12 devs in 12 months: Kate MacMullin

To celebrate our 15th anniversary, we wanted to introduce studio employees in an original way. People that are not usually under the spotlight, but that deserve to be known for their impact on the games we create. From that idea, we created the 12 Devs in 12 Months initiative. Until the end of 2020, you will get to meet 12 talented and friendly members of our team.

This month, we’re introducing you to Kate MacMullin, Scriptwritter, here at Ubisoft Québec.

Enjoy!

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WHAT’S YOUR GREATEST MEMORY AT UBI?

It’s a cliché but the Assassin’s Creed Odyssey launch and all the events surrounding it were so surreal. It was definitely huge moment in my career personally, and such an amazing time for the studio. I feel so lucky to have worked on it and I still can’t believe how many people have played the game since then.

WHAT BROUGHT YOU INTO THE VIDEOGAME INDUSTRY?

Video games and writing were two things that I fell head over heels for at a young age so once I realized those two passions could align, I set out to become a scriptwriter in the industry.

I studied creative writing at Concordia University and after graduating, I found a job as a QA tester to get experience in the industry. I worked in QA for two years before finally landing an offer to work as a scriptwriter at Ubisoft Quebec. It’s not such a straight path for everyone but I definitely knew what I wanted and chased it down

The process of storytelling has always captivated me. Getting to do it for a medium that constantly innovates and evolves is exhilarating, especially here at Ubisoft Quebec.

WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE PROJECT YOU’VE WORKED ON?

All the projects I’ve been fortunate enough to work on have been great in their own ways but getting to write for the gorgeous, tall women in the first episode of the Fate of Atlantis DLC for AC Odyssey was extremely special. Hekate is still near and dear to my heart and getting to flesh out a complex, mythic feminine friendship in a AAA game was a really meaningful experience.

15 YEARS, IT FLIES BY! WHAT WERE YOU DOING IN 2005?

Ahaha, I had just turned 12 so nothing too significant. I remember around that time, I had a notebook under my pillow with a clip-on reading light attached. Late at night, I was writing what I thought would be my first bestselling novel. Ironically, that novel never did see the light of day.

WHAT GETS YOU OUT OF BED IN THE MORNING?

If it’s not work on a weekday, it’s Saturday brunch at Chez Temporel here in Quebec City.

UBISOFT QUÉBEC WOULD’T BE UBISOFT QUÉBEC WITHOUT…

Morning coffees at Faro with amazing colleagues and friends. 🙂

NAME A COLLEAGUE THAT INSPIRES YOU. WHY?

I’ve been extremely fortunate to have worked with some incredibly talented, passionate women who push hard for diverse storytelling and provide amazing mentorship to fellow women in games. They’ve made the industry a better place for everyone, made games more interesting for players and paved the way for me to get my foot in the door. Now that I’m here, I aspire to continue and expand on their work.

WHAT IS THE MOST REWARDING THING ABOUT YOUR JOB?

Video games are one of the few avenues for a writer that involves extensive and ongoing collaboration with a variety of disciplines. Getting to see my scripts and stories come to life through cinematic, quest and voice design always makes my day.

WE OFTEN TALK ABOUT THE VIBE AT UBISOFT QUÉBEC. DESCRIBE THIS VIBE IN 3 WORDS.

Passionate, quirky, driven.

WHAT WAS YOUR SONG IN 2005?

Probably something embarrassing like You and Me by Lifehouse.

WHAT WAS YOUR GAME 2005?

Harvest Moon: A Wonderful Life.

UBISOFT QUÉBEC IN 15 YEARS, WHAT WILL IT LOOK LIKE?

Of course, the studio will continue to make amazing games and to play as hard as we work. In fifteen years, I want to see Ubisoft Quebec and the games industry as a whole grow into a larger, more diverse workforce that continues to foster innovation in storytelling. 🙂