Hello! For those of you who missed my introductions on Twitter and Facebook, my name’s Emma and I’m taking on Web and Community Support here at Rare. Basically this means I’ll be engaging with you lot via social media, monitoring online buzz and generally helping to manage Rare’s web presence.
Having only finished an MA in Web Journalism a short while ago my first week in the ‘real world’ of work has been both exhausting and exciting. Pros – the free canned drinks. Cons – the feeling by the end of the day that I may lose my teeth to said drinks.
Just a bit of background. I’m 24, I’ve been gaming before I could write and when I find myself with spare time I make cake. My dad has been in IT since before I was born and my first gaming experiences were sitting on his lap helping him play DOOM on the computer (with a joystick) until my mum would walk in and scream in horror at the violence I was delighting in. Subsequent experiences were going to my best friend’s house every day after school to steal time on her brother’s N64 playing GoldenEye on paintball mode and playing vintage games on her SNES. These days I’m more of an RPG girl, the Fable series is one of my favourites. I also love Viva Piñata as a way to chill out and getting friends round to play Kinect Sports. Sadly it would seem my lack of talent at actual sports translates to also having no talent at virtual sports.
Monday 22nd July
I spent the few weeks between finishing my MA and getting a job offer from Rare doing unpaid work experience in windowless offices on rather dilapidated industrial parks. So arriving at Rare this morning was a very welcome change! The grounds are beautiful, I’m a country girl at heart. I was met at reception by the lovely Anna who gave me the site tour. Having only seen the lobby and the inside of a conference room at interview I was keen to poke around a little more. As far as workplaces go, I have a feeling this one’s going to be rather amazing. There are games rooms set up for lunchtime and post-work gaming, a games library to borrow consoles, games and box sets, fridges full of free drinks and plenty of places to chill out. I’m working in one of the barns (yes I work in a barn) with a lovely view of some of the many on-site trees.
Today was spent mostly going through the Twitter and Facebook accounts to see what you guys like to talk about and what Leigh has posted in the past. From what I can tell, you’re quite a vocal bunch.
Tuesday 23rd July
Met the team who work on my floor today. As my background is in journalism rather than games development this necessitated regularly asking “what does that mean?” and “what exactly do you do?” Still not quite sure I understand all of it but can confirm they’re all very nice!
Having had my interest piqued yesterday by the idea of a games library, I investigated today and walked out with a 3DS (I’m currently commuting by train and need some entertainment!), one Xbox 360 game and a PS3 game. Should keep me going for a little while.
Was formally introduced to the Rare online community today via Twitter and Facebook and was pleased by the welcome I received. Though some of you thinking I have the manpower or influence to demand new games from Rare is perhaps a little optimistic!
Wednesday 24th July
Leigh emailed everyone at Rare to let them know who I am and why I’m here. This prompted an invitation to join a lunchtime Mario Kart session with some of the guys who work on my floor. Sad to say my first attempt at joining in resulted in three losses and one third place. Must practise more.
Today also discovered Cherry Coke in the fridges. Feel this may be the start of a slippery slope into a Cherry Coke habit…
Thursday 25th July
Another trip to the games library today. The temptation is too strong! Got out a few games for the weekend which I can play with house guests.
Today is both BBQ day in the canteen and ‘Pie Day’ (a spontaneous trip to a local pub to enjoy pie or equivalent dish). Sadly I have brought a rather lacklustre salad from home. Maybe next week.
Twitter users seem to have highly approved of a tweet about my newfound love of Cherry Coke yesterday so another fizzy drinks tweet is sent out to give the people what they want. Seems you aren’t all quite as passionate about pink lemonade though.
Friday 26th July
Leigh’s off for a long weekend with family in Wales so I’m left unsupervised with the social media. Busy day planning some exciting things for Gamescom. If you’re going, be sure to stop by and say hi (I won’t be there but some lovely Rare reps will).
Decided to take advantage of the sun before it disappears by taking a (borrowed) set of Viva Piñata toys into the grounds to take photos of them roaming wild. For no other reason than I think the Piñatas are fantastic and it made for some very cool images. Think I may have got a little sunburnt though. And almost fell headfirst into a pond in the process.
Getting a start on looking at the web analytics for the month to see what you lot have liked, what you weren’t so keen on and what we should do more…
Overall, feeling like I’ve massively lucked out on the job front and looking forward to week two!