This is the second part of the interview. To read the first part, click here!
M: What are the points you enjoy the most while working in the industry?
C: In a first place, I would say “the atmosphere”. For most professionals in the industry, video games are above all a passion: we start gamers and then learn to create things ourselves. So we have the chance to work with a group of people who look like us: passionate, caring and eager to make a great gaming experience.
Secondly, I would say ‘constant training’. It is impossible to know everything, to know all the software, all the trades, all the pitfalls. We learn all the time, both technically and socially. You never get bored.
I think for most young workers in the industry, gambling is the main attraction. The more time passes, the more secondary the game becomes and the team, the framework and the mandate take precedence.
M: What are the negatives when working in the industry?
C: Since video games are a profession of enthusiasts, people tend to get very emotionally involved in development. Sometimes I spend more hours than it would take to solve a problem, or think about it all weekend. You have to develop an ability to detach yourself and move from work to personal life. This is not obvious when the subject is a passion.
There is a lot of competition in the field. Many very talented people discover an imposter syndrome. Knowledge is so infinite, so we are always learning continuously. We must accept that we do not know and will never know everything.
As software and techniques evolve at a crazy speed, we must take the time to train on new technologies. This is difficult to combine with a busy life. A balance has to be found.
Marc: What advice would you give to students who want to enter the industry?
Charlotte: To integrate the industry there are several factors to consider:
- You have to build a portfolio or a website: a support that proves your knowledge and skills.
- You will need contacts, networking is very important. This can develop at social events, on forums/Twitter/Discords but it already starts in your school. Your attitude is as important as your skills. No one likes to work with divas.
- Timing is important: Studios in full production or at the end of production do not hire many juniors.
- When playing games, ask yourself how things are done.
- Make personal projects, but don’t aim too big, a small, well-pushed portfolio is better than a huge average portfolio. Look at people on Artstation, be inspired by paintings, natures, movies.
Marc: What advice would you give to parents who want their children to play in moderation?
Charlotte: I was addicted to video games from the age of 10 to my 18th birthday. I found that school really had no interest besides my virtual life. Today I regret not having worked more on my art classes and maths, because both are useful to me on a daily basis.
I would say to parents that video games can be many things: a romp, a challenge, a social moment, an immersion in a story (like a good book), a puzzle and many other things.
Try to understand what attracts your children to that world. A kid who plays Zelda Breath of the Wild and another who plays Fortnite are not looking for the same things at all. Unlike television, video games are an active moment: you have to think, be focused, have reflexes, etc…
Video games are a hobby. I think we must try to understand what need the child is trying to fill: A need for escape, social, belonging, competition or reflection?
If he is really passionate about the world of the game as well as the creation, there are free software with a lot of content available on YouTube to start learning (Unity, Unreal, Blender)
Do you have any other tips for parents who don’t know a video game?
Look at the Ratings! Too few parents know the symbols and buy things that are too violent for their children.
Yes, some games contain drugs, sex, physical or verbal violence. If you consider that your children are too young to see this kind of thing, you have to know how to decode the covers.
Then I would advise to talk to your children, ask them to show you what they like without judging them.
Playing with my child father is a dear memory for my heart and I’m glad I shared it with him. I was also happy to play alone with my virtual friends. The video game is the bubble of the person, his quiet little corner, his romp.
What are you playing at the moment? And do you recommend the titles in question?
Right now I don’t have too much time to play. I’m on the Beta of Baldur’s Gate 3, but otherwise I redid old Classics Arcanum, Caesar 3. Sometimes I watch my spouse play newer tracks like Ori or Zelda.
Do you have any games to recommend for the kids? and for teenagers?
For children there are a lot of fun games to do with the family on Switch: Overcooked, Mario of course, Minecraft,Spyro, Ultimate Chicken Horse, Sims.
For teens, we can hardly miss Fortnite, League of Legends or DOTA 2. Some single-player games are great adventures like The Uncharted, Tomb Raider, Horizon Zero Dawn. The whole thing is to always check the rating or to know enough about the games to know that they are suitable for your children.
Charlotte, on what social networks can we find you? Do you have any creations, sites to promote?
I am on Artstation,even if my profile is no longer really active since my time as a technical artist. Otherwise Twitter and Linkedin of course!
Charlotte, thank you very much for your time and advice.
Thank you Split Screen for giving me the opportunity to share my opinion and experience!
I hope my article will help parents better understand their children or some children find their way! Let them not hesitate to contact me if necessary, I would be happy to answer them 🙂
