James Purell, Brand Strategist for one of the world’s largest games platforms, Roblox, delivered an interactive industry masterclass to our Level 3 Computing students.
James Purell, the founder of BuildingBlox, a consultancy company that specialises in gaming strategies for global brands, shared his industry expertise with the next generation of game developers and sat in on their game pitches that showcased their gaming creations on the Roblox Platform, which boasts over 85 million active daily users.
James, who has helped major brands like Netflix, Proctor & Gamble, Sony, Paddington Bear, and The PGA Tour navigate the Roblox ecosystem, offered students an exclusive glimpse into the behind-the-scenes processes of game development.
During the session, James took students on a journey through his gaming career and delved into the dynamic aspects of game development. The group of students learned more about topics including model building, concept development, story writing, UI creation, animations, live ops, sound design, monetisation strategies and more.
As part of the gaming showcase, students had 5-7 minutes to pitch their game to James, who in turn asked technical questions and offered practical tips and tailored suggestions to each student’s game.
The workshop ended with a Q&A session where students seized the opportunity to ask questions about games development, career advice and the opportunities within the rapidly growing gaming sector.
Head of School for Computing, Scott Bonner said: "We are thrilled to have had James Purell visit our students. His vast experience and knowledge are invaluable, and the opportunity for our students to engage with such a leading figure in the gaming world is a truly unique experience. They now have a better understanding of the global impact of their work and the exciting career prospects ahead of them."
The workshop provided students with an exceptional opportunity to learn directly from one of the most influential figures in the gaming world, leaving them with the skills, motivation, and ambition to make their mark on the industry.
A career like James’ in Games Development could be closer than you think with West Herts College.