Kat Unsworth

I’m very passionate about all things characters. When I’m not making characters for work I’m using my 3D printer to create character figures, playing video games or hanging out with my cats. I have a weekly D&D game with friends which has been running for well over 5 years! To relax I also like to do yoga, read, do nail art and bake cakes!

_favourite Game

Dragon Age Origins

_favourite BOOK

Mistborn - Brandon Sanderson

_Currently learning

Embroidery

Questions & Answers

Earliest gaming memory?

Answer

My earliest gaming memory is of watching my Dad playing the original Tomb Raider games. I just remember thinking how cool it was seeing her doing these amazing things and outwitting her enemies to get what she needs. Once old enough I played through them all myself and fell further in love with Lara.

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

Answer

Funnily enough, probably the Sims 2. Simply because I used to mod it in my spare time for fun - I would make outfits and hairstyles for my sims. It wasn’t until I went to Uni though that I realised that people actually made Character assets for a living, then I knew that was what I wanted to do.

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

Answer

I did a Game Art Degree at University. It introduced me to all kinds of game art (environment, vehicles, characters, concept art, etc.) It helped me discover what area of game art I was most interested in. But to be honest, the most valuable thing about that experience was time. I had 3 years dedicated to getting better at my craft. Also my fellow students became the foundation of my professional network after graduation.

Game that has inspired you the most?

Answer

Dragon Age Origins was the first game that I played that had a very lasting emotional impact on me. I was already studying Game Art at the time but playing this made me really want to make characters that people loved and cared about. It made me realise how much I care about narrative in games and character design.

What is the first game you worked on?

Answer

Angry Birds Transformers!

Games you’re the proudest to have worked on?

Answer

I’m most proud of a cancelled project ‘Tomorrow Falls’ which I worked on at DPS Games (Wargaming UK) We had a lot of involvement from the inception of the project and got to develop a whole casts of characters including some concept work.

If you weren't making games?

Answer

I always joke that I would be running a pizza and cocktails library café. But I think in reality I would have loved to have gone into costume design – I did a lot of textiles and other crafts growing up. It was always going to be something creative.

Top 3 games of all time?

Answer

#1 - Dragon Age Origins #2 - Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess #3 - Mass Effect 2 Honorable mentions – Final Fantasy 12, Oblivion, Skyrim, Mario Sunshine, Tomb Raider: Legend, Final Fantasy XIV, Overwatch, The Sims

Hardest game boss?

Answer

I don’t know if this counts - but the hardest game ‘boss’ I ever beat was ‘Through the fire and flames’ on Guitar Hero 3.