What do you do: I am a content creator for Endpoint LIVE, creating a mixture of beauty and gaming content.

What video game got you into gaming: Growing up, I loved casual games like Crash Bandicoot and Injustice 2, but my go-to game is VALORANT.

What is your biggest achievement: Receiving the women in esports scholarship at University of Roehampton, which enabled me to enter the industry I know and love.

What is the last game that had an impact on you? VALORANT has been a significant game for me as the female characters are all strong individuals in STEM. The game allows for positive inclusivity and the community is great for Women & Marginalised Gender initiatives.

What advice would you give to your younger self? Be yourself, take every opportunity that you can and have fun!

What does the word “gamer” mean to you? Someone who enjoys escaping to a different world and playing an empowering character.

What do you do: I’m a Gaming content creation, started as a hobby and slowly growing on the scene

What video game got you into gaming: Golden Axe on the Sega Megadrive. My ‘aha!’ moment was when you could grab, jump and slam trolls

What is the last game that had an impact on you? I’ve recently started a playthrough of God of War 2018, and everything from the mythology to the cinematics and depth in the storyline has had me in awe. I’m a sucker for deep, gripping and somewhat complex storylines, and this game literally hit the spot.

What does the word “gamer” mean to you? Rather than it being a meaning, it’s a feeling. A feeling of being safe around other gamers, relatability, camaraderie and, in all honesty, it feels like a secret society!

When did you decide you wanted to work within the industry? Around 2023, when I started to gain a voice within the community and insight into the possible roles I could segue into. It wasn’t an event that swayed me per se, but more what the landscape looked like through my eyes and what I felt I could possibly contribute.

What is your biggest motivation for working in the games industry? I’m a creative at heart. I feel I’ve got a lot to give creatively, and I’d love to see what I could do from a professional perspective in the industry. My ultimate achievement would be to see my name in a game’s credits – I can’t lie, I think that would bring a tear to my eye!

What is your biggest achievement: When Mr Midas invited me onto his show. This meant a lot because we are from the same walk of life; he embraced me when I wasn’t known and took a chance on me, giving me visibility and further exposure. I remember coming out of that pod energised and excited – from that point forward, I felt like I could achieve anything.

What advice would you give to your younger self? Hey… younger you… Tap into your creative side NOW, never stop creating, try, try, try, and try! Keep throwing things at the wall until something sticks. It’s OK – we’ll end up being great in the end.

What do you do: I do Business Support

What video game got you into gaming: Tetris!

What is the last game that had an impact on you? Thank Goodness You’re Here

What does the word “gamer” mean to you? People who love having fun with friends

What advice would you give to your younger self? Pursue your passion – Don’t wait to be confident, confidence grows with every step you take

What is your biggest achievement: Seeing Game Republic win the Develop Star Award for supporting the games industry in The North

What do you do: I’m a Producer (Film & Documentaries)

What video game got you into gaming: GoldenEye on the N64. I played a few video games before, but the N64 was my first proper console and GoldenEye was my first game. A friend and I used to walk to school together every day, and, each morning, he would come over early so we could play a few rounds of multiplayer before heading off.

What is the last game that had an impact on you? The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt. My father passed away a few years ago. There was a time, over the Christmas break, when he was in hospital. My mum, sister and I would come home after visiting hours, and once everyone else was asleep, I played The Witcher 3. Aside from being a fantastic game, it was a much-needed respite during a difficult time. I will forever love that game.

What does the word “gamer” mean to you? Someone who loves video games… Also, someone I’d likely get along with.

What is your biggest achievement: My dream has always been to make movies. A few years ago, I produced my first feature documentary, If the Streets Were on Fire. It premiered at the BFI London Film Festival, was acquired by BBC Storyville, longlisted for a BAFTA, and won two BIFAs, including ‘Best Feature Documentary’.

What advice would you give to your younger self? Be good. Do good.

What do you do: I am an Artist and Content Creator with a day job on the side.

What video game got you into gaming: Honestly, Fortnite. I was going live on TikTok painting my art pieces and a lot of my community also loved gaming, so a few others and I started Fortnite Fridays and streamed them weekly. I applied for a creator code and was accepted pretty much instantly, so everyone told me I should start streaming on Twitch. I did, and I’ve spent the last 2 years growing an amazing Art/Gaming Family-Friendly Community.

