A LOT of people reckon they work in the best industry in the world and many claim their job is more fun than work, but Robert J Spencer, founder of multinational computer game developer Interzone, can certainly lay claim to having one of the coolest jobs
A LOT of people reckon they work in the best industry in the world and many claim their job is more fun than work, but Robert J Spencer, founder of multinational computer game developer Interzone, can certainly lay claim to having one of the coolest jobs on the planet.
Mr Spencer spends his time jet-setting across the globe, working in some of the world's most intriguing cities as he and his creative teams develop, refine and release computer game titles to 'gamers' - as those who play computer games are known.
Plenty of blood, sweat and tears are poured into honing his craft, building quality computer programs, but Mr Spencer firmly believes he has the best job in the world.
"Games are the medium that is defining culture for the 21st century and it is incredible to be involved with that process," Mr Spencer said.
"I work with incredible programmers, 3-D modellers, fine artists, sociologists, network engineers, writers and anthropologists on a daily basis; how could a team like that not be cool?"
And while Mr Spencer is proud to be considered among the list of 40under40 Award winners, he says bringing Interzone to life has been his biggest achievement.
"Words can't really express how proud I am of getting Interzone to Perth," he said.
"Before I opened the IZ Perth studio, there were only four to five people employed full time developing games in Perth and I have increased that to around 70 full-time positions.
"I have built up a skill base here that is able to develop world-class games, recently proved by my Spinfast studio hitting number one with iPhone Cricket."
Mr Spencer founded Interzone in 2006, and in August last year he established a second, more intimate games studio in Perth called Spinfast.
Currently, Mr Spencer's flagship organisation Interzone is looking to export an innovative soccer title to Brazil and then the world.
Interzone has offices located in Chicago, an art studio in Guangzhou, China, and a small publishing team is in Sao Paulo, Brazil.
"It's not an easy industry to work in," he said.
"The hours are long and pressure is very high but the people who flourish have incredible passion for their work and come from a wide range of skills and backgrounds."
And the driving force behind his success to date?
"Passion, which leads naturally to perseverance," Mr Spencer said.
"I love what I do, so it's easy to keep just constantly powering on, never accepting 'no' as an adequate answer and always searching for paths around obstacles."
Mr Spencer also cites active learning, the constant refinement of ideas and a commitment to excellence as vital factors in determining success.
"I also have a wonderful team that supports me and I couldn't achieve anything of note without them, it's a community of minds and certainly not just me," he said.
