Rémy Van Craynest took a science baccalaureate and went on to study applied arts at ESMA’s Entertainment preparatory year (formerly MANAA).
It was only after this first year that he discovered the potential of game design, encouraged by his teachers to pursue this path.
He then joined ETPA in Toulouse, where he developed his skills in game design, 3D modelling and coding.
His interest in video games does not stem solely from screens: a fan of board games and curious about interactive systems and narratives, he was quickly seduced by the idea of creating experiences rather than simply consuming them.
What impressed him most about his training, apart from the technical aspects, was the state of mind. “You learn to be rigorous, to constantly question yourself and to be aware of the reality of the sector. The first idea is rarely the right one. You have to be prepared to iterate, to move forward in stages. It’s a kind of philosophy that I apply well beyond video games.
He still remembers classes where, between two modelling sessions, he would sometimes test games during class time. “We played, but not just for fun: we studied gameplay, logic and ergonomics. It was demanding, but stimulating.
First immersion: Berlin and discovering the professional world
After school, he was unable to join Ubisoft, so he decided to try his luck abroad thanks to Erasmus+.
He left for Berlin and joined Mimic Productions, a company specialising in 3D scanning and motion capture.
“It was my first real professional experience. International atmosphere, brilliant colleagues, varied projects: I loved it.”
His most notable projects include a League of Legends promotional video in which he worked on the facial animations.
“It’s a video that’s been seen millions of times. It feels really good to know that we’ve contributed to it.”
The call of Japan
After two years in Berlin, he decided to set his sights even higher: Japan. A fan of From Software titles such as Dark Souls and Elden Ring, he set himself the goal of joining a Japanese studio.
He then took two years of intensive Japanese language courses, made a living from freelance work and eventually landed a job as a 3D consultant in Tokyo.
Today, he models for a variety of clients – sometimes in the top-of-the-range automotive sector, sometimes in the tech or AI fields. He still hopes to join a fully-fledged video game studio. But the reality of the Japanese market is clear: “What you’ve done abroad doesn’t count for much. You have to go through the local hoops again: the JLPT Japanese test, informal interviews, learning the codes.”
He describes a demanding but lively market. “There are vacancies, there are headhunters. And there’s a real demand for profiles who know how to adapt, who master several styles, such as realism, animation and cartoons. That’s where I come into my own.
As for trends in the sector, he welcomes the revival of medium-sized studios, which are more flexible and creative. He also warns against over-specialisation: “A good 3D modeller needs to be able to adapt. You have to be able to accept a job working on interfaces or sets, even if it’s not your core business. Sometimes it’s a gateway to something else.
AI, a tool to be mastered
As far as AI is concerned, he is lucid. “It’s here, we can’t avoid it. We’d better learn to use it intelligently.
He uses it to automate repetitive tasks, while retaining control over artistic choices.
In his view, people who can combine technical skills with an artistic flair will remain ahead of the game.
Finally, when asked what advice he would give to a student, he answers without hesitation: “Find pleasure in what you do. Don’t exhaust yourself trying to tick all the boxes. It’s a marathon. Stay curious. Experiment. Talk to people. Travel. Sometimes it’s in a queue that you make the encounter that changes everything.”
Today, he lives in Japan, where he has started a family. And while he remains lucid about the country’s difficulties, he says straightforwardly: “It’s an adventure. Demanding, sometimes rough. But it’s an adventure that’s worth it.”