What is the last game that had an impact on you? I just finished playing a beautiful cosy game called Jusant, which is not what I would usually play. The game itself is beautiful, but the story behind the game is so mysterious it actually leaves you thinking so hard about the game itself. I was mesmerised, and the soundtrack that went with it left you feeling so happy. I’ve never really had that before, so that was awesome to experience.

What does the word “gamer” mean to you? Someone who loves playing games! I have never been ‘Amazing’ at gaming (My friends will tell you that) but I have always loved it! It was always a place to go and get lost in another world and join up with friends for me, so it’s like a second home but online, I guess?

When did you decide you wanted to work within the industry? The last 2 years streaming and networking with others at events like Insomnia and EGX has made me realise I love the gaming industry. I don’t really have many qualifications, but I have been a part of so much already. I believe if you enjoy your work, it isn’t really work.

What is your biggest motivation for working in the games industry? The community and seeing others’ experiences with a game. Everyone always takes something different away from a game!

What is your biggest achievement: Building such an amazing family-friendly community that support one another and aren’t just online friends but real friends IRL too!

What advice would you give to your younger self? Don’t let the fact that you are a little different or a little less advanced stop you from enjoying gaming and enjoying something you love!

What do you do: I’m a Games Design Lecturer and Independent Games Developer

What video game got you into gaming: StarFox 64 and Pokémon Yellow in the 90s were core parts of my childhood. Getting addicted to a port of Bubble Bobble in my teens pushed me into becoming a developer. Its unique approach to defeating enemies and expanding on the “Super Mario Bros arcade” experience was inspiring.

What is the last game that had an impact on you? Demon’s Souls Remaster on the PS5. There’s this moment where you’re on a bridge full of enemies and a dragon keeps spawning above to try and kill the player. After multiple attempts of trying to brute force the bridge ending in failure, I tried running when the dragon started breathing fire, which managed to kill all the enemies on the bridge making it easier to pass. This moment made me appreciate the outside-of-the-box solutions that the game provided and that the entire game is effectively one big puzzle, as opposed to the “dodge, roll and parry” memes the series became known for.

What does the word “gamer” mean to you? Somebody who has an enthusiasm for all aspects of gaming – the art, sound, visuals and gameplay.

What is your biggest achievement: Having games published on the Nintendo Switch.

What advice would you give to your younger self? Start off small and simple, and work your way towards bigger and better projects. The best ideas are born from simple, playful mechanics.

What do you do: I am the founder of Panda Cat Games

What video game got you into gaming: Growing up, we always had video games in the house. Games like Bomberman on the Amiga and Golden Eye on the N64 showed me how great games were at connecting people and creating fun shared moments.

What is the last game that had an impact on you? Indika – it really pushed the bounds of genre, you can’t really fit it into a bucket, but it’s so creative and outside of the box, it really left a lasting impression on me.

What does the word “gamer” mean to you? To me, I usually think of video games. Anyone that likes to play a digital experience, even if it’s playing Candy Crush on mobile. A gamer is someone who wants to be immersed in an interactive experience, the way that no other medium can.

What is your biggest achievement: Founding Panda Cat Games and the development of the early version of our game, Spirits of Heartwood. We’ve been able to put a joyful experience together within 6 months and showcase it at over 5 events, even making an appearance on BBC Radio Leeds and pitching to a room full of investors in Sweden!

What advice would you give to your younger self? Have belief in your abilities and what you can achieve and always trust your gut.

What do you do: I’m a Game Designer

What video game got you into gaming: My older brother introduced me to games so it’s always been something we’ve connected on since a young age, so rather than a game as such I’d say it was that experience he shared with me, we’d play anything Sega Master System, and Megadrive, Sonic and Micromachines!

What is the last game that had an impact on you? As a game designer it’s always thought provoking to play any game because you think about all the decisions leading you’re experience. Right now I’m playing through Split Fiction and the most interesting thing I’m finding is how it feels the gameplay has been adapted to make their games even more accessible, but still hugely skillful and challenging, the game is incredible at making you feel essentially like a superhero.

What does the word “gamer” mean to you? I feel like we all grow up as gamers, as kids everyone plays games and they always have, way before video games were a thing. Everyone enjoys solving puzzles or challenging each other, so I’d say “gamer” to me means a term for everyone.

