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[email protected]. You can also call us on 1300 triple 9, 6 3 6 Joyce and control a podcast. Celebrating people with disability brought to you by carers Queensland, indis local area coordination partner in the community. Today. We're talking to some young men with autism who are making a name for themselves in digital spaces. Soon we'll chat with gold coast, YouTube Joe Smith. Who's rubbing shoulders with celebrities, athletes, and people from all walks of life through his own online chat show. But first we're catching up with Bradley Hennessey, the creator of Aspergers themed computer game and ASPE life. Brad studying game design and interactive environments at QUT. You started his own company and the last studios and he's working on a prequel to an Aspy life based on his experiences. When he was younger, he started developing games in high school as a creative way around the rules.
Speaker 1 00:01:30 At the time, there was this rule in the school of basically you're not allowed to play any games on the computer systems, of course, but you're allowed to make your own games. So that leads into me going up to computer lab lunch, just like, oh, I can make Marin game. Well, make them your own game then. Hey, oh, that's the way I'll get around these rules. Um, over time I got more addicted to developing and enjoying and so much, then it's just, don't say where it is now. I'd like to focus more on the narrative side, the stories and exploring different parts of the human condition. So obviously autism, because I think that's something that a lot of the developers don't tap into. Obviously you've got your shooters and you've got sure, adventure games and stuff, which obviously choose more than famous one, but you got those ones which are more fun.
Speaker 1 00:02:15 I put an air quotes, but I like to explore alternatives for a disabilities mental stuff. Like just things that people don't usually see in games. So I think that's what I focused on. It helps me, uh, dealing with different inside that space. Pretty much it asks you life is it's a game about autism. It puts you in the shoes of an autistic character. Who's reflect 20. So roughly it was my age. I was basically basing off my self with time. And basically it's uses all the kegs of game design and game developments to basically try and recreate autism in a way that players can engage with it. So by that, I mean, he used all the visual metaphors, such as all the characters in the game are just black outlines. So in that the, the character has also been, can't tell by language and therefore all the players are playing. Can't tell with my language of the characters of the game as a lot of things like that throughout the experience, it helps to basically simulate it in a way. So how
Speaker 2 00:03:12 Has developing the game helped you in your life as a person with autism
Speaker 1 00:03:17 At the time? I didn't really know much about myself put simply, like I knew I had autism, but yeah, it's that sort of thing when you're still young. It's so like, oh, I've got awesome. What does that mean? So I think by developing that game because I had to base it off of them, right. So I had looked at my self, my traits and then base it off that, which means I had to do a, basically a constant reflection for a year and a half on who I was. So it helps me get a better understanding of what impacts me, what things cause me stress, what things do or I have, uh, improvements over what things I've got know benefits from. So I think, but adulting that it gave me better understanding of who I was going forward into my adult life. That's excellent.
Speaker 2 00:03:56 And so now I understand you also within that started your own company, the indie game studio and the loss studios. Um, how has that going?
Speaker 1 00:04:05 It's been going pretty well. I think it was yeah, 2017 as well. What will going through a development cycle? Uh, for the past few years has been slightly on the back burner wallet focused on meeting cause Guinea studies full time. It's just so much work. So it's been there, but also has been sort of working in the background because I'm still developing a game and other games at the same time while doing uni. Uh, but it's been going rather well in terms of just general exposure and also learning curve because it is technically a company. So you've got to manage all the taxes and all that stuff. So there's a whole learning curve to that side of stuff. That's all business based. So
Speaker 2 00:04:45 Your next project and ask be life begins is a pre-call to the game that started at all. What, what is this project up to
Speaker 1 00:04:52 After I finished the first game, I wanted to develop Regal originals, going to be just some downloadable content from DLC, a bit of foam side, but then it's expanded. It's it's gone places it's grown, burned a little too much, put it that way. So this project is mainly being experience learning to manage skirt. Uh, so scarce game design term, but basically it's how much is involved in project? How long is it gonna take? The original game was just a one street and you walked through different slightly things like eight shops beside that street, right? This one it's got a whole island. Uh, it's all of it's abandoned mining town. There's so few people living there. It's a whole, it says fall largest story. There's a lot more involved mechanics. It's got the whole, um, system where you fight monsters, mistreat incarnations of the players have emotions.
Speaker 1 00:05:40 So there's so much more being developed at the same time. So it's been an experience of how am I going to get this done in a way that still it comes realization. It will be done when it's done because no point rushing it, because at some point it wasn't even canceling it because it just was getting so big. And it's like, do I have time for this? But there was a point where I've put so much work in already. Cause I pretty much developed up faster. I finished the first game. I think it was like March, 2010. It started. So it's been still a few years now, so I couldn't bring herself to cancel it because all the major components that does is that there's so much story and levels to develop. It's like, okay, well this little play it slow. And when it's finished, it'll be done.
