Craig Duncan

Current

Development Director at Sumo Digital

Past

Studio Head - Midway Studios Newcastle at Midway Games
Director of Product Development at Codemasters Software Co.
Director of Development Services at Codemasters Software Co.

Interim Studio Head: Red Studio at Codemasters Software Co.
Development Manager at Codemasters Software Co.
Operations Manager at Resource Engineering Projects
Quality Manager at Resource Engineering Projects
Quality / Process Engineer at Recticel Automotive

see less...

5 more...

Education

OU / School of life

Recommended

24 people have recommended Craig

Connections

500+ connections

Industry

Computer Games

Websites

Craig Duncan’s Summary

Business, Quality and Delivery focused Games Enthusiast or Gaming, Quality and Delivery focused Business Enthusiast - read it as you will.

Just a proactive, positive, get things done kind of guy... whatever the constraints!

Craig Duncan’s Specialties:

Business Management, Negotiation, Staff Management and Mentoring, Project Closure and Troubleshooting, Project Management and Scheduling, Software Development Management, Software Engineering, Studio Management, Budgets and Finance, Planning and Strategy and Games Knowledge.

Craig Duncan’s Experience

Development Director

Sumo Digital

(Privately Held; Computer Games industry)

July 2009 — Present (7 months)

Working as part of the senior team at Sumo Digital a top tier, well respected independent developer with a reputation for delivering top quality product on time and budget as well as being an excellent development partner with multiple AAA publishers.

Responsible for key projects and key publisher relationships and delivery of several projects on all formats with teams ranging from 8 to 80 staff in all disciplines.
Studio Head - Midway Studios Newcastle

Midway Games

(Public Company; MWY; Computer Games industry)

June 2008 — July 2009 (1 year 2 months)

Responsible for Midway's UK Development Studio in the North East of England, shipped the Vin Diesel fronted, open world action driver "Wheelman" published by Ubisoft in March 09.

Created and managed pre-production on our stunning new original IP "Necessary Force" www.necessaryforcegame.com

Managed the studio through the turmoil of the Midway bankruptcy and attempted on a number of fronts to find a buyer for the studio or source funding / deals to support a phoenix from the flames.

The studio housed over 100 hugely talented and passionate people at peak and operationally was very successful and efficient making games the right way…

Unfortunately due to limited timeframe and bad economic times the studio had to close as part of the Midway Chapter 11 bankruptcy situation in July 2009.

www.guardian.co.uk/technology/gamesblog/2009/jun/16/gameculture

www.developmag.com/news/32201/Midway-Newcastle-reveals-new-IP-as-it-seeks-buyer

www.edge-online.com/features/preview-necessary-force

www.develop-online.net/news/32383/Lights-out-for-Midway-Newcastle
Director of Product Development

Codemasters Software Co.

(Privately Held; Computer Games industry)

December 2006 — June 2008 (1 year 7 months)

Responsible for Product Development at Codemasters Software Co. during Codemasters most challenging product portfolio ever, developing multiple titles on all formats with development teams worldwide.
Director of Development Services

Codemasters Software Co.

(Privately Held; 201-500 employees; Computer Games industry)

September 2003 — January 2007 (3 years 5 months)

Management and Strategy of the Development Services organisation at Codemasters including: Submissions, QA (functional & online), Compliance, Audio, Central Art, Core Technology, Anti-Piracy & Security, Research, Customer Services, Localisation and Outsourcing. Provided Development Management support to Internal Studios, External Development, Online Gaming and Publishing functions. Key Involvement in the delivery of all Codemasters titles 2003-2006 (too many to list here).
Interim Studio Head: Red Studio

Codemasters Software Co.

(Privately Held; 201-500 employees; Computer Games industry)

April 2003 — September 2003 (6 months)

Delivery of Colin McRae Rally 4 on PS2 & XBOX. Management of a team of 40+ developers. Game delivered 2 weeks ahead of schedule and averaged >85% review scores.
Development Manager

Codemasters Software Co.

(Privately Held; 201-500 employees; Computer Games industry)

January 2003 — May 2003 (5 months)

Delivery of Colin McRae PC ahead of schedule (1st Codemasters Internal IP developed externally).
Management of development relationships and projects of Bohemia Interactive (Operation Flashpoint) and 1C in Russia.
Operations Manager

Resource Engineering Projects

(Computer Software industry)

2000 — 2002 (2 years )

Managed project software activities (specification, design, development and verification) across 3 sites (project managed the set-up and running of 2 of these sites). Key part of a management team that expanded the business four fold and broadened the business activities away from its niche core business. Conducted consultancy projects and bespoke project management troubleshooting for the business and key clients.
Security Cleared for MOD projects
Quality Manager

Resource Engineering Projects

(Computer Software industry)

1999 — 2000 (1 year )

Set-up the Quality Management System and Full Software Development Lifecycle processes for the business in accordance with ISO and TickIT requirements as well as industry applicable Software Safety Critical and Mission Critical standards. Introduced effective audit systems and continuous improvement initiatives. Troubleshooting and Project Management.
Quality / Process Engineer

Recticel Automotive

(Public Company; 201-500 employees; Automotive industry)

1997 — 1999 (2 years )

Customer Management (Landrover, Rolls Royce and Aston Martin), Engineering & Process Troubleshooting, Process Set-up, Project Management. Ran the KAIZEN continuous improvement program for the business.

Craig Duncan’s Education

OU / School of life

Business / Project Management / Software Development

MSC Software Engineering, Project Management Courses (to many to list), Quality Management Diploma.