What is your biggest achievement: I’d just say every game release always feels like a huge achievement, making something that makes people happy!

What advice would you give to your younger self? I changed from a different academic path into games and worried it might be a bad choice because I didn’t really know if making games was actually something you could realistically do, but you can, anyone can, I did! So I’d just reassure myself I made the right choice.

What do you do: I’m an animator

What video game got you into gaming: Final Fantasy Tactics

What is the last game that had an impact on you? Outer Wilds

What does the word “gamer” mean to you? A connoisseur of good art

What is your biggest achievement: Mentoring in Limit Break and seeing mentees shine

What advice would you give to your younger self? Be your authentic self because you have an artistic voice that’s worth sharing

What do you do: I’m a Writer for film, games and TV.

What video game got you into gaming: Super Mario Bros – I grew up with the NES.

What is the last game that had an impact on you? I’m loving Enshrouded, which is an early access survival/base builder. The different environments and the building mechanics were so creative, and really immersive even in the current pre-release build.

What does the word “gamer” mean to you? Anyone who plays games is a gamer! I think the term is sometimes gatekept if you’re not into a certain type of game, or only play casually – but there are so many different genres and types of games. I think if the term felt less exclusive, it would be more inviting to a lot of people who automatically assume it’s not for them, or that they wouldn’t be good at it – the more diversity within the audience, the better it is for the industry as a whole.

What is your biggest achievement: Getting an Emmy nomination for The Pirate Queen with Lucy Liu (and having Lucy Liu bring my writing to life!)

What advice would you give to your younger self? Lean into the things that fascinate and obsess you – your interests and take on the world are what will make you stand out.

What do you do: I’m the Community and Events Manager at Nintendo Social Group, plus Esports and Events Manager at mayamada.

What video game got you into gaming: Halo

What is the last game that had an impact on you? Balatro

What does the word “gamer” mean to you? Someone who enjoys a form of entertainment that can be fixated or relaxed with.

What is your biggest achievement: Running one of the UK’s largest Pokémon GO events (1,600+ attendees) that featured in multiple media outlets.

What advice would you give to your younger self? Look into gaming apprenticeships early and don’t be afraid to make big jumps.

What do you do: I’m a freelance Game Artist.

What video game got you into gaming: The Warriors

What is the last game that had an impact on you? Resident Evil Village

What does the word “gamer” mean to you? Someone who enjoys games and is inspired by the art

When did you decide you wanted to work within the industry? 2019, played Resident Evil 2 remastered and realised that it was possible

What is your biggest motivation for working in the games industry? Creating unique characters, environments and creatures

What is your biggest achievement: Being noticed by artists from Destiny 2 and The Witcher 3

What advice would you give to your younger self? Keep progressing with Art and to ignore those that say it is not a “real” job

What do you do: I’m a Senior Producer.

What video game got you into gaming: Pokémon Blue on Game Boy Advance

What is the last game that had an impact on you? Yakuza: Like a Dragon. I loved the narrative arc of rags to riches, mixed with K-drama type vibes. All of this piled together in an old-school RPG really left a massive impact on me.

What does the word “gamer” mean to you? A gamer is just anyone who enjoys games, whether that’s mobile, console, PC or any of the above. If you’ve ever played a game, enjoyed it and came back to it. You’re a gamer in my eyes.

What is your biggest achievement: Platinuming Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater Remaster 1+2.

What advice would you give to your younger self? Ultimately, don’t be so hard on yourself. If you’re better than you were yesterday, you’re doing awesome. Equally though, I truly believe there is no replacement for experience — I wouldn’t be where I am today without the failures as much as my successes.

What do you do: I’m a Receptionist and Social Media Manager

What video game got you into gaming: The Sims

What is the last game that had an impact on you? Kirby and the Forgotten Land

What does the word “gamer” mean to you? To unleash fun, creativity and imagination!

What is your biggest achievement: Willingness to learning.

What advice would you give to your younger self? Don’t be afraid of your creativity and feel you must choose one avenue.

What do you do: I’m a Game Developer.

What video game got you into gaming: Castle Crashers

What is the last game that had an impact on you? Portal 2

What does the word “gamer” mean to you? Someone who enjoys playing games

When did you decide you wanted to work within the industry? Want to work in the video games industry

What is your biggest motivation for working in the games industry? When I was a kid and was thinking about how games were made

What is your biggest achievement: Publishing a game on xbox

What advice would you give to your younger self? Make more games.

