Charles-Auguste Brodeur-Tanguay

Charles, the versatile and vigilant tester

While working as a video game tester at VMC, I had the opportunity to collaborate with some of the industry’s leading companies as a quality assurance consultant. This allowed me to master the field of quality assurance by conducting every type of test imaginable: functional testing, endurance testing, regression testing, load testing, and compatibility testing. I was able to perform localization testing and standard testing for multiple platforms.

I was sent to all the major studios in Montreal to test the various games they produced; my managers trusted me to provide exceptional service to clients. I was able to work effectively with the on-site team to deliver the best possible quality assurance service, in line with the team’s requirements.

I was able to debug major issues using an advanced profiler, and I have a knack for investigating and identifying the root causes of problems. This skill also allowed me to proactively alert development teams to prevent issues before they even arose.

I had the opportunity to organize user testing sessions and analyze the resulting data to create reports. I was responsible for writing test scenarios and documentation to assist other testers. My technical background allowed me to fully understand the various aspects of video games and to develop all related written content.

I have served as the lead for the quality assurance team on several occasions. As a delivery manager, I reviewed all of the quality assurance team’s materials to optimize our testing and ensure a thorough understanding of the product. With the team’s help, we were able to improve our test coverage, establish quality standards, and gain a better internal understanding of the product.

In total, I’ve helped test over 50 games on various platforms: Wii, PSP, PS2, PS3, PS4, Xbox 360, Windows, mobile, and even the cloud! I’ve played a major role in improving the quality of the games that were released.

Charles, the generalist programmer

I started programming while studying multimedia integration at Cégep Maisonneuve. There, I learned 2D animation, 3D modeling, 3D animation, video editing, and audio editing, as well as programming in ActionScript, JavaScript, HTML, CSS, MySQL, PHP, and Director. Thanks to this training, I developed a knack for understanding the technical details of a product.

In my spare time, I created the game Super Party Time in Flash so I could have a game that up to eight players could play locally, featuring various mini-games, challenges, and consequences. It allowed me to host many game nights with friends and helped me figure out my career path. I wanted to create something different from what was already on the market, while still maintaining that sense of community.

I earned a certificate in programming from TELUQ. This program allowed me to learn Java and C++, and I also earned the highest grades in the program.

I took the time to learn the Unity engine and the C# programming language. To learn more about mobile game development, I created Piratorex. It’s a single-player game featuring various types of mini-games that can be played on Android devices. The goal was to demonstrate that mini-games can offer a single-player experience without necessarily being tied to a multiplayer experience. It helped me expand my portfolio.

I landed my first job as a programmer at Genvid Technologies. There, I worked on a variety of projects, including programming in C++, Python, TypeScript, C#, and Bash. I was able to learn different programming languages and adapt to a startup environment. I was entrusted with handling complex projects and advancing a complex technology stack. I led the Unity integration project and wrote detailed documentation on the subject. I also gave a presentation on using our plugin at Unity Dev Day 2019.

I worked at Behaviour Interactive as a Unity programmer. I worked on several mobile projects. Throughout my career, I’ve had the opportunity to work on various aspects of game development, such as audio, user interface, systems, multiplayer, gameplay, animation, camera, visual effects, localization, and more. I was frequently tasked with solving the most complex problems on projects, and I participated in research initiatives to improve collaboration among the company’s various departments. I also wrote several architecture documents to structure the development of features.

When I founded my company, I created Bolodil Evolution with a dialogue and progression system. I also built in a player management system that allows for cooperative or versus play. Not to mention the variety of gameplay and future content planned for all skill levels in Bolodil Evolution.

As part of the Dramatour project, the challenge was different. We had to take the code written by the students and build a more polished version in preparation for the game’s launch. I was able to improve the game and add several new features.

My background in programming is somewhat unconventional; however, I’ve covered every possible topic and adapted to a variety of scenarios. My experience in quality assurance gives me a significant advantage in writing better code and avoiding design issues.

Charles, the boundlessly creative player

Several years ago, at the Medieval Passion Fair, I had the chance to meet a craftsman who made wooden games for live-action role-playing. I had the opportunity to talk with him on several occasions about his passion for the history of games, which fascinated me greatly. Driven by this newfound passion, I decided to start creating games for LARP myself.

The reality is that few games are suitable: they must meet certain standards of appropriateness for the event and be designed to withstand harsh conditions. It’s important to remember that most existing games are inspired by well-known games, such as chess. Although the world of board games has evolved significantly, live-action role-playing games have remained rooted in the medieval era.

With this in mind, I conducted extensive research to find ideas for live-action role-playing games and adapt them. Over time, I had to learn how to use various tools, such as a laser cutter for engraving and cutting wood. I became familiar with different types of wood structures, knots, wood species, varnishes, and paints! We created several prototypes that we had the chance to test at various events.

Today, our games are gearing up for launch, and excitement is building. To me, these games are a great example of passion, development, and continuous learning—but also of the company’s broader vision to maximize profitability. Proof that I can rise to any challenge!

