Carola Pettinato a recent graduate with first-class honours from Staffordshire University London has launched her exciting career as an Associate Games Designer with Criterion Games. The multi-BAFTA award-winning video game developer acquired by Electronic Arts in 2004 and has developed renowned games such as popular racing game franchise Burnout as well as reboots of Need for Speed, and developed titles such as Star Wars Battlefront, Battlefield and many more.
During Carola’s time at the University, she credited her transformative university experience to the course’s curriculum and academics. Carola shared, “My experience at Staffordshire University London was great! I had a lot of fun being on campus and enjoyed what the programme offered, it without doubt made me a better game designer.” The curriculum within her third year explored a range of topics which proved vital for her role at Criterion Games. This included exploring emergent games technologies and mastering multiplayer level design, skills that she continues to refine in her current job.
A standout of her time on the course was her final-year project, Astra App, a VR application built in Unity. This project designed meticulously, teaches users about constellations and mythology in an interactive way, while allowing Carola to apply her learning in a practical and innovative manner, “Many of the modules taken in the course were significantly important for my professional growth! I am grateful I had the support from the university to bring my design to life, and I am so proud of what I achieved during the year”.
Course Director for Games Development, Leigh Evans stated, “Carola’s final-year project, Astra App, is an exceptional example of the innovative and practical work our students produce. Her ability to seamlessly blend theoretical knowledge from her multiple modules into a tangible, VR experience is truly commendable. Carola’s journey also highlights the transformative nature of our Games Development courses in equipping students with the skills to turn their creative visions into reality."
Carola’s time at university was also marked by valuable industry partnerships. Through a collaboration with Into Games, she gained critical networking opportunities and industry insights. As a Video Games Ambassador for Into Games, Carola mentored students, reviewed CVs and portfolios, and helped others navigate the path into the gaming industry. Declan Cassidy, CEO of Into Games, praised her contributions, noting her commitment and enthusiasm, ““Carola has been an invaluable member of the Into Games family. While juggling the demands of her final year of study, she has excelled as a Video Games Ambassador. In her role, she has demonstrated dedication to mentoring first and second-year students, providing guidance on CVs and portfolios. Her commitment to the industry is further evidenced by her participation as a panellist at Games in the City II, where she contributed to a discussion on the future of games development, held at Staffordshire University London earlier this year. Carola's passion for game development, coupled with her proactive approach, make her a standout candidate for future success in the industry.”
Beyond her university involvement, Carola is also an Ambassador for Women in Games and Grads in Games. Carola explained, “I am involved in several initiatives that aim to provide support to aspiring women in the gaming industry. Before entering the industry, I received immense support that created a sense of community and a safe space for me. This support was crucial, and now I want to give back by helping others realise that following their dreams is not as scary or unachievable as it may seem.”
The journey to her current role was not without challenges. Carola faced the daunting task of applying for internships amid the uncertainties of the post-lockdown period. After numerous applications, she secured a position at Criterion Games. The application process was demanding, including multiple stages and a technical interview that tested her skills and knowledge. Carola’s success in securing the role was a testament to her perseverance and talent. Carola said, “It was a powerful reminder to never doubt oneself!”.
In her role at Criterion Games, Carola’s responsibilities are diverse and demanding. They include designing, testing, and maintaining content and scripts for game systems, developing game design documentation, balancing and tuning gameplay, and collaborating with other designers. Despite the challenges, Carola remains positive and solution oriented. She advises recent graduates, “It's important not to stress too much! Persistence and adaptability are key to overcoming obstacles.”
Carola also ensures that she stays updated with the latest developments in the tech and gaming industry through books, Games Developer Group (GDG) talks, and LinkedIn. These platforms provide invaluable resources, from industry events and conferences to networking opportunities and skill development.
Looking ahead, Carola is excited about the future of game design, particularly with the integration of AI and XR (Extended Reality) technologies. These innovations promise to create more immersive and interactive gaming experiences, especially as the industry is experiencing an unprecedented surge in popularity and profitability, total video game revenue is projected to rise from $262 billion in 2023 to $312 billion in 2027. With the growth fuelled by emerging trends in the industry such as Generative AI (GenAI) which are being used to create digital assets such as the artwork or dialogue for non-playable characters and even help port games to different languages and cultures more effectively.
For those aspiring to enter the gaming industry, Carola emphasises the importance of networking, clear communication, teamwork, a willingness to learn, and creativity. She encourages current students and recent graduates to believe in themselves and seek environments where they can thrive both personally and professionally. “Never stop dreaming!” she advises.