Name: Agneta Canadas Pujadas

What do you do: I’m a second-year university student currently studying game design, animation and art in video games, but I really want to work in game design and animation specifically.

When did you decide you wanted to work within the industry? A few years ago, when I was about to finish secondary school, I had a thought: “People who create games must have got their knowledge from somewhere, right?” So I started researching and found out that in Barcelona there’s a university specifically for studying video game creation, and I made up my mind instantly.

What is your biggest motivation for working in the games industry? I want to create things that people can relate to and be comforted by. I want to make connections and make things with people. Projects that will bring a wide group of people together.

What video game got you into gaming: When I was 5 years old I got my first console, a Nintendo DS, and it came with a couple of games. My favourite by far was Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Blue Rescue Team. It was the game that got me into Pokémon and the gaming industry.

What is the last game that had an impact on you? It was Inscryption by Daniel Mullins. I got it recommended by a teacher at university and didn’t have many expectations, but it blew my mind. It led me to meet amazing people and also to work on some really significant projects within the community, both fan-made and officially.

What does the word “gamer” mean to you? A gamer is someone who believes that art can be found in all kinds of media. Gaming is a form of art, and those who play it are like visitors to a museum gallery. You choose what you like to play and that shapes part of who you are as a person.

What is your biggest achievement: I won a contest my university hosted for the best game of my year! And I strive to win even more contests in the future!

What advice would you give to your younger self? Never stop creating, and never be ashamed of the things you liked just because they were seen as weird or different. There are people out there who really enjoy what makes you you.

Name: Sam Scaife

What do you do: I’m an indie developer.

What video game got you into gaming: My Game Boy and Pokémon Yellow was the first console I had and I got so hooked, but for years growing up I’d always stare at arcade cabinets and pretend to play the games. Just the idea that there’s a world for you to explore was so cool to me.

What is the last game that had an impact on you? I played Children of the Sun at WASD and the opening 30 seconds are amazing. The build had a super-fast stylised cutscene that gave you all the backstory you need and a reason to care about the world in what felt like 10 seconds. As someone making games, seeing a game do such a good job of getting me invested right from the start was very inspiring – I’d love to try to do the same in my own games.

What does the word “gamer” mean to you? Anyone can be a gamer. To me it’s just a group of people who really like games and can appreciate them as a medium or even as art.

What is your biggest achievement: Creating and releasing my first indie game, CorpoNation, in 2024. Creating games was a long-time dream for me and my wife, and after a long time working towards it, actually releasing our game feels like a massive achievement.

What advice would you give to your younger self? I’m super happy with my life so I wouldn’t want to change a thing in case that younger me ended up making different choices! But as that’s kind of a cheat, I’d want to remind my younger self how powerful and how much potential he has. I spent so long doubting myself and being scared of failing, only to learn as I gained more experience that I had the skills all along. Failing is not a bad thing – it’s just part of the journey.

Name: Anni Valkama

What do you do: I’m a Senior Brand Manager for Pantaloon, a new indie game publisher looking to publish weird and wonderful indie titles.

What video game got you into gaming: I have been gaming for as long as I’ve been old enough to hold a controller. One of my fondest childhood memories is playing Crash Team Racing on the original PlayStation with my late granddad. He’d always play as Dingodile because he found the Ozzie accent very funny, and he’d beat me every single time. He passed away in 2012 and I actually have a tattoo in his memory of Dingodile in his kart, with Penta Penguin over his shoulder and the kart’s licence plate showing the date of his passing.

What is the last game that had an impact on you? Resident Evil: Requiem. As a lifelong fan of the franchise, playing through the game was pure nostalgic joy from start to finish. There’s a section in the latter part of the game that did actually make me tear up.

What does the word “gamer” mean to you? “Gamer” is a difficult word for me, mostly due to the history of how heavily gatekept it’s been and the connotations it has with GamerGate. I don’t typically call myself a gamer – more “someone who loves video games” – although if I were to assign a definition to the word, it’d be just that. For me, gaming is a fundamental core part of my identity. I don’t think it necessarily needs to be for someone to be considered part of the gaming community, but it certainly is for me. I have met friends, developed valuable skills and been able to escape an occasionally difficult reality to the world of games.

What is your biggest achievement? The people I have been able to help throughout my career. I have built my career in the indie gaming space and, despite some of the rightful negative connotations with games publishing, my favourite part of my job is being able to help passionate developers get their games in front of people’s eyes. Beyond my day-to-day job, I have been able to use my network to raise money for numerous charitable causes and put together initiatives that have enabled people to network and connect beyond the London/South UK bubble. I do what I do to make a positive difference in the industry and the wider world, and I’m proud that I have been able to do just that, even if only in small ways.

What advice would you give to your younger self? People around you are going to tell you a lot that you’ll never make it because of your background. They’ll call you weird and your hobbies weird. Don’t listen to them. Be passionate about the things you are passionate about and let that passion shape and drive your future, because it will lead you to do things you could never have imagined doing as a young working-class child living in Finland.

Name: Jay

What do you do: I am currently registered disabled, so for me, gaming is a big part of my life. Gaming gives me access to the outside world when I am unable to physically leave the house, or on a high-pain day when I really need a distraction other than trying to sleep the pain away.

What video game got you into gaming: Sonic the Hedgehog on the Mega Drive, I definitely age myself there! I loved that little blue hedgehog and his ability to go super fast. I could never beat Dr Robotnik at the end of the game and loved sitting there watching my dad take out all the bosses I couldn’t. It’s not the most exciting game to some people, but it was the game that got me into gaming. From there, my mum got me a PlayStation that was meant for me and my sisters, but they never really played it, so I quickly commandeered it and was always playing something…usually when I was meant to be sleeping!

What is the last game that had an impact on you? The original Life is Strange game. It was the first indie game I ever played. It was on sale for about a pound and I thought nothing of it. But the story of two teenage girls trying to navigate life: school, step-parents, discovering something different about themselves – and the importance of the butterfly effect really resonated with me. Getting to the final part and having to decide whether to save Arcadia by sacrificing myself hit home. There are so many times in life where we have to make impactful decisions that affect so much more than just ourselves. I just resonated with it at that time in my life. The Life is Strange franchise is now one of my favourites.

What does the word “gamer” mean to you? The word gamer means someone who enjoys a challenge and who likes interacting with their entertainment. To me, the word has changed meaning as I got older. Originally, being a gamer was something “boys” did, so it felt rebellious to be allowed to like it. As I played more games, it just became something enjoyable to do to pass the time, like an interactive movie, as I’ve always found just sitting and staring at the TV boring. At this stage in my life, the word gamer has evolved to mean enjoyment as well as community. I have found some of my favourite people by being a gamer, because I can interact and play with them in online multiplayer games. Being a gamer means so much more to me than just playing games.

Name: Harry Milner

What do you do: I’m currently unemployed, though my dream job is to be involved in character design and illustration in the entertainment field, especially video games.

What video game got you into gaming: Pokémon Blue, when I got it alongside a Game Boy Color and Tweety’s High Flying Adventure. It was something me and my older sister bonded over when we were little.

What is the last game that had an impact on you? Freedom Planet, as it is a very inspiring game for me, given its origins as a Sonic fan game. I was familiar with the original incarnations of its main characters through DeviantArt back in the mid-to-late 2000s. I had my own fan characters back in the day that I later reworked into original characters for a personal project of mine, and seeing how these characters went on to star in two games and be well received was very motivating. I’m glad to be part of its passionate fanbase and to have interacted with its creator, Sabrina DiDuro, through her Twitch streams as her VTuber persona SpaceyBat.

