Developer Spotlight: Alessia Nigretti

It's time for another Developer Spotlight, and this time:  Meet Alessia, one of our brilliant AI Programmers here at Raw Power Games!

Where others see lines of code, Alessia sees living worlds. She’s the mind behind the behaviours of our NPCs – from the way characters move through our settlements, to how they make our exploration map feel alive and believable. In short: she’s the one ensuring our game doesn’t just look epic, but also feels real.

What do you do at Raw Power Games?
‍I am an AI Programmer, which means I give life to our NPCs! I am currently focusing on the NPCs in our exploration map, and the daily life simulation in our settlements.

‍What is it like working at RPG?
‍Working at RPG has truly been a fantastic journey. Having just celebrated my one-year anniversary here, I can honestly say I’ve learnt an incredible amount and keep growing every day. Not only have I gained valuable insights from collaborating closely with experienced developers, but I’ve also enjoyed countless inspiring conversations about their past roles and backgrounds.

‍How would you describe the company culture?
‍I consider trust and ownership two of the key aspects of our company culture. Most of the team has a lot of years of experience in the industry, so everyone is trusted to deliver high quality work and to be responsible for maintaining it and improving it over time. The third aspect is probably reliability: I have always felt comfortable getting in touch with every colleague to ask or provide feedback, and I know I can rely on each of them to provide valuable insights or support when needed.

‍What excites you most about the project?
‍Is it too obvious to say that it's the AI? There is a lot of work being put behind our characters and their behaviours, and I am very excited to see how players will receive it! We are pouring our heart and soul into making a great game that we ourselves want to play, and I hope that will shine through once it is released!

‍What is your favorite part of working as an AI Programmer?
‍As an AI Programmer, I love that I get to have a say not only on the technical implementation of our NPCs’ behaviour, but also on the design and intended final result. My expertise is trusted to deliver effective NPC interactions and a simulation that feels alive within the context of the world we are building.

‍How has it been working remotely with RPG?
‍I am a fan of working face-to-face with my colleagues, and I have to admit that it almost feels like that's the case at RPG. With the exception of some people based in Copenhagen, most of my colleagues are remote, and the excitement is mutual when we all get to see each other every 3 months at our on-site. This quarterly event has been a game-changer for me – it fuels motivation for the project and it is a chance to renew connection with the team.

‍What does work-life balance look like for you, and how does Raw Power Games support that?
‍RPG understands the true value of remote work, and of how we all perform best when we don't need to stress about that doctor appointment that clashes with the workday, or with visiting the bank which is only open during work time. Since I started at RPG, I have been having full control of where and when I work, which has provided me with the peace of mind I need to be wholly and completely focused on my tasks while sitting at my desk.

‍Can you tell us about a special memory you have with RPG?
‍My favourite memory about RPG goes back to my first onsite. I was already in the office when my colleagues started arriving, and I clearly remember observing how everyone was greeting each other with a big hug, like the ones you'd give to a good friend you haven't seen in a while and have been missing a lot. I had not met almost any of those people in person before, and only had worked with them remotely for a month, but somehow those greetings extended to me too! That feeling was very genuine, and seems quite rare in the industry these days. That moment was definitely one of the things that made me realise I wanted to stay and make this game with these people!

Wrapping up:
Huge thanks to Alessia for sharing her journey, passion, and the brainpower behind the bustling life of our NPCs. It’s people like her who turn our world from a map into a living, breathing sandbox full of stories waiting to happen. Whether it’s a blacksmith hammering away in a village or a traveler wandering the roads, chances are Alessia had a hand in their journey.

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