Classy Games' Dana Taha on breaking into game development

From discovering game development by chance to building enemy AI systems and analysing player behaviour, Classy Games junior developer Dana Taha is part of a new wave of talent shaping studios across the MENA region.

We caught up with Taha to discuss her entry into games, Classy Games role, alternative career paths she would've considered, and her advice for those looking to break into the industry.

IsaKaba: Can you tell us a little bit about yourself? How did you initially get into the games industry?

Dana Taha: From a young age I've always been drawn to the arts, so growing up I knew that I wanted to pursue something in the arts. Soon came the end of highschool and I had to start searching for universities to apply to. During my research, I came accross 'Games' as a major.

That major immediately intrigued me because it was something I hadn't considered before. I remember being on a call with my best friend at the time and asking her about what the major could possibly include. Regardless, I am always open to learning new things, so my curiosity led me into the industry.

Talk to us about Classy Games. How did you land the role of junior developer at the studio?

A classmate who was an intern there at the time encouraged me to apply for a programming role, as I had an internship unit coming up at university. Around that time, I had barely put together a sufficient portfolio, which I was ready to share on request.

I remember personally reaching out to Classy and undergoing several interview stages. Eventually, I received an offer and there began my days as a junior developer at Classy Games.

What does a typical day look like for you? Do you have any routines you follow before starting work?

The job is fully remote, so I've created a small office space at home that I keep organised to stay focused when working. Before starting work, I usually go for an hour-long walk in the morning.

It helps clear my mind and energise me for the day. Once I'm back, I set up a water bottle to drink from, review any pending tasks, and check if there are any new tasks I can pick up before diving right into development.

If you hadn’t pursued a career in games, what path do you think you would have taken instead?

If games wasn' a career, I would have instead majored in law or criminology. I wouldn't go for an arts career because I want to preserve the joy that comes from drawing and painting without the pressure that comes from any profession in the world.

A career in games keeps my brain stimulated (in a good way). No two days feel the same, and there's always something new to learn. It doesn't matter if you're new or extremely experienced in the industry; you will always come across something new to learn and grow from. 

What has been your most memorable, funny or unexpected moment while working on a game?

Some of my most memorable experiences come from seeing how players interact with the games I've worked on. I especially remember a simple co-op university project that received incredibly chaotic reactions from players.

Watching players embrace the chaos and genuinely enjoy themselves was both funny and rewarding. It definitely serves as a reminder as to why I enjoy making games.

Is there a particular achievement so far that you are especially proud of?

Coming from a non-programming background, I feel like every learning milestone feels like a highlight. But, if I had to choose, I would have two recent moments that count as 'big highlights'.

The first would be working on my own enemy AIs that include 3-dimensional pathfinding for a personal project, and the second would be working with analytics as it helped me better understand player behaviours.

If you had to play one game forever, outside of the Classy Games catalogue, which would it be and why?

It would definitely be Overcooked. I absolutely love the chaos it brings and I'm a huge fan of its art style. The game naturally boosts communication and teamwork, and somehow it turns cooking into a funny experience.

What advice would you give to those trying to break into game development? And what would you say to people currently facing layoffs or struggling to find work?

I believe that it's important to keep your passion for making games alive. Sometimes we take for granted the joy we feel when playing games and when that sense of fun disappears, it can become easy to feel discouraged about our craft. So my advice is, keep creating in a way that feels enjoyable and fulfilling.

If you're struggling to find work, don't lose hope and redirect your focus to building connections within the industry. As my lecturers always encourage, join game jams, work on personal projects and attend industry events. You will find many supportive and inspiring people in the industry, and when you put yourself out there, doors will open from where you least expect them to.

What are you currently working on? Are there any upcoming projects you are especially excited about?

At Classy Games, I'm currently working on a very Silly game where players take on the role of a detective trying to uncover the mastermind behind a crime. It's very lighthearted, fun and full of personality!

At university, I'm working on something completely different. A much darker, horror-focused project. 

There is another space-themed game that I worked on under Classy Games that goes by the title of Orbital. The demo was released recently and I would love to hear everyone's thoughts on the game, as I feel proud of the state the game is in.

Dana currently serves as a junior developer at Classy Games, where she contributes to ongoing studio projects while continuing to sharpen her craft. Beyond her studio work, she has developed multiple independent titles, several of which are available to explore through her itch.io page.