Q&A with Mario
Describe what you currently do, and tell us the best part about your position.
I am currently the Producer for the Live Team on Borderlands 3. The best part of my position is that I get to see the game evolve and become a better game than it was when we launched it. It's great to see our players like our game more and more after every patch we release.
What is the most interesting or enjoyable thing that you have gotten to do in your career?
I got to go to Las Vegas for my very first time while working on Penn & Teller VR and during one of Penn & Teller's performances at the Rio, Penn shouted my name. After the show was over and we went backstage to talk to them, Penn asked me where I was because he was looking for me during the show. I was shocked.
How did you first become interested in a career in gaming?
When I was in middle school, I had to do a project on what career I dreamed of going into. I wanted to be a veterinarian or a teacher, but I loved playing video games and I realized that someone had to make the video games I enjoyed. I did my research and from that point forward it became my goal. It wasn't until I got to SMU Guildhall that I realized I loved being a producer. Thanks, Guildhall!
Why did you choose to go to the Guildhall?
There were two reasons I chose SMU Guildhall. The first one was because it was one of the best schools in the nation to get a game development education. The second was that it was in Texas. I've lived in Texas for most of my life and before I got accepted to Guildhall I was already set to move to Vancouver to go to a film school (which I had many doubts about). I'm glad the acceptance letter got to me before I moved to another country.
Describe your experience at Guildhall.
Guildhall was the best educational experience I've ever had. The professors were amazing mentors and at the end of the two years, they became like peers as they helped us with our theses. I learned so much during those two years and became friends with so many people that now work at game studios across the world. It's amazing how small the video game industry becomes once you have that network.
How did the Guildhall prepare you for your career in gaming?
The Guildhall showed me how difficult it can get in the game industry. Having to juggle the classes and projects at the same time has helped me juggle multiple projects and efforts at my job. It taught me that making games is not easy and it feels like a miracle when everything comes together. Game development is very complex and a lot of people must work in unison to succeed. SMU Guildhall helped me understand that.