Behind the Pixels: How Developing Games Shaped My Endava Career

In a world driven by technology and constant innovation, the experiences that shape our professional journeys are often unique and unexpected. For me, one of the most transformative experiences has been developing games. This passion for creating enthralling interactive worlds has fueled my creativity and profoundly influenced my career as a Frontend Developer.

A Simple Childhood Fascination

My love for games began in childhood, playing classics like Golden Axe, Pac-Man, Alley Cat, and Prince of Persia. These games sparked a deep fascination with immersive worlds and intricate mechanics. Captivated by the idea of creating engaging experiences, I started experimenting with basic programming and game development tools. Without a formal computer science degree, I taught myself the necessary skills through online tutorials, game development forums, and small personal projects. This self-taught journey was challenging but incredibly rewarding, providing a solid foundation in both technical and creative aspects of game development.

From Art to Professional Skills

Before fully diving into game development, I worked as a freelance concept artist, designing environments and visual elements for various projects. This role taught me the importance of visual storytelling and attention to detail, skills that have been incredibly useful in game development and beyond. Transitioning to frontend development at Endava, I found that my background in game development allowed me to approach projects with a unique perspective. The skills and techniques I acquired through game development directly apply to frontend development, particularly in user experience (UX) and user interface (UI) design.

Lessons Learned from Game Development

Game development taught me several valuable lessons that have become integral to my career:

Problem-Solving Skills: Developing games requires constant problem-solving, from debugging code to balancing game mechanics. These skills have been invaluable in my role, where I have the opportunity to tackle various challenges.

Team Collaboration: Game development is a collaborative effort involving artists, writers, programmers, and designers. Effective communication and teamwork are essential to bring a shared vision to life. These experiences have been instrumental in working within cross-functional teams to deliver innovative solutions to our clients.

Creativity and Innovation:? The gaming industry thrives on creativity and pushing the boundaries of what’s possible. This mindset of continuous innovation translates into developing technology solutions that meet client needs and exceed their expectations.

Attention to Detail:? Games are all about the details, from graphics realism to gameplay intricacies. This attention to detail ensures we deliver high-quality, meticulously crafted solutions.

Impact on my Career

When I joined Endava, I found a company that values technological excellence and innovation, resonating deeply with my background in game development. One of my first projects involved designing and implementing a user-centric application. Drawing on my game development experience, I applied principles of user engagement and intuitive design, creating a functional and enjoyable product. This project reinforced that the skills developed through game creation can significantly impact a professional setting.

The Journey Ahead: A Passion for Interactive Experiences

While my current role focuses on frontend development, my passion for video games and interactive experiences continues to drive me. I aspire to work on projects that blend my love for gaming with my technical skills, creating impactful and immersive user experiences. I also hope to inspire my colleagues by demonstrating how creative and technical skills from diverse fields can lead to innovative solutions. The lessons and experiences from my game development background not only shape my career but also serve as a source of inspiration for others in our team.

Game development is more than just creating entertainment; it’s a dynamic playground for developing highly transferable skills in the tech industry.

Thank you to our game developer Laura Lesjak for her contribution!