• Log InLog In
  • Register
Liquid`
Team Liquid Liquipedia
EST 14:43
CET 20:43
KST 04:43
  • Home
  • Forum
  • Calendar
  • Streams
  • Liquipedia
  • Features
  • Store
  • EPT
  • TL+
  • StarCraft 2
  • Brood War
  • Smash
  • Heroes
  • Counter-Strike
  • Overwatch
  • Liquibet
  • Fantasy StarCraft
  • TLPD
  • StarCraft 2
  • Brood War
  • Blogs
Forum Sidebar
Events/Features
News
Featured News
Rongyi Cup S3 - Preview & Info3herO wins SC2 All-Star Invitational14SC2 All-Star Invitational: Tournament Preview5RSL Revival - 2025 Season Finals Preview8RSL Season 3 - Playoffs Preview0
Community News
Weekly Cups (Jan 19-25): Bunny, Trigger, MaxPax win3Weekly Cups (Jan 12-18): herO, MaxPax, Solar win0BSL Season 2025 - Full Overview and Conclusion8Weekly Cups (Jan 5-11): Clem wins big offline, Trigger upsets4$21,000 Rongyi Cup Season 3 announced (Jan 22-Feb 7)38
StarCraft 2
General
StarCraft 2 not at the Esports World Cup 2026 Weekly Cups (Jan 19-25): Bunny, Trigger, MaxPax win Oliveira Would Have Returned If EWC Continued herO wins SC2 All-Star Invitational PhD study /w SC2 - help with a survey!
Tourneys
$21,000 Rongyi Cup Season 3 announced (Jan 22-Feb 7) OSC Season 13 World Championship $70 Prize Pool Ladder Legends Academy Weekly Open! SC2 All-Star Invitational: Jan 17-18 Sparkling Tuna Cup - Weekly Open Tournament
Strategy
Simple Questions Simple Answers
Custom Maps
[A] Starcraft Sound Mod
External Content
Mutation # 510 Safety Violation Mutation # 509 Doomsday Report Mutation # 508 Violent Night Mutation # 507 Well Trained
Brood War
General
Potential ASL qualifier breakthroughs? BW General Discussion BGH Auto Balance -> http://bghmmr.eu/ Bleak Future After Failed ProGaming Career [ASL21] Potential Map Candidates
Tourneys
[Megathread] Daily Proleagues Small VOD Thread 2.0 Azhi's Colosseum - Season 2 [BSL21] Non-Korean Championship - Starts Jan 10
Strategy
Simple Questions, Simple Answers Zealot bombing is no longer popular? Current Meta Soma's 9 hatch build from ASL Game 2
Other Games
General Games
Battle Aces/David Kim RTS Megathread Path of Exile Nintendo Switch Thread Mobile Legends: Bang Bang Beyond All Reason
Dota 2
Official 'what is Dota anymore' discussion
League of Legends
Heroes of the Storm
Simple Questions, Simple Answers Heroes of the Storm 2.0
Hearthstone
Deck construction bug Heroes of StarCraft mini-set
TL Mafia
Vanilla Mini Mafia Mafia Game Mode Feedback/Ideas
Community
General
US Politics Mega-thread Russo-Ukrainian War Thread YouTube Thread Canadian Politics Mega-thread European Politico-economics QA Mega-thread
Fan Clubs
The herO Fan Club! The IdrA Fan Club
Media & Entertainment
Anime Discussion Thread [Manga] One Piece
Sports
2024 - 2026 Football Thread
World Cup 2022
Tech Support
Computer Build, Upgrade & Buying Resource Thread
TL Community
The Automated Ban List
Blogs
How Esports Advertising Shap…
TrAiDoS
My 2025 Magic: The Gathering…
DARKING
Life Update and thoughts.
FuDDx
How do archons sleep?
8882
James Bond movies ranking - pa…
Topin
Customize Sidebar...

