Interview with Boris Stamatov – Game Dev (Advanced)
Boris Stamatov is a real gamer. As he himself expresses it, he devotes an “exclusive” part of his personal time to his favorite hobby, but the idea of developing professionally in the game industry seems to him an unattainable goal in Bulgaria. That changes when he comes across ARC Academy and learns about the opportunities the Academy offers. Full of motivation, he decided to apply for it, convinced that he wanted to do Concept Art.
How after the first year of his studies, Boris came to the conclusion that Game Design was his true vocation, you will learn from the interview with him:
Tell us a little about yourself, what are your hobbies and what do you like to do?
My name is Boris Stamatov. I devote my free time almost exclusively to video games. My main hobby, aside from gaming, is painting, although I sometimes sculpt if I have a special idea. I draw mainly on paper, pen and paper, and I used to do book illustrations. Nothing too serious, but it was fun. I occasionally write game reviews, though I rarely post them.
My friends and I had a podcast dedicated to the industry a while back, which was also fun.
How did you get into ARC Academy and the gaming industry?
Gaming has long been an integral part of my daily life, but the idea of working in the industry has always seemed unattainable to me. When I found out about ARC, I thought it was a relatively good start for the goal, especially for Bulgaria.
Have you been involved in creative activities before?
Yes, I illustrated books for a while. I also did tattoo designs at a small tattoo parlor for a period.
Which role in the game industry did you choose and why?
At first, I thought that concept art would be the closest thing to me, but after the first year at the Academy, my opinion changed drastically. I realized that my drawing style was not particularly suitable for the purpose, and in parallel, I found another role, which attracts me even more – game design.
What did you like most about your studies at ARC Academy?
Without a shadow of a doubt, the people I met and with whom I am very likely to work in the future. I feel very lucky to have met some of them, and I think it was worth it for that alone.
What advice would you give to people considering joining the ARC Academy?
Don’t expect everything to be handed to them on a silver platter. The benefit of staying at ARC is directly proportional to the willingness and diligence of the learners. The teachers are very good and know what they are doing, but personal initiative is the catalyst for success. Post whatever you do, good or bad, and attend the lectures, no matter if they are specific to your field of interest. This way, you will understand the work of your future colleagues, which is irreplaceable.
If you also want to start your career in the game industry, you can enroll in the early application for the 2022/2023 class until March 31st. All enrollees during this period will have the opportunity to participate in the mentoring program. It will run throughout the summer, with students receiving assignments and feedback from their mentors.
