What
do you do at Ukie?
To put it simply,
a lot of my job is really just about getting that key story of video games and
the industry across to the right people. That means talking about how video
games are now a vital part of modern culture, how they contribute both
artistically and economically to the UK, and also that they are yet another
jewel in the crown of the UK’s global soft power.
The
UK is the birthplace to some of the biggest blockbusters in the medium
including Tomb Raider and Grand Theft Auto, but it’s also home to a vibrant
indie games industry as well as more experimental games such as Media
Molecule’s Dreams. It punches way beyond its weight (thanks to the incredible
people behind these games), and part of my job is to demonstrate that as
justification for providing support to the industry in various ways.
A more boring way to put it is I help ensure that the political and
regulatory environment in the UK is in tip top shape so that games companies
who operate here can thrive.
In terms of what this looks like day to day, it varies. One day it can be
putting an VR headset on an MP as they visit a local games studio, to writing
out hopefully persuasive documents to government.
I
also work with our sister sectors across the creative industries for any
wide-reaching issues.
What
made you want to work in the games industry?
I genuinely
think games are an amazing art and entertainment form. I’ve always loved video
games and grew up watching countless streams of E3. However, I never really
expected to work in games. I
studied history at university, and just knew after graduating I wanted
to work in the public policy/public affairs space – I expected to work for a
charity or the civil service until I found this internship with Ukie.
The
idea of having a job which basically consists of translating that passion for
this industry across to policymakers, and representing the amazing British
games industry specifically, seemed right up my alley.
What
are you playing at the moment?
Ironically
now that I work in games, I have much less time to play actual games. I’m still
slowly making my way through Ghost of Tsushima.
Bowie Shin - arguably the goodest boy there is
What
do you do in your spare time, apart from playing games?
I still have
a massive passion for history. I recently finished the Uses and Abuses of
History by Margaret Macmillian which is an easy read and encapsulates exactly
why I think it is so important. Also, period dramas are objectively the best
genre of film and tv.
That,
and I have a concerning addiction to karaoke. It’s pretty much a guarantee that
after 2.5 pints you will hear “karaoke?” from me, and its equally worryingly
how effective I am at persuading even the most reluctant of singers.
Do
you have a pet? (Show us a picture!) If not, what pet would you like to have
one day?
My family
dog is best described as a ball of ridiculously cute fluff. His name is Bowie
and he is an absolute diamond dog. .
It’s my goal in life to have an Irish wolfhound though (partially because of my
half irish background, partly because THEY LOOK LIKE HAIRY HORSES)