Karl Wickens

I love working out how things work, whether its nature, technology, puzzles or strategy I like to make connections. That shows up in the games that I play - all about the puzzles and strategy and not so much the twitch. I love spending time with my kids and teaching them about the world. I also love going to the gym and finding new electronic music.

_favourite Game

The Last of Us

_favourite BOOK

His Dark Materials / Book of Dust

_Currently learning

How to get the most out of my Analogue Pocket

Questions & Answers

Earliest gaming memory?

Answer

Nintendo Game and Watch: Popeye (1981)

What was the game that triggered you looking at games as a career?

Answer

It was probably Wipeout. I was already studying Computer Animation, and Wipeout seemed to be the breakout of games from the gaming monoculture into a wider entertainment culture.

What did you study at School or Uni that you feel was valuable for a career in games?

Answer

I did Computer Animation and Visualisation. The course is still running and it was so valuable as a grounding for how Computer Graphics works and what's important in an image. For me this has been a foundation that's made it easier to learn new tools and put new technology into context. I'd really recommend this as an approach for any Art or Technical Art student, it's much more valuable than following the tutorials that show you which button to press in a specific piece of software.

Game that has inspired you the most?

Answer

Hohokum: this fun little game actually pointed me towards a whole load of new music and artists that I still listen to today.

What is the first game you worked on?

Answer

Evolva

Games you’re the proudest to have worked on?

Answer

Firestorm for Battlefield V. It was a great team and we made a huge map that nobody thought was possible.

If you weren't making games?

Answer

I'd love to combine computer graphics with something mechanical and make fascinating, kinetic, geometric sculptures that are utterly pointless!

Top 3 games of all time?

Answer

#1 - Last of Us #2 - Ico #3 - Rez

Hardest game boss?

Answer

Anything that strips away the effort you've put in to building your weapons and gives you something special you have to use just for that fight.

_TIME REMAINING