The AIAS Game Maker's Notebook DEATHLOOP Director, Dinga Bakaba
Feb 14, 2022
Dinga Bakaba, Studio Head and Co-Creative Director at Arkane Lyon, known for his work on Deathloop and Dishonored, shares his inspiring journey into the game industry. He discusses the importance of player choices and how they reflect real-life consequences. The conversation delves into the balance of humor and tragedy in narrative design, and the critical need for diverse representation in gaming. Dinga emphasizes effective communication in development teams and the significance of preserving discovery in marketing to enhance player excitement.
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Early Gaming and Career Journey
- Dinga Bakaba's parents bought him an Amstrad CPC-464, sparking his love for video games.
- He pursued game development despite discouragement, eventually landing a QA role after various other pursuits.
First steps in the Industry
- Bakaba's first QA job was testing mobile games for non-smartphones, and then a point-and-click adventure.
- He even became the "lead intern" on Jane Jensen's Grey Matter due to his skills and dedication.
Prototyping and Publisher Discussions
- Working on prototypes and brainstorming new ideas for existing IPs is a valuable experience.
- Early exposure to publisher discussions and the business side can broaden a game designer's understanding of the industry.