What do you do: I’m an Author , Game Dev and Co-Founder

What video game got you into gaming: SSX 3 (Snowboard racing!)

What is the last game that had an impact on you? Little Nightmares 2 – love the narrative, ultimate twist & betrayal at the end! I love any games with strong storylines

What does the word “gamer” mean to you? Anyone who loves games no matter the platform. It doesn’t matter if you play Elden Ring on PC or Candy Crush on mobile – you’re a gamer either way!

What is your biggest achievement: Working with several indie game studios, writing narrative, designing levels & helping push demos live! (Plus coming to events like this). As an author, writing for games has been a dream come true.

What advice would you give to your younger self? You don’t have to be a programmer (or super tech-savvy) to become a game dev. There are so many members in a team (music/art/story) that all contribute to creating something amazing!

What do you do: I do Business Support

What video game got you into gaming: Cabbie! – The Game

What is the last game that had an impact on you? Cabbie! – The Game

What does the word “gamer” mean to you? An individual committed to playing or using games, specifically video games across multiple platforms

What is your biggest achievement: Being part of Tea Stained Games Ltd

What advice would you give to your younger self? Be part of the gaming community

What do you do: I used to work in HR in video games, now HR in film. Ex-streamer, current host in the games industry 🙂 (current project Slow Games Club podcast – Into Games)

What video game got you into gaming: Pokémon!

What is the last game that had an impact on you? Not one specific experience, but was a juror for BAFTA games – “new IP” which got me playing smaller games I’ve never played before and it was incredible, multiple genres and types of games. Made me not only appreciate games more but different cultures and experiences

What does the word “gamer” mean to you? Anyone that plays games for pure fun. Loads of people think gamers must be competitive aggressive playing but you could play COD or “cosy” games and be a gamer all the same

What is your biggest achievement: Doing HR in two completely different game studios. Helping those who make the games we love was a privilege. Also being asked to be a BAFTA juror and going to the pre-BAFTA drinks

What advice would you give to your younger self? Be you, you are great, games are great and it is a valid career choice, trust in yourself and you’ve got this!

What do you do: I’m a Games QA Tester

What video game got you into gaming: Sonic the Hedgehog 2. It was one of the first video games I played and something both my Dad and I really liked

What is the last game that had an impact on you? Baldur’s Gate 3. I love how the game allows you to play in a way that suits you best. It’s also a game that my friends and I really enjoy playing together.

What does the word “gamer” mean to you? The word gamer means that you play to win but most importantly, you play to have fun and immerse yourself in a variety of in-depth worlds.

When did you decide you wanted to work within the industry? I’ve always wanted to develop and test games since I was young due to my deep passion for gaming.

What is your biggest motivation for working in the games industry? To be able to test a variety of games for them to be released to the public for gamers to love and enjoy

What is your biggest achievement: I have a game that includes me in the credits for my work as a Lead QA Tester.

What advice would you give to your younger self? To stay strong and motivated, be resilient and most importantly, stay true to myself.

What do you do: I’m Lead Artist at Sad Owl Studios

What video game got you into gaming: The Orange Box came at the perfect time for me. I was already a Half-Life fan, but it got me into my first multiplayer game, Team Fortress 2!

What is the last game that had an impact on you? I played Hellblade 2: Senua’s Saga with headphones on, right close to my screen, and it reminded me just how intense an experience playing games can be compared to other media.

What does the word “gamer” mean to you? I used to identify more as a Gamer before I became a Game Dev, but it’s not a term I shy away from because, yeah, I love games – they’re an amazing form of entertainment and storytelling.

What is your biggest achievement: I was the Lead Artist on the game Viewfinder. We won a lot of awards, which was great, but better than that was working on the sort of game I’m a big fan of.

What advice would you give to your younger self? Know what you’re worth! When you’re an entry-level or junior artist who’s desperate for work, it’s easy to take any job that comes your way, but you still need to eat and live.

What do you do: I’m a multidisciplinary artist; my projects employ film, still imagery, aural and visual archives, live performance, objects, the grand sound and thumping prog-rock soundtrack, not to mention the unique and bold game design.

