Spotlight: Marc Rafanan

Spotlight: Marc Rafanan

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Tell us about your role at Nightmarket and how long you’ve been with the company.

I joined Nightmarket Games in 2015, and since then, I’ve worn many different hats. From working on backend servers for multiplayer and analytics to diving into game development and creating in-house tools and applications, it’s been an amazing journey filled with diverse experiences.

What do you love most about your job?

What I love most about my job is the constant challenge of solving puzzles. There’s always something new to figure out, which keeps things exciting. But honestly, the best part is the people I work with. Collaborating with my colleagues, despite our differences, is incredibly rewarding. We bring together our unique perspectives to create something we can all be proud of.

What are your top games of all time and why?

I’m a huge fan of games that offer endless replayability and multiple paths to completion. Here are my top picks:

  • Dungeons and Dragons Online: I love the D&D-based rules and the ability to “reincarnate” back to level one to try different builds. Right now, I’m in my druid wolf phase, but I might switch to a bear next time.
  • Skyrim: This open-world gem has it all. I’ve maxed out everything, collected all the books, armors, and masks just for fun. It’s a game where you can truly lose yourself.
  • Tekken Tag: Back in college, this was my go-to arcade game. I spent countless hours waiting by the arcade machine to challenge other players.
  • Samurai Showdown 4: This one’s all about nostalgia for me. I still play it on my PC every now and then, and it brings back a lot of fun memories from high school.

What are your hobbies outside of gaming?

I have a wide range of interests that keep me busy outside of gaming. I love 3D printing, playing guitar, and customizing mechanical keyboards. I even make custom 3D-printed game controllers from extra switches! Woodworking is another passion of mine, mostly to create boxes for my creations. And let’s not forget Lego, solving Rubik’s cubes, and photography – there’s always something new to explore.

Describe your dream project.

My dream project would be working with an amazing team that shares the same goals and values. For me, it’s the experience of collaborating with like-minded individuals that makes a project truly special. The end result is important, but the journey and the teamwork are what really matter.

What advice do you give for anyone aspiring to get into game development?

Game development is a blend of art and technical skills. If you’re good at both and working solo, that’s fantastic. But when you’re part of a team, open communication is crucial. What you find challenging might be easy for someone else, and vice versa. Always keep the lines of communication open, and be willing to learn from each other.

What are your core beliefs when it comes to your job?

I believe that everyone is different, and you can’t please everyone. Focus on the positive aspects, work on improving the negatives, and don’t dwell on things you can’t change.

Any parting words?

Game development is a unique field where work-life balance can sometimes get blurry. After work, you might find yourself playing the game you’ve been working on just to unwind. The next morning, you could be suggesting changes to make level one easier or bragging about completing an impossible level. It’s a fascinating industry, and I’m constantly learning and growing. Let’s keep pushing forward and doing our best!