Website Feedback

Closed Threads



Active: 1723 users

Cosplayer to Studio Head

Blogs > Riku
Post a Reply
Riku
Profile Blog Joined June 2009
United States1064 Posts
April 08 2016 16:45 GMT
#1
Hey TL! Long time, yet again!

Some of you may remember me from, well, dressing up like a baneling (seriously: http://www.teamliquid.net/blogs/276689-baneling-costume-progress ). Others from my various rants and raves in this series of blogs.

I’ve been a huge gamer my entire life, from the moment I went from sitting next to my dad, watching him play Wolfenstein 3D and took control of the keyboard and mouse myself. That grew past what most would consider a hobby into a full life passion. At the time, though, I only knew how to invest in this passion by writing blogs, making cosplaying and playing a hell of a lot of video games.

That all changed a few years ago, when I realized that, holy crap, there are people who actually MAKE video games. And, thus, my entire life changed.

I went from working as a System and Design Engineer in biotech to a Software Engineer in biotech (I taught myself programming and requested a team transfer), then I began to work as both a Producer and as a Server Engineer for Fixer Studios, and then… well, I started my own studio just over a year and a half ago.

Since then, I’ve been busting my little baneling butt making my first major title, Potions: A Curious Tale.



It’s been a crazy and wild ride.

[image loading]

Of course, I started this venture in the game industry at a very tumultuous time for women in games, but I’m happy to say I’ve remained relatively unscathed for the past two years. Though I did talk about a little bit of the subtle sexism (if it even qualifies as that) that I’ve experienced in my last blog: http://www.teamliquid.net/blogs/494285-post-pax-potions

I’m really happy where I am now: Leading a team of great artists and developers, helping others in the game industry through IGDA and my own vlogs and articles.

I just wanted to let you all at TL know, because here was one of the places that I cultivated, shared and expanded my passion for video games.

<3

As always, reach out to me if you need my advice or help.

~Renee "Riku" Gittins

P.S.
+ Show Spoiler +
Not wanting to let QXC steal all of the Kickstarter spotlight ( http://www.teamliquid.net/blogs/507100-from-pro-gaming-to-game-designer-a-qxc-story ), I’m happy to announce that Potions is now also on Kickstarter! https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1268017280/potions-a-curious-tale



[image loading]

***
Creative Director, CEO at Stumbling Cat, Writer for Broken Joysticks - Twitter: @RikuKat
JimmyJRaynor
Profile Blog Joined April 2010
Canada17233 Posts
Last Edited: 2016-04-08 18:30:39
April 08 2016 18:22 GMT
#2
My #1 customer is desperate for female coders. its great for me because they keep hiring women who can't do the job ; i swoop in as an outside contractor and save project after project. Of course project rescue jobs pay a lot more than normal projects. Also, there is no will to hire me and pay me as a salaried employee less than one third what they are paying me now because i'm male.
Ray Kassar To David Crane : "you're no more important to Atari than the factory workers assembling the cartridges"
Riku
Profile Blog Joined June 2009
United States1064 Posts
April 08 2016 18:27 GMT
#3
On April 09 2016 03:22 JimmyJRaynor wrote:
My #1 customer is desperate for female coders. its great for me because they keep hiring women who can't do the job ; i swoop in as an outside contractor and save the project. Of course project rescue jobs pay a lot more than normal projects. Also, there is no will to hire me and pay me as a salaried employee less than one third what they are paying me now because i'm male.


I hear contracting is really the way to go if you like flexible hours and don't mind the whole job instability part.
Creative Director, CEO at Stumbling Cat, Writer for Broken Joysticks - Twitter: @RikuKat
JimmyJRaynor
Profile Blog Joined April 2010
Canada17233 Posts
Last Edited: 2016-04-08 18:49:17
April 08 2016 18:37 GMT
#4
As long as you have a nice little network of project managers you should have a steady stream of incoming work. The Arnica Web Portal and West Wind Web Connection are where i make the most cash by far and that's sort of my niche.

