EA Welcomes Students to E3 for the First Time
2015-06-13
Electronic Arts
Meet the EA Leaders Speaking to Students on June 15
This year at E3, we’ve invited over 300 local high school and university students to join us for an exclusive opportunity to see our EA E3 Press Conference live at the Shrine Expo Hall in Los Angeles.
Once the lights go up and the show is over, the students will get another special opportunity – to hear from leaders within EA for exclusive insight into what it’s like to land a job in videogames, what makes you stand out, what classes to never skip and how much time they really spend playing games on the job.
We sat down with the speakers and our moderator to learn a little more about them before they meet the students:
Andrew Wilson, CEO, EA
What was your first job?
At the age of 13 I sold beds at a shop called Bed Bugs.
If you could go back and relive any high school or university class, which would it be?
Ethics was a really interesting class because the contrast between making money and doing what is ethically right is a conundrum that we face on a day to day basis.
What is your all-time favorite game?
Double Dragon or Medal of Honor: Allied Assault
Who is your favorite person to play games with?
My wife
What was the last game you played?
Last of Us Remastered on PlayStation 4
If you could go back in time, what advice would you give your high school self about breaking into the video game industry?
That math is really important and pursue your passion. Do what you love.
Jeremy Vanhoozer, Senior Creative Director, Plants vs. Zombies Franchise
What was your first job?
I sold balloons in the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World.
If you could go back and relive any high school or university class, which would it be?
Art class, of course.
Who is your favorite person to play games with?
My 9 year old son, Aidan.
What was the last game you played?
The Witcher 3.
If you could go back in time, what advice would you give your high school self about breaking into the video game industry?
Don’t be afraid to jump in. Start making games on your own and make mistakes. Don’t fear failure!
Andrea Benavides, Software Engineer
What was your first job?
I worked at a movie theatre so that I could get free tickets for me and my friends.
If you could go back and relive any high school or university class, which would it be?
The “Intro to Computational Media” class I took at Georgia Tech – it was a really hard and often frustrating class, but I didn’t realize how much I was learning until after it was over. I’d love to sit in there again with a new perspective to see what more I could get out of it.
Who is your favorite video game character of all time?
Probably Sack Boy, he’s made me laugh the most.
What was the last game you played?
Oh no, Oh hi, Rules! And 1010! on mobile and Valiant Hearts on console.
If you could go back in time, what advice would you give your high school self about breaking into the video game industry?
Experience as many things as possible, because all of that experience will make your work better and more inspired in the long run.
Sigurlina Ingvarsdottir, Producer, Star Wars Battlefront
If you could go back and relive any high school or university class, which would it be?
The ethics and history of Engineering, a class which I took at the end of my Engineering studies that tied together history, philosophy, culture and development of mankind in a fascinating way. Couple that with the fact that I was playing Civilization III which made feel like I was playing out what I was learning in class.
Who is your favorite video game character of all time?
Faith from Mirror’s Edge and Nina Williams from Tekken.
What is your all-time favorite game?
Tetris
What was the last game you played?
Minecraft with my 7 year old daughter.
If you could go back in time, what advice would you give your high school self about breaking into the video game industry?
Never take no for an answer, speak up loudly and take more space.
Tracy Fullerton, Director of the USC Games Program (moderator)
If you could go back and relive any high school or university class, which would it be?
I kind of do that on a daily basis! If I could go back to school now, I’d get a PhD in games.
Who is your favorite video game character of all time?
I love the original Sims characters, how they move and talk. I feel like I know them through their crazy Simlish.
Who is your favorite person to play games with?
My niece and nephews
What was the last game you played?
Sunset by Tale of Tales
If you could go back in time, what advice would you give your high school self about breaking into the video game industry?
Don’t be so shy!
