Hi, my name is Joshua Polo. I was born in Belluno, a small city in northern Italy. My journey into video games began at a very young age. I vividly remember my first game, The Ocean Hunter, at a local arcade. Every evening, my cousin and I would rush to the arcade to play it and try to beat the game. That’s when I fell in love with video games.

Since then, I’ve always been a passionate gamer. The first game I bought was LEGO Indiana Jones for PlayStation 2. As I grew up, my passion for video games only intensified. During my final year at school, I decided to turn this passion into my career.

I am currently pursuing my studies at AIV (Accademia Italiana Videogiochi), one of Italy’s most renowned schools dedicated to game development. Enrolled in the game design course, I have immersed myself in mastering the art and science of game design and level design.

Throughout my journey at AIV, I have approached my studies with enthusiasm and dedication, exploring everything from the fundamentals of game mechanics to designing immersive levels. I take pride in seeing my projects through to completion, always striving to bring fresh ideas and creativity to my work.

My ultimate dream is to channel this passion and expertise into a career as a level designer specializing in horror games. I aspire to craft unique experiences that evoke suspense, thrill, and emotional depth.

My all-time favorite video games are Red Dead Redemption 2, Doom Eternal, and Life Is Strange. However, my true passion lies in horror games like Resident Evil, Silent Hill, Layers of Fear, Amnesia, and many more.

My greatest inspirations in the gaming world are Gabe Newell and Hideo Kojima. I also deeply admire the original Team Silent, John Romero, John Carmack, