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

Miljan is a language nerd and, as a child, thought that wizards created video games. After studying Chinese Mandarin at university and moving to Shanghai, he landed a job as a translator at a game’s studio right at the tail end of his tourist visa. It was there that he found out that in fact, wizards did create games but he could become one himself. He moved back to the UK to study video game design in 2017 and eventually wound up at what he describes as “the best place he has ever worked” with Dlala Studios in 2019.  

TYPICAL DAY

"I ask myself the question “is this fun?” throughout the whole day. If it is fun, I must then ask the tech team if I’m allowed to do it. I also utter the phrases “Wouldn’t it be cool if…” and “In theory” at least 27 times a day."

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

"It's a tough one but I think I'd be Faith from Mirror's Edge. Yes, they tried too hard to make her cool, but she's able to do some of the coolest things in video games and she does it in style! I'd just have to get over my vertigo first." 

BACKGROUND

India studied 2D character animation, at the University of Hertfordshire, but can track her interest and enthusiasm all the way back to late primary school when she was scrubbing through animated films, frame-by-frame, on her old TV. It was this activity that made her realise she could make her drawings move. She worked several freelance jobs alongside completing her university work and landed a job at Dlala shortly after graduating.

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

"Literally anyone in the Pokemon world, I just want a Bulbasaur is that too much to ask?"

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

Caitlin was born in South Africa and moved to the UK at 15, where she discovered a love for technology and the possibility of a career in games. She began her journey as a graduate software engineer at EA’s Criterion Games in 2016, contributing over five years to titles including Star Wars Battlefront VR, Battlefront II, Battlefield V: Firestorm, and Need for Speed Unbound. Alongside her engineering career, Caitlin developed a deep interest in people and culture, qualifying as a Psychosynthesis Leadership Coach during the pandemic. After experiencing burnout, she stepped away from games to focus on coaching, helping others navigate their own growth and wellbeing. Almost two years later, missing the creativity and collaboration of development, she returned to the industry as a software engineer at Mountaintop Studios, where she shipped Spectre Divide, and more recently worked at Rockstar Games on an unannounced project. Outside of her engineering work, Caitlin continues to coach people, helping them build confidence, connection, and clarity in both their personal and professional lives. In her free time, she enjoys playing games with friends, going to the cinema, ice skating, and exploring topics related to people, relationships and emotional intelligence.  

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

"It has to be Lara Croft. She’s intelligent, courageous, and independent, with an adventurous spirit and a deep curiosity about the world. She’s strong yet graceful, and her resilience comes from both grit and heart. She embodies the kind of person who doesn’t just survive challenges but grows through them, and that’s something that really resonates with me. She’s just badass."