Our Asian American & Pacific Islander Month celebrations continue! This week, we’re shining a light on Warner Bros. Games / Avalanche Advanced Level Designer Jim Jung, who played an integral role in building Hogwarts Legacy.

Q: What do you do at WBD?

A: I'm an Advanced Level Designer for Avalanche Software. My main focus is on mission implementation and design (though I’ve dabbled in other aspects of the game, like item prototyping, implementing various cinematics, and creating custom blueprints). The greatest challenge of my role is taking what design creates and figuring out how to make that design come to life in the game using the various tools at our disposal. I really enjoy the puzzle aspect of the job. There’s a constant need to figure things out, and there’s great satisfaction when a problem or bug does get figured out. Another often-overlooked benefit to making games is that it’s never repetitive. There’s always something new and fun to create.

Q: Tell us about one of your favorite projects you’ve worked on at WBD.

A: The latest game we shipped, Hogwarts Legacy, has to be the crowning jewel of projects I’ve worked on at the studio. It was by far the biggest, most complex game we’ve ever made, and it was amazing to see the entire studio come together to complete it.

Q: What’s been your most fun day at WBD?

A: One year, I made a bet with a coworker to wear the opposing college’s gear if their team won – it was the University of Southern California (my team) versus Brigham Young University (his team). USC lost the game in overtime and I had to wear a BYU pullover for an entire day at work. People had a blast with it.

Q: What feeds your soul outside of work?

A: Golf, video games, and watching my sports teams (the University of Southern California, the Lakers, the Dodgers, the LA Kings).

Q: Do you have any special traditions that celebrate your heritage?

A: In Korea, younger people must bow deeply to their elders as a sign of respect and wish them a happy new year. While bowing, they say “새해 복 많이 받으세요 (saehae bok mani badeuseyo),” or “Have lots of luck in the new year.” They usually wear a Hanbok or traditional Korean clothing while performing this ritual. We were taught as very young children to do this every new year (when we were living at home) or whenever we saw each other close to new year (after we moved out). During lockdown in 2020, we actually did the ceremony over FaceTime.