Double Eleven is a British video game developer and publisher based in the United Kingdom. It was founded by Lee Hutchinson and Matt Shepcar on December 2009, both having on worked on the Grand Theft Auto series with Rockstar previously before opening Double Eleven.
The studio had helped developed some popular video games titles such as Red Dead Redemption, Fallout 76, Limbo, Minecraft Dungeons, and many others.
In 2022, Double Eleven opened a new studio in Mid Valley, Kuala Lumpur. The 12,000 square feet studio features a mixture of development rooms, dedicated areas for playtesting, a variety of meeting spaces for large and small groups, a cinema room, and an extensive social space.

We had the opportunity to speak with Mau Iida, the code lead at Double Eleven, and we asked about his job, insights, experiences, and advice for those aspiring to enter the video game industry.

What programming languages do you primarily work with, and why are they essential for game development?
- At Double Eleven, we’re involved in a diverse array of projects, from porting to creating expansions, and our partnerships with industry giants like Rockstar Games, Mojang Studios and Bethesda Game Studios mean we adapt to a variety of programming needs.
- We primarily use C++ and C#. C++ is our choice for the Double Eleven engine and
projects using Unreal Engine because it offers unmatched performance and control over system resources—crucial for games where performance is paramount. - On the other hand, C# is essential for Unity development. It is user friendly, making it
easy to quickly create and iterate on projects. We also use C# for tool development,
which streamlines our workflow.

What are some unique challenges you face when coding for video games compared to other software projects?
- Coding for video games presents unique challenges that differ significantly from other
software projects. One major challenge is optimising performance. In gaming, we need
to ensure that our games run smoothly on a variety of hardware, from high-end PCs to
consoles with different capabilities. This requires a deep understanding of memory
management and processing power. - But what I enjoy most, which is something unique that Double Eleven provides, is the
opportunity to work on porting. For instance, while porting a game to a new console, we faced a performance bottleneck during intense gameplay scenes. - We had to optimise the code and assets, streamline memory usage, and implement more efficient rendering techniques. This level of optimisation is crucial in gaming but less common in other software projects.
- Another challenge is ensuring a seamless user experience. Unlike other software, games need to be fun for players. This means dealing with real-time interactions and adjusting features to ensure players can enjoy the game on consoles.
- For our originally designed projects, creating deeper engagement and enjoyment for players presents another layer of challenge that sets game development apart from other software development.

How do you balance performance optimisation with delivering new features in game development?
- Balancing performance optimisation with delivering new features depends on the
direction of the project. If a feature is deemed essential for the game, we have no
choice but to implement it. - As programmers, this means we can’t simply opt out of adding the feature. Instead, our tech team conducts extensive testing, research, and optimisation, which can be time consuming.
- When we have the option to negotiate feature additions, we start by discussing how crucial the feature is to the game. We then evaluate the potential performance issues it may cause on the target console, explore possible solutions, and estimate the time required for implementation.
- This decision-making process also considers the project budget. By weighing these factors, we make informed trade-offs to maintain a balance between performance and new features.
What trends or advancements in technology do you foresee shaping the future of game development, particularly from a coding perspective?
- Advancements in real-time ray tracing and graphics technologies are pushing the boundaries of visual fidelity. As these technologies become more accessible, developers will need to master new techniques to optimise performance while delivering stunning graphics. This means we’ll need a deeper understanding of GPU programming and optimisation strategies.
- The rise of AI and machine learning is also revolutionising game development. AI-driven tools can help generate more realistic NPC behaviours, enhance procedural content generation, and automate testing processes.
- This can speed up some aspects of development but also allows us to focus on the more fun and creative ones. Having the tools to reduce the work we put into typing code and speed up the process would be great.
- Learning from existing game engines like Unreal and Unity is still incredibly valuable.
Many projects use these engines, and keeping up with their latest features and updates can greatly enhance our game development knowledge. Staying informed and experimenting with new features from these engines are always beneficial. - For example, at Double Eleven, we’ve been working on graphics optimisations on
different platforms and engines, which demands a deeper understanding of GPU
programming and optimisation strategies. - Our team regularly experiments with new features from Unreal Engine and Unity. For projects utilising the Unity Engine, we are not just using it, but also customising on it to fit our games.

Can you share any memorable experiences or challenges you’ve encountered while working on a game project?
- One memorable experience was working on a complex simulation game. We faced a significant performance bottleneck during intense gameplay scenes, especially when constructing many objects. To tackle this, our team had to dive deep into optimisation, tweaking the code, and refining assets.
- We implemented more efficient rendering techniques, such as using GPU instancing for the GPU, changing the object-oriented system to a data-oriented system for the CPU, and sharing memory access between C# and C++ codebases.
- It was a demanding process, but seeing the game run with better performance on the consoles was incredibly rewarding.
What advice would you give to someone interested in pursuing a career in game programming?
- For those embarking on a game programming career, my advice is to master the basics. Building a strong foundation in fundamental knowledge is crucial. Familiarise yourself with the coding languages, starting with C, and moving to C++ and C# later on.
- While many games today are developed using engines like Unreal and Unity, it’s important not to overlook native concepts such as memory management and mathematical computations.
- Although game engines provide Application Programming Interface (APIs) that cover many aspects, understanding the underlying logic and internals is essential. With a solid foundation, you’ll be able to master the coding languages effectively and apply the knowledge to your projects more efficiently.
- Another advice I could give is to focus on optimisation. Performance is key in game development. Learn about optimising code and assets to ensure games run smoothly across different platforms. Having a deep understanding of memory management, efficient rendering techniques and profiling tools will set you apart.
We would like to thank Double Eleven for giving us this opportunity to have an interview with Mau Iida.
If you would like to learn more about Double Eleven and their job opportunities, you can visit the studio’s website.