We recently sat down with Yevhen Tur, one of our talented producers, to hear about his incredible journey in the gaming world. From his early days glued to a Dendy console to working on projects with a BBC license, Yevhen's passion for games has always been a driving force.
Childhood Gaming Dreams
Yevhen's love for games started early. "I got hooked just watching my dad play on the computer," he remembers. At five, he got his own Dendy console, and it was game on! He and his buddy spent hours battling it in Chip 'n Dale, Aladdin, Tanks, and other classics.
By ninth grade, Yevhen had upgraded to a PC and dove headfirst into RPGs. Neverwinter Nights was his first full playthrough, and he clocked a whopping 200+ hours in Baldur's Gate with a friend. That love for immersive RPG stories? Still going strong!
Economics to Game Design: A Surprising Path
Yevhen's university choice might surprise you: marketing! It felt like the right fit after weighing his options and getting advice from his parents (both on television). "I always liked TV, but my parents were like, 'Don't do it!' And guess what? My first job was in TV!" he laughs.
But gaming was always close to his mind. While his degree wasn't game design-focused, the analytical skills he honed in marketing (econometrics and marketing research) proved super valuable later on.
From TV to Playtests to Producer
Yevhen's path to game dev wasn't a straight shot. After university, he spent five years in TV analytics. "I started as an intern and stayed for five years there! We used these boxes to track what families watched, which was super valuable for predicting show popularity. TV's exciting, but it's so tied to politics in Ukraine. It gets old."
Next up was an analytics company, where Yevhen managed a research team focused on playtests and focus groups for game companies like Nexters, Wargaming, and TinyBuild. "It was the perfect blend of my job and my passion," he says. "But I wanted to be more involved in the creation process."
The Producer Mindset
At that company, Yevhen realized he wanted to be closer to the action and have a direct impact on the games themselves. He jumped at the chance to join a game company as an analyst and eventually leveled up to producer at another studio.
Yevhen credits his career success with his communication skills, analytical thinking, and eagerness to learn. But he also stresses the importance of loving what you do. "I love seeing people who don't just clock in and out," he says. "They're the ones who go the extra mile, get excited about their work, and make awesome things happen."
On Game Design Courses: Expert Opinion
We asked Yevhen for his thoughts on today's game design courses. "It all comes down to the tutor," he says. "Pros make awesome programs that get results. Amateurs are just in it for the cash, so their courses often fall flat. A good teacher needs both experience AND the ability to share it effectively."
Yevhen supports the new opportunities available to aspiring game developers but is bothered that courses only provide a foundation. "The rest comes from hands-on experience."
For Yevhen, it's not just about the result but also the journey. "As a producer, I need results. But as a person, I care about the process. I hate when things are chaotic, everyone's stressed and yelling, and the game ships but leaves a bad taste. Successful products come from successful teams."
Yevhen values a clear vision and a focus on growth when choosing a company. "I want to see a well-defined plan, clear goals, and a business-minded approach to efficiency. To be honest, I always dreamed about the AAA project. Actually, I had an offer to join such a company, but I decided to join Burny Games where we operate the data, creativity and balance it with our business needs."
Yevhen's story shows that with passion and dedication, your love for games can lead to a fantastic career.
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