Growing up as the jack-of-all-trades' archetype, I didn't know what I wanted to do for my career, and decided to pursue Architecture, studying it at University of Brighton. Whilst there, I developed my ability portray my ideas verbally and visually, by creating technical drawings and making physical models before presenting them in studio. 

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However, I struggled. Being the Swiss-army-knife type, I was confident that I would be able to do it if I put my mind to it but, like many creative disciplines, architecture is a subject that requires passion in order to succeed, and eventually I realised - I didn't really care all that much about buildings.

 

So, this time guided by my passions, I searched for a new direction and that led me to the thing I had always loved -  games!

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I then enrolled on a Level 3 Software Development Apprenticeship, which taught me how to develop software for clients & the importance of agile, developed my managerial skills over a few years in sales, and eventually saved up to study BSc Games Programming at Kingston University, of which I graduated with a First Class Honours.

 

I knew I had finally found my vocation because I felt how having passion for the projects you work on can make all the difference. It fuelled me to not just meet my expectations, but to try and surpass them just for the love of the game, so to speak - and that's done wonders for me ever since.

 

I've since graduated a Masters degree in Game Design with a Distinction grade - where I was also able to  develop my leadership & project management skills by leading multiple projects, and most recently I completed a bootcamp by Game Design Skills aimed at Mid/Senior game designers. It taught me how to establish and refine the elements of a game to create a satisfying & visceral game feel for players. That bootcamp not only taught me a ton of incredibly useful game design skills (e.g. understanding player psychology, utilising player skills to keep them satisfied, employing the 3Cs to make a game stand out AND feel good, effective principles and tools for game balance, & more), but it also helped me realise that, while I am fond of everything that goes into making a game immersive - I LOVE making well thought, robust and satisfying mechanics and systems. 

 

So... Where am I now?

 

I'm still a bit of a game design generalist, but I'm looking to pursue Gameplay, Systems or Technical Design roles, with a long-term dream of becoming a Games Director / Principal Game Designer. And to get there, I'll never stop learning everything I can fit in my brain about games development, regardless of discipline. I enjoy developing my project management and leadership skills by taking on leadership roles if there is a need of one, and I want to be able to effectively communicate with a colleague in any department.

 

...Aaand I may have established my own little indie studio called Qualia Games - but that's something you'll hear more about later!

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If you've read this far, thank you so much - I really appreciate it!

 

You can find my Portfolio here. 

 

If you would like to get in touch, please find my contact information and CV below.

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All the best,

Rolandson Thomas