What does the word “gamer” mean to you? Someone who is unapologetic about their love of video games. How it connects them to other people, how it helps them combat their personal woes, how they want to share that experience with others without gatekeeping.

What is your biggest achievement? Completing the National Dex in Pokémon X. Though my original cartridge ended up getting chewed up by my dog, which was heartbreaking.

What advice would you give to your younger self? Don’t be so upset or angry if you keep losing in a game. Remember, it’s just a video game.

ame: Jade Cee

What do you do: I class myself as a part-time cosy streamer. Sometimes I stream cosy games (right now it’s Pokopia and Coral Island) and sometimes I do diamond paintings. Outside of streaming, I volunteer at my kids’ school and help organise SEND coffee mornings with other parents to help them feel supported and share our experiences with one another.

What video game got you into gaming: It’s really hard to pinpoint a specific moment that got me into gaming, all I remember is that we always had a games console. I do however remember being very young and hearing the sounds of my uncle and aunty playing Sonic on the Sega Mega Drive. I also remember coming home from school one day, much older, and seeing a Nintendo 64 and playing Super Mario 64 with my mum. Her being a gamer encouraged my love for games too, and I will definitely be continuing the trend with my children.

What is the last game that had an impact on you? The last game that had an impact on me has to be Stardew Valley. I went through a rough patch after having my second child, and when I discovered this game it gave me the space to slow down, escape the stress of life and focus on something for myself after a busy day with the kids. It was my first proper cosy game and now I can proudly say I have almost 2,000 hours across multiple devices…yes, I did play it on mobile too! I loved how everyone in the game had a different story and different vibe. I loved the inclusivity the dev built into the game, and he continues to improve it. It’s definitely one of my favourite comfort games.

What does the word “gamer” mean to you? The word gamer is someone who can sit back and immerse themselves in a world outside of their own. It’s about enjoying yourself and finding a passion for games. For myself, I really enjoy indie, cosy or sandbox games — something to help me relax and unwind after a stressful day.

What is your biggest achievement: I know this is going to sound really clichéd, but my biggest achievement is having my kids. Watching them grow up with their different personalities, and at the same time seeing them enjoy some of my favourite things such as gaming and Sailor Moon.

What advice would you give to your younger self? I would tell myself to stop worrying about what other people think. You have your own free will to do whatever you want. If it makes you happy, then do it. Just enjoy your life and be unapologetically you.

Name: Alex Duval

What do you do: I’m an Illustrator and Comic Book Artist.

When did you decide you wanted to work within the industry? Ever since I saw the illustrations in the Official Nintendo Magazine for Tatsunoko vs. Capcom, and meeting Shinkiro last year has really cemented this goal for me!

What is your biggest motivation for working in the games industry? It’s simply my love for the industry!

What video game got you into gaming: I’ve been into gaming for as long as I can remember, with some of my earliest memories being playing my PS1 that my mum got me. I really got into gaming in my early teens when I was reading a copy of the Official Nintendo Magazine, which had an article on the Wii fighting game Tatsunoko vs. Capcom.

Something about the art style really appealed to me, and I believe I got it for my next birthday, and I have been invested ever since. This game also inspired me to follow my passion for illustration, and I had the honour of meeting the illustrator Shinkiro last year, which was a great experience.

What is the last game that had an impact on you? The last game that has had an impact on me isn’t out yet! It would be the upcoming Marvel Tokon: Fighting Souls, for which I organised a community collaborative art piece, bringing together 20 Fighting Game Community artists to create a piece featuring all launch fighters. It has been an amazing experience so far connecting with all these artists from around the world!

What does the word “gamer” mean to you? Being a gamer means enjoying video games to any degree, whether you’re a hardcore gamer or just dabbling every now and then.

What is your biggest achievement: Organising the Marvel Tokon: Fighting Souls Community Collab, as well as having a table at EVO Artist Alley!

What advice would you give to your younger self? Never give up on yourself, always follow your dreams (but make smarter decisions than I did!).

What do you do: Communications Consultant.

What video game got you into gaming: Hamurabi. My much elder brother used it to keep me quiet when he was minding me while our parents were out, and I loved losing hours to it. He did too. Easiest babysitting gig ever!

What is the last game that had an impact on you? Probably the latest release of Monument Valley, I just like how soothing it is to play.

What does the word “gamer” mean to you? It’s as generic as the word “people”. Gamers are all ages and backgrounds. Anyone who picks up a phone and plays a game is a gamer, just as much as someone with a full rig or a console.

Name: Kofi Oppong

What do you do: I’m the Founder of Urban MBA, a charity that teaches enterprise and business education to marginalised communities between the ages of 16 and 24.

What video game got you into gaming: I’m an OG, so you have to understand the context. When arcade machines first came out, they were only in places like the chip shop. The first game that really got me was Yi-Ar Kung Fu — this was Street Fighter before Street Fighter existed. There used to be queues out the door just to play it. When Street Fighter eventually came out, it felt like déjà vu to me, because I’d been there first.

But it wasn’t just one game. A friend of mine had the first Atari, and we used to beg him just to go round at lunchtime because my parents couldn’t afford one. There was also Super Punch-Out at a place called Bembom Brothers in Margate on a school trip — I spent three years with those words stuck in my head: left, right, left, mighty blow, mighty blow! Every time we walked past an arcade machine that day, that game was the loudest thing in the room!

What is the last game that had an impact on you? Three games on the N64 had the biggest impact on me: Zelda: Ocarina of Time, International Superstar Soccer, and Star Fox 64. But the real story is how I got the console itself. At Nike, I used to take people to places like Wood Green to find the latest exclusive trainers before anyone else. One time, a group of Japanese visitors came to Nike Town and I showed them around London. When they asked what they could do for me, I told them I wanted the new N64 — but not the PAL version running at 50Hz with borders around the screen. I wanted the proper Japanese version. Six months before the N64 launched in the UK, they sent me one. All my friends thought I was something else entirely. Those three games were what I played consistently on it, and they were unlike anything that had come before.

What does the word “gamer” mean to you? When I hear the word gamer, I think of a tribe. A group of people with their own way of being.

Let me put it this way — in the sneaker world, there was a crew called the Backpack Crew. They’d turn up to every event wearing the same green backpack and a particular hat, with weird trainers on, acting like they were some kind of elite. Like they knew something no one else did. That’s how gaming used to feel — a little gang of people doing their thing, trying to set themselves apart.

Gaming now is something else entirely. It means esports, tournaments, global communities. It’s not just recreational anymore. It’s grown into something far bigger than that tribe ever imagined.

What is your biggest achievement? Working for Nike during their golden period — the era of the Air Max 97 Silver Bullet, the Air Max 95, and the TN. Those shoes are so iconic that wearing them now still gives you kudos. There was a moment when Nike pulled me out onto Oxford Street with photographers all around me, and I genuinely didn’t understand why they wanted to do that. I was sweating. I couldn’t get my head around it. I didn’t realise at the time that I was seen as something special — that I had a presence and a knowledge that was genuinely valuable. Nike helped me begin to overcome that imposter syndrome and realise I had as much to offer as anyone else in that room. That experience set me on the path to everything I’ve done since.

What advice would you give to your younger self? Believe in yourself and do more. I didn’t realise how much talent I had, and I was scared of it — always feeling like I didn’t belong, like I wasn’t supposed to be seen.

Part of that comes from how we’re raised in the UK, especially with African and Ghanaian parents. You’re taught to stay in the background when the adults are talking. You’re not supposed to put yourself forward. And that stays with you.

If I could go back, I’d tell myself to push my talent harder. Because looking at it now, if I had understood what I was at that time, I could have been at the very top of what I did. I was already doing the work. I just didn’t know I was allowed to own it.