Speaker 1 00:06:19 And then that gets released at some point. But, um, in terms of the game itself, so it's a pretty bowl. It's basically the same character in the first game. It sets roughly somewhere around 19, late seventies. So during the childhood and basically the way it affects autism and mental disorders in this game is basically it's the main character. So Bailey's is his name is learning about instruments, he's learning and his parents learning that he's got awesome. So that's the main fixed in this one. Uh, but then we break it up into different categories because this game you can swap between three of the characters. So that obviously autistic character, you've got a lodger who's basis and your typical middle person, and then got retire. Who's um, Japanese and she's got a language barrier in a way. This is focused in the narratives. Basically you can tell, I switch between the cactus.
Speaker 1 00:07:07 You can see how each of them see the world through the earned respective lens. So your failures, as, as in the first game, it was, it was just create sort of a black outline, Scot sensitivity issues, et cetera. And then so Elijah, obviously she's a normal so, well she does have some strengths. Valleys has, obviously she can tell body language better, communicate better. And then for Atari, obviously having that language barrier, it's sort of a contrast between autism and the laborer in a way that communication as humans changes how we interact with people and how we see the world based on male piracies childhood in a way. So that's how it all plays. And there's a whole narrative based around that, which won't go into much detail for like six hours. And that going
Speaker 2 00:07:51 Back to you touched about, you know, you're at university at the moment, so how's it going for you and where do you see yourself after completing your degree?
Speaker 1 00:08:00 So Stefan university I'm pretty well. I just completed my third year. So I'm going to fourth year now. I've been doing three subjects a semester because four it's doable, just too much stress I found. So I was like 300 is not completely mine. It's like my final capstone, but now I've got just a minor to complete, which is basically just a marketing minor. It's an important thing to learn, especially in games because we ended up in things as a solid, if you need to know how to market yourself and what you've developed, right. Should be good, should be finished in this year. So all hopes are to get through. Uh, but after playing degree baseball off in the air, cause obviously the current times live in and things keep changing because you know, it's a fun time, but the car plans are wanting me to Melbourne for about six months just to gauge the community.
Speaker 1 00:08:45 You know what I mean? Because in Australia, all deaf community is quite small about other countries and approach. It lasts like 10 years. Everyone's just mitigated to Melbourne. It's old selling old. It's like, oh, want a job, Melvin, can we get Tony Wells, Melvin? So Joe down there just interact the community down there, builds a connection, some things. And that also take a break in a way, not really gap year, but different locations, different sites. So the thing turn refuel up, obviously it's four years of study. That'll be my main focus then. And then I don't really know after that the be has to be full depending on what happens down there, but get a full-time job down there, probably stay. If not, then I'll probably move back to Brisbane's something to hang out. It's life. You got so many pathways you take, obviously I want to get a lot of gangs and playlists.
Speaker 1 00:09:28 So, so that I can that one, uh, hopefully get it outside. Sometime soon. I'm looking at developing at the art project as well, expanding space. And I come a sort of headset now to develop applications for. So while we will develop a game around Watson with that, cause it's obviously a lot more of an immersive experience. So that's one avenue I'm looking into and then also got some other friends I've met at uni. You've got to make a game together as well. So lots of projects coming up. It's just a matter of saying, okay, well this one, I play this one first, so we can be to that one. So yeah,
Speaker 0 00:10:01 Using the support, he gets through the national disability insurance scheme to navigate uni and prepare for the future. Well,
Speaker 1 00:10:07 I've pushed myself to overcome my difficulties still, always going to still be there because you know, it's a neurological disorder in a way, but it won't say disorder. I mean, just think of all this, when you say disorder or something, it's like, it's such a complex thing. It's like, like I still have the impacted by Doris activity. It's things get very annoying and it really impacts on my learning and obviously my development. So, and it has helped to last him giving me ways to mitigate that. Then I also think it's just having that of support structure, especially where I'm at now. It's like, you know, 20 times 21, a game with Prescott looking to move, Alice obviously moved to Melbourne and stuff. But I think having that support structure, I can fall back on if things do get tough or things start to fall apart, which is less things happen. So I think it's just nice having that there as a way to just, uh, mitigate worry and stress work.
