Name: Abbie Lochrin
Course:BA (Hons) Computer Arts
Year: 3rd
What made you choose to join the Women in Games Society?
I joined because I want to help create a space for women in our community to come together and talk about their love of games, their passions, and help each other achieve their goals of getting started in the games industry. I want to raise awareness of the equality issues women face in games and other STEM careers and help to advocate for change in our community.
What initially sparked your interest in game development, and what are some of the most rewarding aspects of creating your own video games?
I found my way into game development by sitting in class one time in N5 Computing and looking online to see what I could end up doing with my qualifications. I started to look into game development and all of the different areas you could specialise in, but I wasn’t too sure what I wanted to do just yet, so I ended up applying for GDP first year. I’ve spent the last two years doing Game Design and Production, and then transferred to Computer Arts for my third year after finding a passion for 3D art.
When I make my own games, the style and environment design are the biggest parts that I focus on. I love creating environments and props that can bring a scene to life and add personality to a character or a space. I’m a very detailed-oriented person, so being able to step pack from a scene or a level I’ve worked on and seeing all of the tiny pieces being put together always makes me really proud of the time and effort I’ve put into my work.
Can you share a particular games development project that you’re proud of?
My DES101 team and I made a really fun Halloween-themed board game called Psychography. It was a modified version of Pictionary- except the players had to draw the prompt with their eyes closed, and everyone had to guess what they ended up drawing. It was greatly enjoyed by everyone who played it and we got a lot of great feedback!
If you could be transported into a game, which one would it be? Which character would you be and why?
I’d love to be Beatrix LeBeau from Slime Rancher. I feel like spending some time on a farm in outer space and looking after slimes could fix me.
If you could live in any fictional world, which one would it be and why?
I’d love to live in the Forgotten Realms! I love Dungeons and Dragons and I’d love to be a druid or a wizard exploring the land with an adventuring party and uncover the secrets of the world.
What's your favourite board game or video game, and what makes it so enjoyable for you?
Kirby’s Epic Yarn on the Wii was a big part of my childhood, and it’s still my favourite game to this day. It’s got such a cute style and the music has some of my favourite songs out of all of the Nintendo games. It’s a silly and charming game and makes me feel really nostalgic every time I play the extended edition on my 2DS :)
If you could have any animal as a pet, regardless of practicality or legality, what would you choose and why?
Foxes! I love foxes so much, they’re so happy and playful when they’re in an environment they like. I’d love to be one of those people that I see online who rescues injured foxes from the wild and helps them get back to health. Also, I feel like they’d give good hugs.
