STAFF PROFILE: SIMONA, STG PROGRAMMER
What do you do day to day?
I work on a variety of different things: I maintain the games engine, solve bugs, implement new features, and incorporate completely new technologies into the engine. I also support the games teams, and design and develop tools that will improve their productivity.
It’s very stimulating to work side by side with games programmers and artists, and understand their views and needs.
What is it like to work at Rare?
The people:
The atmosphere is great, and very international. Many people move to the UK to work at Rare, so if I feel homesick I have plenty of colleagues that understand me.
I was a bit afraid I would find a misogynous environment, but the guys here are so friendly that they nicely welcomed even a girl that claims she is a Software Engineer… we could do with some more girls, though!
STG is quite dynamic, because every new Software Engineer starts work on the engine in this department before deciding to stay or move to a game team, and everybody work on a variety of different tasks. We all discuss together the design of new tools and we cooperate to solve problems.
The environment:
The grounds are amazing, plenty of space to have a walk and relax. In the summer, when the lunch tables are set outside, and there are people playing football or ping-pong, or simply chatting in the sun, it feels a bit like a holiday resort… of course we go back to work after lunch.
I like the countryside and I decided to live in a small city close to work, but Birmingham is very close, so the life here never gets dull. |
