Jobs in Games: UMX Studio’s Ammar Yasser Alrashoudi on how to get a career as game director

• “For anyone aspiring to become a game director, my biggest piece of advice is to focus on developing a balance between creative vision and technical understanding.”

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Behind every game is a team of creative developers making it happen. In our Jobs in Games series, we highlight some of the individuals working in the games industry, whether they are veteran developers with big hits under their belts or entirely new to the industry.

We ask how they broke into the sector and their advice for others on making a career in games.

In this interview, we caught up with UMX Studios’ game director Ammar Yasser Alrashoudi to discuss his entry into games, alternative career paths, and advice for people looking to break into the industry.

Can you tell us a little bit about yourself? How did you initially get into the games industry?

Ammar Yasser Alrashoudi: I’ve been working in the games industry for about a decade, though my journey as a gamer spans over 20 years. My passion for gaming began as a kid on the PS1 where I was instantly drawn to the immersive stories, the engaging gameplay, and the graphics that brought worlds to life despite the technology of that time.

By the time I was in high school, my love for games pushed me to create my first one, an MMO RPG. It was a real challenge back then because resources were hard to come by and game development knowledge wasn’t as accessible as it is now but I was determined.

So I taught myself through a mix of trial and error, online forums, and reaching out to people with experience from other countries. My first game may have been rough around the edges but it laid the foundation for my passion to create immersive worlds and build experiences that others could dive into.

How did you land the role of game director at UMX Studios?

After creating my first game in high school and working in various roles within the games industry, I gained a deep understanding of what makes a game successful, from design to execution. Over time, I built a strong foundation in game requirements, development and leadership, which helped me develop the necessary skills to take on the role of a game director.

My opportunity at UMX Studios came after working on Alibaba – beeto – Game Federation project that helped build my reputation for blending both the creative and technical aspects of game design. I connected with UMX Studios CEO Ali Alharbi through a game event where we discussed our shared vision for innovative gaming experiences. 

They were looking for someone with both hands-on experience and a clear creative direction, and my background aligned perfectly with their goals and it’s exciting to be part of a team that is defining the next wave of local games innovation. 

Why a career in games? And if not games what would you have been doing?

I chose a career in games because it’s the perfect blend of creativity, storytelling, problem-solving, and gameplay. Games have the unique power to transport people into entirely new worlds, offering experiences that no other medium can.

I’ve always been fascinated by how games make players feel like they’re part of something bigger, and I knew I wanted to help create those experiences. 

The opportunity to combine technical knowledge with creative vision makes the games industry a perfect fit for me. If I wasn’t working in games, I could definitely see myself in the world of live streaming for games. It’s a space that combines my passion for gaming with an interactive, community-driven experience that I love.

Working in games is unlike any other industry. The tools, the creativity, and the constant learning and growth allows us not only to develop new games but also to introduce fresh features that redefine gameplay. Watching players interact with and find meaning in something you’ve created is incredibly rewarding.

How has the past year been for you, any highlights? And what would you like to achieve in the coming year?

The past year has been an exciting one for me as I’ve been working on Drift X as the game director. We recently launched the game in its beta stage, and seeing how players have responded has been truly rewarding. Despite no marketing efforts yet, Drift X has already garnered 200K+ downloads on the first day. 

The game is available now on iOS, and the Android version will be launched soon. You might wonder why we haven’t done any marketing yet. What I can say is that we have a strategic plan in place for that which will be rolled out soon. We’re focused on building strong organic momentum before launching our full marketing efforts.

As for the upcoming year, I’d like to take Drift X to the global market and I’m confident it will become one of the biggest racing games developed in Saudi Arabia. It’s been a thrilling journey so far, and I’m excited about what’s to come as we continue refining the game and expanding its reach worldwide.

What’s your day-to-day like at UMX Studios? Do you have any go-to ritual before stepping into the office?

As a game director my day to day involves a mix of creative and management tasks. I spend a lot of time collaborating with different teams, design, art, engineering, and developers to ensure that our vision for the game is consistent and achievable.