Name: Reyiell

What do you do: I am a project manager by day and a fictional HR director by night for the Resident Evil meetups.

When did you decide you wanted to work within the industry? When I discovered how massive the gaming industry is, how many different roles exist and how they all connect. It’s not just being a narrative or graphic designer; it’s so much more than that.

What is your biggest motivation for working in the games industry? I am a sharer. When I love something, I will hype it up and share it around me so people can discover it and enjoy it too. I want to share this love for stories, advocate for different communities and show that we all have our place in this industry. I would love to be part of a project where the community is involved. I have been running the Resident Evil meetups for three years now and I want that shared love and passion to be extended to more people.

What video game got you into gaming: Froggy on Amiga was my first deep dive into gaming. Then FF8 on PlayStation marked my jump to console and made me realise there were hundreds of stories available for me to escape into, to be strong, to be fierce. And Resident Evil (1996) was the one that completely hooked me to the virtual world. RE was the game we played with my cousins during summer at our grandma’s house, so it holds a big place in my heart. It will always be attached to images of laughs and screams with my family.

What is the last game that had an impact on you? Resident Evil: Requiem, which just released. It’s a franchise I have been playing since I was 11. It was sobering and impactful to see how the once young and strong heroes are no longer so young or strong, and how time has affected them too, and how much they and I have been through. Endling: Extinction is Forever was the game that broke my heart. Even as a game, it is a true reflection of humanity. How we are destroying the world and how we are impacting the animals around us. It made me rethink how I consume technology, what impact I want to leave in this world and what I can do to protect things around me.

What does the word “gamer” mean to you? I have to start by saying I hate the term “Real Gamer”. There is no real or fake gamer. If you love the story, the lore, the graphic design or the music; if you played the game yourself or watched playthroughs; if you play on your own or if you participate in the community — you are a gamer.

Name: HaZ Dulull

What do you do: I am the founder of Beyond The Pixels, an indie games company focused on developing modern retro original and licensed games IP that can also transcend across film and TV.

What video game got you into gaming: Pong in the 1980s when I was a kid — I was hooked!

What is the last game that had an impact on you? Terminator 2D: No Fate. It was the exact Terminator 2 game I wanted in the 90s when the movie came out. It also happens to be one of my favourite action movies of all time. The game reflected the movie perfectly and is a great example of movie IP translated into games. It also had all the awesome side-scrolling shooter platform mechanics that work so well. If anything, it’s a masterclass in modern retro games!

What does the word “gamer” mean to you? A gamer is someone open to experiencing new and boldly imaginative worlds in an immersive way, and willing to let go of reality.

What is your biggest achievement: Working for 3.5 years as the Cinematics Director on DUNE: Awakening. I learnt so much about what it’s like to work on a triple-A game of that size, and also to play creatively in an existing universe as big as Dune.

What advice would you give to your younger self? Meet as many people as possible, and don’t be afraid to ask — they can only say no. So what if they say no? At least you asked. When I was younger I was always afraid of rejection, and then later in life I got so many no’s that I ended up using them to build my career further, and eventually those no’s became yes’s.

Name: Yajaira Katherine

What do you do: I’m studying game art development. I’m very passionate about character 3D modelling and concept art, and I’m currently developing my own projects!

When did you decide you wanted to work within the industry? After developing my first video game at university, I knew I had a real passion for it. I enjoyed every stage, the feeling of accomplishment of turning an idea into something many people can enjoy.

What is your biggest motivation for working in the games industry? I want to make dreams possible. To make something tangible out of what one might only imagine, and apply my vision through it.

What video game got you into gaming: I knew I had a strong passion for video games when I started playing Wii games with my childhood friends and family – amazing memories I hold onto with a lot of love.

What is the last game that had an impact on you? I really remember the days I played The Last of Us, such a cinematic experience. I lived it through the game. I was really amazed by the graphics. Someday I’d like to reach that artistic level.

What does the word “gamer” mean to you? Being a gamer is a way of living your interests and dreams. You may dream of what it’d be like to be a soldier, then you turn on your PC and there you have it. It’s like finding fun or experiences even in the toughest of situations. Being a gamer really is just having the itch to discover a new reality and go through it, including moments of frustration or achievement, feeling capable of overcoming everything.

What is your biggest achievement: My biggest achievement was getting nominated for an award, which led to us being able to put the game out physically for everyone to play. Many people tried it and said it was really fun and challenging with great visuals. I want to keep making enjoyable games.

What advice would you give to your younger self? I would tell myself to worry less about the future and to give everything to the present, without fear.

Name: Yusif Ali

What do you do: I currently work two jobs. My full-time role is as a Senior Community Manager, and I also founded my own community called Gaymers iNC. ten years ago. I stream every week for RuneScape and help maintain communication between the developers and players. For my Gaymers group, we run weekly meetups and events ranging from gaming meetups, quizzes, cinema trips, convention trips and board game days. I’ve always been really passionate about this industry and about building communities as a brown man living in London. London can be a daunting place and I wanted to build a community that gave people a sense of safety and a place to find connections and friendships. Gaming is a wonderful thing, and being able to connect people through it has worked time and time again, so I wanted to keep that going in both aspects of my job.

What video game got you into gaming: I played SNES when I was younger (my first console) and the game was Secret of Mana. I’ve always known I was different to other kids. I didn’t like sports or socialising as a child, but once I saw the magic behind the game I instantly felt like this was my safe space. I was able to switch off and connect with the characters and the stories they told in game, and it helped me understand things I wouldn’t have known as a young person. It wasn’t until I met other kids my age who were also similar to me and loved games that it started clicking that there wasn’t anything wrong with me. Everyone is different, but being able to connect with other kids who were like me made me feel like I wasn’t alone. And it was because of gaming.

What is the last game that had an impact on you? The last game that truly impacted me was Final Fantasy 7 Remake. The music unlocks something from my childhood every time I listen to it. I played it religiously when it came out. It helped me understand friendships, loss, death, hardship, but also love and connection. As a kid playing the original, it really helped me understand and connect with real-world issues, a reminder that not everything in our world is the bubble we think it is. The world is a scary place. But fast-forward 15 years, playing the remake still made me emotional and reminded me of all of that. That’s the power gaming and music has.

What does the word “gamer” mean to you? Being a gamer can mean so many different things today. A gamer can connect communities, create their own realities or worlds. A gamer can be a solo player IRL but have hundreds of connections online. Gamers have learnt how to be invisible, how to protect themselves, but also have so much potential to give to others — to teach and help younger generations how important being part of a community is. To build friendships and connections. Just being in a community has proven to save lives. That, to me, is the power a gamer has. We are not just the stereotype the media has put us out to be. We are so much more than that.

What is your biggest achievement: I’ve worked professionally in the gaming industry for five years, and one of the most incredible moments I had was being on stage during RuneFest last year, presenting awards to our community and hosting a Taskmaster-style game with our creators. Just being at a convention purely for RuneScape players was incredible. People coming up to you, wanting a picture and a chat, it was such a wonderful moment of connecting with the community I help manage. It’s moments like that which make you feel like “yeah, okay, maybe I’m not doing a bad job after all”. It’s something community managers definitely need to hear more of to keep them going.

What advice would you give to your younger self? Listen to your instincts. Don’t feel pressured to follow the crowd if you’re not comfortable. You are perfect just the way you are. Don’t be shy to talk to those around you. Those best friends you have now are the same friends you were scared to talk to for years because of your shyness and your fear that something was wrong with you. There’s nothing wrong with you. Talk more to your parents and tell them how you feel. Help them understand so they can help you.

