Industry Insights - February

This session brings together Paul Allen, Emily Zhang, Kevin O’Gorman, and Squirrel Eiserloh to share the professional logic that has allowed them to thrive across nearly a century of industry evolution. While their roles range from high-level animation on major AAA titles to the technical math of engine architecture, they share a common mastery of "creative endurance." This discussion explores how these professionals build modular systems that survive production cycles, navigate major studio shifts, and maintain a versatile career through decades of technological change.

• Paul Allen – Senior 3D Animator at id Software with 25+ years of experience on the legendary DOOM series

• Emily Zhang – Systems Designer at Gearbox Entertainment, specializing in gameplay frameworks and modular tools for titles like Borderlands 4.

• Kevin O’Gorman – Veteran Game Designer and Educator with a deep history in digital production and the analog design logic of the industry.

• Squirrel Eiserloh – Game Programmer, Systems Designer, an expert in the intersection of math, physics, and gameplay programming.

Attendees will get a candid look at the "Real World" pipeline, learning how to translate creative passion into the resilient, systemic thinking required by modern studios. By bridging the perspectives of AAA production, technical design, and academic leadership, this panel offers a roadmap for building a career that is both sustainable and adaptable.

note: This event will not be live streamed or recorded