d3t welcomes Ben Watts, Senior Environment Artist

17th May 2023

Tell us a bit of information about your experience/career background?

Over the past five years, I’ve had the pleasure of calling Team 17 my home. I started as a Junior Artist and worked my way up to a Senior Artist position. Recently, I led a project called Killer Frequency, which was an incredible experience.

During my time at Team 17, I contributed to five released titles and various other projects. Although I’ve never worked on a big-name title, I’m immensely proud of the work I’ve contributed and the people I’ve worked alongside. I can honestly say that I’ve loved every minute of it, and there’s no better job than this.

As an Environment Artist, my skill set is quite varied. I tend to lean towards the technical aspects of the role, but take on different tasks to keep things fresh. I love working in tight-knit teams and I especially enjoy working across departments, plus finding the right balance between needs is a fun challenge.

Working in small teams has given me the opportunity to work within the full asset creation pipeline, from reference right the way through to implementation. I’m confident in creating artwork and set-dressing, and I’m excited to stretch my artistic legs again, and grow.

I’ve spent significant time in-engine, primarily set-dressing, lighting, creating shader graphs, and VFX. Although I’m not an expert in shaders or VFX, I enjoy the challenges they present.

I primarily use Maya, Unity, PS, and Painter, but I’m always looking to use the best tool for the job, regardless of the software. I’m especially excited to work in different in-house engines, figuring out how they work, and discovering their similarities and differences. (I know I’ll probably end up eating my words!).

Why d3t?

The interviews left me in such a great mood. Everyone I’ve spoken with has been absolutely lovely, and the conversations have been super engaging. That on its own is a pretty good sign.

Additionally, the opportunities to learn are too hard to pass up. The variety of work, the projects on offer, the access to studios, developers, perspectives, and skills will be invaluable. I can imagine d3t being a long-term home for my career.

What do you love about games?

The creation of games encompasses and overlaps with just so much, it’s difficult not to break into a long ramble. Making games captures me, and there’s nothing else I’d rather be doing.

We’re building worlds. To do that we need to break down the world we live in, understand how it works, and then recreate it in our own vision, and tell a compelling story while doing it.

There are also endless opportunities – to learn and engage in interesting conversations; to be creative and technical, to create and build. There’s nothing like it.

I’ll leave it there as this is a topic I can really get into.

What games are you currently playing, and what is your favourite game?

I’m hooked on classic World of Warcraft again… I couldn’t resist giving hardcore a bash. The losses make me want to curl up into the foetal position, but I’m somehow having a blast.

My favourite genres would have to be MMOs, RPGs, RTS(s?), but I’ll jump into just about anything that catches my eye. Usually, open and story-rich worlds in a Sci-fi and Fantasy setting really get me hooked.

Do you have any fun facts or hobbies?

I really enjoy gardening, cooking; and the occasional fun drive out into the country for a walk in some-place pretty.

This year we’re growing some Peas, Beets, Tomatoes, and various berries.
(Although, the birds and caterpillars will probably eat everything again).

We’ve recently adopted a second kitten! – he’s called Bean.
(If you’re on a call with me and hear tiny squeaks, it’s coming from Bean. If you hear a dodgy meow, then it’s Betty).