Name: Sid Reddy

What do you do: I’m a Creative Producer at Jagex. I get to spend my days amongst all the wonderful artwork and video produced for Old School RuneScape, RuneScape and our newest release, Dragonwilds. I also do streaming and video editing with some friends under the name of “Begheads”. We are passionate about gaming and really want to change the stereotypes around women who game and also create a safe, inclusive space for LGBTQIA+ people to share their love of gaming.

What video game got you into gaming: The first game I got hooked on was Abe’s Odyssey, but the one I remember most has to be Final Fantasy VII. Everything about that game pulled me in — the art style, storyline, amazing characters, gameplay and music. I think that was the first game I played where every element merged together perfectly to fully immerse me in the world.

What is the last game that had an impact on you? Detroit: Become Human. I shed quite a few tears at that game. I loved the aspect of everything having a consequence — deciding between your head and your heart is so tough, especially when your beloved characters’ fates are on the line. Everything about that game was wonderful and I often revisit it to get a different ending. I also really enjoyed being able to see the stats of everyone else who had played the game and see who else made terrible decisions like me.

What does the word “gamer” mean to you? Being a gamer means someone who loves playing games and immersing themselves in a completely different world. It doesn’t matter whether it’s a console or your phone, whether it’s AAA or indie. What matters most is how the game makes you feel. If it gives you that warm fuzzy feeling inside or absolute rage because something has just beaten you for the 73rd time in a row, then that makes you a gamer.

What is your biggest achievement: My biggest achievement would definitely be being a Producer on Final Fantasy XVI. Eight-year-old me, sat hammering VII for all those hours, would never have thought they’d get to help make a game in the future. I definitely shed a lot of happy tears watching my name scroll on the credits, and I loved the game too. I really don’t think anything will ever be able to top that moment for me.

What advice would you give to your younger self? It’s going to be tough. It’s going to take a lot of hard graft. There will be some days you have to work many extra hours. There will be very quiet times. There will be doubt that you’re not doing a good enough job. There will be absolute joy seeing a project come to life before your eyes. You will accidentally see spoilers for games that you want to play while you work on them…still not over the Spider-Man spoiler I saw, can you tell?! You will get to see thousands of people enjoy your work. You will get sick of hearing the same voice lines over and over again. But when that project is completed and you get to see the magic you have helped create – how people throw themselves into the world you have helped to shape, hone and craft – trust me, it will all have been worth it. There is no greater achievement and pride than that.

Name: Lewis Howard

What do you do: I am a supporting/SPACTS artist for UK TV/Film.

What video game got you into gaming: Super Mario 64 was the first video game I ever played. It captured my imagination and wonder so quickly that I became infatuated with video games ever since.

What is the last game that had an impact on you? The last game that had an impact on me was Persona 5 Royal. It helped me get out of a very dark time in my life with how immersive and deep the experience of playing it was.

What does the word “gamer” mean to you? Gamer means someone who makes video games a significant part of their life — either through how much they play, or if they make it part of their identity or profession.

What is your biggest achievement: My biggest achievement would be creating a following on YouTube and Twitch based solely on my love for video games and the industry as a whole. In doing so, I have learnt various editing and post-production skills which have impacted my career prospects. Furthermore, my social media content has allowed me to make friends from all over the world and visit them when travelling abroad.

What advice would you give to your younger self? Not to assume I was an expert on a game or series simply based on my own experience. I was guilty of spreading misinformation on several occasions, which led to a number of arguments.

Name: Becky Saunders

What do you do: I’ve been in the games industry for several years and I’m currently working as a game dev club mentor, teaching kids coding!

What video game got you into gaming: I couldn’t put down Pokémon Red after getting it on my 6th birthday! I still remember my starter, a Charmander named “FIREBALL!”

What is the last game that had an impact on you? I’ve been replaying Animal Crossing: Wild World recently, which was a huge part of my childhood. It was the first life simulation game I ever played, and it’s what got me into the Animal Crossing series. It’s been a place to make so many great memories with friends, and it’s a great way to unwind after a busy day!

What does the word “gamer” mean to you? A gamer is anyone with a huge passion for gaming — no matter what genre or platform, and no matter what background you’re from!

What is your biggest achievement: Probably either getting my first credit on a commercially published game in my previous role, or having the opportunity to support the next generation of game developers in my current role!

What advice would you give to your younger self? Start making games now! Whether designing or coding, it’s never too early (or too late!) to start learning game development! (It’s a real career you can work in as an adult — I promise!)

Name: Maria Liciu

What do you do: Producer for premium and live-service games.

What video game got you into gaming: It wasn’t just one game – in my case it was the Prince of Persia: Sands of Time Trilogy! I loved the story and the gameplay. I think I have replayed those games over 15 times each.

What is the last game that had an impact on you? Hollow Knight: Silksong. I had been waiting for it to come out for such a long time, and it did not disappoint! It’s challenging, almost frustrating at times, but really fun and overall a beautiful game. Amazing work by Team Cherry, as expected!

What does the word “gamer” mean to you? Someone who appreciates the craft of people who have put years of work into their games. It’s about what playing your favourite games makes you feel, and how you can grow attached to incredible stories and IPs. It has nothing to do with age, race, gender or sexuality, and thankfully the space is growing and becoming more and more inclusive as time goes by!

What is your biggest achievement: I think the most meaningful moment in my career so far was the day I first entered the Gameloft Barcelona studio. I had only worked on small indie projects before, but it was my first day at a big company, surrounded by people equally passionate about making games – and it was really beautiful getting to work with such passionate hard-working people.

What advice would you give to your younger self? Keep doing what you’re doing and stop listening to the people who don’t believe in you. Don’t make decisions based on how others want you to live your life — take risks and have fun!

Name: Zaid Shaikh

What do you do: I’m a Game Designer at Firesprite. I write documentation on gameplay moments that outline what we’d need from every department. I relay all this information and ensure everything is aligned to the design intentions — basically, I talk a lot. I then incorporate everything together to get things playable and address any feedback from seniors or user tests.

What video game got you into gaming: Assassin’s Creed 2. I was at my friend Mangal’s place since he had high-speed internet, and we’d watch (and rewatch) all the coverage IGN had on the game. That was probably what solidified our friendship. I was enthralled by how expansive the world was. Coming from the Middle East, getting to explore Florence seemed only achievable in a video game. The game’s story, split between the past and present, was absolutely mind-blowing to me. I managed to get my mum to buy me a PS3 specifically so I could play it. At the end of it, I was so in love with the game that I wanted to make something like that — something that would inspire and spark imagination in someone else.

What is the last game that had an impact on you? I’d have to say Clair Obscur: Expedition 33. It’s definitely a game that is rough around the edges, but the love that you see in the story, the characters, the battle animations, and every other facet of the game makes it hard not to be inspired as a game developer.

What does the word “gamer” mean to you? Anyone who plays video games is a gamer, whether you play casual games, story-based games, multiplayer games, or anything else. The only real qualifier I have is that a gamer is also someone who is NOT toxic but instead creates a positive space for other gamers and game developers. This isn’t discounting constructive critiques, but people who harass and send death threats to developers are not coming from a healthy place.

What is your biggest achievement: I’ve worked in the industry for about six years, and someone recommended that I give a talk about my experiences at Teesside University. I spent about two days talking to college and university students about my time in the industry — starting in QA, what I learnt there, and my time now as a Game Designer. However, what made it my biggest achievement was talking to other international students about my experiences as an immigrant in the industry. Every single one of them mentioned that seeing “someone they could identify with” make it in the industry was inspiring for them. All the struggles I had been through — the jobs I didn’t get at the last minute due to visa issues and the months of stress not knowing if I’d be able to continue staying in the country I called home — became worth it. If people could see my story as inspiring and I could be a resource for them, I’d do it. It was the most gratifying moment of my career.

