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London-based game start-up Improbable has hired Kajfa Tam as it new technical art director.
Tam will put his creative and organisational skills to work on as yet unannounced projects, which the studio said are being fashioned with a “unique approach and bespoke technology”.
“I’ve spent many years within the game industry working with multiple technologies and engines, but the unique offerings here at Improbable are unlike anything I’ve ever seen before,” said Tam. “I’m very excited and humbled that I’ve been given this opportunity and together I believe this team can help shape the future of Improbable, and maybe even change the way people make and play games in the future.”
The award-winning Swedish technical art director previously worked at Ubisoft-owned Massive Entertainment in Malmo.
At Massive, he headed up the technical art team on games including Assassin’s Creed: Revelations and upcoming title Tom Clancy’s: The Division. But he also contributed to the new Snowdrop engine and was responsible for making his team an efficient, versatile and sustainable creative force that could tackle any project.
An experienced developer with, Tam has also worked at studios including Avalanche and Lionhead Studios, and has served as a guest lecturer at several institutions including the University of Gotland.
Tam’s hiring is yet another addition to the London studio which has been recruiting talent swiftly since announcing itself to the world. Earlier this month, it hired Killzone audio director Lewis James, and in January it welcomed Lionhead’s animator expert Si Jaques and freelance artist Calum Alexander Watt.
And it is continuing its recruitment efforts this week at GDC in San Francisco, meeting a wide range of international talent.
The studio said it is committed to ensuring developers can make the transition to the UK as easily as possible once they join the studio.
"Moving your entire family to a different country is not easy, especially if it’s a young family,” said Tam, who has a one-year-old with his partner. “But Improbable has a friendly and supportive family oriented mind-set that has really helped us. That, and a healthy industry ethos that aims for a better work-life balance, has made our transition easier.”
Improbable CEO Herman Narula added: “I’m delighted Kajfa has joined the improbable team here in London and excited to see the impact of his unique talents and approach on our work as we continue with our projects. It’s talented people from all over the world like Kafja that will turn the ground breaking concepts we’re working on into reality, and I’m looking forward to meeting more people like him at GDC.”
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