Meet the team - David Ferguson Sutcliffe, Software Developer

Pogo Studio are delighted to have expanded once again, this time welcoming a new Software Developer to the team. 

Tell us a bit about your background and how you ended up at Pogo Studio.

I studied computer game technology at University, really because it was the only thing that appealed to me at the time and I felt like I should study something. The plan was to work in the gaming industry, until I found out that jobs in gaming are oversaturated and underpaid. I’ve worked as a software developer for around 7 years now, and at my latest job I developed a pregnancy healthcare record app, and that led me here.

What’s the best thing about the job so far?

You might need to ask again in a few more weeks, I’m still getting settled and figuring out how things work. I like the Codebase set up and having the freedom to move around. I’m still finding out about the job really. I’m interested in making something that is useful for people and I’m excited to be at a smaller company, it’s a bit different.

What’s the most difficult thing about working for Pogo?

I suppose moving job and figuring out how things work is always challenging and getting used to a different environment. I have quite a difficult task to start with, which has been a bit of a challenge but it’s all part of the process.

If you had a magic wand that could take you anywhere in the world, where would you go?

I’m thinking about holidays I’ve had recently - I like a holiday where my wife and I camp out somewhere nice in the countryside, read books and do puzzles, like the Peak District or the Borders in Scotland.

For a bit more adventure I also really like Cologne in Germany, it’s a really cool place. 

Complete this sentence: working in digital is…? 

Working in digital is…hard. But it’s creative, it’s nice to be able to make things that you can’t make any other way. That’s what draws me to programming.

Do you have a party trick, and if so, what is it?

I have a slightly bendy thumb? I’ve also been learning German for a while; I started during lockdown and have kept it up. But that only works if I’m at a party where someone speaks German, and even then they’ll probably just point out my mistakes. 

What’s a mistake that you made in the past, which haunts you to this day?

When I thought the boss was talking to me, so I started talking to him, but he was on the phone. I drink to forget.

If you could have a dinner party with three people (dead or alive) who would they be?

It would be interesting to get people who would be pitted against each other. Paul – who wrote a lot of letters in the bible – he would be interesting to talk to because his letters are quite bizarre. He’s quite a conflicted character.

George Clooney – I want to see if he’s that charming and suave in really life, or if he’d be shy in the presence of Paul. I’d be curious to see how they bounced off each other.

I’d like my wife Polly to be there for comfort, and social backing. 

Finally – what’s your thoughts on an office pet?

Great idea. Let’s get a toy pet. You said it.