Finding new possibilities in the field of XR
My passion for gaming and back-end development tools motivated me to join SEGA. I'm very interested in the way XR (extended reality) blends reality with the virtual world and am especially passionate about VR (virtual reality). I currently work on development for the smartphone app PlayAR. The app utilizes a variety of audio and visual special effects when used with one of SEGA's figurines, immersing users in an AR (augmented reality) experience.
My work on PlayAR includes front-end development tasks, like making the button interface for players or the effects that appear when the user hovers their smartphone camera over a figurine, and back-end development tasks, such as making the back-end tools for creating and reading each figure's tracking model. When I was a student, I mainly worked in robotics and systems development. This gave me the chance to work on image processing-based AR applications and conduct research on systems for automated guided vehicles (AGV). I even worked on a game as part of a team!
The experience I gained in programming and my research into systems assessment has proved extremely helpful in my work as a developer at SEGA. My responsibilities encompass a wide range of tasks, including optimizing our code to improve functionality and creating the features that our users directly interact with. I find it tremendously rewarding to be able to work across different areas in development.
SEGA embraces the dreams, aspirations, and passions of its employees
SEGA provides opportunities for its employees to challenge themselves and thrive, regardless of their experience. For example, when I proposed building a tool that would improve task productivity, my superiors gave me the go-ahead. With advice from my senior colleagues, I developed it at my own discretion and was able to improve our workflow. I was also granted an opportunity to attend an overseas conference and broaden my knowledge about the latest technologies. If you share what you're passionate about doing, SEGA will always offer its unwavering support. I see this as one of the major appeals of working here.
Creating an unparalleled experience with SEGA's Super Games and VR technology
There is no question in my mind that the field of XR, especially virtual reality, will play a pivotal role in shaping the future of entertainment. SEGA has several titles in the works that aim to be a massive global success, which we refer to as Super Games. I'd love to assist with the VR-end of development for them, and be a part of creating an unparalleled experience for our users across the globe. To that end, I'm constantly researching and seeking new ways to make games more fun. I play different VR games and try to stay up to date on what's out there. I also invest time into brushing up my coding skills.
At the moment, I'm living out my dream of working with XR technology in gaming. This wouldn't have been possible without SEGA and its commitment to embracing the dreams, aspirations, and passions of each employee. Our team is always eager to provide unforgettable experiences to new users through the work we've developed.
*This interview was conducted during the second year of employment.
10:00 AM Work day starts by checking my emails and planning out my schedule for the day.
10:30 AM Programming tasks which involve implementing the latest features.
12:30 PM Lunch with my junior colleagues at the cafeteria. We share info about the latest gaming trends and news.
1:30 PM Resume programming tasks or prep for the project meeting.
2:00 PM Regular meeting with the project team where we discuss our progress, issues, and current tasks.
3:00 PM Continue working on programming tasks. I'll look into any irregularities, which may involve in-game testing, and consult my senior colleagues if necessary.
7:00 PM Write up a progress report and organize my tasks before finishing for the day. When I get home, I watch Let's Play videos or play games with my friends.
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