Two gaming graduates from De Montfort University Leicester (DMU) have jumped straight into the big time, winning jobs at Grand Theft Auto developer Rockstar North.
Momotaro Ushido and Beckie Marshall-Ward have this week graduated from their Game Art Design course, having worked together several times during their studies.
And, after spotting two vacancies at the ultra-successful firm’s Edinburgh HQ, their partnership is set to continue, getting roles as Pre Visualisation Artists.
It means Momotaro and Beckie will use their artistic and technical skills to help conceive and develop the spectacularly big open worlds used by Rockstar North in games like the Grand Theft Auto series, for which it is most famous.
Momotaro, originally from Richmond, said he and Beckie had already started work at the company, sharing accommodation as they settle in to their new roles.
Standing outside The Venue@DMU, where his and Beckie’s graduation ceremony was about to take place, the 22-year-old said, who won first-class honours for his degree, said : “We’ve been there a week and it’s amazing.
“I remember my mum wouldn’t let me play GTA: San Andreas when I was younger and so when I got the job at Rockstar I wondered what she would think but she was nothing but chuffed.”
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The GTA series has, in total, sold more than 235 million units and the release of each new entry is a major event in the entertainment world, prompting fans to queue outside games shops overnight to get copies right away.
The most recent title, GTA V, made $1 billion in three days, making it the most successful entertainment launch of all time. Not only this, each game is heralded by critics with near-perfect scores. In short, there is almost nothing to touch it and Momotaro and Beckie are on board with the company behind it, helping to develop its future games.
Beckie, who finished the course with a First Class Degree, said she had always loved games, especially the GTA series.
The 22-year-old, originally from Wales, said: “I came to DMU originally because of the reputation of the Game Art course. It seemed everyone was getting great jobs in the industry as a result.
“We had a lot of support on the course, especially getting a portfolio together for the Rockstar interview and advice on how to impress. I’ll miss the sense of community here, definitely.
“But we’re just so excited about the future.”
Posted on Friday 22 July 2016