I’m responsible for making key decisions related to gameplay mechanics, story development, and overall player experience while also keeping an eye on project timelines and ensuring that we stay on track. 

Every day is different. Some days are focused on creative brainstorming while others are spent problem-solving and making sure the team has everything they need to move forward smoothly. When it comes to my personal ritual, I have a bit of an unusual routine. 

After I wake up, I avoid opening the internet or checking notifications on my phone. This helps me avoid distractions and keeps my mind clear as I start the day.

Even on the way to work, I don’t listen to the radio or consume any content. I find that starting the day this way helps me focus and come into the office with a fresh perspective. I usually don’t turn on my phone’s internet until lunch, which allows me to stay in control of my morning and prioritise what’s important.

What do you enjoy most about working in the games industry?

Every project presents a new challenge, and the industry itself is always evolving with new technologies, tools, and player expectations. I love being part of a creative process that blends art and technology to create something immersive and engaging.

Games aren’t just entertainment; they create communities, bring people together, and can offer experiences that resonate with players on a deep level. Being a part of that, and knowing that what we create can leave a lasting impression on players, is something that drives me every day.

What’s been your most memorable, funny or unexpected experience you’ve had while working on a game? 

There have been plenty of funny and unexpected moments throughout my career, but one of the more recent ones happened while working on Drift X.

As we were deep into development, we were so focused on the bigger elements of the game like gameplay mechanics and player experience that we accidentally overlooked something pretty basic. 

When we launched the game and players started flooding in, we were really excited to see their feedback and interactions. In the game, we have a global chat feature where players can send messages visible to everyone. However, what we didn’t expect was that some players would start using the chat to trash-talk each other.

As soon as we saw this, we rushed to ban the offending players only to realise we hadn’t actually integrated the ban feature yet! It was an unexpected and slightly embarrassing oversight.

At UMX Studios we have a strong culture of quickly responding to players feedback and adapting to situations. Within a day, the team came together, integrated the ban system, and rolled out an update to address the issue.

If you could play one video game for the rest of your life what game would it be and why? 

It would either be League of Legends or World of Warcraft. Both of these games have proven their longevity with over 15 years of continuous updates, improvements, and growing player bases. However, if I had to pick just one, I’d go with League of Legends.

League is a game that’s constantly evolving, with monthly updates that keep the gameplay fresh and exciting. It’s also a highly competitive game, which means there’s always something new to learn or improve on.

The sheer amount of time you can invest in the game, whether it’s honing your skills, exploring different strategies, or competing with players from all over the world, feels almost limitless. That kind of endless replayability makes it the perfect game for a lifetime.

Do you have any tips for anyone wanting to work as a game director? As well as any advice for people laid off/struggling with work? 

For anyone aspiring to become a game director my biggest piece of advice is to focus on developing a balance between creative vision and technical understanding. To be a game director, you need a deep experience in the games industry along with a strong understanding of all aspects of creating a game. 

This includes development needs, props, 2D and 3D art, UI/UX design, animation, game design, and even specific elements like vehicle art. Having a solid foundation in game design is crucial, as is being aware of the market and understanding the players you’re targeting.

As a game director, leadership skills are essential because you’ll be guiding the team toward a unified vision while managing timelines and resources. It’s important to remember that the results of your work might only come years later, sometimes two, or even up to seven years depending on the scope of the game. So patience and a long-term perspective are critical.

For those laid off or struggling, I would say: don’t lose hope. The games industry is always evolving, and opportunities are out there. Take this time to invest in yourself whether that’s learning new skills, expanding your network, or working on personal projects that showcase your abilities. 

Staying connected to the community through events, online forums, or game jams can also open new doors. Perseverance and staying current with industry trends will often lead to new opportunities.

What are you working on right now? Are there any upcoming projects you’re particularly excited about? What can we look forward to from you?

Right now, my focus is on Drift X and preparing for its expansion into the global market. We’ve seen an incredible response from the beta launch, and we’re excited to bring the full experience to players worldwide.

The goal is to make Drift X one of the most prominent racing games, especially with its unique approach to realism and competitive gameplay.