Ambassador Stories: Carola Pettinato
The Video Games Ambassadors are spotlighting the remarkable ambassadors in our network. Today, we celebrate Carola Pettinato, Technical Designer at Criterion Games.
Carola shares with us her path into the games industry, what her unique path taught her, and how it motivates her to volunteer and share her passion with others.
Could you tell us a bit about your background?
I was born and raised in Sicily, and moved to the UK in 2018. I had a really different background from the one that I have now because I was studying literature. I was aiming to become a journalist. But, before graduating, I decided to take a gap year for a new experience, and I thought London would be perfect to improve my English. I came here, fell in love with the city, and by 2020, I knew I wanted to stay. I’d thought about studying in places like Denmark, Sweden, or Iceland at one point, but London made the most sense in the end. I already had friends here and felt more familiar with England, making it an easier choice.
How did you make the journey from Journalism in Sicily to working in Video Games in the UK?
II was really into games as a kid—like, really into them. My first console was a PlayStation One, and I spent so much time playing on it. I had friends over all the time, just to play games together, and it was something I was always passionate about. But honestly, I never thought I’d one day become a game developer or game designer. It just didn’t seem like something that would ever happen.
From 2018 to 2020, I was juggling different jobs in London. I wasn’t very happy with what I was doing, but I was grateful because it gave me a chance to explore the city fully. I love London’s unique blend of old and new, the way it balances history with this constant push towards the future. That combination of past and future has always been something I’ve loved, whether in movies or books. Living here, I gradually became more interested in technology—something I hadn’t really had the chance to explore in Italy. The education system there, especially in the South, is very focused on literature, medicine, or law, so I missed out on technology growing up.
But in London, I discovered this whole world of web development and coding and became interested. I started taking online courses and experimenting, and eventually, I just thought, ‘This is my moment.’ I decided to return to university and start a new career pathway. I was torn between computer science and game development, though. People around me kept saying game development was too tough, too competitive—that I’d never get in. But I’ve always been a dreamer and think I’m pretty courageous, too. I thought, ‘How amazing would it be if I could actually create the games I have in my mind?’
So, in 2020, I decided to go for it. I applied to a few programs, and my top choice was in Scotland because it’s one of the best schools for game development in Europe. But then COVID hit, and moving became a huge uncertainty. At that time, I had a job and a partner in London, so I decided to stay here and join a program focused mostly on programming.
Then, by 2022, I was looking for placements, and one of my first interviews was with Electronic Arts—for a game design role! I ended up getting it, which was just incredible. Even though I’d been mainly studying programming, I realised through that experience that game design was where my passion was. I loved every minute of it and discovered that I wasn’t just a programmer. I was a designer with a technical edge, and I finally felt like I was where I belonged.
Do you feel like your past studying literature helped you in games?
I think I'm a very creative person. I'm really into music, movies, exhibitions, and art. That background in literature from Sicily shaped me a lot. Being surrounded by knowledge from all kinds of sources—whether it's art in a museum, a picture, or anything with a story to tell—has given me a strong foundation for creativity. You can take that inspiration and transform it into something new, which is a valuable skill for a game designer. It’s something you can develop over time, but being immersed in art and creativity, in general, just helps so much in sparking ideas and being better at what we do.
As a game designer, we're constantly inspired by the world around us, whether it’s other games, movies, or art. That's part of the job—drawing inspiration from everywhere.
How did you connect with the Video Game Ambassadors?
In 2021, I had the opportunity to, through a Google scholarship, connect with the Women in Games initiative. Shortly after, I became an official Women in Games Ambassador. I did it because I want to see more women, minorities, and passionate people in this industry. It can feel intimidating to break into games because it’s competitive and often hard to enter. But I believe you should go for it if you’re truly passionate. You only live once, so I want to encourage others not to hold back. When I was starting out, I didn’t know anyone in the industry, but I was lucky to connect with people through these programs who helped me a lot—with my CV, interviews, and learning about the industry overall. I love the sense of community in games, and it’s something I hope we continue building. This industry’s strength lies in its people and their willingness to help each other.
I signed up to the VGAs in February 2023 and was able to help with the IG50 CV and portfolio review. I also got to help out with some volunteering at Staffordshire University London, where I studied, so that was cool.
What has been your favourite VGA moment?
I think it would be when I got to do this session at the Deptford Green School in Lewisham. I dont know if maybe it was because it was one of my first experiences, but the moment I told the kids I was a Game Designer they went ‘Woah!’ and that felt really amazing.
The last half an hour of that session I let the kids pitch ideas to me and they really delivered! Working with those kids was really a great experience, to see that sparkle in the eyes of people when they’re passionate about something, when they’re happy is really moving.
What’s the most underrated game you’ve ever played?
Its an old Rockstar game called Bully: Canem Canis Edit
I played it when I was a teenager and I was hooked. Not enough people are talking about how cool a game this is. It’’s like GTA but youre a 14 year old in high school going wild. Its a really great game.
What's up next for you?
I am currently working as a Technical Designer with Criterion Games on the Battlefield team!
If you're passionate about sharing your experiences, mentoring emerging talents, and being part of a vibrant community, consider joining the Video Games Ambassadors network. Together, let's shape the future of gaming and inspire the next generation of creators. Connect with us today!