In celebration of International Women’s Month, we decided to pick the brains of our women leaders about their beginnings, journey, and accomplishments which led them to a successful career in game development. Join us as we take a deep dive into the knowledge and wisdom of women leaders of Secret 6.
Rai Española, 2D Art Manager
Rai, as a 2D manager, takes action toward the art team's career development structure. She's dedicated to providing opportunities for the team to upskill and flourish as artists and professionals. She possesses an incredible superpower - the ability to see the good in people, both within and outside the organization. This allows her to bring out the best in her team, and foster an environment of positivity, support, and growth.
Under her leadership, the art team has experienced a remarkable transformation, with their skills and capabilities reaching new heights. Working with Rai, her genuine dedication shines through --not just for the craft of game development, but also for the people she works with.
What inspired you to be part of the game development industry?
"When I was a kid, I used to go over to my cousins' house (who were, luckily enough, my neighbors) and we would play games there. It started with board games and then Nintendo and the PS1. I was hooked and never looked back. I may have been too little to play the games by myself, but I was almost always present during those game sessions!"
What was the biggest challenge you faced in your career and how did you overcome it?
"I was never really the kind of person who would go up to a group of people and say, ‘oh, let's schedule a meeting! I'll set everything up!’ I always thought I'd be a solo worker. Just tell me how to do something and I'll do it, and then after I'll just float away and do my own thing.
I'm actually pretty shy and get pretty nervous from meetings, especially ones done online with a webcam. But over time, I realized I could support other people doing the very things I was so afraid to do. Seeing people benefitting from teamwork and communication, and heck, maybe even seeing people enjoy collaborating with others over something I helped organize, made me grow a bit more confident."
What milestones/accomplishments are you proudest of and why?
"I'm very proud of my involvement with our IPs, especially that of PXD (Project Xandata). PXD was one of the largest things I've ever done and encompassed so many pipelines and disciplines that I can't even keep counting how many new words I learned along the way when we were making it.
We crossed so many bridges, and we learned so many things. Granted, many parts of this production also humbled us, but seeing people develop through such a challenge was really inspiring!
I'd also say I'm proud of it because that was the bravest I've seen people be-- including myself. It changed the way I looked at game development, leadership, technology, and art. There's really no end to learning."
In your opinion, what are the most underrated skills (hard or soft) that people need to succeed in your field?
"The ability to read between the lines, in many different settings.
So when we started working with many departments on larger-scale tasks, it was interesting how we could all view the same game features so differently. An artist's view of a task is a completely different angle from an engineer's, which can also be a quite different view from a product or design standpoint. The work is just different, and is viewed and so approached differently. It really takes some reading between the lines to understand what people need from each other, and takes a lot of understanding and grace to see each other's perspectives.
Also, I'm lucky that in the work I've been involved in, people are pretty candid. They say what they need or feel. But sometimes, even what they say may still need extra discernment. On the deepest level, sometimes, when people ask for help, they look for reassurance and courage... you know, to throw in that last push to be able to soar! Other times, some people may report and seem like they are so put together, but they're actually not and they need some assistance, space, or a reset. It can be from a simple tone of voice, or the way they word things, or sometimes just a look. Again, reading between the lines helps!"
What keeps you going?
"There was a time a few years back when I lost focus on why I was doing what I was doing. I was facing many setbacks, and felt powerless and quite frankly, pretty out of depth and 'left behind.' I realized I had abandoned the art side of things, especially the fun side. I bashed myself for not keeping up with my art. I took learning, improving, and producing stuff so hard that I forgot that what we are doing is media, it's entertainment, it's art.
I realized that as a person, I hadn't been consuming media like I had before, and had forgotten what effect these stories, these games, and these experiences have. How it had inspired me and pulled me out of my darkest moments.I realized that the books I read, the shows I watched, the games I consumed —were from other artists, writers, designers, game developers, and engineers speaking to me about a shared world, a shared story, an awesome experience with their craft.
