QD & ME – PÉRO SÉON – GAMEPLAY PROGRAMMER 

Quantic Dream: Can you introduce yourself? What is your name, where are you from and what is your role at Quantic Dream? 

My name is Péro, I use they/them and he/him pronouns. I come from Saint-Étienne in France, but I work in Montréal as a Gameplay Programmer at Quantic Dream!

Quantic Dream: How did you come to work in the video games industry? Was it a lifelong dream, or did you luckily stumble into into it? 

It was a big dream! When I was a kid, my brothers were hardcore gamers, so I ended up watching them play for hours. And when I got old enough, I “borrowed” their account to play. In high school, I was offered a computer science course, so I jumped on the opportunity. The first small arcade game I created in Python set me on this path, and I never looked back; programming became a real passion. I joined a small indie team during university, and it was an unforgettable experience. I used to code even on the bus on the way home! Then, I made the leap and finished my studies in Quebec, and here I am, a full-fledged Gameplay Programmer like I wanted to be at 17.

Quantic Dream: Let’s talk about your job at Quantic Dream! Could you elaborate more on your role, and the role of your team? 

Our role is to make and place the gears behind the scenes. There’s a lot more to consider backstage than pretty graphics! We’re here to make design ideas come true and make the player’s experience the best it can be.

Quantic Dream: Tell us more about the members of your team.  

The atmosphere is awesome! Every two weeks we make sure to gather up and eat lunch together. We have a bit of every type of programmer as well as every level, that allows to have so many point of view and to learn a lot. But being professional doesn’t hinder the comical side. We have two colleagues that have an ongoing competion of head accessories. In our first weekly meeting, they will gear up with anything they can find: cat ears, alien antenna, hockey helmet and much more. We’re always waiting to see what they prepare each week !

Quantic Dream: Can you describe your typical day? Does it exist for you? 

My typical days probably doesn’t sound super exciting… I’m usually the first one to come into the office, I get a little snack and check up on emails and remaining tasks. If I have no meetings, I plug in my headphone, launch my metal playlist and I’m off to code and test! Yes, I’m in front of my screens all day, with lines of code everywhere, digging into bugs and seeing that what I made works, and that’s why I love this job.

Quantic Dream: Are any of your external inspirations reflected in your work? 

Well, I think reflecting anything in lines of code sounds a bit complicated… But in general, for design discussions, my inspirations come mostly from my favorite games. What better reference for good gameplay and mechanics than games you loved playing?

Quantic Dream: Here’s a BIG question… What are your favourite video games? 

What I mostly look for in games is the story rather than gameplay or graphics. Right now, I’m reaching 100 hours in Horizon Forbidden West, and I haven’t touched the DLC yet! Otherwise, in my all-time favorites, we have Tomb Raider (the oldies, before 2010), Mass Effect, Dragon Age, Rayman, Borderlands, just to name a few. And for this 2023 Pride Month, I want to recommend a game I absoluetely loved: Tell Me Why!

Quantic Dream: Tell us more about your interests outside of work. 

I am quite a creative person, so I’ll often be found drawing or writing. I also started to learn how to play the bass guitar. And of course, I play a lot of games. Otherwise, I will take part in a great hobby of mine: sleeping!

Quantic Dream: All right! What does your ideal Friday night look like? 

I come home from work, my roommates aren’t here, so I have the whole flat to myself! I go outside to order takeout and I come back home to chill while eating and blasting music.

Quantic Dream: Do you have a message for our readers? 

Live your life at your own pace. It’s not because the world is running fast that you have to follow. Taking time to understand and know ourselves can surely be an advantage! 

Quantic Dream: Final question! Chocolate cake or fruit pie? 

Both! Why not a delicious pear & chocolate pie ? Yum!