Steven Green

Steve Green initially started at Michigan Tech as a geology major. After two years, he realized it wasn't his passion, so he transferred into the sound design department at Tech. “Tech has a very thorough sound design department that allowed me to learn what I needed to graduate, as well as learn my own skill set that went toward my career path. I think some of my most memorable experiences were with my professors, Dr. Jared Anderson, Josh Loar, and Chris Plummer.

"One of my favorite moments was when I redesigned the audio for the game "Limbo" and asked Josh Loar to play it in front of the department during our semester end presentation. It was a first to see someone else interactively play something I had designed, and have it presented in front of a number of people."

Outside of class, Green's most memorable experience was meeting and getting to know his wife, Kayla Herrera. They met in a meteorology class during her last semester and had Thanksgiving dinner at his apartment where his family met her for the first time. "She knew the Houghton/Hancock area much better than I ever would and showed me around. Upon her graduating, she went to do an internship in Minneapolis at Game Informer magazine. Nearly every weekend, I'd get off of work bartending at the Ambassador and drive there to spend the weekend with her—a seven-hour drive. On weekends when I had to work, she would drive back to Houghton to see me. Now she’s out here with me on our adventure, working the Tech scene in Silicon Valley."

She wasn't the only love he had found at Michigan Tech. He had found a love for his career. "Michigan Tech prepared me as much as it could without having a dedicated "Audio for Games" class. Luckily my adviser, Chris Plummer, understood my desire to work in games. He allowed me to modify a few of my projects to be more involved with games, so I could be properly prepared. Without him allowing me to put my energy into working toward this career, I doubt I'd have gotten here now."

Green's first job after graduation was with the Los Angeles-based video games studio, Giant Squid. The day after his graduation ceremony at Michigan Tech in December, he packed up his Ford Mustang and drove to California to begin his career.

“Giant Squid is composed of a few of the developers behind the 2012 title ‘Journey’ (since then it has been re-released for the PS4). I was hired to handle all of the audio behind the 2016 title ‘ABZÛ.’ I then left Giant Squid to join Giant Sparrow to release their 2017 title, ‘What Remains of Edith Finch.’ I also helped Double Fine Productions in their remaster of the 1995 title ‘Full Throttle.’”

Since then, Green has helped with other projects ranging from virtual reality titles to exploratory games, which should be releasing in 2018. Green has been working in video games for three years now, and has launched approximately six games.

Green’s game ‘ABZÛ’ was nominated for a BAFTA (British Academy of Film and Television Arts) award and other awards. The game ‘What Remains Of Edith Finch’ is currently nominated for a few awards as well.

When following your passion in life, Green had some advice for others hoping to do the same.

“Follow what you think is best for you rather than what others tell you is best. Carve your own path as much as you can. It's great to learn from the success and failures of others, but to blaze your own trail. I've found a niche in “artsy” games and it's led to more and more opportunities.”