What video game got you into gaming: One of my earliest gaming moments was playing “Hang-On” for the Sega Master System. My Mum bought the console for my brother, the version of which came with 2 in built games: the aforementioned and “Safari Hunt”. I was blown away in a manner that words cannot do justice, but from those moments, I was completely fixated on this interactive, fun, imaginative space of escape. A space to dream, to be immersed and to be communal in.

What is the last game that had an impact on you? I’m currently playing Hades, a Roguelike game that has you play as Zagreus, son of Hades, whom is battling through the underworld in order to find his mother Persephone. I love everything about this game – the enriched mythological story, captivating voice acting, visual design, the game balancing and its incentivising through its rewards systems.

What does the word “gamer” mean to you? A gamer can be many things in my opinion. However, the basis of a ‘gamer’ person who enjoys and is engrossed in the culture of gaming (that can be different from person to person). This could be a person who enjoys single player experiences or multiplayer, a person who is in love with soundtracks or somebody who appreciates the multiple facets of the art form. Anybody can be a gamer. A gamer is somebody who likes games.

When did you decide you wanted to work within the industry? I’ve always been interested in the industry, but I could never afford doing the courses as a kid, since they were very expensive and I can from a low-economic background. I pursued art as a career trajectory, however, have references games in my work over the last two decades. I have come to a point in time where I have built the skills and knowhow (although always more to learn) to pursue the potential of making a game, which I intend to make.

What is your biggest motivation for working in the games industry? The desire to make a game! There are stories I want to tell that don’t yet exist in the gaming realm, but also, I want to bring all of the skills and artistic (and technical) knowhow I have built over the years to manifest through the medium. This will be done independently, but I have been looking forward to collaborating and connecting with others on this journey.

What advice would you give to your younger self? This is a part of the rest of your life, so don’t sweat it, enjoy the ride and what doesn’t become possible now, will do in time. And don’t listen to the naysayers.

What do you do: I’m a composer.

What video game got you into gaming: Final Fantasy IX

What is the last game that had an impact on you? Like A Dragon Gaiden: The Man Who Erased His Name

What does the word “gamer” mean to you? Someone who is open to exploring different mediums that thrive at the epicentre of creative and technology, and someone who is open to different experiences and storytelling.

What is your biggest achievement: Contributing to the music of Assassin’s Creed Shadows!

What advice would you give to your younger self? Never stop creating and sharing your work, be open to pivoting and be adaptable. There is a space for you and if there isn’t, you have the power to create your own space.

What do you do: I’m an esports student and content creator

What video game got you into gaming: Minecraft

What is the last game that had an impact on you? Final Fantasy, due to the art style and how the game looks and feels. It makes me feel like I’m in that world and it feels like home for me.

What does the word “gamer” mean to you? A gamer to me is someone who works on a game or plays games. This is why being a gamer is more than just playing games – calling yourself a gamer could mean you’re a maker of games, as you’ve got to have that love and passion for gaming to want to be seen as a gamer.

What is your biggest achievement: Working with my college to establish an esports course and team. We can change the way people see video games and help bring gaming at a professional level open to people.

What advice would you give to your younger self? Never back down from your dream of working in the video game world, as by the time you’re an adult, you will have set the path for yourself to be in that world and you should be proud of yourself.

What do you do: Content Creation, Live Streams, Events, Representative Work, Social Media, and Retail

What video game got you into gaming: Street Fighter and Tekken. I’m particularly drawn to the Fighting Game genre

What is the last game that had an impact on you? Tekken 8. I play it extensively to practise my skills, attend events and tournaments, watch tournaments live or through replays, and study professional player and guide videos/streams

What does the word “gamer” mean to you? Having a passion for gaming and enjoying it tremendously. Being a player, being involved with the community, and/or wanting to be part of the industry

When did you decide you wanted to work within the industry? Ever since I first attended gaming events that showcased gaming. I was quite young at the time

What is your biggest motivation for working in the games industry? It’s my passion. I want to be involved, be part of the community and give back to it

What is your biggest achievement: Winning several local/small tournaments

What advice would you give to your younger self? Don’t let anyone stop you from doing what you want to do. If gaming is your passion, go for it.

What do you do: I’m a business owner & content creator

What video game got you into gaming: When I was a kid I fell in love with Sonic 1. I would always go to the tech store to play it after school.

