Although both graduates of the 欧美视频 Class of 2016, Molly Lafferty and Zoey Schlemper’s journeys into the world of game development started from diverse backgrounds, carving out unique paths that led them to influential roles at two of the biggest names in the gaming industry. Lafferty and Schlemper are proof that the intersection of creativity, problem-solving, and persistence can transform passion into a career that shapes the digital experiences of millions worldwide.

Molly (Lee) Lafferty ’16
Associate User Interface Engineer at Infinity Ward
Los Angeles
Majors: Mathematics, Physics

A video game can have photorealistic water physics, stunning character models, and witty writing, but without a user interface — the menus, buttons, and on-screen information displays — that game would just be a movie.

Whether it’s as simple as a thermometer-style health bar or as complex as layered, customizable equipment menus, a user interface is critical in helping a player understand what’s going on, allowing them to actually play the game.

Lafferty, who majored in mathematics and physics, builds those user interfaces in her work as an associate user interface engineer with Infinity Ward, a developer of the blockbuster Call of Duty video game franchise.

Published by Activision, the franchise has been around for more than 20 years, with the last three games featuring Lafferty’s work, including her recreation of the calling card challenges menu in Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 and her addition of unlocking criteria to calling cards and emblems in Call of Duty: Modern Warfare III.

“I didn’t always know I’d be interested in a career in game development,” said Lafferty, a native of Roseau, Minnesota. “My first job out of graduate school was more toward software engineering. Then I found out about Activision’s Level Up U program and encouraged my then-fiancé, now husband, to attend the webinar for it and apply. Then we both got into the program.”

The groundwork for graduate school and Level Up U began at Concordia, where Lafferty took her first Introduction to Computer Science class, as well as a course on databases. She was a member of the and the but also participated in the Symphonic Band and French Club.

I actually made my first game at Concordia, a Java Connect 4 game, as a final project. — Molly (Lee) Lafferty ’16

During graduate school, her now-husband drew her further into game development and the two co-founded the University of Nebraska-Lincoln’s Game Development Club, attending game jam competitions and creating games from scratch over a single weekend.

Now Lafferty resides in Los Angeles, as Infinity Ward is based in Woodland Hills, California.

“It’s a challenge to get the right job in the gaming industry, but just keep learning and put your best foot forward,” she advises prospective game developers. “Imposter syndrome is real. When I first joined the gaming industry, and sometimes even today, I may feel like I don’t belong because I don’t know enough, but I shouldn’t feel that way.”

Lafferty praises her team and her manager for their efforts and support.

“I was hired because they want me here and that’s something I have to keep reminding myself. So don’t be afraid or intimidated when you’re starting out in the gaming industry,” she added. “If you’re hired, that’s because your company wants you there.”

Zoey Schlemper ’16
Tools Technical Artist at Blizzard Entertainment
Redmond, Washington
Major: Art
Minor: Psychology

No matter how many hairs appear in a virtual puppy’s fur, how light sparkles on an in-game puddle, or how crow’s feet crinkle around a protagonist’s eyes, a human artist had to put them into that video game.

Schlemper writes the tools and user interfaces that allow those artists to create in his work as a tools technical artist with Blizzard Entertainment.

The knowledge and experience he gained as an art major at Concordia helped him get into the highly competitive video game industry and led to his work on Overwatch 2, Halo Infinite, and Rogue Company.

“The best part is knowing that I’m helping to put smiles on the faces of children and adults across the world,” Schlemper said. “I also really enjoy working with all the passionate, kind, and super talented people.”

As a college student from Bemidji, Minnesota, he had many interests, serving as a resident assistant and building manager with Residence Life, singing with the Chapel Choir, working backstage and doing graphic design for theatre productions, and firing up the pizza oven for Dining Services. He even hosted Draft Punks, a drawing club.

“When I was young, fantasy and sci-fi inspired me to draw a lot,” Schlemper said. “I loved books, movies, games — all of that stuff. I drew fan art and posted loads of really bad anime characters on DeviantArt.”

During high school, he saw a behind-the-scenes video showing how one of his favorite video games was made. He thought it looked like fun and decided he had to be part of it.

Initially, he wanted to go into concept art but, after college, a newfound love of math and solving problems led him to develop more technical art skills, including Python scripting, 3D math, and industry-standard software like the Unreal Engine and Maya.

(Concordia) changed my life in so many positive ways. — Zoey Schlemper ’16

Schlemper earned his Master of Fine Arts degree at DigiPen and used the skills he acquired as a resident advisor to get a job as a leasing consultant while he worked to get into game development.

“I sold apartment leases by day while writing Python code and filling out job applications by night,” he recalled. “Finally, I got a chance to interview at 343 Industries, the studio behind Halo Infinite and, after showing them some of my art and code, I got the position!”

He advises people hoping to get into the industry not to get discouraged, as they may need to take other jobs while they hone their skills — in his case, coding, communicating, and using digital art applications.

“If you foster self-discipline and form a habit of learning the right things, your skills will speak for themselves,” he said. “Concordia may not have had a major that perfectly aligned with my rather strange career goals, but it obviously helped me achieve them. It also changed my life in so many positive ways. I met my amazing wife there — in fact, we were both clubbies during Orientation. We’ve been married seven years and, if I’m lucky, we’ll have many more together!”

^{Editor’s note: A version of this story was originally published in the .}