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Behind every great game is a team of creative developers who make it happen. In our jobs in games series, we highlight some of the people working in the games industry, whether they are veteran developers with big hits under their belts or brand new to the industry working on their very first title.

In this interview, we talk to Belka Games lead game designer Kate Shtirts about her love of games, which ultimately led to a career change. We also discuss what experience and certain skills can do to help you and your team grow together, advice for those looking to work in the industry, and some of Shtirts’ proudest moments.

PocketGamer.biz First, can you tell us a little about yourself? Have you always been interested in games?

Kate Shtirts: For as long as I can remember, I have played games. When I was a kid, I couldn’t tear myself away from my game console and I was happy when I could spend more time than usual playing on it.

In elementary school, my classmates and I crowded around the computer and took turns playing the popular games of the day. Then when we got a computer at home, I played games with my dad.

I continued to play even when I was a student at the music academy, which was unusual in that society. The other students only played musical instruments, but next to the piano I still played computer games. And since the advent of smartphones, I can say that I never stop playing. Not counting work, I always have a few games I log into daily.

What about your journey into gaming? How did you get started and how did you end up working at Belka Games?

I got into the game development industry in a very unusual way. I received my higher education as an opera singer and classical musician. For a period I worked in the theater and sang in opera performances, after which I taught and performed in various music groups. But all the while I kept playing games and my interest in them never wavered in the slightest.

Then one day, when I thought again that I needed to change something because I wasn’t getting any pleasure out of my work, it occurred to me that I should try to get a job in the gaming industry. I found a vacancy for a junior game designer, did a test task and was invited to an interview.

Long story short, I didn’t get the job, but I got some good advice: If you don’t give up, you will definitely succeed. I’m not one to give up, so after half a year and a game design course, I got my first job offer. I was very happy, but also sad to part with my students. So for a while I kept working two jobs.

How have your past experiences helped you get to where you are now as a leading game designer?

The most important thing that music and performing in front of large audiences taught me is that you should never be afraid to express yourself and be real.

If you don’t, how will the people around you be able to notice or hear you? How will they understand what you have to say or be able to trust you? If an artist is not genuine in their art, then the audience will not believe them. And the same applies in absolutely all areas of our lives.

This applies to work as a regular game designer and even more so as a lead game designer – it’s important to be honest with yourself and those around you. It is important to believe in what you do and say. It is important to be passionate and inspire passion in your team. It’s just the same as being on stage.

Also, my experience as a teacher taught me patience and a great skill – I know how to find the right approach to different people, I know how to say the same thing to different colleagues in different ways. This is what enables us to achieve our main goal – to be understood and to get the desired result.

As a nice bonus, I’m also not afraid of public speaking, which helps me speak at conferences and give lectures.

What is it like to be the lead game designer at Belka? What is a typical day for you? Is there a particular aspect of game design that you enjoy the most?

Over my morning coffee, I usually play a new game or read industry news: new releases, forecasts and results from other companies. All of this really inspires me to new endeavors and ideas, and it allows me to keep up with trends.

Overall, my working day consists of three main activities: generate, discuss and make decisions. Each of these points has its own attractions and each of them gives me great pleasure.

One of the main parts of a game designer’s job is to generate ideas and documents and create something new and interesting. We don’t just have to come up with something cool. More importantly, we need to figure out how to make it happen. And we have to do that, at the same time as we fit into the company’s processes, achieve the business goals and get good results.

When I discuss issues with the team, I always feel how great it is to be surrounded by like-minded people. Of course we can argue, we can’t see eye to eye, but the most important thing is that we all know why we do what we do. At Belka, we have a really close and friendly team. No matter how difficult it gets, I always know that we will find the right solution. Then we hug (albeit virtually) and thank each other for working together and doing a great job.

When we come to “decision time”, I always feel the importance of strength and lack of fear in taking responsibility. In any team, there must be people who take on that role. The opportunity to be this kind of employee is a great honor for me. And of course, I always remember not only the project I’m working on, but also the people who trust me and my vision. It is so precious.

Do you have any advice you would give to someone looking to get started in the industry or pursue a game design role?

I think one of the most important things for people just starting their career in the industry to think about is this: “Don’t start developing your dream game until you’ve gone a few rounds in the ring .”

I know many game designers immediately want to develop great games like the ones they played when they were kids. For many people, a dream like that is of course a great spotlight that illuminates their difficult career path. But it is important to remember that as things are, only experience can help you achieve your big goal.

Get some experience first and then you can start making your new Heroes of Might and Magic or Warhammer. And of course, play more games!

Has there been a game from Belka that has been a favorite to work on?

Probably the game I’ve worked on that I love the most is Roger That. I have very warm feelings about that project because I was part of its development almost from the beginning.

I remember all the original versions, concepts and ideas and how we implemented them. I remember how the project grew and was published all over the world. It was a great experience, a great game and a great team. I hope Belka has more such projects. We have really done something worthwhile.

Is there anything you’re currently working on that you can share with us?

Now I work in the R&D department, where several small teams are looking for cool new ideas and hypotheses for the company. We study a lot of different materials, the market and new releases.

It is very important for R&D employees to know how to quickly adapt to new situations. The mindset of an R&D employee is not the same as an employee in standard development. We may change a game’s core concept several times a week or look at several different versions.

That’s why it’s amazing when people know how to quickly shift their attention and keep moving without looking back. We are working on discovering new hits and we hope to be able to tell you about them in the near future.

Do you have a project or moment from your career that you are most proud of?

I really love what I do. That’s why I’m proud of all the games I’ve had the chance to work on. I put all my effort into all of them and I helped the teams achieve the results they achieved.

I am also proud of the company I work for, my colleagues, our company culture and the fact that every employee is valuable to us. We’ve been through all kinds of difficulties in the past few years, but nevertheless we’re still a strong, tight-knit team, ready to keep imagining and creating!

Of course, when I talk to my parents, I can always say, “Mom, can you imagine? The game I made has already been played by more than a million people.” It still sounds incredible to me!

Finally, is there a dream project you’d love to work on in your career in gaming? And is there anything from Belka we should be on the lookout for in the near future?

A long time ago, when I was just starting my career, I wanted to do a runner about a clumsy truck driver who had lost all his cargo.

I think it could be a really cool game and one day I definitely want to make something like that. Because I think games should make people feel something. Just imagine the range of emotions the image of a man gathering huge pills or camels across the desert could evoke.

As for Belka, we have several great projects in the pipeline that I’m sure will soon make an impact in the industry. Stay tuned for the news.