Monroe Botan is a Game Designer at Frontier Developments, currently working on Jurassic World Evolution 3, set to release in October 2025. At just 24, Monroe already has two AAA titles under their belt and a growing presence in the UK games industry. But the journey here wasn’t easy.

Growing up in a low-income, immigrant household, Monroe faced financial hardship and a lack of support for pursuing a creative career. “My parents didn’t approve of me studying game design,” Monroe shared. “They saw it as a waste of time. We were struggling financially, and creative jobs weren’t seen as reliable.”

Despite these challenges, Monroe remained determined. While studying Game Design at university, they supported themselves through contract work and student loans, gradually becoming financially independent. That independence became even more crucial after coming out, when Monroe’s relationship with their family broke down and contact was cut off.

“I knew I had to land a job before graduating,” Monroe said. “There was no safety net, so I pushed myself to secure something early and give myself the best chance moving forward.”

Monroe first discovered Into Games during a university lecture. Encouraged to join the Discord server, they began taking part in community events, including the monthly community initiatives like creative challenges and portfolio reviews. “The concept challenges really appealed to me,” Monroe said. “The chance to get feedback from professionals was something I hadn’t seen anywhere else.”

They later joined the Into Games x UKIE Video Game Ambassadors programme, volunteering at schools, judging game jams, and offering portfolio reviews to aspiring designers. Monroe also spent a year as a Discord moderator, helping share news, events, and opportunities with the wider community.

These experiences proved invaluable, not just for career growth, but for building confidence.

“I’m confident in my game design skills, but getting involved with Into Games initiatives really helped me grow in public speaking and outreach. I met so many cool people I wouldn’t have otherwise.”

Now well-established in the industry, Monroe is working on a personal video project to share their journey into games from university to game jams, contract work, and eventually landing their first role. They hope it will help others navigate similar challenges.

“I’m in a good place right now. My goal is to stay afloat, keep learning, and connect with others, especially those early in their careers.”