In this interview, we speak with Ben Cahill, Gameplay Engineer at Frost Giant Studios, about his journey from database engineering to developing real-time strategy games. Ben provides practical insights into breaking into the gaming industry, overcoming challenges in the early stages of his career, and the complexities of building bots and gameplay systems for Frost Giant’s upcoming RTS, Stormgate.
Key Takeaways:
- The Career Leap: Why Ben left database engineering behind to pursue his passion for gaming and the unexpected paths that led him to Frost Giant Studios.
- Nailing the Interview Process: Lessons learned from early missteps, including a pivotal moment at Blizzard, and how persistence shaped his approach.
- Breaking into Frost Giant: A behind-the-scenes look at the determination and strategies that helped Ben secure his role at a new studio.
- Building Systems from Scratch: The exciting yet demanding process of creating gameplay systems and AI bots, offering a glimpse of the challenges involved in game development.
- Advice for Aspiring Engineers: How staying curious, valuing teamwork, and sharpening problem-solving skills can set you apart in the competitive gaming industry.