It's time for part three of "Meet the Crew"! This time we've talked to Per-Olof Romell, our Head of Technology, about how to leverage tech and the philosophy guiding his work.
When did you join Starbreeze, and why?
I joined Starbreeze in October 2024, as Head of Technology. I think our company is at a very interesting point of its journey. Apart from its proud past, there’s a lot of great people here with great ambition. Things are moving at a fast pace, and new possibilities appear every day. I couldn’t help myself wanting to be part of that.
So, the question becomes “How do we use it to create amazing games together?”.
What career path does one take to become Head of Technology?
I started as a programmer back in 2000, at an independent game studio. A few years later, I joined DICE, which led to me working for Electronic Arts for many years, then Ubisoft. I’ve always been curious about how things work and how to continuously improve, which led me to the tech side of things.
What career path does one take to become Head of Technology?
I started as a programmer back in 2000, at an independent game studio. A few years later, I joined DICE, which led to me working for Electronic Arts for many years, then Ubisoft. I’ve always been curious about how things work and how to continuously improve, which led me to the tech side of things.
What principles guide your work in leveraging technology to develop games?To me, technology is just another tool used to create experiences that resonate with people. So, the question becomes “How do we use it to create amazing games together?”. Never letting go of that purpose, always trying to find ways to improve and balancing a high-level view with a love for the technical details has been key to my approach.
What advice would you give someone starting out in your field?
Stay curious! Focus on the experience more than creating the perfect system. It’s what’s on the screen and in the speakers that matters in the end. Game development is a very exciting field to be in as it is constantly evolving, and there’s really no limit to what can be accomplished. Don’t forget to have fun!
Game development is a very exciting field to be in as it is constantly evolving, and there’s really no limit to what can be accomplished. Don’t forget to have fun!
Can you say anything about what you are working on currently?
Oh, in my position I work on a million things at the same time. No day is ever the same as the one before it. And I wouldn’t want it any other way.
In your role, what is needed the most to bring your work to life – more technology for the people, so to say?
That’s a very interesting question, and the answer is so long that I would probably never be able to finish answering. But I will say one thing - the single most important one - and that is to be surrounded by great people that want to do great things. That takes you a long way, and without it, any process in the world won’t help you.
What’s your favorite game – and why?
I have to answer the game that started it all for me - Last Ninja 2 on C64. I wouldn’t play it today, or even enjoy it, but it had enough impact on me as a kid that it changed the trajectory of my life forever. Imagine if something I’ve been part of, or will be part of, creating would have that effect on someone, that would be pretty cool.
