BACKGROUND

As Dlala’s founder and CEO, Aj focuses on the creative and strategic direction of the studio and all products we create and contribute to. Aj leads the business development and also manages the design, art and audio departments of the studio. Previously, he worked for companies such as Jagex and Bossa Studios, in roles such as Lead Client Developer and Game Content Developer. Aj founded Dlala in 2012 and has never looked back.

TYPICAL DAY

“I’m not sure I really have a typical day, which is pretty much a typical answer. On our projects I work as Game Director/Creative Director, which means I really focus on making sure that the games we create feel like a cohesive experience and that we’re all working towards the same vision and goals. On a studio level I’m the CEO, which means I do a mixture of pitching for new projects and financing, press related commitments for the studio and working with the leadership team to make sure we’re taking the studio in the direction we need to!”

IF YOU COULD BE ANY VIDEO GAME CHARACTER, WHO AND WHY?

"Batman, I know it’s cheating but he is technically in a game. Why? WHY?!? He’s the goddamn Batman."

BACKGROUND

Ben has been with the studio since its first year of formation in 2012. He has subsequently led all technical aspects of every project undertaken by the studio and has consequently been required to develop a wide breadth of expertise across a number of programming disciplines. Ben has previously served as a Programmer and Lead Programmer for companies such as Microsoft Games Studios and Bossa Studios. Ben become the studio's Technical Director in 2017 and was later promoted to the role of Chief Technical Officer in 2023.

TYPICAL DAY

"Implementing the many brilliant features and ideas of our design team and collaborators. Making all the tough technical decisions. Being the team cynic."

IF YOU COULD BE ANY VIDEO GAME CHARACTER, WHO AND WHY?

"Conker – people that know me understand why…"

BACKGROUND

Gemma is Dlala’s swiss army knife of a COO. She joined the team, and the games industry, in 2015 with a varied background in both private and public sectors including, but not limited to, over half a decade in the legal profession. She subsequently worked as the Lead Software Developer in the delivery of a national initiative focused on the standardisation of legal case management applications, before  moving into the position of Business Improvement and Operations Manager for an award-winning international education business. Originally, Gemma joined the team as a Producer but quickly found herself not only developing the production processes of the studio but also taking control of all financial and operation protocols; in effect, rebuilding the structure of the studio from scratch. As the studio continued to grow, Gemma moved from a split-focus production and operations role into a position committed to Dlala’s business operations, development and expansion. Gemma became Chief Operations Officer for the studio in 2023.

TYPICAL DAY

"I cannot lie, the ‘typical day’ is still completely unknown to me… As anyone who has worked in business operations will know, despite our desperate attempts to be organised and proactive, the need to be reactive as a result of ever-changing priorities and circumstances often overshadows those attempts and our oh-so-carefully formulated plans!

I am ultimately responsible for most of the behind-the-scenes (which many refer to as “boring”) elements of running a game studio.  I manage all operative, financial, legal and HR aspects of the business and work closely with Aj and the Strategy Team to assist with any business development needs."

IF YOU COULD BE ANY VIDEO GAME CHARACTER, WHO AND WHY?

"Miles Power (Tails) because he is super-cute, a mechanical genius and can fly helicopter-style!"

BACKGROUND

Mark comes from a background outside of the games industry. Previously a Senior Systems Technician in the corporate sector, Mark has experience dealing with the creation, maintenance and evolution of infrastructure at large scale corporations. Joining Dlala in 2015, Mark, like a lot of Dlala, was thrown in at the deep end… Having to convert a warehouse unit, previously used as a dance studio for over a decade, into a working space with remote and mobile hot-desking (no small undertaking on premises which had only 4 power outlets and no internet access). Mark fully embraced the role and, in 2017, was moved into the role IT Director of the studio. Mark was subsequently promoted to the role of Chief Information Officer in 2023.

TYPICAL DAY

"I am responsible for the management, strategy and execution of our IT infrastructure. I don’t really have a typical day as the role is quite varied but it can involve anything from developer kit setups, continuous integration for our projects to disaster recovery and server / network management."

IF YOU COULD BE ANY VIDEO GAME CHARACTER, WHO AND WHY?

"Nathan Drake – For The Treasure!"

BACKGROUND

Sam is Dlala’s very own Ukulele playing musical maestro! After single-handedly composing all the music and sound effects for “Overruled!”, Sam originally joined the team as a QA tester. After realising that the musical magic just couldn’t be held in, Sam was moved over to a role which enabled him to embrace his true passion – audio design. In 2020, Sam was promoted to the role of Lead Audio Designer. 

TYPICAL DAY

"My day typically starts with a quick review of the previous day's audio work. Then I'll render and implement it into the project, before either moving onto my next sound design task, catching up with Paul, or planning for the next feature. The best thing about my role is that sound design can require completely different solutions for similar sounds. That means that each day feels different, and I always end them feeling like I've learned something."    

IF YOU COULD BE ANY VIDEO GAME CHARACTER, WHO AND WHY?

"If I could be anyone, I would be Luigi. He gets a bad rep, but he’s competed in the Winter Olympics and gets to ride Go-Karts."

BACKGROUND

Alex studied Film Production at Falmouth University, focusing on Directing and Producing. He discovered a love for all things creative due its ability to enable the expression of ones-self and the people it allows you meet along the way. Alex initially joined the studio on a short-term contract but was subsequently offered a full-time role at Dlala Studios.     

TYPICAL DAY

"Being prepared to change your outlook and priorities at the drop of a hat, no two days are the same. Bouncing between all departments, making sure everyone is on track while also planning for the future."     

IF YOU COULD BE ANY VIDEO GAME CHARACTER, WHO AND WHY?

"Steve from Minecraft. No matter where you are in the world if you put your mind to it you can create something awesome. Also, who wouldn't want to try on a nice shiny diamond armour set while riding round on a horse... also wearing diamond armour."

BACKGROUND

Rory is an example of Dlala’s commitment to young talent. Further to him joining the team as a fresh-faced graduate, and his relocation from Scotland, Rory’s talent and dedication to his craft soon led to an evolution of his role; he can do absolutely everything, from concept art through to environmental production art.

Rory received promotion to his role as the studio's Senior Concept Artist in 2022.

TYPICAL DAY

"I get to work on lots of different and hilariously exciting projects here, so there’s a lot of different visual direction work, quick sketches and visual style research (the fun stuff). Although recently I’ve been doing a lot of polished environment artwork and animation, which has been a really fun learning curve! One of my favourite aspects of the job is the opportunity to jump between different visual styles and tasks, which really forces me to get better at things which lie at the edges of my comfort zone! My other favourite aspect is Hugo the pug."

IF YOU COULD BE ANY VIDEO GAME CHARACTER, WHO AND WHY?

"Parappa The Rapper. No explanation required."

BACKGROUND

Ev started out as a Web Front End Developer and then transitioning into becoming a Games UI Developer and then into a Gameplay Programmer whilst working for various studios across the UK and the US.

IF YOU COULD BE ANY VIDEO GAME CHARACTER, WHO AND WHY?

Ugh this is really tough! I'd have to go for Steve from Minecraft - being able to always discover new lands that you can shape however you see fit, while having the power to decide how challenging you want life to be.