What advice would you give to your younger self? I would tell him about all the visa pitfalls I would fall through and that he shouldn’t stress his hair out. Things always find a way to work out.

Name: Serina Lopez

What do you do: I have an MA in Games Design and Development. I’m starting a gaming studio with my sister, and in my free time I am working on my game while looking for production and 2D artist roles in the gaming industry.

When did you decide you wanted to work within the industry? I was working in an office, helping to run an online workshop featuring a data scientist who helped create the Xbox Kinect. He was speaking about how he built the software and inspiring young people in the session, little did he know he was inspiring me too! I left the office with a spring in my step, approached my younger sister and said: “Maybe we should try and get into the gaming industry. We game all the time and we’re both artists. We need to make the leap.”

What is your biggest motivation for working in the games industry? Representation of Black women in games isn’t very good. Our representation usually leans on outdated stereotypes. As an indie game director with a background in illustration, I’m hoping to change that with my game, Enter Her Paracosm.

What video game got you into gaming: The game that made me fall in love with gaming is Tomb Raider. I remember as a child watching my dad play the game. I specifically remember the scary dinosaur that chased Lara through the cave, it gave me nightmares for a very long time. That was the first time I saw a woman as the main character in a game, and I immediately fell in love with it.

What is the last game that had an impact on you? Mindwave has been a very inspirational game for me. When I was working on my final year game, Enter Her Paracosm (my creepy-cute psychological horror game) at university, I loved the fast-paced WarioWare-style mini games and decided to incorporate a similar mechanic in my game.

What does the word “gamer” mean to you? A gamer is a person who loves to immerse themselves in different worlds.

What is your biggest achievement: I displayed my game at EGX/Comic Con 2026 and the Black Lines of Code Exhibition in December 2026. It was amazing to have members of the public give me feedback about my weird, pink, creepy-cute horror game. I would also say completing my MA was a pretty big deal, because I had no prior experience in the world of games.

What advice would you give to your younger self? Don’t stop! Don’t overthink!

Name: Iu Tirbio

What do you do: I’m studying video games programming and development.

When did you decide you wanted to work within the industry? Before entering high school.

What is your biggest motivation for working in the games industry? Being able to create a game that my family and friends can enjoy and feel proud of.

What video game got you into gaming: Mario Kart and some other Nintendo games.

What is the last game that had an impact on you? Sekiro and Elden Ring.

What does the word “gamer” mean to you? A person who enjoys playing video games as a passion or hobby.

What is your biggest achievement: Getting the platinum trophy in Sekiro and playing some notoriously difficult games like soulslikes and hard platformers.

What advice would you give to your younger self? It’s possible to work on what you’ve always dreamed of. Hard, but possible. Keep going.

Name: Elise Kampta

What do you do: I work in PR and run the Youth Board at Urban MBA.

What video game got you into gaming: Super Mario Bros on the 2DS. I remember my older brother had the DS and he would spend hours playing and working through the levels. I remember the first time I started playing it and was so captivated by all the different levels. I immediately got hooked on trying to do better than my brother, like who could finish a level the fastest. I just liked that the game was a relatively simple concept – just up, down, forward and backwards – but the colours and the different levels were really exciting.

What is the last game that had an impact on you? I would say Mario Kart World. It’s come so far in terms of the physics behind the motion of the characters and the design and graphics. Obviously the game has come out on the new Switch 2, and even using that console and – how you can utilise playing so much more easily than carrying a Wii around, for example – is very revolutionary.

What does the word “gamer” mean to you? I believe a gamer isn’t just someone who plays games, and it isn’t really defined by whether you play 100+ hours a week — it’s more about seeing gaming as a hobby. In the same way you can be a knitter, it’s a hobby you do and enjoy. I think it’s funny when people don’t see it as something you have to be good at, not realising the skill it takes.

Name: Dan Finch

What do you do: I’m currently the Community Manager of Out Making Games, where I help run events and the Discord server for LGBTQIA+ games industry professionals. I’m also on the lookout for my next full-time adventure!

What video game got you into gaming: My first gaming memory was Pokémon Blue on the Game Boy Colour. As a kid, I embarrassingly didn’t know what the “save” function did, so I would keep running the introduction, picking Squirtle every time. After discovering there was more than just Cerulean City in one sitting, it would keep me company on family holidays and allowed me to expand out into other games, consoles and eventually PC gaming.

What is the last game that had an impact on you? The final cutscene of Destiny 2: The Final Shape expansion. As someone with over 10,000 hours in the franchise, seeing my character grow and develop over that time into the culmination of Bungie’s first saga was truly special – with plenty of audio and visual throwbacks.

What does the word “gamer” mean to you? Despite the stereotype, I feel “gamer” can mean a lot of things, and that’s the beauty of it. Within the past 15+ years, we’ve seen popular culture change enormously — different genres, cultures and modes of entertainment. Tabletop gaming has exploded in popularity, arcades are still home to accessible grassroots events, and fandom has reshaped the conversation on how a developer or publisher interacts with their audience. The old guard of consoles and PC, alongside the emergence of mobile, is still important to the history and continuation of the industry. Despite its negative reputation at times, communities of gamers still come together – online and off – to support each other and charitable causes. At the core, creativity, challenge, compassion and the spirit of play are what I feel makes us “gamers”, regardless of our differences.

What is your biggest achievement: Running events at Develop:Brighton every year. Being able to physically meet people I’ve interacted with online, and hearing how I’ve supported or impacted their lives, socially or professionally, is always a humbling feeling to treasure.

What advice would you give to your younger self? I would go back to my younger self in high school, the one looking at gaming magazines for the next bit of games news to share with friends, despite being low in self-esteem and confidence. I would encourage them to keep being creative, being curious and to hold tight to that compassion.

Name: Sara Alvarez Gurdiel

What do you do: I’m a Senior QA Specialist, which means I get to be as nitpicky as my heart desires during the production process!

What video game got you into gaming: When I was about 5, I started showing interest in both technology and dinosaurs. My mum always encouraged me to explore my interests, so she got me a dinosaur-themed PC game that I found absolutely fascinating. The rest is history.

What is the last game that had an impact on you? I think my first console game, Pokémon Blue, left the biggest impact on me!

What does the word “gamer” mean to you? A gamer is anyone who enjoys playing video games. I don’t believe in gatekeeping that term.

What is your biggest achievement: Learning to ask for help and say “I don’t know”, and losing the initial fear of asking questions.

What advice would you give to your younger self? Sometimes it is better to just jump into doing something and failing than to wait for permission forever and never achieve your dreams.

Name: Djemy Oliveira

What do you do: I’m a Games and Nerd Culture Enthusiast, anime events assistant and recent games development graduate who has recently hosted an event aimed at students and graduates about how interests, hobbies and passions can help develop professional skills and create opportunities.

When did you decide you wanted to work within the industry? Only 2% of people in the games industry are Black, but as well as having my induction day at university, a former head lecturer at the time really inspired me.

What is your biggest motivation for working in the games industry? I think just creating awesome but meaningful experiences is one of my motivations. Although it’s getting better, people of colour are still slightly underrepresented. We are a major consumer group in this industry and I think we can have one of the best impacts on it in terms of our cultures and talent.

What video game got you into gaming: PSP, but mainly a lot of PS3 gaming. Ratchet & Clank was my first owned PS3 game.

What is the last game that had an impact on you? A game that had a really strong impression on me is Skyrim – so in-depth and detailed, and truly a hardcore RPG experience.

