Erin got in touch via the LFC Foundation’s Creative Works Programme, and has spent two weeks getting hands-on experience with industry professionals and teaching us a thing or two about character development and world-building along the way!
The exciting upcoming Rockwater project she has been working on is under NDA, but Erin has kindly agreed to share the story of how her internship has helped her develop her skills and led her to consider the games industry as a genuine career option.
The following is Erin’s account!
Laying the Foundation
I was first introduced to Ripstone when I took part in the “Creative Works” programme run by the LFC Foundation which acquainted us with all the various creative industries that have found a home in Liverpool. After graduating from university, whilst I had learnt the skills that should help me to develop my career, I lacked any knowledge on how to enter the world of work or how to apply these skills in a non-academic setting.
This was why I took part in “Creative Works” so that I could learn what employment opportunities are available in my city. On this programme Ripstone Brand Champion Gary King not only imparted onto all of us the rich history of the video game industry right here in Liverpool, something that I never knew existed! He also asked each of us what we wanted to do and we learnt how every role that we were aspiring towards was available within the gaming industry. I was so inspired that I had to reach out to Gary afterwards to see if he had any further wisdom he’d like to share. And to my surprise, he gave me more than just advice, he offered me an internship!
Expectations vs Reality
Expecting to be doing nothing more than fetching teas and coffees, I was surprised to find that I wouldn’t be making drinks at all! Instead, I would be working on world-building and character development for a brand new IP project that will break new ground for Ripstone’s new development studio, Rockwater.
As someone who studied Creative Writing and whose goal is to become a scriptwriter, this was a dream come true! I already spend all of my free time creating characters for the fun of it so I was over the moon to be able to explore this passion in a professional setting!
Ripstone Life
Everyone at Ripstone has been so welcoming and encouraging, giving me the opportunity to create without limitations when coming up with ideas as well as how to think outside the box when working to a specific brief. I also learnt the importance of collaboration, something that sits at the heart of Ripstone. It is a place that puts a lot of emphasis on widening inclusion and giving people like me who may have never considered a career in gaming before the opportunity to learn more about all the many varied careers that exist within the video game industry.
Building Skills
At the end of my internship I was so excited to present my ideas to the creative team. Receiving feedback from those talented industry professionals is something that I could never have gotten from inside a classroom. It was an invaluable experience that improved my confidence and expanded my creative skills, something I never would have been able to achieve if I had not done my internship here at Ripstone.
Game-Changing
As I mentioned, my original goal was to become a scriptwriter. I didn’t play many video games growing up so it wasn’t a world that I knew a lot about. But after completing my internship, I am now seriously considering pursuing a career within the gaming industry, so for that I will forever be grateful to Ripstone.
Erin Eynon-Daly, Creative Writer
What is the LFC Foundation?
The LFC Foundation is the official charity of Liverpool Football Club. The charity’s stellar work aims to create positive change in the lives of children and young people across the region.
It focuses on education, health, and social inclusion initiatives – and even uses the power of football – to inspire, engage, and make a lasting impact in local communities.
Find out how you can support The LFC Foundation, here.
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At Ripstone, we’re proud to be able to support and engage with some incredible charities and initiatives throughout each year. The momentous work that they take on enriches and inspires everything we do. Find out more about our charity partners.