Ambassador Stories: Victoria Boyce
The Video Games Ambassadors are spotlighting the remarkable ambassadors in our network. Today, we celebrate Victoria Boyce, Lead Game Designer at Third Kind Games Studios. Victoria shares her professional journey and passion for inspiring the next generation in the games industry.
Victoria is not just a seasoned game designer but a dedicated mentor. Her commitment to her craft and community-building shines through, making her a guiding light in the evolving landscape of the gaming industry.
Could you share a bit about your background and who you are?
I'm the Lead Game Designer at Third Kind Games Studios, and I've been working in the game industry for 17 years. I grew up in Bournemouth and initially settled on a technology course at Liverpool John Moores University, where I studied Game Technology. After my studies, I returned to Bournemouth and started looking for work. I landed a job at Sony in Liverpool and then with Rebellion. Afterwards, I moved to Cambridge and worked for Jagex for a few years.
My journey then took me to Leamington Spa, where I worked at Radiant Worlds on Sky Saga, which sadly got cancelled before it hit Open Beta. I've also had the chance to work at Rebellion twice, early in my career in Liverpool and later in Warwick.
Can you share more about your career and journey into the games industry?
My cousin introduced me to Final Fantasy VII, my first-ever RPG, and I fell in love with it. This was the first time I experienced a game telling a story like that, and I decided I wanted to make games like that. I figured I needed to learn programming and all the other stuff, not realising there were other opportunities in the industry. I was 16 then.
I studied Computer Game Technology Development in a bachelor's course. It was a sandwich degree, so while studying I worked for Merseyside Police in the IT department, which taught me self-sufficiency, time management, problem-solving, and working with different people.
After graduating, countless job applications and dozens of interviews, I thought I’d never get into the industry as a programmer. Then I stepped back and saw what else I could do. Some of my friends who had graduated and gotten jobs as testers at Sony helped me get in there as well.
While I worked at Sony, I read game design books, wrote design documents, and learned to use level editors. After a year or so, I managed to get my first job as a junior designer at Rebellion and it all really started from there.
Why did you pick your particular discipline in games?
As a designer, I had the power to come up with ideas and create. I found I was in tune with it, able to write documents clearly and explain things technically. Important skills for a designer include problem-solving, taking inspiration from various sources, and understanding how ideas work from a technical perspective. This role felt like my calling.
What motivated you to become a Video Games Ambassador?
I wanted to volunteer for a while because I didn’t know anyone in the games industry when I was trying to get in. I wanted to share my experiences and learnings. When I had about ten years of experience, I participated in an Interactive Futures event in Leamington Spa. Talking to students was inspirational, and I wanted to remain involved.
After the lockdowns started when the pandemic hit, I searched online and found the VGA program. VGA offers flexibility, fitting around my life as a mother and my other hobbies, with many of the opportunities to volunteer available online.
How has your experience as an Ambassador been so far?
I've been involved in panels with colleges and universities, Q&As with large groups of students, Twitter Q&As with Into Games, and as an IG50 Judge. A lot of these opportunities have been online, but I got to go in person for a few that were local to me as well, which is always nice. I've also reviewed portfolios and CVs, and I'm often mindblown by the quality of work I see.
What has been your favourite VGA moment/experience?
Recently, at an in-person event in Birmingham, there were varied speakers from different industries. It was enlightening to step out of the games bubble. Students asked lots of questions, and answering them on the spot was a confidence booster. Sharing my journey and struggles with students has been incredibly rewarding.
If you could have one superpower from a video game, what would it be?
That's a tough one. I like to play the healer and support role in multiplayer games, so I’d love to have a superpower that allows me to keep the team up and running.
Is there anything else you’d like to share?
Shoutout to Third Kind Games. They are super supportive of my role as a VGA, allowing me time for interviews and in-person events. The company is committed to supporting the next generation.
If you're passionate about sharing your experiences, mentoring emerging talents, and being part of a vibrant community, consider joining the Video Games Ambassadors network. Together, let's shape the future of gaming and inspire the next generation of creators. Connect with us today!