Games are an art medium, and if we don't consume art, then we *will* drift into monotony... It'd only be too easy to lose the luster in life.
Sooo I've learned (and fought) to regain that love for media, games, and art. I consume it a bit more regularly, I let it feed into what I want to do, and how I want to communicate with people! I don't force myself to, though. If I don't feel enthusiastic, then I'll rest, or do something else. But I always come back.
I realize a career is a long-time thing. Like it's a long, hard road to forever. So I think I personally have to always remind myself why I enjoy dealing with games, dealing with art and artists, and consuming media! (Currently in my anime era again, but soon looking into going back into reading more books <3)"
What is your message to young girls who want to become game developers?
"Even if it feels daunting or maybe wishful thinking, nothing is stopping you from making slow and steady concrete steps toward the game industry! Especially in this day and age of the internet, you can definitely do it! There are so many great mentors out there—seek them out!"
Janielle Sabio, Senior Concept Artist
As our senior concept artist, Jang is instrumental in creating masterful concept art for a range of projects. She Joined Secret 6 in 2020 as a concept artist and with her excellent skills, quickly became a senior concept artist and contributed her talents to projects such as The Last of Us Part II Remastered, Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League, SILENT HILL: Ascension, and Wizardry: Proving Grounds of the Mad Overlord.
Jang strived to create art not just for her deep-rooted admiration for the craft. She is also driven by her desire to constantly refine her skills and flourish in the vast expanse of creativity she observes in her team and the industry.
What inspired you to be part of the game development industry?
"My passion for drawing and creating brought me to game dev. It was a dream to do what I love as a career, and here I am. Despite rarely playing games, I deeply admire the artistry behind a game's creation. Building worlds and bringing ideas to life make game development an arena where creativity flourishes."
What was the biggest challenge you faced in your career and how did you overcome it?
"When I was new at S6, I had a hard time keeping up, causing self-doubt and burnout. This nearly pushed me to quit. Fortunately, I had amazing teammates who provided guidance and inspiration, driving me to work harder. "I wish I were as fast as them”, or “I want to make cool things too!" These aspirations motivated me to improve, eventually finding my stride.
Of course, self-doubt and burnout still come, but having people to look up to and viewing challenges as avenues for growth truly aids in overcoming them."
What milestones/accomplishments are you proudest of and why?
"A significant achievement for me was working as one of the concept leads for Wizardry: Proving Grounds of the Mad Overlord. This game had a distinctive art style, and it was both a challenge and a joy to collaborate with my teammates to figure out and master it.
The game was warmly received (which is rare nowadays), and witnessing our efforts take the spotlight fills me with pride and happiness."
In your opinion, what are the most underrated skills (hard or soft) that people need to succeed in your field?
"Curiosity and initiative. Having a strong desire to learn and to act on those urges go hand-in-hand, especially in the creative field where there are just so many things to discover!"
What keeps you going?
"I hold onto a lot of hopes: of being better, of learning new things, of providing for my family (and my cats haha), and many more. These hopes and my passion for drawing keep me going."
What is your message to young girls who want to become game developers?
"Embrace your passion and creativity. Always look at what you can improve on. And more importantly, never stop having fun. The world of game development is for everyone :)"
Martha Miranda, Production Lead
Mart ensures the successful completion of our game dev projects in our Manila studio. Her journey with Secret 6 began in 2014 as a QA analyst. Over time, her passion for production led her to transition into the role, culminating in her promotion to associate producer in 2016 and eventually to production lead in 2021. With a natural drive for excellence, Martha has played a key role in the studio’s projects, including Monster Train on iOS, and Hades on iOS.
What sets Martha apart is her remarkable ability to maintain an organized efficiency in her work, while still embracing her childlike sense of play. Through her unwavering dedication and ability to find balance, she can excel in her work and lead teams that consistently produce outstanding results.
What inspired you to be part of the game development industry?
"It truly was my love for video games! Being able to live out a different life or play out a story for yourself was the driving force behind my love for games. I just had to know what it was like and be able to have a hand in something that I've been passionate about for so long."