What is the last game that had an impact on you? Definitely God of War Ragnarök – The relationship between Kratos and Atreus was so touching.

What does the word “gamer” mean to you? The word gamer for me means imagination and being able to be anything that I choose to be. It allows me to bring those thoughts into fruition with my day-to-day and progress towards my goals.

When did you decide you wanted to work within the industry? I’ve wanted to be in games since I was young and had the opportunity to work in the industry. I finally started working in the industry back in 2006 with SEGA and never looked back.

What is your biggest motivation for working in the games industry? I now run my own creator agency and because of this it’s made me want to get into the industry even more than I am as a creator, events organiser and business owner. I love the industry in general and having worked in the industry on all sides, it’s my home.

What is your biggest achievement: Achieving Twitch Ambassador, starting my agency Beyond and heading the Link Up London events.

What advice would you give to your younger self? Never doubt your power to achieve, never let negative things determine your path.

COMING SOON

What do you do: I’m currently a Gaming Community Manager for The LEGO Group. I also do digital design and I’m a content creator.

What video game got you into gaming: I don’t think there is only one answer to this one, but I’m going with the OG Streets of Rage on the SEGA Mega Drive.

What is the last game that had an impact on you? Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth – One of the main characters goes through a health battle, similar to something I went through. Seeing it represented in such a strong character certainly left an impact.

What does the word “gamer” mean to you? A gamer to me is just someone that enjoys playing video games. I’ve never seen it as a negative myself, even though I have been labelled as odd most of my life for playing video games. I’m not keen on descriptors like casual or competitive. If you enjoy gaming, you’re a gamer, and our love for the medium is what makes the gaming community incredibly special.

What is your biggest achievement: I was very proud to be involved in the 25th and 30th anniversary campaigns of Sonic the Hedgehog whilst working at SEGA. When I was still a university student, I designed a celebration piece for the 20th Anniversary. To do something as a fan, to then later on actually work on the official campaigns is something that I’ll never forget.

What advice would you give to your younger self? I definitely wish someone had told me it was possible to have a career in video games when I was younger. It’s a tough industry to get into, very competitive, but I do believe part of the challenge is lack of belief and/or external support. Believing you can is half the battle.

What do you do: I’m a volunteer Discord Moderator for Into Games & Content Creator

What video game got you into gaming: Pokémon Red

What is the last game that had an impact on you? Minami Lane is a cosy game where you build a street for the local people. It is Japanese-inspired and brought back memories of my visits to Japan. It is also such a chill game that it left a memorable impression.

What does the word “gamer” mean to you? Gamer means to me someone who enjoys escaping to other worlds and universes. They are also someone who appreciates the hard work that goes into making and creating video games.

What is your biggest achievement: Becoming a volunteer moderator for Into Games has to be my biggest achievement so far.

What advice would you give to your younger self? Just be your true self and never apologise for being a creative soul.

What do you do: I’m a Co-CEO & Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Consultant

What video game got you into gaming: Prince of Persia on an IBM – I would spend hours as a young child on that game! Between that and Super Mario Bros. on the NES, my whole childhood was influenced by gaming. It taught me the value of problem-solving, which is something I carry with me to this day.

What is the last game that had an impact on you? Dungeons of Hinterberg – The way this game explored the issues with overtourism and how it can kill the culture of small towns was brilliant – and touched on the environmental impact that humans have on nature. It’s definitely a game that left an impact and one I strongly recommend playing, it’s very fun!

What does the word “gamer” mean to you? I have a complicated history with the word ‘gamer’ – It’s very difficult for me to detach it from GamerGate. I struggled to identify myself as a gamer as a result of the negative impact that GamerGate has had on the gaming world, and on society at large. It’s a word that’s been historically gatekept and that has heavy notions attached to it, but I am proud to be part of a movement seeking to challenge this term and make it a positive one that people can be proud of!

What is your biggest achievement: The most meaningful achievement for me has been hearing the impact my work has had on people – whether it is people telling me they have seen the impact of my work at their studio and are now able to feel safe and feel like they can be themselves, unashamedly, at work; or indies that are able to operate thanks to the work myself and everyone at Code Coven does. This industry is nothing without its great people, and it’s always a massive honour to be part of the folks who get to support the creativity and the brilliant minds of everyone in games.

