Jesse joined FuturLab in October 2023 initially as VR Producer on PowerWash Simulator VR and then supported with PowerWash Simulator and managing the relationship with external partners for the Wallace & Gromit DLC. Jesse still works in the studio as a Producer, managing other projects.
How did you get into the games industry?
"I'd wanted to work in games for a really long time, I have a vague memory of sending some very embarrassing e-mails while in sixth form to a studio asking if I could come and make tea in their office.
“But I never really knew what I wanted to do within the games industry. I worked as a receptionist at a marketing company when I was in my early 20s, and I befriended the software developers. Because of that I tried to learn how to code, but I just couldn’t get my head around it. I did so many courses on Code Academy, and I went to Codebar in Brighton, but I just couldn’t understand code. Some people there encouraged me to look at adjacent roles in tech, and mentioned project management and production.
“I definitely had a sideways entry into the industry, and I ended up as a producer for a web company and doing some technical project management jobs before working at a VR company.”
How did you hear about FuturLab? What made you apply?
“The VR studio I was working at unfortunately closed down, but I had worked with some other people who both moved on to roles at FuturLab. I met up with them and they told me that they were having a great time at FuturLab, and that FuturLab were hiring a VR Producer!
“I had applied and interviewed for a role at FuturLab a few years previously, but I wasn’t successful as I didn’t have any games experience. So when I applied again I had the VR games experience and joined as VR Producer on PowerWash Simulator VR, before moving onto PowerWash Simulator and a Producer role.”
Jesse at FuturFest in August 2024
What advice would you give to someone who is interested in getting into a Production role?
"The best way to prepare for a production role is to ask too many questions. Be very nosy!”
How would you describe your role? What’s a typical day like?
“It’s tricky, there really are no typical days. I spend an awful lot of my day in calls!
“I often think of it as more like everyone behind me is building a train, and I'm trying to make sure that the rails are there. I spend a lot of time making sure that the team have what they need in terms of tasks ready to go, keeping an eye on where we’re going and what we’re trying to achieve.
“Some Production work is so random. Sometimes I’m just looking at a big spreadsheet full of dates, some of my work is making sure JIRA is actually working, or sometimes it’s setting up what everyone’s next month is going to look like.
“We have an excellent People team who make sure people at FuturLab are happy, but I think part of my role as a Producer is making sure people are happy on a project level as well, and that we’re working in a way that is helpful for them, useful and efficient.
“We work in sprints, so a big part of my job is evaluating each sprint and looking at what went well, what went badly and actions we can take to improve next time so that it’s the most positive working environment it can be."
Jesse working at Hobbiton in New Zealand
What advice do you have for someone who would who's hoping to get into a production role in the games industry?
“If you're trying to get into production role in the games industry, I think at this point you need to be persistent. It’s a difficult time for the industry, but you can enter sideways like I did.
“I think it’s important to remember not everyone's path looks the same. Production is a very specific role, but I came at it from a tech project management background, that’s how I worked my way up and then sideways.
“It’s possible you’ll fall in love with something that is very similar, or maybe end up not being in production at all. But that’s okay!
“People in games are very kind and respond to your kindness as well. I’ve had people remember me from previous roles and that’s how you build a network. Just be a nice person that people want to be around!
“There are skills you need for Production roles, but they’re the same skills that you’ll be able to get across a lot of industries. But your soft skills like kindness and communication are definitely important because you’re working as part of a team.”
What has been biggest challenge to your role so far?
“I think probably jumping onto a project when the cogs were very much all turning. There was quite a full team already and it needed the milestones pulled together rather rapidly.
“Normally you would have a ramp-up period in which it's just you and like three other people and then slowly the team gets bigger, whereas I jumped into the middle of a full team who already were in a flow. There was information in lots of different places, so I worked to create a single source of truth with Confluence and JIRA. I know some people hate them, but I think they’re super useful tools and I will die on that hill!”
Jesse's favourite video game series: Professor Layton
What is something a lot of people misunderstand about your role?
“My friends and family do not understand what I do at all, so in that case everything!
“I think sometimes people probably find production’s questions a little bit annoying. But the reason is that we have to ask some stupid questions to understand the root of some of the work to then help with scheduling and understanding the big picture. I guess a bit like Oracle from Batman, I need to step back and monitor things as opposed to being on the ground, but that means I sometimes need to know exactly what is happening in words for a 5 year old!”
What’s the best advice you’ve ever received? Either for the workplace or outside of it?
“The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago, the second best time to plant a tree is today.
“I think about that advice a lot, because sometimes you’ll wish you’d done something, but it’s ok, just do it now instead!”
If you weren’t doing your current role at FuturLab, what do you think you’d be doing?
“I think I would probably be doing something really boring. When I was a kid, I was obsessed with a company called Ladies That Do. I had no idea what “domestic supplies” meant, but the name made me imagine being sent out on temporary contracts as a feisty assistant to an archaeologist or a submariner or something equally adventurous.
“But in my spare time I like to write, so hopefully something along those lines! I did work as a copywriter at Hobbiton for a while, in New Zealand. At the time it was too quiet for me, but if I was back there now it would be chill to hang out in the beautiful landscapes."
What’s your favourite game of all time? What is your dream game that doesn’t exist?
“My favourite game series of all time is the Professor Layton games. Lost Future is my favourite, and is the only game that’s made me cry. I just love the vibes of the series, and I really like unhinged mysteries, you know?”
Thank you Jesse for sharing this with us! More FuturLab Features will be coming soon. To keep up to date with the latest FuturLab game and studio news, please subscribe to our newsletter.
