Kieran Nee

PGDip Computer Games Technology, 2004

Tell me more about what your job involves?

I’m a Lead Client Engineer on the upcoming game ‘Gears Pop!’

It’s basically a combination of technical design, programmer management and actually getting involved in the programming myself, mainly through trickier stuff like bug fixing.

So what’s Gears Pop! all about?

There’s a limit to how much I can say since it was only announced at E3 but Gears Pop is a new mobile game that’s a combination of Gears of War and Funko Pop!

Sounds pretty unique!

It is! It’s the first Funko Pop! Game that there’s ever been.

You’ve worked on loads of iconic games, are there any titles you’re particularly proud of?

To be honest, most of them! The Movies was my first big one, Fable II did well and was fondly received and I’m proud of my independent stuff like MMA Manager. Only two people worked on that and it’s an indie game which actually made money!

What was it like to work at Lionhead?

It was pressure cooker stuff, but it was a really creative, hard-working environment where a lot of people worked far too hard to very tight deadlines to get interesting things done!

You’ve worked for major studios, but you’ve also worked on independent games, how does the development process differ between the two?

In an indie style environment the big difference is that you have to realise you’re responsible for everything. You’re dealing with the business, you’re paying tax, you’re talking to the press, you’re talking to artists and as a programmer you’re also writing the code. It’s multi-tasking and planning.

It’s very interesting and challenging, but it’s not something I want to do any time soon again! It did set me up well for my current role, which involves much more management and long term planning.

How did your Abertay degree help you get to where you are now?

To be honest it got me straight into my job at Lionhead. The gaming industry was nowhere near as big back then and the app store explosion had yet to happen. There were nowhere near as many companies, so just getting in the door for an interview was very difficult.

You were involved with DARE in 2002, what was that like?

It was almost as valuable as my degree. Eighty per cent of my team are still working in the gaming industry today.

What advice would you have for our current students?

If you’re looking to get into games make sure you have a portfolio and when it comes to interviews relax! We’re usually really nice people. At Mediatonic in particular we’re pretty much always looking for graduates who’ll talk to us.

Apply everywhere. Not everyone will get their first interview, it’s the nature of the beast. There’s a lot of competition but the more relaxed you are in interviews the easier it goes.