What advice would you give to your younger self? To begin with, I think I’d have told myself a career in games is possible! Twenty years ago, it’s simply not something that was talked about at all – I hadn’t even considered it until I’d been working for a decade at that point. My biggest advice is – look for all the roles that exist in games (there are a TON!!!), and pursue that with passion. Be creative about finding ways to break into the industry. And importantly, do not let others tell you how you are supposed to work & behave in the industry, find your path and stick with it, trust yourself!

What do you do: I’m a Games Developer

What video game got you into gaming: Boom

What is the last game that had an impact on you? Among Us

What does the word “gamer” mean to you? Someone who enjoys playing video games as a hobby, like a fan who supports a product a little more than someone who casually engages with it by chance or mere convenience

What is your biggest achievement: Presenting our first demo at EGX 2023 was a huge moment for me, and the positive feedback we got exceeded all expectations

What advice would you give to your younger self? A first draft is always perfect, because its only job is to exist. The smallest step forward is still a step in the right direction. Fail fast – anything worth doing is worth doing badly.

What do you do: I’m a Founder and Technical Director at Tea Stained Games

What video game got you into gaming: The Sims

What is the last game that had an impact on you? Split Fiction

What does the word “gamer” mean to you? A person that enjoys playing games

What is your biggest achievement: Releasing the demo of my first game as the founder of the studio

What advice would you give to your younger self? I would tell myself earlier in life that I can in fact have a career in video games. I haven’t seen myself as a gamer even though I’ve been playing games at a very young age. I’ve only realised I could pursue a career in University after making a video game as part of a programming course and after attempting a career in multiple other fields.

What do you do: I don’t work in the games industry yet, but I’m having my second stage interview in 2 days! Fingers crossed!

What video game got you into gaming: I don’t remember because when I was old enough to remember, I was already playing games!

What is the last game that had an impact on you? Crawl – it was fun to play games to relax with new friends!

What does the word “gamer” mean to you? Just anyone who likes to play games!

When did you decide you wanted to work within the industry? I’ve always wanted to work in the industry but whilst growing up, I felt like I had to get a “proper” job. However, after having worked for 4 years as a web developer, UX/UI designer and project manager, I decided to take a career break to learn game development and to release my own indie game on Steam. Now that it’s released, I’m having a game development interview soon and hopefully I’ll land the job!

What is your biggest motivation for working in the games industry? It seems fun! It’s something I always wanted to do.

What is your biggest achievement: I released my first indie game on Steam. It’s called Pool 2, check it out!

What advice would you give to your younger self? Be true to yourself and choose the life that you want to live, without fear of judgement.

What do you do: I currently working in retail as a customer advisor.

What video game got you into gaming: When the Trocadero arcade opened, which had many different games.

What is the last game that had an impact on you? Final Fantasy X. I loved this game for its storytelling, visuals and OST! It’s especially meaningful as my partner introduced me to it.

What does the word “gamer” mean to you? Being a gamer means escaping the real world where I can have my downtime, shut myself away and become immersed in a really good story.

What is your biggest achievement? I say my biggest achievement would have to be getting my level 3 diploma in motor vehicle, as I had to go through a lot of hardships from people saying I couldn’t do it but I did! My family always believed in me and that’s what was important to me.

What advice would you give to your younger self? I say, never regret doing anything that you think you can’t do! Always see the positive side of things and you will be able to achieve great results!

What do you do: I’m a Commercial Finance Analyst – Budgeting, forecasting and all things finance related with our games!

What video game got you into gaming: Worms – I particularly loved using the baseball bat to send enemies flying across the map!

What is the last game that had an impact on you? God of War: Ragnarök – The character development of Kratos from an anger-filled boy to a more emotionally-controlled and mature man is a journey that’s told amazingly.

What does the word “gamer” mean to you? Anybody who enjoys games! No matter what level of competence, if you are enjoying yourself, you are a gamer!

What is your biggest achievement: Seeing my name in the credits of a PlayStation game! That was only a dream for me when I was growing up.

What advice would you give to your younger self? Own and embrace your passion for video games early – it wasn’t just a phase!

What do you do: I’m an Indie Game Developer

What video game got you into gaming: Civilization

What is the last game that had an impact on you? Beacon Pines. A really great encapsulation of friendship, power, and how choices matter.