What was the biggest challenge you faced in your career and how did you overcome it?
"I originally started as a QA/UX analyst and my interests slowly shifted. I wanted to do more and interact with more people, helping them towards the same goal of creating games, and so shifted to production. The two disciplines are so different that I had to learn new things and adapt as I went."
What milestones/accomplishments are you proudest of and why?
"Seeing my name in the credits of a game for the first time. It might've been a small game but the sense of accomplishment I got from it was unreal!"
In your opinion, what are the most underrated skills (hard or soft) that people need to succeed in your field?
"I would say it's being firm with your decision-making. Working on a game is more difficult than most people think, and creating one when there are so many ideas makes it even harder. As much as you may want to accommodate everyone, you have to stick to your guns."
What keeps you going?
"Taking breaks often and doing other things I enjoy. Sometimes it's playing board games or D&D, painting miniatures, or reading a book. Stepping away helps me reset, both physically and mentally."
What is your message to young girls who want to become game developers?
"Don't get discouraged and give it a shot!"
Itziar Canales Urizal, Senior 3D Character Artist
Starting in Secret 6 as a junior 3D artist, Itziar showed excellence and persistence in her work and quickly rose to the ranks, becoming a 3D character art supervisor in just three years. Steadily leading the growth of the studio, her contributions can be found in some of the Secret 6 Madrid team's most prolific projects such as Medievil, Wizardry: Proving Grounds of the Mad Overlord, and other titles in upcoming releases.
Itziar has been a rock-solid pillar of Secret 6 Madrid's growth since 2018. Her journey has not been an easy one, but she embraced the pressure and challenges that came her way with resilience and dedication. With a supportive and capable team by her side, Itziar continues to inspire growth and excellence, setting a high standard for everyone she works with.
What inspired you to be part of the game development industry?
"Since I was a little kid, I've always been into video games. But back then, it was a "guy thing". So I used to watch my brother play and I loved checking out all the cool art those games bring to life. From then on, I have always wanted to dedicate myself to some kind of art. Started off with 2D stuff, but ended up diving deep into 3D art."
What was the biggest challenge you faced in your career and how did you overcome it?
"The lowest point in my career has definitely been dealing with anxiety and burnout. There were days when I just couldn't bring myself to work because of the constant desire to meet expectations. I wouldn't have been able to get through it without my psychologist. Mental health is something that's often overlooked in the world of gaming."
What milestones/accomplishments are you proudest of and why?
"I think my biggest achievement in my career so far would be starting out as a 3D environment artist, transitioning to become a 3D Character artist, and eventually becoming a supervisor in that role."
In your opinion, what are the most underrated skills (hard or soft) that people need to succeed in your field?
"I believe that solid technical skills are important. But what really makes someone successful are the ability to collaborate with others, communicate ideas clearly, and creatively solve problems are essential for leading teams and successful projects."
What keeps you going?
"My colleagues are the best, they are the ones who keep me going."
What is your message to young girls who want to become game developers?
"My message should go to the companies, which should promote and encourage careers for women in the industry. Being a woman in an industry typically dominated by men can be tough. But if games are something you truly love, know that you're not alone. Little by little, more women are joining, and hopefully, over time, there will be more female voices in this industry— something that’s desperately needed nowadays."
Ann Galit Angeles, Creative Manager
Meet Ann, our creative manager who oversees the production and skill development of over 120 artists and animators between our 2D, 3DGD, and VFX departments. Since 2009, she led the development of the structure and pipelines of our 2D art department and has grown her team by over 500%. Driven by her fascination with creating immersive experiences with Art and her strong connection with her teams, you can always count on her to get the job done right.
What inspired you to be part of the game development industry?
"I have always been passionate about art. In 2009, I was introduced to game development through my experience in Flash. From there, I was fascinated by how art can create immersive and engaging game experiences. That inspired me to grow and support the team of artists and animators who express their creativity through the games they love."
What was the biggest challenge you faced in your career and how did you overcome it?
