Today we'd like to introduce you to Adam Booth, who was Editor QA at the time of the interview. He recently joined the Creative Services team as a 2D Artist, but we thought his experience growing within QA is very interesting.

Why did you want to work in the games industry and how did you get started?
I wanted to work in the games industry after reading a “Get into games section” in an Edge magazine. I really didn’t do all that much research into it before picking my University course but I knew my passions were art and video games, so I went for it. The more I learnt about digital art, 2D and 3D I knew I was on the right track.
My first job in the games industry was here at Crytek as a member of Editor QA. My 3D background was advantageous and they are always looking to hire people that have further ambition. Many of my QA colleagues have gone on to be Game Designers, Animators, Lighting Artists, even Project Management. I hope to join that list soon and start as a 2D Artist in the next couple of months.

What are you working on at the moment? What's first on your to-do list?
The CRYENGINE Team is working on stabilization of 3.8.2 so I’m testing the editor for any bugs at the moment. Not too exiting I’m afraid. Integration is a tad more entertaining, playing with new tools and giving feedback.

What music do you listen to at work?
Love listening to movie and game soundtracks. To name a few, Leon the Professional, The Fifth Element, The Imitation Game, Drive, Blade Runner, Her, Dredd, Moon, Mirrors Edge, Mass Effect, Deus Ex HR, MGS, Splinter Cell. The list goes on, you get the idea.

What types of games do you like, and what is your favorite game of all time?
Shortlist for my favorite games of all time would be (in no particular order) The Last of Us, Mass Effect, Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater, Deus Ex: Human Revolution, Medal of Honor Frontline, Splinter Cell: Chaos Theory.
I really got into strategy games at one point with a group of friends, played a lot of Supreme Commander 1 & 2. Experimental units in that game were mental, hours of fun. So many good strategy games out there.

What do you enjoy doing outside of work?
When the sun is out I like to play a little football, I follow the rugby closely and catch the Six Nations in an Irish bar here in Frankfurt. World Cup is coming up so excited for that. Occasionally I socialize, there are some nice bars in Frankfurt. I try and sink a lot of time into my artwork, not always productively but it’s both challenging and fun.

Where are you going on your next vacation?
Probably back to England to see friends and family. God I’m boring.

Do you have any tips for people wanting to get started in the industry?
I’m still new to the industry and rather inexperienced so I have a rather narrow view. There are a few things I’ve picked up from my limited experience that I would have told myself a few years ago.
First of all and this is a tough one, know what you want to be, and be very specific. Don’t do what you think will be easy or what positions are available, do what you are passionate about. Target your portfolio, what do you specialize in?
Starting in QA can be a good way in. You learn the tech, start to understand the production pipeline and get to know the right people. It really is great to be able to talk to the guy that designed the tool or created level art. But this alone is not enough you have to sink a lot of your own time into progressing and improving your portfolio. And with a full time job what used to take you a week now takes you a month.
So you’ve got to weigh up your own situation, really. If you’ve done a degree but your portfolio is still falling short from landing you your first job, maybe it’s best to spend another 6 months perfecting it at home full time. This seems daunting I know, but you’re investing your time to start your career. University has given you the tools now perfect them.

We're sure you have questions for Adam so ask away!

All the best,
The CRYENGINE team.