#DEVELOPJOBS | CAREER ADVICE Development specialists off er advice on how you can bag that career leap
GET THAT JOB THIS MONTH: CHARACTER ARTIST
REMEDY ENTERTAINMENT’S Eva Kovalainen describes her path into games development to become a character artist at the studio behind Alan Wake and the upcoming Quantum Break.
“I’ve dreamed of creating games ever since I was a little girl and got my fi rst 8-bit Nintendo.
“The English language and USA being close to my heart, I decided to combine my passions and moved to Florida to study at the Full Sail University. It was probably the toughest study period of my life, as I crunched four academic years into two, but it was well worth it.
“After 22 months of hard work I got my bachelor’s degree from Game Art. While being abroad I realised that I yearned to work in Finland. We have plenty of amazing success stories in the gaming industry and I wanted to be part of them. I wrote to Remedy about
myself and mentioned that I was working on my demo reel. I got lucky and was asked to create a demo in which I put a lot of eff ort in and managed to meet the deadline, all this while fi nishing my degree.
Making your way into the
industry means a lot of work and learning new things every day. Eva Kovalainen, Remedy
“The call fi nally came when I landed back in Helsinki and was invited to a job interview – the rest is history. I get to work in the inspiring company of my dreams, studying new 3D programs
and methods. As they say; learning never stops and keeps life interesting. Thankfully my mentor has a lot of talent and patience, and my co-workers are brilliant. I’m happy that I get to help and be part of the team, and also that I’m involved in all these interesting projects already as a trainee. “I grew up playing games, which means that they’re part of my DNA. Now I get to defi ne the future of gaming, so things couldn’t get better. Making your way into the gaming industry means a lot of work and learning new things every day. It helps if you set yourself a goal and reach for it on a daily basis. “If you’re willing to put yourself on the line for it, you’ll most likely achieve it.”
www.remedygames.com If you’ve got job advice to share, email
Craig.Chapple@
intentmedia.co.uk
Employee HOT SEAT
Goodgame’s Alina Zimmer on what the studio with its own swimming pool can off er you
What do you do at your studio? As a project manager and team leader I am at the interface between the departments. I optimise processes, set milestones, plan resources and lay down priorities. I also supervise and motivate my project teams and ensure that all information reaches the relevant people.
How did you get your current job? During my degree, which was actually focused on fi lm and television, I ended up doing a course on serious games and I was hooked. I got an internship in a small studio, followed by an orientation year in QA, and by that point I was totally convinced that the gaming industry was for me. And then three years ago I became a project manager at Goodgame Studios.
Name: Alina Zimmer Title: Project Manager
34 | JULY 2014
What perks are available to those working at the studio? The fl at hierarchies and the lack of bureaucracy are a big plus at Goodgame Studios. The atmosphere is relaxed, the team is relatively young. I really like the particular kind of identifi cation with the products and the ability to change of the industry as a whole. Every individual in this company can make a real diff erence, whether it’s the interns, trainees, permanent employees or managers.
What is the recruitment process like at your studio?
Once you’ve found a suitable position, it’s best to apply by email. Post is a bit old-fashioned for our industry. You’ll hear back very quickly from our HR department and if they’re interested,
Developer: Goodgame Studios
www.goodgamestudios.com
you’ll be invited for an interview. This can also be done over Skype, so distance shouldn’t be an issue. Almost every candidate will also have the opportunity to try their hand at tests, which assess specialist skills. In the last stage of the interview we always try to initiate a normal conversation to get to know you a bit.
What was your own interview like? My interview with Goodgame Studios was a lot of fun but nonetheless serious. We had a lot of laughs, and as soon as it was over I had the feeling that I wanted to work there.
It’s best to apply by
email. Post is a bit old- fashioned for our industry.
What’s the studio atmosphere like? The atmosphere is friendly and relaxed. I’m also friends with a lot of colleagues outside of work, which makes working together enjoyable. Even when we’re under pressure, it doesn’t get hectic or chaotic. We always stay professional. Open offi ce spaces and lots of perks like coff ee, muesli, table football, and even a
swimming pool make for a very pleasant and constructive atmosphere.
Do you feel as though your work has an impact on the studio overall – be that in its products, its team or its quality of life?
Yes, I notice how my work has a signifi cant infl uence on the success of the products that I manage. After all, tasks can’t be handled effi ciently and smoothly without good communication. I have a comprehensive overview of the production process and I am the main go-to person for other departments. I provide answers for external team members and ensure production goes smoothly.
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