"The biggest challenge in my career was being assigned as a manager for 20 artists (we were still a small team, at the time). I had no professional experience in management and had to learn everything on the job. I relied on books, online courses, industry trends, and, most importantly, my team's support, to grow into the role."
What milestones/accomplishments are you proudest of and why?
"One of my proudest moments happened a year into the pandemic. We had an internal activity where we each shared a one-page collage of our work-from-home life. It was then when I felt proud of having a team that survived an unthinkable challenge, that everyone adapted, and that our team culture thrived. I am proud that we supported each other and stayed resilient despite adversity."
In your opinion, what are the most underrated skills (hard or soft) that people need to succeed in your field?
"Listening skills are the most underrated skills that people should have. In this age of information overload, we tend to talk more than listen. In any profession, listening can help you understand others better, offer more support, and learn from one another."
What keeps you going?
"My leads and team still believe in what we do here at Secret 6 and what we can accomplish together."
What is your message to young girls who want to become game developers?
"My message to young girls interested in becoming game developers is: go for it! Game development is a rewarding and exciting career that offers many opportunities for learning, growth, and creativity. And this is where you can meet an amazing group of people!"
Patricia Pérez Menéndez, Head of Production
As the Madrid studio’s head of production, Patricia leads her team in planning and refining production pipelines and ensuring quality output for all the projects handled by Secret 6 Madrid. Since joining Secret 6 in 2022, she quickly became a lead game producer the following year and established a new production system from the ground up which increased efficiency and optimized the organization for production pipelines. Her work eventually led to the successful completion of projects for EA SPORTS™ PGA TOUR™, As Dusk Falls, Lords of the Fallen, and Song of Nunu. Shaped by the games of her childhood, Patricia is dedicated to creating impactful games and giving the next generations of gamers their own memorable experiences.
What inspired you to be part of the game development industry?
"I have been playing video games for as long as I can remember. I grew up with plenty of classics on 8 and 16-bit consoles, and from there, I have kept up with the times. As a child, I adored graphic adventures, which caught me in their golden age. Even today, I still love them, as well as RPGs and strategy games, and I play almost daily on various platforms.
Video games are not just a hobby for me. They have accompanied me through so many moments, stirred so many emotions, and shaped me in such a way that I would not be who I am today without their significant influence on my life. Being able to work in something that not only I love, but is also such an integral part of me, brings me immense personal satisfaction and has made a longstanding dream come true. Applying all my drive and enthusiasm to this goal is a way of giving back some of the magic that video games have brought into my life, profoundly shaping who I am today."
What was the biggest challenge you faced in your career and how did you overcome it?
"Working in Production at a video game art outsourcing company involves making many complex strategic decisions daily. I have encountered challenges related to assuming greater responsibilities since joining S6 as a Producer and advancing to Head of Production within two years. Along the way, there have been many tough decisions and failures from which I have learned to reach this point. To this day, I continue to learn and adapt to this ever-changing industry, maintaining an open mindset, relying on my team, and being proactive.
The biggest challenge I faced in my career, was the rapid transition from a Producer to the Head of Production role within a relatively short timeframe. This shift required me to quickly adapt to a new level of responsibility, leadership, and decision-making. I had to navigate complex situations and manage a team effectively, all while still learning and growing in my role. However, by staying proactive, seeking guidance, and leveraging the support of my team, I was able to overcome this challenge and successfully fulfill my duties as Head of Production."
What milestones/accomplishments are you proudest of and why?
"When I arrived at Secret 6 Madrid, there was much to be done in setting up an effective Production system. We had to restructure and improve certain processes that we continue to work with today. I am proud to have been involved with the Production team in shaping these changes. Specifically, I am particularly pleased with the outcome of certain projects for which I held sole and direct responsibility."
In your opinion, what are the most underrated skills (hard or soft) that people need to succeed in your field?
"In my opinion, there are essential skills for the role of a Producer: organizational abilities, proactivity, teamwork, problem-solving, communication, listening, etc. Other aspects, that I consider crucial, but often underrated when seeking this type of profile, are versatility and curiosity.
