SPARK ID
# 23
Design Director
Mark Bridges
_Favourite Game
What Remains of Edith Finch [by Giant Sparrow]
_Favourite Book
The Name of the Wind [by Patrick Rothfuss]
_Currently Learning
The Ukulele
Questions & Answers
Questions & Answers
Questions & Answers
Questions & Answers
Questions & Answers
Questions & Answers
Questions & Answers
Questions & Answers
Questions & Answers
Questions & Answers
Q
Earliest gaming memory
Answer
My dad installing Doom onto the PC that until that point had only really been used to browse Encarta. It blew my mind and I enjoyed watching my older brothers play it as much as i enjoyed playing it myself.
Q
What was the game that triggered you looking at games as a career?
Answer
I think Halo: Combat Evolved was the first time I became aware of a development team behind a games creation. But my first job in QA was probably the first time i thought, "I think I could do that (design games)". It was working for Firemint (went on to become Firemonkeys) and I was asked to start provide design feedback on level designs.
Q
What did you study at School or Uni that you feel was valuable for a career in games?
Answer
A lot of arts stuff through school (Drama, Singing and Art) which then were bolstered with technical skills in later education with Maths, Physics and Theatre Studies A-Levels.
Physics BSc at university helped a lot with becoming a Technical Designer, but i think my arts background is almost as useful when it comes to game design as the technical education.
Q
Game that has inspired you the most?
Answer
The game that has inspired me the most has been "What remains of Edith Finch", a short, storyful game that really leveraged game mechanics to evoke emotions in the player that mirrored the characters.
They also developed the game in the way i like to, fast prototypes with lots of iteration in a highly collaborative team.
Q
What is the first game you worked on?
Answer
Rolling with Katamari
Q
Games you’re the proudest to have worked on?
Answer
Star Wars Battlefront Rogue One X-Wing VR Mission, Battlefront 1 & 2, Battlefield and NFS Most Wanted & Unbound
Q
If you weren't making games?
Answer
Working outside - Tree Surgeon or something
Q
Top 3 games of all time?
Answer
For their time:
#1 - Red Dead Redemption
#2 - Elden Ring
#3 - Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare (2007 - the first time around)
Q
Hardest game boss?
Answer
SIFU - Sean the Fighter
Great boss but a nightmare considering I had not engaged with the high/low dodge mechanic which this boss is essentially skill gating the player on.