Ruby Walne, Game 2025

When and why did you study at the academy?

I originally did a Concept Art short course back in 2019 and that’s when I fell in love with the idea of a creative space full of people wanting to learn and teach.
In 2025 I came back to attend the full-time Interactive Media and Game Development course. I had already been exploring the game development and programming fields for years prior to studying, but I wanted to learn from people who’d been in the industry and formalise my skills.

Where are you now?

I’m a co-founder of Garage Bug Games, a small collective of creatives based in Cape Town. Together we participate in game jams, prototype, and create.
I’m also contracted as a gameplay programmer for Wind Song Interactive, a studio based in the US.

I run multiple industry adjacent events each month (board game get-togethers, game jams, TTRPG sessions!) within the game dev community in Cape Town. I’ve done a panel talk at Africa Games Week, shown games at Playtopia, and was selected for an international programme (go check out Roots and Pixels!) where I got to work with incredible women in the industry and participate in Xbox Gamecamp!

What is the most important thing you took away from studying at the academy?

That course work is like a good friend giving you solid advice, but it’s up to you to take that advice and make something out of it.

What would you recommend to young students?

You don’t enter the industry when you finish your studies, you’re in it from the beginning.
It’s easy to show up, but you’ll go far if you put in the work to learn, grow, and be involved in the communities you want to eventually seek employment in.

Links to my webpage andprojects
:
https://ruby-walne.co.za/
https://bluelumin.itch.io/