.
3D Character Artist
Piranha Games
04.2006 - 03.2007
- Collaborated with team members to create visually consistent characters for various projects such as Gun Club & Tournament Shooter.
- Optimized character assets, resulting in better performance and visual for Marine Sharpshooter 3.
3D Modeler
Electronic Arts
06.2005 - 09.2005
- procedural modeling and texturing for one of the previous-gen baseball console project.
Education
Associate of Arts - Game Art And Animation
AI-Art Institute of Vancouver
Burnaby, BC03.2005
Skills
- Project Management
- Risk Assessment and Mitigation
- Business Development
- Vendor Management
- Budgeting and Resource Allocation
- Legal Compliance
- Contract Negotiation
- Interpersonal Relationship Building
- Bilingual in English and Mandarin
Timeline
External Development Lead
Immutable
04.2022 - 12.2023
External Development Manager
Relic Entertainment
03.2021 - 04.2022
Outsourcing Supervisor
Relic Entertainment
10.2019 - 03.2021
Outsourcing Associate
Relic Entertainment
04.2018 - 10.2019
Game Artist (Outsourcing)
Wappworks Studio
03.2015 - 08.2015
Game Artist (Outsourcing)
Tinymob Games
01.2014 - 01.2015
Business Development (Outsourcing)
Trias CG
11.2011 - 03.2013
3D Instructor
HUST (Capilano 3D Animation Program)
03.2008 - 01.2011
3D Character Artist
Piranha Games
04.2006 - 03.2007
3D Modeler
Electronic Arts
06.2005 - 09.2005
Associate of Arts - Game Art And Animation
AI-Art Institute of Vancouver
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