BA Games Design and Art student Anna says her Year in Employment at Criterion Games EA enabled her to contribute to the final stages of the development of Battlefield 6 before it was released.
When the game launched to over seven million players, the scale of the achievement really hit home. Seeing my name in the credits was surreal. I had a bit of imposter syndrome, but it was incredible to be part of something so big. It will push me far.
Anna, BA Games Design and Art
Getting the games design bug
Anna recalls her passion for games design began when she had to complete a project for her Computer Science A Level. She admits that creating a game was a lot harder than she thought and she fell in love with it.
She decided to come to Southampton because of its strong reputation and the fact that the course was design-based as opposed to focusing more on programming.
Anna is based at the Winchester School of Art and has enjoyed the emphasis of blending different mediums together in an environment where games and art coexist.
She said: “Studying here has been a positive experience. The teaching is supportive, the campus feels welcoming, and there’s a good sense of community. The lecturers are approachable and always willing to offer guidance and feedback.
“Their broad industry knowledge and strong academic background have added a lot of value, especially when working on practical projects.”
The importance of gaining industry experience
From the very start of her degree, Anna knew that securing industry experience would be essential.
With the games industry being highly competitive, she made an early decision to pursue a Year in Employment to give herself the strongest possible footing.
She said: “I knew from the get-go that I needed an internship. The games industry is incredibly competitive, and the faster I could break into it, the better.”
She says the University Careers Team was on hand to provide application support for her placement. She also sought advice from lecturers and industry professionals who helped her understand how portfolios and CVs should be structured.
“My course really excelled at bringing in guest speakers from industry and this opportunity to meet and connect with professionals has been invaluable and inspiring. It gave me an insight into what it’s like to work in games,” she added.
Learning in a global studio environment
Anna is currently completing her year as a Games Design Intern in the Engagement and Progression team at Criterion. Her role focuses on how players interact with the game over time, designing meta systems that drive progression, retention, and long-term engagement within a live service environment.
Working across multiple international studios, surrounded by experienced professionals, is teaching Anna the importance of communication, adaptability, and collaboration across time zones.
“It is a continuous learning experience. As an intern, you have to be a sponge and take everything in. Feedback, mistakes and advice all help you grow,” she said.
I now have a game with seven million players on my portfolio thanks to my Year in Employment. That’s something university alone couldn’t give me.
Bringing industry knowledge back to University
For Anna, the Year in Employment has been a defining part of her degree and future career prospects and one that will push her far.
She said: “I’m getting the chance to work with all these senior professionals who have been in the industry for years, and they've been able to share some incredible wisdom.
One of her most valuable outcomes has been her understanding of professional game development pipelines. This is something she plans to apply directly to her university projects and says she also feels more confident at leading and communicating within teams.
She hopes the placement will open doors to future opportunities, from professional contacts to the possibility of returning to EA or continuing to work in the games design industry after graduation.
Southampton - becoming the person you want to be
Anna says that Southampton has given her the space to become the person she wants to be.
She admits that when she joined the University, she was a very different person to the person she is today.
She recalls: “I was very shy and withdrawn. Southampton felt so welcoming and I thought I am going to be the person I want to be and it really gave me the space to do that. I didn’t feel judged and I was doing something I was passionate about.
My advice to other students is to take advantage of every opportunity, especially placements and careers support. Don’t be afraid to ask for help and give yourself time to grow into who you want to be.
Anna, BA Games Design and Art