Coconut Lizard welcomes Ryan Holt, Associate Programmer to the team!

Please detail a bit of information about your experience/career background?

I’ve always enjoyed video games as long as I can remember, and always wanted to work as a video game developer. In 2022 I moved to the UK from New Zealand, and later that year I enrolled in Newcastle University's MSc Computer Game Engineering course.

In 2023 I started work at Nomad Games, a smaller studio that specialises in digital adaptations of physical board games, such as CATAN, Talisman and Fury of Dracula.

However, I am now pleased to continue my time in the industry at Coconut Lizard.

Why Coconut Lizard?

A friend of mine from the same university course was hired by Coconut Lizard as a graduate, and highly recommended the company to me when my previous role was unfortunately made redundant.

What do you love about games?

I find video games to be a brilliant way of expressing both mechanical prowess as well comprehensive understanding and decision making. I enjoy improving to be able to beat punishing Souls-like bosses, large and complex RTS scenarios, and incredibly fast-paced rhythm game stages.

I also enjoy sitting down and attempting to ‘solve’ or otherwise optimise the strategic element of games I play as if they were an abstract puzzle.

What games are you currently playing, and what is your favourite game?

Games I frequently play these days include Call of Duty: World at War Zombies, FTL: Faster Than Light, Lethal Company and StarCraft 2. When time permits I hope to get my hands on ELDEN RING Shadow of the Erdtree, Black Myth Wukong and Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2.

My all-time favourite game would be Diablo II. It’s a brilliant Action-RPG with a surprising amount of mechanical depth for the time. The loot system for the game is also extremely satisfying, with a fascinating implementation resulting in unfathomably low drop rates for the rarest items!

Any fun facts or hobbies?

I used to be a pro gamer! While doing my final year of high school I competed in the Australia/New Zealand Heroes of the Storm league.

Outside of work you can often find me at the local archery range.