What does the word “gamer” mean to you? Someone whose way of life includes gaming.

What is your biggest achievement: Probably growing my network through networking, which has in return made me a stand-out student, but also the opportunities I have gotten and am getting because I am working tirelessly on my personal branding.

What advice would you give to your younger self? Keep dreaming big and never let anyone tell you otherwise.

Name: Leah Caldwell

What do you do: I’m a Producer at a large independent video game studio.

What video game got you into gaming: I was very lucky to have parents who both enjoyed playing games. The first game I remember playing was Alex Kidd on my dad’s Master System, but the memory from my childhood that sticks out the most is having my mum sit next to me while I played Spyro: Year of the Dragon, telling me which gems to go get next and to keep my eyes on Sparks as I kept diving off cliffs!

What is the last game that had an impact on you? I recently finished playing the wonderful Venba by Visai Studios. The game follows an Indian family migrating to Canada in search of a better life. It’s a beautiful and painful story about holding onto your cultural heritage and showing love through cooking. It’s a highly emotive game and I can’t recommend it enough!

What does the word “gamer” mean to you? Gamer is such a fun descriptive word that is very open-ended. What it means to me is someone who enjoys the medium of video games -whether that’s someone who engages casually or spends most of their waking hours playing. It’s an active media form that uniquely puts you in the shoes of the protagonist, allowing you to explore different ideas, worlds and ways of thinking – and it can be a form of escapism for those who need it.

What is your biggest achievement: For me, it was releasing my last project and seeing the players’ reaction to the game – getting to see how people interpreted and related to the story, and all of the incredibly detailed cosplays and prop-making that came from it too! I’ve met so many amazing and talented people through video games and I’m grateful that it’s been such a big part of my life.

What advice would you give to your younger self? It’s okay to take risks and challenge yourself to try new things. If I hadn’t side-stepped into advertising while trying to get into the industry, I may never have become a producer. You’d be surprised at how transferable skills can be to a career in the industry! Secondly, and something close to my heart – look after your team, spend time with them and get to know them as people. You’ll never know how long they’ll be in your life or the impact they will have on you, professionally and personally.

Name: Ivan Phillips

What do you do: I’m a South London College Lecturer in eSports and Game Design, and I also moonlight as an Indie Game Dev and Narrative Designer.

What video game got you into gaming: Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time. I remember the Christmas when my brother got me a PS2, and realising that this interactive piece of art in my hands was the most interesting thing I’d ever touched. The captivating story, the time-rewinding mechanic, I found it all fascinating and wanted to know how it was possible. This sparked a lifelong obsession with gaming and its creative potential.

What is the last game that had an impact on you? I’ve been trying to get into more multiplayer games such as Marathon recently. I’ve always been a single-player gamer, but my job as an eSports lecturer has made me re-examine how and why I play games. I think it represents something meaningful. Not just that it’s a new experience, but that it’s trying to do something new in a particularly crowded space. I find the game really interesting as it isn’t afraid to do something unique and appeal to a specific audience. Even if it’s a grand experiment that fails, I have so much respect for a team and studio that tries to find its own identity and ideals. The story of Marathon and Bungie resonates with me, and I find strength in trying to create something mechanically, aesthetically and narratively unique, it’s something I aim for in my own professional career!

What does the word “gamer” mean to you? A gamer can be anyone who wants to engage with the world of play: a board game, a tabletop role-playing game, an RPG or even a competitive shooter. It doesn’t matter what the format is, as long as you’re willing to engage with the rules set within it. For me, being a gamer is important to my identity as I want to be able to share my passion with other people and show them these fantastic, constructed worlds. I just want to show others the skills, the abilities, the experiences and the community I’ve gained through being a gamer.

What is your biggest achievement: I think my biggest achievement in my gaming career is being able to work with a really amazing team of writers and digital creatives on a project that unfortunately never saw the light of day. Even though there’s little I can say about the specifics, the effect it had on me was so important. It really gave me the confidence to believe that I could make it in the industry. I feel like everyone in this industry has stories like that, but we can commiserate about them, or we can carry the scars proudly. Make stories out of them. Use it for fuel on this journey. That’s how I like to interpret it, anyway.

What advice would you give to your younger self? Be patient, be kind and stay true to yourself. Tech will change and mutate and be a big part of your life, but people will always be more important.

Name: BigFuzzyYak

Platforms: Twitch (Partner), short-form social media

What do you do: I am a full-time content creator. I am a Twitch Partner and I also make short-form content for social media!

What video game got you into gaming? My dad got my brother an original Nintendo Game Boy. There were two games, Tetris and Super Mario Bros. I became obsessed with both. My parents enjoyed Tetris and me and my brothers liked Super Mario Bros. We then got a Nintendo and my parents enjoyed competing to see who could get the biggest castle on Tetris! And the rest of the games I enjoyed playing with my brothers.

What is the last game that had an impact on you? Fortnite has been a very important game that has had an impact on me. It has brought me so many friends, both casual gamers and competitors. We get to learn to work together, and we can just play a game for fun while talking about life.

What does the word “gamer” mean to you? A gamer is a pretty open term for me. It can be playing games on your phone, tablet, console, PC, or even a card game, board game or a game you play IRL with friends where you create your own rules. I feel like everyone is a gamer, but people don’t admit it because they have a misconception of what an actual gamer is. When people who tell me they aren’t gamers start telling me about a game they enjoy, I explain back to them that they are, in fact, a gamer!

What is your biggest achievement: I am an assistant organiser for Link Up London — a meetup space that brings gamers together in London. I love this. I also love helping new people start streaming and learn about the software. I am very proud of my journey and how far I have come, especially when I have seen so many give up and quit. Another moment I am really proud of was doing a charity stream for Cats Protection.

What advice would you give to your younger self? I would tell myself to go for it. Everyone belongs in gaming. I never saw any females or people who looked like me in gaming. So I am glad I got to be that person. I wish younger me could meet me now and receive all the advice and reassurance I needed. But most of all I am so proud of myself for just going for it!

Name: Nil Barrero Giró

What do you do: Student.

When did you decide you wanted to work within the industry? I watched a YouTube video about game design by Leyendas & Videojuegos.

What is your biggest motivation for working in the games industry? Creating worlds and experiences for other people, and for fun.

What video game got you into gaming: Mario DS.

What is the last game that had an impact on you? Baldur’s Gate 3.

What does the word “gamer” mean to you? A lover of the gaming experience.

What is your biggest achievement? I completed the first No More Heroes game on Switch — with Joy-Con drift — without upgrading the character.

What advice would you give to your younger self? Say yes.

Name: Bellayna Lopez

What do you do: Game Designer, Narrative Designer and Animator in an indie studio I have with my sister.

When did you decide you wanted to work within the industry? Although I had a deep love for games from early childhood, it clicked for me two years ago. My sister came home from work and said “Let’s study game design”, or something to that effect. Next thing I know, I’m studying a Game Design and Development Master’s. I’ve always been a creative person and I really want to showcase my skills in an industry I love.

What is your biggest motivation for working in the games industry? I want to leave my mark alongside my sister with our game studio, Eternal Toll Studios. I want to make story-rich games with high visual impact.

What video game got you into gaming? One of my earliest gaming memories was playing Rayman with my dad and sister. The vibrant colours, the gameplay and the music and sound design captured me.

What is the last game that had an impact on you? The latest game that had an impact on me is Noita. I have a love for pixel art and the game has its own engine that focuses purely on pixel physics. It’s so much fun, difficult and visually stimulating!

What does the word “gamer” mean to you? Simply put, a “gamer” in my opinion is someone who enjoys playing games and considers it a hobby. It could be broken down into specific platforms like mobile or PC, but at the end of the day a gamer is a gamer.

