Coconut Lizard welcomes Stephen Archibald, Associate VFX Artist to the team!

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

I’ve been working in the industry for about ten years now, and during this time I was hired primarily as a QA Tester, but I’ve also worked as a Designer for a short period too.  I also took time out from the industry and returned to university where I pursued a Master’s in Computer Animation and VFX, and since graduating I've been working towards making VFX a part of my career.

Why Coconut Lizard?

I had heard a lot of good things about Coconut Lizard and wanted to be a part of a company that has such a positive attitude towards its employees as well as the exciting range of projects across different genres that the team work on. Before even starting I have felt very welcomed by the company and look forward to being amongst a team of talented, creative and like-minded individuals.

What do you love about games?

I love the level of engagement that games can provide. Games offer a wide variety of experiences from storytelling to problem solving. However, what I love especially about them is how games allow for a level of interactivity with the story that can’t be done in films, books and TV. Even if a game is guiding the player from point to point, I always feel like I’m having an effect on the outcome.

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

I’ve been playing a lot of Hollow Knight recently; I missed it on release and I’m glad I’ve had the chance to sit down and play it. It’s quickly become one of the best games I’ve played. In addition to that I have also spent time playing Returnal and Elden Ring. Possibly two of the most challenging games I’ve ever played.

My favourite game, however, is probably Grim Fandango. It’s one of the games that got me interested in narrative storytelling and I loved its unique setting and imaginative world.

Any fun facts or hobbies?

I like to get away to see live music when I can so often take trips away to see bands. Outside of that I do like to draw and I’m slowly but surely trying to learn the piano.