Hey there!

I'm Oliver Davies, a technical artist and software engineer. I started out as hyperactive homeschooled kid — or more accurately, unschooled — I caught lizards and disassembled all of my toys. My journey into the game industry began with modding PC games in my early teens, which pretty much set the course for everything that followed. I spent most of my high school years programming, reading sci-fi and modding games I liked.

At 18, I joined a startup as a software engineer and, in parallel, started on my CS degree. I worked through all the Computer Science prerequisites at my local community college, and eventually transferred to UCSC. I graduated Magna Cum Laude in Computer Science, continued with the startup for a few more years, and then decided I wanted something different.

I didn't want to focus purely on software development - I wanted to be a Technical Artist.. So I spent about three years retooling and jumping from contract to contract. During this time, I worked on some massive public art projects (projection and LED), designed and built a spaceship (both physically and digitally), worked for smaller game companies, did dozens of game jams, and tried to grow my network. I ended up at Wētā Workshop over the entirety of 2024, which was a wild ride of high-powered individuals and intense technical challenges. 

I spend 6-10 hours a day on tech art, everyday, regardless if I'm employed. It's my highest form of fun. These fields are about continuous learning, honing, tuning, growing in every way you can. I just can't believe I get to do what I love everyday, 

Some Maxims I've Found Useful

• Less impressed, more involved: Never be intimidated by successful people, just join them on their adventures
• Honesty instead of Ego: You're never the best at something without being the worst at it first. Embrace the Dunning-Kruger curve with gusto and self awareness
• Embrace change: New tool chain? New technique? New everything? Sounds like fun, trust yourself
• Momentum is energizing: Sometimes just starting something is all that you need to kickstart the journey

My story exemplifies how following your passions can lead down winding paths that somehow land you exactly where you need to be. Now I'm a free agent, pursuing projects that spark my curiosity and fuel my growth.

By the Numbers

For those curious about the nuts and bolts: I've logged over 4500 hours working with Houdini, 2000+ hours with Blender, over a decade with Unity in various roles, and almost 15 years working with software. Not to brag, but to answer that quiet question of "how much time did this actually take?"

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Want to chat about tech art, game dev, or just geek out about procedural generation? Drop me a line! oliver@psyfer.io