A big mistake most of the software engineers make is not networking with the right people; They also do not create a niche for themselves.

Technically speaking i am a "software development contractor"; in reality i'm a coder with four part time jobs.
Ray Kassar To David Crane : "you're no more important to Atari than the factory workers assembling the cartridges"
Jealous
Profile Blog Joined December 2011
10265 Posts
April 08 2016 18:58 GMT
#5
You've come a long way since this was said:

"It's as though Riku's life is some really lame version of Speed where if she doesn't post at least one terrible blog a day, her cats will die."

Congratulations on your project and your position.
"The right to vote is only the oar of the slaveship, I wanna be free." -- бум бум сучка!
Riku
Profile Blog Joined June 2009
United States1064 Posts
April 08 2016 22:32 GMT
#6
On April 09 2016 03:58 Jealous wrote:
You've come a long way since this was said:

"It's as though Riku's life is some really lame version of Speed where if she doesn't post at least one terrible blog a day, her cats will die."

Congratulations on your project and your position.



Ahhh... the days of college, where writing blog posts was my escape from the harsh reality of going to a really damn challenging school.
Creative Director, CEO at Stumbling Cat, Writer for Broken Joysticks - Twitter: @RikuKat
Psyonic_Reaver
Profile Blog Joined June 2007
United States4341 Posts
April 09 2016 04:55 GMT
#7
Riku I remember meeting you at PAX back in.... 2010 I want to say....

Good luck with your game!
So wait? I'm bad? =(
FFGenerations
Profile Blog Joined April 2011
7088 Posts
Last Edited: 2016-04-09 17:29:55
April 09 2016 17:25 GMT
#8
fantastic trailer, congrats

i posted in your old blog that 'my "dream" is sort of like work for a year or two and then take time off to develop myself in something i really want to do, like you are doing (for me maybe it will be music or art or idk)' .... well in 2 days i move house and start studying to draw after quitting my job
Cool BW Music Vid - youtube.com/watch?v=W54nlqJ-Nx8 ~~~~~ ᕤ OYSTERS ᕤ CLAMS ᕤ AND ᕤ CUCKOLDS ᕤ ~~~~~~ ༼ ᕤ◕◡◕ ༽ᕤ PUNCH HIM ༼ ᕤ◕◡◕ ༽ᕤ
Riku
Profile Blog Joined June 2009
United States1064 Posts
April 09 2016 17:30 GMT
#9
On April 09 2016 13:55 Psyonic_Reaver wrote:
Riku I remember meeting you at PAX back in.... 2010 I want to say....

Good luck with your game!


Thanks! :D

Maybe see you at PAX this year?

On April 10 2016 02:25 FFGenerations wrote:
fantastic trailer, congrats

i posted in your old blog that "my "dream" is sort of like work for a year or two and then take time off to develop myself in something i really want to do, like you are doing (for me maybe it will be music or art or idk)" .... well in 2 days i move house and start studying to draw after quitting my job


Nice! I hope it goes really well for you. Rock it!
Creative Director, CEO at Stumbling Cat, Writer for Broken Joysticks - Twitter: @RikuKat
fabiano
Profile Blog Joined August 2009
Brazil4644 Posts
April 11 2016 23:36 GMT
#10
Nothing out of this world, but pretty straightforward, very well paced and professionally fit the narrative with the scenes.

Keep up the good work!
"When the geyser died, a probe came out" - SirJolt
Falling
Profile Blog Joined June 2009
Canada11404 Posts
April 12 2016 21:08 GMT
#11
I hope you find funding for your game. It's always interesting to hear what different TL members have gone on to do.
Moderator"In Trump We Trust," says the Golden Goat of Mars Lago. Have faith and believe! Trump moves in mysterious ways. Like the wind he blows where he pleases...
Riku
Profile Blog Joined June 2009
United States1064 Posts
April 13 2016 16:59 GMT
#12
On April 12 2016 08:36 fabiano wrote:
Nothing out of this world, but pretty straightforward, very well paced and professionally fit the narrative with the scenes.

