EMPLOYEE INTERVIEWS

Game Designer

A level designer making the most of resources to maximize fun

Joined in 2023

Game Designer D.T.

＼ Career Path ／

Worked with kids and studied childhood art education in college.
Dabbled in many creative hobbies.
Started his career at SEGA working on level design.
Aiming to become a directly, is currently building leadership skills and game design experience in a variety of fields.
01STEP 1
02STEP 2
03STEP 3

Q1
What I Studied

Fun and entertainment have always been central to my life. In the past, I was a street performer, a magician, and even a LEGO enthusiast—to the point that I'd compete in tournaments. As someone who loves interacting with kids and creative work, I majored in early childhood art education, and I got a nursery teacher certification while designing play spaces. My interest in the game industry started during my practicum, where I realized that games played a natural part in the lives of those kids.

Q2
Why I Joined SEGA

I mainly applied to toy companies and got an offer from my top pick, a major manufacturer in the industry. But the reason I picked SEGA was because the interviews and internship program exceeded my expectations. I knew I'd have lots of fun working here. Beyond games, SEGA operates a wide variety of businesses within the world of entertainment, and the wide range of possibilities excited me.

Q3
My First Assignments at SEGA

I was a level designer for SONIC X SHADOW GENERATIONS. The challenge stages I made would only take between a few seconds to a minute to complete, but I still played a direct role in making the game fun even as a new hire. I would approach my work from both a developer and player perspective throughout the process. Along the way, I learned about the difficulties that come with making Sonic levels and the joys of creating them from scratch.

Q4
Biggest Surprise After Joining SEGA

I figured new employees at a large company like SEGA would first build experience through basic tasks. But I was pleasantly surprised that they let me work on level design for SONIC X SHADOW GENERATIONS just after joining. SEGA is open-minded. This is a workplace that offers tons of opportunities and lets newbies challenge themselves.

A stage from SONIC X SHADOW GENERATIONS

Q5
Current Duties

I primarily work on stage layouts and other aspects of level design. Simply put, I build places where people can play. There are established principles regarding how gameplay should flow. However, the challenge lies in finding creative ways to utilize those principles. In the case of Sonic, I start by placing objects and terrain in a way that doesn't hinder the core concept of Sonic: speed and acceleration. Rather than the challenge stages I was handling early on, my role has expanded to a broader set of tasks. Instead of individual gameplay segments, I consider how the parts fit into the game as a whole. That makes the work more challenging, but also more rewarding.

Q6
Motivation and Successes

I often need to work out how to combine the tools at my disposal to create the most enjoyable experience possible. That's why it's important to have a clear understanding of a game's themes and what makes it fun. The definition of fun might vary from person to person. So one of the hardest—and most rewarding—parts of my job is stepping beyond my own perspective and refining the levels to a degree that the players will find fun. It takes a lot of trial and error, and a ton of patience. But once I leave my preconceptions behind and discover the magic, that brings a special kind of joy.

Q7
Future Goals

Some stages and enemies resonate and stick with players. I still have much to learn before I can create experiences of that caliber. My dream is to create stages that define the game for the players. I hope to become a specialist in level and world design, and the type of expert that makes people confident in our project's success.

Q8
SEGA's Appeal

We have team members with diverse backgrounds, including people like me who studied early childhood education, artists, and musicians, plus people of all ages and nationalities. One of the things that makes SEGA great is its ability to create new things with a wide range of perspectives.

Q9
Message to Applicants

I want to work with people who are passionate about creating fun things, and who will keep trying to make things fun even if they're not immediately sure how. At SEGA, you'll find chances to test your skills, supportive colleagues, and many learning opportunities. I look forward to creating one-of-a-kind games alongside you!

Q10
A Recent Highlight

I engage films and all kinds of entertainment, so I get lots of inspiration outside of work. Recently, I got so excited when one of my favorite anime got a remake. I ended up visiting an exhibition for it and getting merch.

A Typical Day

10：00 AM　
Arrive at the office
10：30 AM　
Check emails and progress
11：00 AM　
Write specifications for my assigned parts
12：30 PM　
Lunch break
1：30 PM　
Design level
5：00 PM　
Review level design
7：00 PM　
Leave the office (Sometimes get dinner or drinks with team members)
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