Speaker 0 00:11:00 Isn't just money in the bank. It's learning new skills, facing challenges and making a difference to the world around you. If someone in your life is leaving school soon, find out what supports available and explore options for the future in carers, Queensland's free workshop. Let's talk about work. Find out more check for events coming up near year and book your spot
[email protected]. You can also call us on 1300 triple 9, 6 3 6. If you're looking for the next big chat show, host, keep an eye out for Joe Smith. The 23 year old from the gold coast is behind the YouTube interview channel top guests studio with Joe Fianna. Stuart's caught up with Joe and his mum, Lisa, to find out more,
Speaker 3 00:11:50 Uh, disability. Um, principally you can do anything you set your mind. The show is about just being positive as possible and just being yourself. I do choose again through, I feel I have a common interest with like people who are in entertainment in the triathlon or in the sporting world. So I've interviewed the likes of Ben had it and IRL and state of barbecues and now hit 90.9 a co-host if I have the time, I absolutely want interviews be Jasmine. Cause I met him in 2019 at his show, the man, the myth, the legend to us. Uh, yeah, it'd be great to enter the hegemony.
Speaker 2 00:12:44 Now I understand Joe, you hope your YouTube channel can land you a job in radio or TV. What has this experience taught you and what would be your dream job?
Speaker 3 00:12:54 Practically? My dream job would to be a voiceover person or to be a character at uni if you will.
Speaker 2 00:13:04 Oh, that's great. What's your favorite character maybe? Well, but
Speaker 3 00:13:07 Definitely not to say shaggy, it's going to be done
Speaker 2 00:13:11 And having your own YouTube channel. What, how, what has that experience taught you? Uh,
Speaker 3 00:13:17 That experience told me to make eye contact and it's helped me to contact the guests
Speaker 2 00:13:25 Previously who have worked with support workers to write your scripts, contact guests, operate audio equipment, things like that. I understand even your parents are helping you a little bit about that. So, um, that now how's that going? And how is this valuable with this assistance?
Speaker 3 00:13:41 Um, we'll be in the funding has helped a lot for, uh, my channel. And as I say, there's a quote, I like to say on my there's barriers, but Northern limits were boasting about 150, uh, subscribers.
Speaker 2 00:14:01 Oh, that's great. How do people find out about it?
Speaker 3 00:14:03 Uh, well you can just go to YouTube and search up top, get studio with Joe.
Speaker 2 00:14:11 And so Lisa, just to you, what do you think about Joe's creative outlet? It's
Speaker 3 00:14:16 Been amazing for Joe to have that outlet. Um, so for me and really for learning different skills, uh, so today we will be audio and tech side. Um, he's really learned to have a conversation with people it's really learn to ask people questions. Yeah. Just have a real conversation about somebody else's knife rather than his own then. Yeah. That that's been, that's been really good.
Speaker 2 00:14:45 And Lisa, how has the <inaudible> supporting Joe to achieve his goals?
Speaker 3 00:14:51 Funding helped us secure, um, Natalie that shows or reduce her as a support worker and mentor for Joe. So they started the show to get there in just the end nine S funding allowed us just to have that few hours a week to pay Natalie as the worker, just to, you know, Joe had really no experience of, you know, uploading any content or how to approach somebody, um, through social media as far as the guests go. So that really helped initially with Nat, um, she left to start a family and did have a move in state. Um, so it, yeah, it's myself and my husband doing a lot of the work with Joe, but due, due to COVID things have slowed down, but we're just hoping this year now restrictions were lifted just to secure another support worker to, um, yeah, to, to carry on and help Joe continue with the show. And we have a support worker at the moment here that does a few hours a week still helping with Joe, um, on researching things. But we, as I said, COVID has slowed things down, but we're just hoping that we'd be these plant NDI. His family can just continue. Joe started last year,
Speaker 2 00:16:13 Joe. Now what's next for you in this creative space? My
Speaker 3 00:16:18 Goal is to just try and get a job in the media or any of the radio stations. I've done a bit of a voiceover work for a 19.9 here on the gold coast.
Speaker 2 00:16:36 Oh, that's excellent. Well, hopefully you'll be able to do a little bit more of that in the future. Day-to-day what, what else do you get up to Joe?
Speaker 3 00:16:44 I'll do a motor sport and running and uh, I'll do a lot of different activities. I got work at, um, hungry Jackson mudra bar on Fridays and Saturdays, Joe really, really has benefited last year from having this lurker with this channel, just gets him doing the research independently of us, um, w which has really benefited him and kept him very motivated. And just, yeah, it'd just be great if we could continue that this year and hopefully get a weekly interview out, but it's just very hard to stay pure work experience per se, in this industry. So we just think that this show is the way to go as far as yeah, gaining the valuable experience that he needs.
Speaker 0 00:17:37 Catch top guests studio with Joe on YouTube to follow Joe's adventures and you can find out more about it and that's be life. And Brad's other game projects on the end of last studio's website, E N D E L O S T S T U D ios.com.edu. Thanks to Fiona stewards for the interviews in this episode. <inaudible> Thanks for joining us a choice and control a carers Queensland podcast. For more information about the national disability insurance scheme or carers Queensland, contact us
[email protected]. You can call us on one, 300 triple 9, 6, 3, 6, or head to Facebook and look for carers Queensland and the IRS
