Testimonials
I’ve been a gamer for as long as I can remember, growing up together with figures such as Link and Zelda, Ryu and Ken, Cloud and Aeris. What drew and facinated me was how games could be used to tell stories and engulf a person into a strange and unfamiliar world. I’ve always felt that games offer a new dimension when it comes to storytelling, different from the way a movie or book could. When I applied to The Game Assembly, I saw the opportunity to combine the best of two worlds, my love for drawing and my interest in games.
Before I’d heard of TGA, I researched other, already established schools but found them to be unprofessional and lacking something to give students the edge to penetrate the notoriously difficult field. Through a series of contacts I got wind of a new school starting up in Malmö and did some poking around, and after I’d read the course plan, I knew I’d found home. For me, it was either this or nothing, if I wasn’t accepted the first time around, I’d bugger all work until I was. The Game Assembly also had something unique, namely a close relationship with already established game companies in the region, which meant that the school was up to date with what prospective employers wanted from students. This gave me confidence that at the end of program, I won’t be stranded with a useless diploma. Now, months later, and as a student of the school, I’ve never been disappointed. The ambition of both teachers and student alike is unlike anything I’ve seen before. Truth be told, it’s not a school for people unwilling to give it their all, an average day being everything from six to sixteen hours, weekend not excluded. I’ve never looked back or wanted to quit, instead the school has become a second home. Not just because the time we put in, but due to the atmosphere in the classes, whether it’s helping each other or nodding in understanding when someone grunts about a glitch in the program. Trust me, neither are rare occurrences.
Jill Jarlestam, Spelgrafik 08
Jill is today working as a 3D-artist at Ubisoft Massive in Malmö.