What is your biggest achievement? I made a game for my final year project called Biblically Inaccurate. I displayed it at EGX/Comic Con and Black Lines of Code and have it on Steam for wishlisting. I’m very proud of myself.

What advice would you give to your younger self? I would go back to my younger self just after finishing my BA in Animation. I would tell myself not to give up, to broaden my horizons, to keep building my portfolio and to never doubt myself.

Name: Ollie McLoughlin

What do you do: I’m a Senior Account Executive at Plan of Attack, an international video games PR agency!

What video game got you into gaming? Half-Life 2 really introduced me to gaming as an immersive, artistic experience. Being thrown into that bleak, dystopian world where humanity has seemingly lost against a totalitarian alien regime, and really fighting against that blew me away! Not to mention the intense encounters against the Combine, the incredible physics-based puzzles with the gravity gun, and that first time you explore Ravenholm…there’s a reason “We Don’t Go to Ravenholm”. What an incredible experience that really opened my mind to games as an artistic medium.

What is the last game that had an impact on you? Overwatch in 2016! It isn’t important to me because it challenged my thinking or let me explore gaming in a new light — instead, the game connected me to people throughout the world that I wouldn’t have met otherwise. I had never met people through a game like that before, and that really matters. Overwatch completely encourages teamwork in a way I had never properly experienced before. Even now, I hang out with my teammates from across the world, in person and online. Gaming is so special because it allows connections with people you may never have met otherwise – how special is that!

What does the word “gamer” mean to you? It’s all about play and expression! I despise how often people are criticised for playing, as it’s deemed childish and immature. It’s really not! Play is so important for de-stressing and having a good time, and gaming is a great expression of that. Surely being creative, exploring your curiosity and having fun should be encouraged! Gaming and play are so important, I really believe they should be available and accessible for everyone!

What is your biggest achievement? I’ve worked on some incredible campaigns and I really enjoy introducing small indie games to a wider audience. I feel like a professional hype man, and that’s great. Last year I gave my first talk at La Guilde du jeu vidéo du Québec in Quebec, Canada. Giving my first talk abroad was super daunting, but I had an incredible time sharing my experience in video games PR with developers and studios from a different part of the world. It was a humbling and insightful experience, and I’m really proud that I was able to deliver a successful presentation.

What advice would you give to your younger self? Don’t be afraid to be yourself! Being part of this industry can feel daunting, and I’ve definitely felt like I didn’t belong at times, but I truly feel like anyone can be themselves and be a valuable part of the games industry. Also, don’t be afraid to speak to people and ask for help. People have great advice, are open to chat, and 99% of the time are just as nerdy as you are!

Name: Sally Sheppard

What do you do: CEO of Wyrdren Games and Lecturer for Games and Esports at the University of West London.

What video game got you into gaming? MediEvil was the first game I ever owned, but it was probably Sonic Adventure and raising Chao that formed me into the Cosy Gamer I am today.

What is the last game that had an impact on you? Animal Crossing during COVID. Being able to hop to friends’ islands and hang out when we couldn’t be together in real life.

What does the word “gamer” mean to you? A gamer is anyone who has even a fringe interest in gaming! From Candy Crush to competitive esports – we are all gamers.

What is your biggest achievement? I feel really proud to have been chosen as part of the 2023 cohort for The Game Awards Future Class. Being platformed on such a large stage for the advocacy work I love to do was really special. I also love working in education and teaching the next generation of game devs, I get so incredibly proud when they enter the industry and thrive.

What advice would you give to your younger self? It’s always scary, it’s never not scary. Do it anyway!

Name: Boma West

What do you do: I’m a freelance pixel artist and motion designer with a passion for gaming. I also run a sprite animation channel on YouTube.

What video game got you into gaming? Sonic the Hedgehog was the game that started it all for me. As a child, that game definitely altered the trajectory of my future. Seeing a character like Sonic drawn so small with pixels, but still oozing personality and attitude, scratched an itch I didn’t know I had. Over 25 years later, that influence still shows up in my work.

What is the last game that had an impact on you? Bomb Rush Cyberfunk. I think it’s the only game I’ve gone out of my way to get all achievements for in recent memory – I was completely immersed. It’s a stylish cel-shaded freestyle movement game where you skate, run and tag graffiti around the city. It has a wide range of funky music that I still have in rotation to this day. It just hits different while you’re combo freestyling around the city.

What does the word “gamer” mean to you? When I hear the word gamer I think of someone who is interested in exploring different worlds. You can do so many things in gaming: link up with friends, go on solo adventures, express yourself and more. In fighting games, for example, landing a combo in a tournament that you’ve spent hours practising is a joy that I feel most musicians could resonate with. It’s similar to learning a song, with the added obstacle of dealing with an opponent. That difficulty adds to the reward. The level of interactivity in games isn’t as easily achieved in other mediums, it’s definitely a huge strength to be celebrated.

What is your biggest achievement? I have two. Being in the credits for FFVII Rebirth was an amazing feeling. And reaching over 50,000 subscribers on my sprite animation YouTube channel was a huge milestone! The channel heavily leans on gaming as an influence with constant references.

What advice would you give to your younger self? While I have no regrets about how my path unfolded, I would tell myself to lean harder into pixel art and sprite animation rather than considering it “just a side thing” while investing a lot of my time elsewhere. Looking back on my career so far, that was where I really defined myself and where I had the most fun expressing myself creatively.

Name: Martina Mora Torres

What do you do: I am studying to be a technical artist, while also trying to create an indie studio!

What video game got you into gaming? Minecraft was my first complete introduction to the gaming world, but games like Mirror’s Edge were what inspired me to create games.

What is the last game that had an impact on you? I was playing Cuphead for inspiration for our school project, and I really liked the art and the vibe. You could tell the human effort behind all that work.

What does the word “gamer” mean to you? A gamer is a person who plays games. I don’t think there’s more to it than that. If you like playing games, you are a gamer, and that’s incredible! You enjoy this medium of expression that has this huge capacity for telling stories and experimenting with concepts that other mediums can’t.

What is your biggest achievement? Being able to make a game — doing the art, the programming, the music. Seeing it all come together and having people play it. That’s beautiful.

What advice would you give to your younger self? Keep pushing the limits. You are almost near to achieving your dream. And remember that you don’t need to follow a single role — you can in fact do both code and art, you can even make music!

Name: Siti Ab Halim

What do you do: I work in finance, but in my spare time I game online with friends!

What video game got you into gaming: Yoshi’s Story on the N64! It holds a special place for me as one of the first games I ever played, thanks to my dad who liked it too.

What is the last game that had an impact on you? Look Outside, a pixel indie horror game currently on Steam that came out in 2025. A turn-based RPG with great characters, engaging dark-humour narrative, multiple endings and challenges, and a fantastic soundtrack.

What does the word “gamer” mean to you? I don’t think there’s any real way to define what a gamer is — whether you started 50 years ago or just now. As long as you’re enjoying yourself, I think that’s enough! People say you need to put hours into your gaming experience, but really, who has time for that?!

Name: Pau Díaz

What do you do: I am a university student currently studying Game Design at ENTI in Barcelona. I also sometimes work part-time as a programming teacher, and I am aiming to get more involved in the industry, whether via translating, QA, level design or similar.

When did you decide you wanted to work within the industry? Since I was a toddler with Pokémon, I knew I wanted to make experiences that felt fun for everyone and be able to share that fun with as many people as possible. It was more of an “I want to contribute to this” rather than “I just want to make games”.

