Meet:

Claus Byrgesen

Senior Game Designer
Copenhagen

Quick Questions

PC or console

Couch, so mostly console. For me it’s about relaxing and being comfortable so you can enjoy a great game.

Go-to karaoke song

The Dead Milkmen – Bitchin’ Camaro

Favorite Hitman map and why

I love the Suburbs level in HITMAN 2. Like a weird systemic Lynch movie. Also very fun to work.

Meal that reminds you of childhood

Hotdogs. Hotdog Thursday was a thing when I was a kid. I wish it still was. 

Most and least favorite items on your desk

Most favorite: Coffee

Least favourite: 1 million to-do notes.

Something you wish you knew more about

I wish I was better at quick UI mockups. Game design is about being able to quickly communicate your ideas to group of people in a swift and effective way. The more tools you have to do that, the better. 

Recommend three books, games or movies

Three Movies: 
1. Brain Damage (you can’t go wrong with any Frank Hennenlotter)
2. Delirium – Lamberto Bava
3. Watch me when I kill – Antonio Bido

I watched a lot of Giallo movies during Covid-lockdown, so watch some of that!

Deeper Questions

What do you do at IOI?

I do Game Design on Project 007. I’m trying to be in charge of the gadget design and general interaction system. Very cool stuff and very fun to do. Making Game Design on Project 007 something that requires talking to almost all disciplines in the studio. 

Can you tell us more about yourself?

I live in Copenhagen with my girlfriend and dog. When I’m not making games I try to tend to them or one my million other hobbies. These days, most time is spend with the dog <3

What's your daily source of inspiration?

The other designers around me, and movies! I think we are a design group that is good at discussing weird ideas from each other and riffing on them. 

Why are you passionate about what you do?

It’s really nice to make something that people hopefully enjoy one day. On a day to day it’s extremely addicting to solve some problem and see that the game is now in slightly better place. Making games is for me about chipping a way on a million big problems until the game is as good as time allowed it to be. 

Besides that I have always loved James Bond, being able to add something to that universe is a very surreal experience.

What projects do you work on outside of work?

Painting my Nurgle and Tyranid Warhammer 40.000 armies. 😊 It’s the most relaxing hobby in the world. Hours fly by and stress melt away.

What's your most memorable IOI moment?

Working on VR. Being in a room with 5 other people all in weird VR-mask, laughing and waving their arms around like mad men. I think we delivered one of the most unique and immersive games ever and being at the front of trying to solve completely new problems was something that I think was very satisfying.

What's the best bit of advice you've ever been given?

“We should go get a toast!

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