Top 100 Women in Games: Joanna Orland

Orland has had a passion for audio, music, film, television, radio, video games and all forms of media and pop culture from before she could even remember.

Having initial studied Radio and TV arts in Toronto, she moved to London to take a Masters degree in Audio Production at the University of Westminster, and from there she joined EA Criterion in 2005.

It was here that she worked on the first person shooter, Black.

Ironically, I was disappointed at first when Criterion Games put me on FPS game Black instead of the Burnout Franchise, as I was a huge Burnout obsessive,” she admits. I quickly realised that it was the best thing that could have ever happened to me and I’m fortunate that the first game that I got to work on professionally is also my proudest. I worked with a fantastic team who taught me a lot, and the final product is something we are all still proud of, even after all of these years and consoles later.”

She adds: After a few years at EA Criterion, I made the move to Sony’s London Studio as a member of the central Creative Services Group where I am currently continuing in my role as Senior Sound Designer.Some of my SCEE credits include the Develop Award-winning Wonderbook: Book of Spells, Diggs Nightcrawler, God of War 3, and demos for Project Morpheus.”

Orland has also spent three years as Module Leader and Visitng Lecturers in the MA Audio Production course at the University of Westminster, and also lectures at other educational institutions and at events. In fact, she’s been playing a pivotal role in education.

I am very proud to have recently become a STEM Ambassador / Ukie Video Game Ambassador which allows me to try and inspire young people into pursuing STEM careers, such as a career in video games,” she says. Perhaps if someone in my position had spoken to me when I was younger, I wouldn’t have had to accidentally stumble upon the option of a career in game audio.”