Creating games was my ultimate dream

What made you decide to move from the art world into the world of video games? 

‘Playing games has always been a big part of my life. Creating them was my ultimate dream, but there aren’t many options in this field in Italy. For me actually, this option only became real later in life. So, I circled around for quite a long time.’  

‘I was still working in the art world, curating exhibitions, when I finally opted for the game programme of BUas. A friend of mine told me about it. I was happy with what I was doing – no reason to study in the Netherlands, I thought. Then came the COVID pandemic, I moved back to my parents’ place and thought, maybe this is the right time? I didn’t have any technical knowledge, nor did I know how to code, but I had lots of project management experience, so I thought maybe Game Production is it for me?’  

‘And there I was in September 2021, at age 31, surrounded by kids (laughs) but I never felt like an outsider at BUas. The youngest were Dutch students straight out of high school. I already had my university background and I was speed-running my studies. I was able to do my internship at Bohemia Interactive in Prague during my third year, and graduated cum laude immediately afterwards.’ 

How has your background in art history shaped the way you look at games? 

‘It has fuelled my desire to create engaging experiences that feel like genuine art forms. I do see games as an art form. They are art. Reflecting emotions, pieces of thoughts, you know, hard to put into words. It’s a bit like studying philosophy; it gives you cultural depth that changes the way you think. This background helps me identify creative connections others might miss.’  

What does being a game producer mean to you? 

‘It means steering the ship and being brave enough to do what needs to be done. It means getting the team back on track and making them kill their darlings, because it is my job to produce on time and within budget while monitoring quality. I serve the team by balancing creativity with planning.’  

How did studying in the Netherlands compare to studying in Italy?  

‘Those are really two completely different things! I was used to a more theoretical approach, in Italy you have your books, study at home, but at BUas everything goes totally upside down. It took me a while to get used to it, but I’ve come to appreciate it. It was great to have the opportunity to work in teams and learn by doing, with lecturers focusing on your learning experience.’   

What’s the most valuable thing you’ve learned in your Design & Production course? 

‘For me, it was getting the chance to work in groups, because that’s what prepares you for the real world. Game companies all over the world are looking for people who are skilled and used to working in teams. At BUas, you learn to create a game in a short time with fellow students you’ve just met – I think that’s quite an impressive achievement! From day one, you’re part of the team, and by demonstrating your teamwork, you show that you already know the industry standards.’  

In what ways do your Italian roots influence your work? 

‘It’s not just about being Italian, it’s about my cultural background. Each country has its own nuances, but nowadays, I think we all have more common ground than in the pre-internet era. Nevertheless, I would really like to create a video game that is distinctly Italian. The stereotype of Italy is food, of course, I really struggled with that in the Netherlands. Well, I am a bit spoilt in that respect, I guess. We enjoy the pleasure of food, it’s quite striking how often we talk about it, whereas in Holland people just eat a sandwich for lunch.’   

What’s your favourite thing about working in Prague? 

‘Prague is, of course, a beautiful city with a rich history and culture, but it’s also complex and layered, it is impossible to understand it as a whole. The city is surrounded by nature. I find this combination of history, culture and nature incredibly inspiring. I like hiking, experiencing a sense of adventure, visiting museums and such. I did the same in the Netherlands, where I had an NS Flex season ticket for the train, a Museum Card, and a Pathé Cinema Card so I could watch as many movies as possible.’  

What film inspired you the most, and why?  

‘I’m a big fan of Barry Lyndon, a 1970s period drama by Stanley Kubrick. It tells the story of an 18th-century Irish rogue who starts out with bold adventures, but then slowly falls apart. He marries a wealthy widow in the hope of climbing the social ranks and assuming her late husband’s aristocratic role. It is the personal journey of the main character that touches me especially. I would very much like to turn that film into a video game.’  

Okay, that answers my next question 😊 

If you could create a game based on a film or piece of artwork, which would you choose? 

‘Barry Lyndon! It’s my Dream Project. It’s such an adventurous film with an incredible setting – you definitely have to watch it! If there is any investor reading this, I would be interested in hearing from you!’  

What other kind of games would you love to produce in the future? 

‘I would like to create games that convey the Italian culture. There are some titles that are deeply rooted in culture, such as Kingdom Come: Deliverance, The Witcher, or Red Dead Redemption, they’re all deeply rooted in their national identities – Czech, Polish, and American. These share cultural heritage in a very engaging way. We don’t have games like this in Italy, and I can see myself doing this in the future. It’s kind of like Dream Project II. Who knows? My lecturers at BUas have always been very supportive in helping me pursue my dreams, and I am still grateful to them for that!’ 

Interview: Maaike Dukker-‘t Hart