#MeetIronGalaxy – Ashley Lupariello

At Iron Galaxy, we’re all about the people who work with us to make games. We staff the best of the best to combined our shared passions. We all bring our unique skills and gifts into the mix. Some of our developers, like Technical Artist Ashley Lupariello, possess many specialties that combine to make her a powerful teammate. To show us the ropes of what a technical artist does, with a splash of personal interests, we’re taking a moment to get to know her better.

Iron Galaxy: Hello. What’s your name and what’s your role at IG?
Ashley Lupariello: I’m Ashley Lupariello and I’ve been at Iron Galaxy for almost three years as a technical artist. The nature of my job can vary a lot from project to project and day to day. As a tech artist, I live in a vague area of work that can require both artistic expertise and technical knowledge. Lately, a lot of my work has revolved around rigging characters- creating the controls system and setting up the behavior for how they move so animators can bring them to life. I’ve also created scripts using python or tools in engine via blueprints to help artists do their jobs more efficiently, as well as crossed over into some VFX!

IG: You must cross paths with a lot of teammates, that must be exciting. What’s the most challenging aspect of your job?

AL: A lot of my job requires creative solutions, since there’s not always an obvious way forward. No two projects are ever the same, so I am constantly learning new techniques and researching different methods to complete the task at hand.

IG: What’s the one skill you learned growing up that you use the most in your role?

AL: Problem solving! A lot of times we have a need on a project and I need to figure out how best to fulfill that need. I am always researching and learning. I often don’t stop at the first possible solution and have to think critically about what the best solution is.

IG: What is the best thing about working at a video game development company?

AL: I get to work on cool things with cool people. It’s so cool to be able to work on both new and existing properties that I love! And any nerdy interest I have, we have a Teams channel for so I can talk about it with others with the same interest- and it’s especially cool when those interests directly intersect with our work.

IG: What are your three favorite theme park rides?

AL: Picking just three theme park rides is so hard for me! I am DINOSAUR’s #1 fan so that must be on the list, Tower of Terror is always a load of fun, and I think Velocicoaster is my favorite roller coaster that I’ve been on, although Revenge of The Mummy is a nostalgic favorite. I’ll be going to Tokyo Disney over winter break, so I suspect Enchanted Tale of Beauty and The Beast will soon be on the list as that’s my favorite Disney movie.

 IG: Enjoy your trip! We’ll look for an updated list just in case any others sneak onto your list. Speaking of fun events, we heard you went to DragonCon for the first time. What was that experience like?

AL: It was tons of fun! It was my first real con experience, and it was a lot to take in. For four days there were events happening all day across several hotels and conference areas. I could only participate in a small sliver of it! Some highlights for me included going to the event at the Georgia Aquarium and the Q&A with one of my favorite voice actors, Grey DeLisle.

IG: You have a deep appreciation for fantasy! For those who are not Illumineers, what’s special and unique about Disney Lorcana?

AL: Lorcana is a trading card game based off the Disney characters we all know and love. They’re not always presented how they appear in the stories, and as an artist and art-lover I love seeing all the new art. The community is also incredibly inclusive and welcoming, I have made some strong treasured friendships over the past few months through playing the game. Lorcana is the first TCG I’ve gotten into competitively, and because of the culture it felt very approachable to do so, especially as a woman. Gameplay wise, the rules are fairly simple, and turns are less structured/more flexible than some other TCGs. I find games interesting because there are many combinations to how you can play the game, which leads to high-level gameplay. It’s easy to learn, but difficult to master!

IG: Lorcana seems extremely inviting, inclusive, and fun. Thanks for sharing. What arts and crafts do you enjoy creating with?

AL: I haven’t met a craft I didn’t like! I’ve dabbled in adult coloring books, diamond art, jewelry making (especially friendship bracelets thanks to Taylor Swift!). I think some of my favorite creations I’m proud of is my custom playmat and gear for playing Lorcana and stickers I've made for bullet journaling with.

IG: Aside from playing video games, what is a favorite hobby of yours?

AL: I’m a serial hobbyist but currently my obsession is Disney Lorcana. I love collecting cards, competing, and creating accessories for my supplies! If you can’t tell, I’m a huge Disney fan.

IG: Heard and respected. What’s your favorite travel destination that you’ve visited?

AL: Probably New York City. I had the best bagel I’ve ever had there. I need to go back for sure. When I visited the Metropolitan Museum of Art, I did not get to see even close to everything!

IG: There needs to be more time in the day for your adventures! What’s one place that you’d like to visit, uninterrupted by time.

AL: There’s a lot of places on my bucket list, but probably Paris. I want to try all the Parisian pastries, look at art in the Louvre, and of course swing by Disneyland Paris!

IG: And that’s barely scratching the surface. What was the last concert you saw?

AL: My last concert was Sleep Token, and I already have four more scheduled through the end of the year! I really enjoyed seeing the Jonas Brothers too.

IG: What is the one song that’s most likely to earn you a speeding ticket?

AL: Probably Elevated by State Champs.

IG: What game have you spent the most time playing?

AL: It’s probably a Pokémon game. Pokémon Emerald or Legends: Arceus, with honorable mentions to Valorant and Mario Kart Wii.

IG: Great choices. What’s the one superpower that you’d like to have?

AL: The ability to immediately master new skills. I love learning a new craft or a new game, but I don’t think I could master all that I want to in a single lifetime!

IG: Curse you time! If you had one wish, what would you wish for?

AL: I’d wish for infinite money (or at least as close to infinite that I can get). Then I can use it to donate to charity, travel the world, and take classes for any skill I want.

IG: Money would certainly buy you the convenience of time to experience more things. To round out this interview, what fictional universe would you choose over our own and what if there was no coming back?

AL: My answer hasn’t changed since childhood- it's gotta be Pokémon. I’ve always wanted to ride a Lapras or cuddle a Shaymin. They still have video games in universe so I can still be a game dev- just one with cool Pokémon partners.

Thanks for breaking down your distinctive role here at Iron Galaxy. It’s great to have someone skilled in multiple areas of game development to help bridge our team’s efforts during game production. You have a deep appreciation for games and media that serve as a great reminder to like what you like! Have a great winter break and savor your time away, Ashley.

#MeetIronGalaxy is a series where we interview members of our studios. Read more Q&A discussions on our news page to learn about the people who make up our company.