Profile

Photo:

Matt Sephton

    • About Me:

      I’m an independent video game developer working on my own ideas. I don’t work for anybody else. 🤓

      One of my games was listed as of of the “Best Games of 2023”, alongside Mario, Zelda, and Baldur’s Gate 3. 🏆

      I’ve got ADHD and ASD. 🧠

    • Read more

      Being an independent video game developer means I think up ideas for video games, then I make the game, and when it’s finished I self-publish it and sell it to gamers! 💸

      So I do everything myself: game design, coding, graphics, sound. I like it because nobody is telling me what to do. 🗿

      Also, I’m totally obsessed with Japan and everything Japanese! 🔰

    • My pronouns are:

      he/him

    • My Work:

      I’m an independent video game developer. 🤓

      That means I think up ideas for video games, then I make the games, and eventually sell them! 👾

    • Read more

      So I do everything myself: game design, coding, graphics, sound. I like it because nobody is telling me what to do. 🗿

      Previously I worked for Apple as a Technology Evangelist—a quite ridiculous job title—but basically it’s a role that is 50/50 teaching and programming. 🍏

    • My Typical Day:

      I get up late, go for a walk, get to work, have a snack and a drink for brunch or lunch. 🥤

      I do my best work in the afternoon and intuitive the evening. 🦉

    • Read more

      As I’m a late riser, and don’t normally have breakfast, but I like to go for a walk to get myself hyped for the day ahead. 👣

      All my best ideas come during, or immediately after, a good walk. My second best ideas seem to come when I’m taking a shower. 🚿

      I do as much of my work away from the computer (thinking up ideas and approaches) as I do at the computer (making  things work). 🧠

      Most days I work late because it’s quieter at night. 🔇

    • What I'd do with the prize money:

      I would use the prize money to support a research outreach project in Japan, where I will:

      • Document my research through photos and video for creating educational content
      • Create online resources about my research findings using my website

    Candidate CV questions (extra)

    • Education:

      • Whitefield Primary School, Liverpool
      • Liverpool College (public school; I won an assisted place, so my education was paid for by the government. Secondary School and Sixth Form)
      • Liverpool University (Computer Science Degree)

    • Qualifications:

      • GCSEs (I forget how many, it was a long time ago!) 👴
      • A-levels (4: Computing, Maths, Physics, Economics) 🅰️
      • Degree (Computer Science, BSc, 2:1) 🎓

    • Work History:

      • Independent Video Game Developer, Self-employed
        2020–present
      • Web Developer, Self-employed
        2016–2020
      • Technology Evangelist, Apple
        2013–2016
      • Developer, Self-employed
        2004–2013
      • Web Developer, various companies
        1998-2004
      • Bedroom Developer, Self-employed
        1989–1998

       

    • Current Job:

      • Independent Video Game Developer, Self-employed
        2020–present

    • Employer:

      • Myself 👌

    • My Interview

      • How would you describe yourself in 3 words?

        enthusiastic nerdy gamer

        What did you want to be after you left school?

        I've always wanted to be a Computer Programmer, ever since I saw a computer for a first time (1980s) it was obvious to me that it was the future. I distinctly remember in my mind's eye a red carpet rolled out into the universe! There was my future.

        Were you ever in trouble at school?

        I was often distracted, told I didn't listen, and never read the books I was supposed to over the school holidays. I was lucky enough that I did well at school without doing all that reading. I did do all my homework, even when it was a struggle.

        If you weren't doing this job, what would you choose instead?

        I'd be a software developer, or an artist, anything where I can create amazing things out of nothing. I am at my best and happiest when I am creating, and when I'm not creating I get a bit anxious.

        Who is your favourite singer or band?

        Phoenix (they're a French indie band that sing in English! They performed at the Paris Olympics closing ceremony)

        What's your favourite food?

        Japanese! chicken katsu curry or sushi

        If you had 3 wishes for yourself what would they be? - be honest!

        1. to have better mental health, 2. to have perfect hearing, 3. to ask for three more wishes!

        Tell us a joke.

        What does a gamer use to make bread? 🤔 Nintendough! 🍞