Conor Kirkby is a Games Programming student at SAE London who has been a gaming fanatic since a young age.
In our new interview, Conor discusses his time with us, how it feels to be immersed in the SAE community and his experiences working on a game for the first time.
Read more below and contact our team to learn how to join our programmes.
How did your passion for games start?
My passion for games developed when I was extremely young. As soon as I was old enough to hold a controller, I was playing games, especially games I shouldn’t have been. Since then, I’ve played thousands of games. My passion really took off about two years ago when I played Final Fantasy VII Remake. I loved the original, and this one just blew everything out of the water.
From then, I decided to look up game development courses. I found SAE, applied, and never looked back. Starting the course with zero programming experience, it has been an incredible journey since then.
Why did you join SAE?
I decided to join SAE mainly because it was an accelerated course – only two years, while many universities offer three or even four. Another reason was that this institute is dedicated to creative media, whereas at another university, it might just be a course. Here, the teachers are industry professionals, which was a massive incentive for me to join too.
How does it feel to be part of the SAE community?
The SAE community has been amazing. The students in my class have been fantastic. I’ve collaborated with almost all of them. We’ve had many events, like playing Dungeons & Dragons, and various workshops and small events in the lounge.
I’ve met lots of people and was also a student ambassador, which allowed me to meet even more amazing people. The teachers and staff have been incredible, helping me find my way around London and giving me so much advice.
Why did you decide to come to London?
I chose London because it was an adventure. I’m from the north-east of England and had never been to London. I thought I would enjoy the experience of being in a completely new area and city.
How do the tutors bring their professional experience into class?
The lecturers at SAE have created customised workshops and lectures tailored to our needs. They’ve been incredibly supportive, and the courses are designed for anyone with no experience. They are simple to follow and understand. As long as you put in the effort, you can get anywhere.
What has been your favorite part of the course so far?
My favorite part of this course has been this trimester, where we made a game. I loved collaborating with other courses and teams. Working with other students has been amazing, and the passion we’ve put into this project has been incredible. It’s the best project I’ve made so far and a great culmination of all our efforts at SAE.
Can you tell me a bit about the project itself?
The project was inspired by Dark Souls, my personal favourite game series. It’s my aspiration to make a full Dark Souls-style game in the future. This project is a voxel-style game where you fight through
enemies and defeat the boss. I focused on AI development, which is my passion, creating boss battles, enemies, and anything that moves on its own inside a game.
Can you think of any moments of true inspiration or epiphany during the course?
There was a moment in the third trimester where programming really clicked for me. I understood the basics and foundations, and from then on, I felt I could start building on that foundation and get into
more advanced areas. That moment gave me the confidence to tackle more complex programming tasks.
What challenges have you faced, and how did you overcome them?
Learning programming at SAE was not without its challenges, but the courses are designed for those with no experience. There were times I tried to learn advanced concepts too quickly, but with the help of my
teacher and personalised lessons, I learned to pace myself and tackle one thing at a time.
Can you talk to me about examples of collaboration within your class and across programmes?
Within our class, we have plenty of opportunities to collaborate. Sometimes we can choose to collaborate or go solo. I’ve collaborated with up to six people on a large project, which was challenging but rewarding. We’ve also had opportunities to collaborate with other classes, such as Audio Production and Film Production, especially during game jams. These collaborations simulate what life in the industry might be like and are incredible learning experiences.
Do you have any advice for new students considering SAE?
My biggest piece of advice is to just do it. Taking the first step is crucial. This has been an incredible learning experience, and I feel almost ready for the industry.
Even if you don’t know anything, just take that first step, and you’ll become skilled and knowledgeable, gaining the confidence to pursue your goals.
STUDY GAME ART and ANIMATION AT SAE
SAE offers two-year accelerated degree courses in growth creative media industries including Game Art and Animation and Games Programming – all aimed at helping the next generation of creative professionals get ahead.
From our expert tutors to our cutting-edge computer labs, SAE’s degree will enable you to master a range of both technical and practical industry-relevant skills.
