Loong-Wei Ding graduated from Hull in 2008 with an MSc in Game Programming. Now, he’s the Technical Director at British video game developer Ninja Theory. In April 2025, he was part of the team that won the BAFTA for Technical Achievement for their game Senua’s Saga: Hellblade II.
Game development is about bringing together a wide
range of disciplines to realise a shared vision
Degree
MSc Game Programming
Year of graduation
2008
Current occupation
Technical Director, Ninja Theory
Some of my fondest memories from Hull are of the friendships I made and the projects my teammates and I poured our hearts into. Those long nights (and days) of problem-solving, experimenting, and celebrating little breakthroughs together defined my time there. It was about learning to collaborate, persevere, and enjoy the process.
The University of Hull played a huge role in kickstarting my career in the video game industry. The environment encouraged us to explore not only the technical skills, but also the collaborative aspects of making games. That foundation of teamwork, problem-solving and practical application of core skills gave me the confidence to step into the industry and grow from there.
“The University of Hull played a huge role in kickstarting my career in the video game industry. The environment encouraged us to explore not just the technical skills, but also the collaborative aspects of making games.”
I don’t have a single defining moment or person, but I do remember certain experiences. The HIVE centre certainly stands out. As does my final project where my teammate and I used head-tracking technology for a first-person-shooter with some very simple enemies who know how to hide behind obstacles.
I also remember the game industry overview course with Dr Jon Purdy, where he gave me an invaluable perspective on how the wider industry worked beyond the classroom. There were also the practical modules, particularly C++ and physics simulation, led by Mr Warren Viant, which pushed me to apply theory in ways that felt real and exciting. Those experiences shaped how I approach challenges even today.
I feel incredibly proud of the team that made it possible. Game development is full of highs and lows, and the day-to-day effort often involves solving the tiniest issues or hunting down the rarest bugs. Those final pushes can be tough, but when you see everything come together, it's immensely gratifying.
What I'm most proud of with Hellblade II is the performance and the stability we achieved. It's easy to overlook the invisible work that goes into making a game run smoothly, but for us, delivering that seamless experience mattered deeply. This includes the smooth transitions of animations, cameras, and the fine details that the team put into the game. Those touches that players might not always consciously notice, but which create immersion and emotional impact.
The tools and systems that supported the game were very much a collective effort across the studio. One that particularly stands out is Self-Play. As the name suggests, it's a system that literally plays the game from start to finish. This allowed us to collect performance data and, crucially, reproduce elusive bugs and issues that would otherwise have been incredibly difficult to track down.
One of the things I love most about this industry is that no two games are ever the same. Even when working on a sequel, you’re not just repeating the past, you’re improving features, rethinking designs, and adapting to new creative visions.
One of the things I love most about this industry is that no two games are ever the same. Even when working on a sequel, you’re not just repeating the past, you’re improving features, rethinking designs, and adapting to new creative visions. That constant change keeps work exciting.
A challenge that still stands out to me is from early in my career, when I was a junior programmer working on Enslaved: Odyssey to the West. I was tasked with implementing the cloud/hoverboard feature for the protagonist, Monkey. It was one of the first systems I ever owned, and it exposed me to so many aspects of game development: character movement, visual effects, sound design, animation and, most importantly, collaboration. I worked closely with animators, artists, sound designers, game designers, and quality assurance to bring that feature to life. It taught me the true nature of game development: that it’s about bringing together a wide range of disciplines to realise a shared vision.
Game development is full of highs and lows, and the day-to-day effort often involves solving the tiniest issues or hunting down the rarest bugs. Those final pushes can be tough, but when you see everything come together, it's immensely gratifying.”
It's fantastic! There's something special about knowing we share that common foundation, even if our time at Hull didn’t overlap. In fact, I didn't realise at first that one of them was also a Hull graduate!
Sure thing! I started my career as a gameplay programmer, so my first piece of advice is: think and feel like a player for the game you’re making. At the heart of it all, one of the reasons we’re here – if not the reason – is our love for playing video games. But it's important not to project your own biases too heavily. Every game is different, with its own target audience. So approach game development with empathy. Put yourself in the shoes of the player the game is designed for. Think and feel the game like they do.
BA English, 1994
After graduating in 1994 with a degree in English, Liz Sproat forged a successful career with Google and LEGO. Now a leadership and development coach, she works with clients across the education and technology sectors.
BA English, 2015
Heather is a disability rights advocate, writer, and business development professional, driving inclusion through lived experience and strategic influence.
BA American Studies, 1996
Edward Parnell, a 1996 graduate in American Studies, is the author of Ghostland, shortlisted for the PEN Ackerley 2020 Award. His debut novel, The Listeners, won the Rethink New Novels Prize in 2014.
BA (Hons) Accountancy with Financial Management, 2013
Conor graduated from the University of Hull in 2013. He lives in Farnham, Surrey, with his wife and two children and is currently Global Business Development Director at McLaren, having previously held senior leadership roles at Lotus and Forseven.