Charles, the tough esports player and community builder

Ever since I was a kid, I’ve always loved fighting games, like Soul Calibur, but I was the kid who always beat up his friends. In Saint-Hyacinthe, the competition wasn’t exactly top-notch. It wasn’t until I started college in Montreal that I learned about Soul Calibur 2 tournaments in arcades. After participating in a local tournament, I didn’t immediately get into competitive play.

While working as a tester, I learned that there were international tournaments, like EVO, where thousands of people play fighting games. That piqued my curiosity, and that’s how I found some players in Montreal through a forum to play matches with.

During that time, we played Soul Calibur 4 until Soul Calibur 5 was released. That’s when our small community of a few players started to grow, and a Facebook group was created so we could get together regularly to play. I also traveled to Las Vegas to participate in Soul Calibur 4 and 5 tournaments, even though those titles weren’t on the event’s schedule for very long.

Unlike the more popular Street Fighter and Smash Bros. franchises, the Soul Calibur community is very niche, which limits the number of dedicated players. It was already difficult to gather players, but the situation became even more complicated when Namco stopped releasing content to support the games. Since the online mode wasn’t very good, offline matches were the best way to improve your skill level. That’s when I took on the task of organizing events to support our community.

There was a long hiatus between Soul Calibur 5 and 6. During that time, part of the Smash community rediscovered Soul Calibur 2. I helped train the next generation of players in that game, raise the level of competition, and organize events.

Then Soul Calibur 6 was released, attracting a new generation of players. As a veteran of both the series and the community, I took the initiative to support tournaments and events for as long as possible. The “MTL Airdashers” community has also been a huge help in supporting our community over the years.

Today, we have fond memories and are eagerly awaiting a new game in the series. Our welcoming and inclusive community is the largest in Canada for Soul Calibur, and I’m very proud of what we’ve accomplished!

Charles, the leader of change and the inspiring fighter

After graduating from CEGEP, I started playing live-action role-playing games. As a Dungeons & Dragons fan, I wanted to learn more about that community. On a friend’s recommendation, I tried a small live-action role-playing game wearing a makeshift costume I found at Village des valeurs. My experience was mixed, but over time, I met a wonderful community of very friendly people who helped me grow both socially and personally.

Thanks to this community, I was able to get involved in another Larp to experience a more combat focused activity instead, and I really enjoyed it. I found some great friends there, but also an activity that helped me stay in shape. There were also fighters who trained every Sunday at Mount Royal, and I joined them. I would show up there every week in my makeshift samurai costume and with my foam sword; I really enjoyed it, and we had a great sense of camaraderie.

That’s also where I discovered Trollball! It’s a sport created by Bicolline that’s played during live-action role-playing games. This team sport requires you to be a skilled fencer and demands excellent physical conditioning. In Montreal, a group meets every week to play, and I joined them to train. It was around that time that I learned there were tournaments organized at Bicolline during the Great Battle, and I was asked to become a team captain because of my passion for the sport.

I was excited by the idea, so I put together a list of team members based on the guild. Some players have a little experience; others are new to the game. So I had to take the time to explain the game and tailor our strategy to the skill level of our players.

Against all odds, we managed to secure a spot in the playoffs for the end of the week! We’re at the bottom of the standings and we’re going to have to face the best team in the league. The tension is palpable, and we know the game will be tough. The score isn’t in our favor, and morale is at an all-time low. It was during a trade that the unthinkable happened: I eliminated both healer-type players, which guarantees us an immediate victory regardless of the score difference.

Thanks to that play, our makeshift team managed to make a name for itself by beating the strongest team! Even though we didn’t get very far after that, we had achieved the impossible.

And the following year? I remained team captain, and no one doubted my abilities. Furthermore, the rules of the sport had changed to award 5 points instead of an automatic win. I thus held the position of captain for 9 years, during which time the team consistently remained in the top 3, not to mention the fine reputation for fair play that our team enjoyed.

Over the years, I’ve been invited to join every competitive Trollball team. I’ve also helped referee and organize matches to promote the sport. Few players have had such a major impact on a sport and inspired others to excel!

Charles, the leader of the future

Through my company, Bolodil Games, I’ve drawn on all my diverse experiences and skills to maximize our success. Today, we’re active in over 17 communities and events! We offer a wide range of products, from video games to physical board games.

And you’ve only seen the beginning!

In a future where artificial intelligence will play an increasingly important role, humans will need to set themselves apart even more. Through this story, I’ve shown you:

• my experience and expertise
• my versatility
• my passion
• my leadership
• my commitment

Would you like to learn more?

Please contact me at the following email address for any business or employment inquiries: cabtanguay@bolodilgames.com

Friends and family

At this time, our team members are friends and family who have volunteered their time to help grow the company. Out of respect for their privacy, I will not disclose their personal information without their consent. Thank you for your understanding.