What is your biggest motivation for working in the games industry? I want to bring the fun to people, and I feel like contributing to this is my calling. Games captivated me as a kid, and I want to show everyone how amazing they can be.

What video game got you into gaming: It definitely was Pokémon Diamond and Pearl.

What is the last game that had an impact on you? I have a lot of games that could fit here lately, but the biggest impact came from the original Silent Hill on PSX. The way it’s designed and its mechanics really do make the game terrifying. The ambient sounds, music and general setting are deeply unsettling and gave me chills all over. This opened my eyes to the fact that you don’t need hyper-realistic graphics and jump scares to make a great horror game – good game design and game feel are what make it.

What does the word “gamer” mean to you? A gamer is simply a person who likes to game and does so, either casually or more actively.

What is your biggest achievement: There are two, which aren’t related at all but both hold great meaning regarding my passion for games. The first was when I decided to compete in a Regional Pokémon Championship — a decision I’ve never regretted, and I hope I can keep doing it in the future alongside working in the industry. Having so many people around me connected by our love of the game, and getting to know wonderful people, was an eye-opening experience. The second was when one of my university teachers praised the level design of a game project I was a part of — acting as lead game designer — in front of a whole class, using it as an example that games can be fun even if the programming isn’t perfect. That made me very happy.

What advice would you give to your younger self? I would probably tell myself to dive into the world of competitive gaming and game development much earlier, and to keep it up.

Name: Michelle Tilley

What do you do: I’m the Manager of the Publishing Management team. As a Manager, I oversee a global, diverse team that oversees the digital publishing and release management for all PlayStation Studios products across all our video-game platforms. This is really amazing, as we get to work across both the development and marketing lifecycle working with studios, marketing and business teams. Day-to-day, this ranges from budget and resource planning, setting strategic goals, project management or working with the team to triage problems in the publishing pipeline. I’m extremely lucky to work with an amazing team of people who surprise me everyday with their ideas, ability to problem solve and make me laugh. I’m also a part-time student, currently studying to get my Masters in Business, which has definitely been an interesting experience with a busy job and life as a mum! It’s part of my aspiration to have a seat at the table where decisions are being made, or if there’s any Hamilton fans out there – I want to be in the room where it happens!

What video game got you into gaming: The game that made me fall in love with gaming was Final Fantasy 7 – the gameplay, the story and the characters where unlike anything that I’d seen before. Particularly Tifa and Aerith, who were these strong, badass women who could embody emotion and lay the beatdown on bosses at the same time!

What is the last game that had an impact on you? I love narrative games and anything with rich, narrative stories and interesting characters! Expedition 33 was the last game to make me cry, not just because of those cursed beach levels and my haphazard ability to fall off the edge at any given time, but I wasn’t emotionally ready to love those characters so much (and question why no-one is concerned about Monoco eating so many feet). I’ve also been playing Dispatch recently, which has some of the best voice-acting and character development I’ve seen in recent years!

What does the word “gamer” mean to you? It has mixed feelings in all honesty. In my early career, a lot of people assumed I wasn’t a gamer which I found quite jarring considering I’d been a gamer my entire life! I felt like I had to prove to people that I was a gamer to validate my opinion and experience at times! Inherently, I am a gamer – it’s one of my biggest passions and I’ve worked in the industry a long time and these assumptions are changing.

What is your biggest achievement? Two things in particular stand out – establishing my team during Covid, which also coincided with the year the PS5 was launched, and that was certainly a one-of-a-kind experience. But also, working with InnovateHer on Digital Bootcamps to get young women and non-binary folks from different backgrounds interested in a career in tech and games. Was truly a rewarding journey to see first-hand the talent that is coming into the games industry!

What advice would you give to your younger self? Don’t be afraid of the no’s and failing, lean into your superpowers! As gamers, we are used to failing and learning from our mistakes in order to level up – and that applies to life too, as clichéd as that sounds!

Name: Elisha Cole

What do you do: I’m currently a freelance digital strategist in the entertainment industry. My most recent clients are Pokémon, agencies and indie gaming studios.

What video game got you into gaming? I have a love for fighting games, especially Mortal Kombat and Street Fighter. I also love Resident Evil and Tomb Raider. I have such fond memories of my parents playing them when I was younger. That is what made me want a career in gaming.

What is the last game that had an impact on you? Resident Evil 2 (Remake). Capcom reimagined a cult classic, bringing back waves of childhood emotion and making it even better! I got to relive that moment again and it looks stunning.

What does the word “gamer” mean to you? Being a gamer is one of the many outlets that allows you to express who you are. It’s one of my main sources of creativity and allows me to switch off from the world around me. I love being a gamer and having the freedom to explore something that a team of dedicated people have poured everything into to create a vision — that’s something special.

What is your biggest achievement? I recently worked on a small marketing campaign that made a huge impact in both sales and team morale, which made me so proud. My job is normally to amplify — which is equally important — and normally sits within a bigger picture. But this time, I could see that the amount of effort equalled the impact, and that was a big achievement for me.

What advice would you give to your younger self? I would say to diversify my portfolio from the start. I started out studying how to make games and ended up getting into marketing a little later, which stunted my career progression.

Name: Jose David Padilla Lopez

What do you do: I am a player support agent and also work as a freelance voice actor for indie games. I am passionate about shooter games and classic Tetris. I am also studying data science.

What video game got you into gaming: Medal of Honor on PS2. The first time I played I was so curious about how the war started and everything related to it. While completing the story mode I used to read about WWII. I kept asking myself how a video game was taking me back in history and making me feel such stress about every soldier who lost their lives there. I realised that games make us part of a story, we develop the story and the main character together.

What is the last game that had an impact on you? It wasn’t a game, it was a person I was playing with. I was playing Fortnite in a public match and was matched with a guy from South Korea; he seemed to be in his twenties. We talked about our lives because we both detected that English was not our first language, and we started talking about work and everything. During the match he told me he was depressed and that playing Fortnite was the only thing making him feel valuable and like he was doing something good with his life. I didn’t know what to say because I didn’t know his reality. So I decided to say: “You are helping me win my first battle royale here.” And he started to cry because it was the first time he felt someone had recognised him. I was in shock because we couldn’t imagine how important an accomplishment or a kind word could be for someone. Playing a video game, we are looking to achieve something – but it doesn’t always need to be a medal or a point.

What does the word “gamer” mean to you? I don’t believe in the word gamer, or in trying to make a definition for something bigger. My grandpa was a gamer, a gamer of blackjack and jackpot, and it does not classify in the gamer world we used to know. My mother is a gamer because she spends so many hours playing Candy Crush, and she doesn’t feel like a gamer. Basically, I define the word gamer as someone who enjoys an activity that involves using their cognitive skills to receive something back. It could be a job, too. But the word gamer can’t be encapsulated as someone who is only involved in PCs and consoles. Everyone is a gamer.

Name: Marina Kutt

What do you do: I’m a Player Support Content Manager, passionate about accessibility.

What video game got you into gaming? My dad bought us a Game Boy and my brother and I took turns playing Tetris!

What is the last game that had an impact on you? Candy Crush Saga. Listening to players – their wants, needs and what the game means to them – changed the way I thought about the impact a game can make on someone’s life.

What does the word “gamer” mean to you? Everyone can be a gamer, in a similar way to how everyone can be a reader. You just need to find your kind of game.

What is your biggest achievement? Working in Player Support, my proudest moments have to do with bringing game teams and players together — seeing how player feedback makes a difference in the game, and how the game makes a difference in the players’ lives.

What advice would you give to your younger self? Go with the flow. Be open to new dreams. If you just keep your eyes and mind open, and a curious and kind attitude, everything will turn out okay.