12 Devs in 12 Months: Masha Mumrenko

Even if our 15th anniversary is behind us, we still have a bunch of amazing employees that deserve to be known. That’s why we’re starting the second edition of 12 Devs in 12 Months. Until March 2022, you’ll get to meet 12 new talented and friendly members of our team.

This month, we’re introducing you to MASHA MUMRENKO, Online Programmer who has been with us for 1 year.

Enjoy!

//

DESCRIBE YOUR JOB IN A GIF.

WHAT IS YOUR BEST MEMORY UBI?

There are several memories that I could have called the best, but they all are united by the same event, so it can be considered as one big best memory. That are the moments when I get the presents from the studio. But not only because of the presents (⁄ ⁄>⁄ ▽ ⁄<⁄ ⁄), but also due to the feelings they bring up. They usually have either our emblem or symbol of our game or it is something that we have made together, let that be a disk with the game or an artbook. So, receiving them I get a feeling that something was achieved by our team and this team includes me. Knowing that makes me happy.

WHAT LED YOU TO THE VIDEO GAME INDUSTRY?

Generally, the story about what led me to the game development industry is quite trivial. I think people who had the most influence on that would be my father and my uncle, who played video games. Thanks to them I also started playing since I was a child and I really liked it. I have always considered it as something that can be both exciting and complex at the same time. At some point I got interested in the process of their creation and I decided that I want to make games. After I started my education in the university, I was dreaming to get a job in game development, and I got lucky.

WHAT WAS THE BEST PROJECT YOU WORKED ON?

I don’t have a large list of games I worked on yet, only two at this point: Immortals Fenyx Rising and Watch Dogs Legion. I liked working on them both, but IFR is the first project I could release and it makes it special, so I would say it is Immortals Fenyx Rising.

WHAT DO YOU LIKE MOST ABOUT WORKING FROM HOME? WHAT DO YOU LIKE LEAST?

I like that I can get up in the morning and start working right away without wasting time getting ready and commuting to workplace. I also can do as much hot tea as I want very quickly (kitchen is right near my desk) and work even in pyjamas. ????

What I don’t like is that I don’t see my colleagues and sometimes it makes harder to solve cases, where I need their help, just talking in person would have been much more effective. Also, in the studio with so many people around, there is a proper working atmosphere and environment is somehow different every day. At home it the same day by day.

IF YOU HAD ANY ADVICE FOR SOMEONE WHO WOULD LIKE TO DO THE SAME JOB AS YOU, WHAT WOULD IT BE?

I would advice never to be afraid to ask questions, because it is one of the best ways to find out something new and motivates you to learn more to be able to help others as well. Do not hesitate to share your opinion with others – in the best case this can show the better way of solving the problem, in the worst case you will know why that won’t work.

WHICH COLLEAGUE HAS MARKED YOU IN THE LAST YEAR AND WHY?

I really like and respect all members of my team, but I think it would be honest to say that Humberto Rocha impressed me by how reliable and attentive to others he is. During my first weeks in the new studio he helped me a lot with setup of the game client and explained to me the basics, like showed me how to use the Teabox for example. He always gives a lot of useful advice.

WHAT ARE YOU PASSIONATES ABOUT OUTSIDE OF WORK?

I like playing games and programming (obviously :D), music, Asian culture, nature, traveling, animals and tea.

WHAT DID WORK FROM HOME ALLOWED YOU TO DISCOVER ABOUT YOURSELF?

That there are no limits to how lazy I can be and that Internet disconnections can bother me even more than before  ? But also the self organization turned out to be better than I thought, at least I could do my job almost always in time. And I think that collaboration with my colleagues, that I have never met in person also turned out well.

WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING FORWARD TO THE MOST ABOUT GOING BACK TO THE STUDIO?

I came to Ubisoft Québec at the end of January 2020 and I didn’t have a chance to meet in person a lot of people that work in the studio. So, I am really looking forward to meeting you all and take part in social activities. And I want to feel the creative working environment again.

[MAXIM’S QUESTION] WHAT IS THE FIRST GAME THAT YOU COMPLETED FROM START TO FINISH… MORE THAN ONCE?

American McGee’s Alice

WHAT QUESTION WOULD YOU ASK THE NEXT #12DEVSEN12MONTH PARTICIPANT?

What have you created/accomplished working in Ubi that you are proud of?