Pavel Denkov, lecturer at ARC Academy – about programming and teaching as a field of development

Pavel Denkov works as a game developer at Gameloft Sofia and is a lecturer in this year’s Preliminary course for the academic year 2024/2025. He defines himself as a dreamer, and music is an integral part of his life. He taught for 4 years at the FMI of SU and devoted himself to volunteering and managing non-governmental organizations.

What projects have you worked on so far?

I artistically worked on one of the pearls in the crown of Gameloft Sofia – Heroes Of The Dark. Since the beginning of 2023, I have been part of the War Planet Online team—two of the massively multiplayer games in our catalog.

What are the most valuable lessons you’ve learned professionally?

First and foremost – try the unknown, learn something new and make mistakes sometimes to learn! I learned that good communication and teamwork are just as important as making the game itself. Of course, the point of view of the players and the attitude towards the smallest details, which bring the last pinch of color to the project, is also essential.

Do you play for fun? What are your favorite games right now?

I play with pleasure and curiosity both computer and mobile games, as well as their “grandfathers” – book games. I’m currently immersed in Assassin’s Creed Origins, and next on the list is the Greek sequel – Odyssey. Among the game books, my all-time favorite remains “The Goblin’s Castle”, but at the moment I changed the style to the futuristic “Sonora”.

What inspired you to be a lecturer in the ARC Academy Preliminary course and what can the students in your class expect?

The desire to show young people the door to game development. It’s a place where ideas create whole worlds full of characters and possibilities. I will help anyone who wants to try to make a smooth transition from imagination to realization. We’ll take the idea, break it into pieces of code, and glue them back together. Expect to take a step from theoretical structural data and algorithms to their practical use in the game industry. You are about to justify your choice to enroll in ARC Academy.

If you also want to dabble in game programming and implement various codes, then ARC Academy is the right place for you. Apply during the Early Admission until March 31 and join the Preliminary course for the academic year 2024/2025 for free.