d3t welcomes Ray Vanderhaegen, Senior Environment Artist
15th May 2023
Tell us a bit of information about your experience/career background?
I’ve been an Environment Artist going on five or six years now. I started off my career working on small side projects, indie games, and doing freelance work.
I have always known though that I have wanted to make environments and worlds, ever since I played the demo for Crysis back in 2007! I’ve now had the opportunity to work on both realistic and stylised titles and have been lucky enough to ship two games. However, I can’t wait to ship more!
Why d3t?
When I found d3t and what they do I was mesmerised by the opportunity to work on such a wide range of incredible titles, which will also mean that I will need to adapt to different styles, workflows, and techniques. For someone like me that loves learning and constantly evolving, I find this to be a perfect match.
It’s safe to say that it is a dream for me to be able to work on so many different things, further my skills as an Artist and most importantly make great games!
What do you love about games?
The ability to represent almost anything and be almost anywhere. Want to perform some espionage and be a stealth master? Want to fight demons with a giant sword? Want to be trapped in terrifyingly realistic combat? Want to experience professional boxing, simulated flying, racing. The answer is always video games. How else could I experience the frozen arctic and mars in the same weekend!
I think another big reason is the elusive game feel. I can’t quite put into words why F.E.A.R still feels so excellent to play today, but anyone that tries it knows that distinct feeling. It’s like driving a sports car. There is a special magic to a good game that’s almost impossible to quantify but there’s absolutely nothing else like it.
What games are you currently playing, and what is your favourite game?
I’m currently playing through the Company of Heroes games, mainly because I’m very bad at RTS games so I wanted something people revere to force me to get better at the genre!
My favourite game is really hard to answer, and my answer will change depending on what day I’m asked. Stalker Shadow Of Chernobyl is definitely up there, I’m a huge Counter-Strike fan and have been since 1.5. I’m also a big Metal Gear Solid fan and think MGS2 is probably the best game ever made! I’m also a huge fan of Half Life 1 and 2. In fact I could list my favourite games for an age! But I must give an honourable mention to Quake 1, the greatest FPS of all time.
Do you have any fun facts or hobbies?
I enjoy cooking. I have broken my wrist twice and I own multiple lava lamps.
I do a little bit of rock climbing in my free time. Sometimes some kayaking too if the weather feels like letting me do it!
I also play flight simulators; I even have a virtual squadron I fly with!
I’m also a keen driver and of course love playing as many video games as I can!