Darren Ward
About Darren Ward
Darren Ward is a Principal Programmer at Relic Entertainment, specializing in game AI and enhancing player experiences in video games. He has a strong academic background in Mathematics and Computer Science from the University of Bath and has held various engineering roles in the gaming industry since the early 1990s.
Work at Relic Entertainment
Darren Ward has been serving as Principal Programmer at Relic Entertainment since 2019. In this role, he focuses on game AI and distributed systems, contributing to the development of notable titles such as Age of Empires IV. His work aims to enhance player experiences through advanced AI techniques, creating immersive and dynamic game environments.
Previous Experience at Electronic Arts
Prior to his current position, Darren Ward worked at Electronic Arts (EA) as a Senior Software Engineer from 2005 to 2019. During his 14 years at EA, he developed various software solutions and contributed to multiple projects, leveraging his expertise in game development and programming.
Educational Background
Darren Ward studied at the University of Bath, where he earned a BSc in Mathematics from 1991 to 1995 and an MSc in Symbolic Computation from 1995 to 1996. His academic background in mathematics and computer science laid the foundation for his career in programming and game development.
Career Before Relic Entertainment
Before joining Relic Entertainment, Darren held several positions in the tech and gaming industries. He worked as a Lead AI Engineer at Bits Studios for one year in 2001-2002 and as a Researcher at the Proudman Oceanographic Laboratory from 1993 to 1994. Additionally, he served as a Researcher at the University of Bath from 1996 to 2000, contributing to various research initiatives.
Specialization in Game AI
Darren Ward specializes in game AI, focusing on enhancing player interactions within video games. His keen interest in creating living worlds and artificial life in game environments drives his contributions to the gaming industry. He also possesses experience in robotics and has some exposure to deep learning techniques, further enriching his expertise in AI development.