What does the word “gamer” mean to you? Anyone who plays games of any type in any situation.

What is your biggest achievement: Making Knights and Bikes with such a tiny group of people and learning lots of new aspects of making and marketing games.

What advice would you give to your younger self? Focus on your communication skills as much as your technical skills.

What do you do: I’m a Social Media Manager and Violinist

What video game got you into gaming: Puzzle Bobble

What is the last game that had an impact on you? Bloodborne was one of the most impactful experiences of my life: the gameplay, the setting, the music. I fell utterly in love with all of the opera.

What does the word “gamer” mean to you? Being part of a community that understands me. Not being alone in this world.

What is your biggest achievement: Playing at the Golden Joystick Awards, recording a video game soundtrack as first violinist at Abbey Road Studios and working full-time in the industry in the same year felt like the biggest achievement… so far. 😉

What advice would you give to your younger self? Go out of your comfort zone and connect with as many like-minded people as you can. It may seem cheesy, but friends and connections really are gamechangers.

• What do you do: I’m an Indie Studio Founder and Podcaster
• What video game got you into gaming: Crash Team Racing for the PS1. Along with its remake, these are two games I am above average at, so they hold a special place.
• What is the last game that had an impact on you? It was Astro Bot. As a life-long PlayStation fan, the nostalgia hit differently and took me back throughout my years of gaming.
• What does the word “gamer” mean to you? Anyone who plays anything with button presses and graphics classifies as a gamer to me, whether it’s a nan playing Wordle or a pro playing professionally.
• What is your biggest achievement: There have been quite a few. On one hand, I got to do my first public speaking over three panels at EGX 2023, pushing myself out of my comfort zone. I also started a podcast and hosted an accessibility game jam, the latter of which I was especially pleased about as I’m a proud advocate for accessibility and getting developers thinking about it.
• What advice would you give to your younger self? Keep pushing through. There are days where you feel like giving up, but it’s going to be worth it with the friends you make. It’s a tough time in the industry, but weathering the storm will pay off in the end.

What do you do: I’m the Director of Maximalist (indie games studio)

What video game got you into gaming: Digimon World on DS

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

What does the word “gamer” mean to you? Someone that loves video games shamelessly!

What is your biggest achievement: Working through a whole release cycle on Space Salvage!

What advice would you give to your younger self? Go to networking events even if you’re scared!

What do you do: I am a streamer, presenter & DJ. I currently work with Wired Productions presenting on their Twitch channel, showcasing new games and interviewing game developers alongside creating my own content.

What video game got you into gaming: I fell in love with Pokémon Leaf Green on the Game Boy and then Halo.

What is the last game that had an impact on you? Baldur’s Gate 3 really opened my eyes to great storytelling, amazing voice acting and just general attention to detail. You have to check under every rock, or you might just miss hours’ worth of gameplay.

What does the word “gamer” mean to you? I think to me a gamer is someone who has fun, delves into different worlds and experiences, and enjoys an escape from reality. I think others hear the word gamer and naturally think lazy/jobless, but that is just because they haven’t experienced it.

What is your biggest achievement: Streaming on Twitch’s front page, showcasing Gori Cuddly Carnage to thousands of viewers who all love indie games.

What advice would you give to your younger self? Take the bloody leap. Ten seconds of courage can change your life. Say yes to the opportunities that get given to you and don’t give a damn about what others are thinking. Always, always network. This industry is full of amazing people and let them discover how great you are at what you do!

What do you do: I’m a Creative Director and Artist

What video game got you into gaming: Final Fantasy 7

What is the last game that had an impact on you? Metaphor: ReFantazio

What does the word “gamer” mean to you? Anyone who enjoys games and feels that they have an impact on their life. This can be either big or small. I think it’s helpful for people to have labels they can use to help identify their interests to connect with others, and in this way anyone can use it and it has space to mean different things for different people. Labels only get us so far, so you’ll always have to do more defining beyond it no matter what situation or whom you talk to.

What is your biggest achievement: Launching our indie title Sorry We’re Closed! It was a lot of work but worth it in the end!

What advice would you give to your younger self? Don’t let formal requirements dissuade you from trying to reach out and find your place in the industry. You have more to bring to the table than what a degree alone can show; creative people are happy to collaborate with other creatives.