Keep up the good work!


Thanks! :D

On April 13 2016 06:08 Falling wrote:
I hope you find funding for your game. It's always interesting to hear what different TL members have gone on to do.


Right? Kind of crazy to watch.

I went to school at Harvey Mudd and know Sean (Day[9]) and Kevin (QXC) really well. It's great seeing that they are still putting their talents towards their passions.
Creative Director, CEO at Stumbling Cat, Writer for Broken Joysticks - Twitter: @RikuKat
Please log in or register to reply.
Live Events Refresh
Next event in 16h 17m
[ Submit Event ]
Live Streams
Refresh
StarCraft 2
JuggernautJason228
ProTech135
BRAT_OK 107
Livibee 26
StarCraft: Brood War
Rain 5982
Larva 955
BeSt 191
Dewaltoss 164
Shuttle 125
League of Legends
C9.Mang0106
Counter-Strike
fl0m4171
pashabiceps1379
kRYSTAL_25
Heroes of the Storm
Liquid`Hasu415
Other Games
gofns14669
Grubby4116
FrodaN1730
ToD197
QueenE159
ArmadaUGS138
Mew2King80
mouzStarbuck77
KnowMe32
fpsfer 1
Organizations
StarCraft 2
angryscii 45
Blizzard YouTube
StarCraft: Brood War
BSLTrovo
sctven
[ Show 20 non-featured ]
StarCraft 2
• StrangeGG 63
• Adnapsc2 16
• intothetv
• Kozan
• sooper7s
• AfreecaTV YouTube
• Migwel
• LaughNgamezSOOP
• IndyKCrew
StarCraft: Brood War
• 80smullet 28
• blackmanpl 28
• STPLYoutube
• ZZZeroYoutube
• FirePhoenix0
• BSLYoutube
Dota 2
• WagamamaTV659
League of Legends
• Nemesis5806
• imaqtpie1763
• TFBlade1186
• Shiphtur314
Upcoming Events
HomeStory Cup
16h 17m
Korean StarCraft League
1d 7h
HomeStory Cup
1d 16h
Replay Cast
2 days
HomeStory Cup
2 days
Replay Cast
3 days
Replay Cast
4 days
Wardi Open
4 days
WardiTV Invitational
5 days
The PondCast
6 days
[ Show More ]
WardiTV Invitational
6 days
Liquipedia Results

Completed

Proleague 2026-01-28
OSC Championship Season 13
Underdog Cup #3

Ongoing

CSL 2025 WINTER (S19)
KCM Race Survival 2026 Season 1
Acropolis #4 - TS4
Rongyi Cup S3
IEM Kraków 2026
BLAST Bounty Winter 2026
BLAST Bounty Winter Qual
eXTREMESLAND 2025
SL Budapest Major 2025
ESL Impact League Season 8
BLAST Rivals Fall 2025

Upcoming

Escore Tournament S1: W6
Escore Tournament S1: W7
Acropolis #4
IPSL Spring 2026
uThermal 2v2 2026 Main Event
Bellum Gens Elite Stara Zagora 2026
LiuLi Cup: 2025 Grand Finals
HSC XXVIII
Nations Cup 2026
IEM Rio 2026
PGL Bucharest 2026
Stake Ranked Episode 1
BLAST Open Spring 2026
ESL Pro League Season 23
ESL Pro League Season 23
PGL Cluj-Napoca 2026
TLPD

1. ByuN
2. TY
3. Dark
4. Solar
5. Stats
6. Nerchio
7. sOs
8. soO
9. INnoVation
10. Elazer
1. Rain
2. Flash
3. EffOrt
4. Last
5. Bisu
6. Soulkey
7. Mini
8. Sharp
Sidebar Settings...

Advertising | Privacy Policy | Terms Of Use | Contact Us

Original banner artwork: Jim Warren
The contents of this webpage are copyright © 2026 TLnet. All Rights Reserved.