Inspiring Journey: Simon Castonguay

The inspiring journeys initiative aims to highlight members of our teams who stand out for their diverse backgrounds and unique experiences.

What is an inspiring journey at Frima?

It is a professional path that reflects both personal and professional growth. It can include career evolution, impactful involvement, alignment with the company’s values, and more.

We spoke with Simon, Associate Producer at Frima, to learn more about what led him to the video game industry and about his journey within the studio. From his beginnings in quality assurance to his current role in production, Simon perfectly embodies the boldness and team spirit that reflect our values.

1. Simon, tell us about your journey at Frima

I consider myself fortunate in my academic journey, as each of my choices has led me to where I am today. After completing a DEC in natural sciences, I explored 3D animation, driven by my passion for video games. However, I quickly realized that I didn’t have the profile of an artist: I’m more analytical and I enjoy solving problems rather than creating works of art.

It was when I discovered the crucial role of project management in game development that I found my path. After my studies in 3D animation, I joined Frima as a quality assurance technician while also enrolling in a university project management program. My long-term goal was to work in production, but I first wanted to gain experience.

Later on, my successes at work, strong interest in production, and potential were noticed, which allowed me to move into a Project Coordinator position. Over time and with the experience I gained, I now hold the role of Associate Producer within the Frima team.

2. Do you have a memorable anecdote from your time at Frima that you could share with us?

I never thought I’d ever do karaoke in my life, and yet a colleague from Human Resources managed to convince me to get on stage with her! I think that really shows the Frima spirit: people are fun, open, and unafraid of looking goofy or being judged.

3. What project are you most proud of so far, and why?

I’m proud to be working on a large-scale project with a major partner at Frima. Collaborating with teams from all over the world and contributing to such a well-known production is incredibly rewarding! What I’m especially grateful for is that when the project evolved into a multi-experience game, we successfully adapted. I then had the opportunity to build a strong, efficient team to take on this challenge. Since then, our place within this ecosystem has continued to grow, thanks to the collective efforts of my team and me.

4. Which of Frima’s values do you feel most strongly about?

I would say boldness. In fact, I was nominated as an ambassador of this value at the 2024 Recognition Gala. Having ideas is one thing, but the real challenge is putting them into action and bringing them to life. In a production role, we often have to be bold in our approaches while remaining diplomatic. We need to be able to suggest new ideas and take calculated risks.

5. What advice would you give to someone starting out in the profession?

When working in game production, the key isn’t to do everything, but to manage priorities effectively. With all the information constantly circulating, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. You need to identify the top priorities for each stakeholder and understand the intentions behind every request. In short, you have to take the time to think things through and work smart, not just harder.

6. What is a typical day like in your role?

My days usually start with a series of stand-up meetings organized by features. These discussions help me stay up to date on the project’s progress, track deliverables, and ensure priorities are well aligned.

At the start of the day, I also review the list of bugs to address and assign them to programmers based on urgency. I take part in planning upcoming features, lead retrospectives—which are essential for reflecting on how we work and identifying areas for improvement—and regularly collaborate with my colleagues in production. I also hold frequent meetings with our partners to provide them with updates on progress.

As an Associate Producer, my role operates on two levels. First, on the operational side, I help coordinate the team’s work, foster a shared vision, and streamline information flow. I’m responsible for certain deliverables and it’s my duty to make sure that my team and I deliver the best possible quality within the required timelines. Then, on the strategic side, I support the Producer, who acts somewhat like the captain of the ship. They need to have a clear vision of execution, anticipate issues, and think about how to optimize our work in the long term. As an Associate Producer, I support them in this process by offering tangible solutions to improve our collective efficiency and by ensuring the well-being of the team.

7. What other departments do you work with the most on a daily basis?

I collaborate with all departments, since we work on the project as a whole. That said, I work particularly closely with the QA team, especially in the context of LiveOps projects. I place great importance on maintaining strong communication with them to ensure that the work we release meets the highest standards. I deeply value their input, as they are continuously evaluating the game’s user experience.

Of course, the level of collaboration varies depending on the production phase. For example, when developing new features, I tend to work more closely with designers during the planning phase and with programmers during the development phase.

8. What has been your favourite event or activity since you joined Frima and why?

My favourite event was the celebration of the studio’s 20th anniversary at Village Vacances Valcartier. We spent the entire day enjoying activities, had a happy hour in the Ice Hotel, and ended the evening with an après-ski-style fondue dinner — it was a success from start to finish!

I also had the chance to take part in partner visits as part of my projects. It allowed me to establish a more human connection with them, beyond virtual interactions. My role was mainly to support coordination: booking rooms, organizing meals, and making sure everything went smoothly. In short, I ensured our partners had everything they needed during their visit.

At Frima, it’s the people who make all the difference. Whether it’s through their projects, their attitude, or their team spirit, employees are at the heart of everything we create. Want to learn more about our culture? Take a look at our careers page.