Being a versatile person, curious, and interested in learning and acquiring knowledge in different areas and more or less complementary fields is very useful for the role of a Producer. This job can become a diverse mix, and having knowledge in various areas and understanding the roles of the people you work with is key to orchestrating everything correctly and making it work better."
What keeps you going?
"What keeps me going is the diverse nature of my work. Projects vary significantly from one another, as do the types of clients, each with its own set of requirements. Challenges and problems are part of my daily routine, and one of my main tasks is to find solutions for them, so I do not see them as negatives, but rather as integral aspects of my role.
The task of orchestrating various elements, solving problems, and ensuring that the entire machinery fits and functions presents the kind of challenges that motivate me in my professional life."
What is your message to young girls who want to become game developers?
"Follow your passion for game development and believe in yourself. It is an incredibly rewarding field where creativity and innovation thrive. Surround yourself with supportive mentors and communities, and never stop learning. Your unique perspective and talents can make a significant impact in shaping the future of gaming. Go for it, and don't be afraid to chase your dreams!"
Michelle Gojo, Senior Project Manager
Michelle is our Senior Project Manager who leads her team of project managers, QA, 3D Artists, and 2D Concept artists on multiple projects. Under her leadership she has successfully overseen the planning, production, and execution of projects on titles such as Battlefield 2042, The Last of Us Part I, As Dusk Falls, Diablo IV, and Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League. Her bubbly nature brings a ray of sunshine to her teammates, making her an absolute joy to work with. As a true Swiftie, Mich is not afraid to shake it off and take risks and embrace challenges with a fearless attitude.
What inspired you to be part of the game development industry?
"I've always played different kinds of games with my brothers and this kept me quite interested growing up. Eventually, I took up a college degree with a specialization in game design and development.
I was exposed to attending and organizing events which opened my eyes to the thriving game industry and the opportunities it may bring. There are a ton of learning opportunities, bustling creativity, encouraging mentors and connections to be made, all of which motivated me to pursue a career in games."
What was the biggest challenge you faced in your career and how did you overcome it?
"The biggest challenge for me was getting my foot in the door. It took courage and maybe a stroke of luck for a company to take a chance on me having no prior game development experience.
As a novice project manager, I had to prove myself every day. I pushed myself to be organized and to learn as much and as fast as I could while building that rapport with the team. Being open to feedback, learning how to handle it, and consistently trying to be better with those in mind is what kept me going for 7 years now."
What milestones/accomplishments are you proudest of and why?
"The accomplishment I'm most proud of is having our team on the credits with me as Project Manager. After working on the project for 2-5 years, it's always a rewarding feeling when you see all your hard work and effort come to fruition. All titles should be celebrated and is something to be proud of."
In your opinion, what are the most underrated skills (hard or soft) that people need to succeed in your field?
"I think some of the most underrated skills are composing e-mails with diplomacy and presenting complete, concise, and visually appealing data/information."
What keeps you going?
"The team chemistry/dynamics and the kind of projects we do. I feel lucky that it's never a chore to interact with anyone on the team. We're working but also having fun while making art for some of the biggest game companies around the world."
What is your message to young girls who want to become game developers?
"Proving yourself is inevitable in any career you choose but it does feel great to achieve it in a male-dominated field. If it interests you, keep learning about it and try it to find out if it fits you. As a Swiftie, I can say you can be THE MAN amongst game developers as long as you show up and step up to it."
Wrapping Up
Their passion, creativity, and dedication exemplify the spirit of our teams, and we are honored to work alongside them. Their contributions are not only vital to the success and growth of our company but also play a significant role in fostering a welcoming and nurturing work environment here at Secret 6.
If their stories have inspired you and you're eager to collaborate with a team driven by passion and creativity, we invite you to reach out to us through our contact page. Let's bring your vision to life together.
Don't forget to follow us on ArtStation to stay updated on our latest projects and initiatives. Together, let's continue to celebrate and empower women in the industry and beyond.
