We’re back for another round of Inside Crytek: our very own interview series which features different members of the Crytek team. First you can get up close and personal with them, and afterwards you get to ask the questions!

To submit your own questions to this week’s interviewee, simply post them under the link to the article on our Facebook page, GFACE, or in the comments below. We will then forward the best and most original questions, and next week the answers will be posted online.

This week features Adam Elfleet. Adam has been at Crytek since March 2010 and is originally from Ilkeston, UK. He currently works as a Quality Assurance Tester in the Nottingham office, and has previously done QA at Free Radical Design.

Why did you want to work in the games industry and how did you get started?

It certainly wasn’t planned, although as a youngster I knew deep down I always wanted to be involved in games somehow; I just never envisaged it. I had been working in administration and was out of work a few months when I came across an advert for QA testing.  I applied in the morning and by late afternoon I had the position of a QA temp, and have not looked back since.

Why Crytek?

I was fortunate to be asked to join the Crytek UK QA team, when they hired for testing on Crysis 2. I was part of the FRD QA team and our manager called to ask if I was free and available and I was, so for me it’s all about returning the loyalty to the company for the opportunity it’s given me.

What are the best and worst parts of your job?

The best thing about my job is the teams I work with. We have a great atmosphere in our studio. Along with that I receive great training and get to take a look some great new projects that are currently in the pipeline. Our studio is also a pleasure to work in: bright, modern, and open plan.

The worst thing for me about my job is that it’s made me such a critic about all video games, so at times it’s difficult to switch off at home and play a game as intended.

What are you working on at the moment?

We are currently working on Crysis 3 Multiplayer, which is now so close to release! I’m also doing Homefront 2 for both Single player campaign and Multiplayer. Last August I got to showcase our new “Hunter” mode for Crysis 3 at Gamescom in Köln which was an awesome experience, meeting some wonderful people and some outrageous people in great cosplay.

What music do you listen to at work?

Is that allowed? When I can I generally listen to the national radio station but most of the time I’m  listening for any issues in the game audio.

What inspires you in your work or in life?

Honest, genuine people who, despite their situation, will always have a smile on their face for you. If I had to pick to be one person, it would be Sir Alex Ferguson, Manager of Manchester United. This man has been at the helm of one of the most demanding football clubs of the world for the past 26 years, and the way he adapted to each challenge over the years is an inspiration to me; a great man and a great manager of men. 

What types of games do you like, and what is your favorite game of all time?

RPG’s, FPS’s and Sport sims, my console and games catalog is rather big! My all time favorite game would be The Legend of Zelda: A link to the Past on the Super Nintendo, I have many a fond memory of this growing up. More recently Battlefield 2 but I’m really looking forward to the European release of Warface.

What do you enjoy doing outside of work?

Outside (and literally outside) of work I’m a keen fisherman, so I’ll be down at my local pond or the River Trent attempting to land a Carp or Barbel. It’s a good contrast to being sat in front of a monitor 24/7. At home I kick back and watch DVDs, but mainly TV shows from the States or guess what… playing games!

Do you have any tips for people wanting to get started in the industry?

Depending on which area of game development you’re looking to get into it all can be different, be proactive, passionate, do research, continuously learn and have a good portfolio. Try and be creative and think beyond what’s out there now, with tablets becoming extremely popular too now days there’s lots of routes to venture into the games industry.