Getting to Know-made: Mahrez Wajeeh, Gameplay Programmer
✨ Have you ever found yourself pondering on the happenings at Glowmade Towers?
Glowmade is the home to a team of talented and passionate creators, and support staff where their creativity and care bubbles over into our games and studio culture daily, and - frankly - we all benefit from it!
It’s always fascinating to understand what makes people tick, and today’s Getting To Know-made (do you get it?) is with Mahrez Wajeeh, Gameplay Programmer at Glowmade!
Onward, dear readers, onward! ☝️😏
✨ Mahrez Wajeeh
Gameplay Programmer
What's your role at Glowmade (and what do you actually do)?
Gameplay Programmer, I’m in the Gameplay team working on various combat and UI features.
How would your mum/dad describe your job?
"She makes games!"; to the kids in the family to excite them. I don't think older people see it as a viable career option :D
And It isn’t a phase Mum. 🤘😎
Your job title in your own words?
Real life wizard!
Tell our dear readers a little about yourself, we want to know all about the origin story of Mahrez!
I took a leap of faith and joined the games industry at Rare in Oct 2020. I was scared of taking this step because i was a software engineering grad and everyone i knew went for AI, Data science, cloud computing etc. I knew I loved playing games and developing them would be amazing so I asked my partner (who already worked in the games industry) to help me with it. I worked at Rare for a year until i decided it was time for an indie studio experience which would teach me a LOT more and push me out of my comfort zone. I found Glowmade's website (which was adorable), applied there and here I am! :D
Can you tell our community how your career in the video game industry came to be?
If I'm being honest, it was after I started working in the industry that I realized how much I truly enjoyed it. I knew my work would be touching soo many lives and ill give all these people the opportunity to make memories with their friends and loved ones especially during the pandemic. Nothing made me happier
Share something you love doing outside of everything video games.
I love working out with my partner and being as competitive as I possibly can :D I love doing makeovers, mostly on my sisters and friends. Creating characters! I love Food. I want to try food from all over the world. I hate cooking tho 😛
Not to brag, but I can burn a disappointing bit of toast - I can arrange a taster. 😉
Who or what inspires you?
I think everyone around me, inspires me. I have a very closely knit circle and each one of them is unique in some way. My love for these people and their confidence in me pushes me everyday to create games that will make our world a better place! I also want to be the kind of woman that little girls look up to that no matter what the world says, there is nothing they cant achieve!
Share something you appreciate about yourself. I know I mentioned not overthinking, but think a little about this one. Give yourself a pat on your back.
I think I have a lot of empathy. I want to set things right but I also know I cant change the entire world so I try my best to share my experiences and help the people I love in fighting their battles.
This is truly the inspiration we needed today, thank you Mahrez. ❤️
“I love Food. I want to try food from all over the world. I hate cooking tho. 😛”
What's the best thing about working at Glowmade?
I love how connected everyone is to everyone. I can ask for help from literally anyone!
THIS. 🙌🙌🙌
What do you want from your career? What goals are you looking forward to vaulting past?
I want to see more diversity in games and in their development processes. I want to create the kind of games that are representative of every community and I want to enable people from every community or ethnicity to actively participate in it as well.
ALSO, THIS. ☝️
If you could have been involved in the development of ANY game, which would it be?
Ori and the will of the wisps
What are your top tips for someone looking to get into games?
It is never too early to start learning how to make games! Pick up tiny projects yourself or with your friends and utilize every resource you can. Anyone can make games! 😀
“Anyone can make games! ”
Who on the team is most likely to make a mess in the office?
Me. 😄
EDIT: Mahrez has since walked passed the Community Manager’s desk of abstract chaos, Mahrez should be back from The Upside Down any day now… 🛸
What's your personal motto?
"If it wont matter in 5 years, it shouldn't matter now". A bit of a cliche but "Hakuna Matata" and a personal favourite from back home "Mast mahol tey mithay chol" This is a Punjabi saying which literally means Chill scene and sweet rice and figuratively means Relax and party 😀
What's one thing most people don't know about you?
I remember all of Tarzan's songs by heart 😀
What's your guilty pleasure?
Horror movies and unhealthy snacking 😛
Well there you have it! Mahrez, you’re a gent and a scholar, we also know you’re a very busy chap, doing all the things, so thank you so much for your time - it’s very much appreciated!
And don’t forget WE ARE HIRING! We want to hear from you, even if you don’t see a role listed on our website that fits your skills - get in contact! And show us your adorable pets whilst you’re at it!
