Who's This Klanger? An Interview with Valentin Besson

This month, we talk with Houdini Technical Artist, Valentin Besson. He tells us about why he loves being a Technical Artist, his excitement about SEED, and his love for Balfolk dancing.

How did you find your way to Klang?

It all started when I was contacted on LinkedIn by someone from Klang’s People team. At the time I was working at a very large company and I was looking to move somewhere that I could have a bit more impact. I was immediately intrigued by SEED. Not only is it an exciting and ambitious project but it’s exactly the kind of game I love to play. After that, it was a very smooth process.

What is your favorite part of working as a Houdini Technical Artist?

I like working as a Technical Artist because my job is very connected to every other discipline at Klang. My work lies somewhere between the technical side and the art side and in a way I act as a bridge between the two fields. For example, I am the interface between the artists and the engineers and I translate those two worlds. I also love working with Houdini, which, in my opinion, is the best programming environment for generating worlds and environments.

What excites you most about SEED?

The thing that excites me most about SEED is the fact that there are so many different ways to interact with the game. No two players will have the same experience because we bring together players with different profiles with wildly different interests. The range of the target audience is very ambitious and it’s exciting to be able to bring together all of these different kinds of players in the same world.

What do you like to do in your free time?

Right now my favorite hobby is definitely dancing. I got into dancing a couple of years ago, starting with Salsa and moving on to other dances. I really enjoy pair dances because it allows me to connect with others. After a little while I discovered the Balfolk community and then I got hooked. Everyone at Balfolk events is so cheerful and welcoming, and there are people of all ages, from six-year-old kids to their grandmas and grandpas. Plus, unlike other types of dancing, with Balfolk you don’t need to take classes. You just join a social event and learn the dance by participating. Now my dancing is inspired by all the different forms that I’ve practiced.

What’s your favorite part about living in Berlin?

I moved to Berlin because I felt ready to live in a big city. I could have gone to somewhere like Paris or Lyon or another French-speaking city, but I also wanted to investigate a new culture and language. Even though France and Germany are neighbors, the cultures seem so different, and I wanted to explore this difference. I also love that there are so many possibilities in this city. I can find anything that I am looking for, and this is a great feeling.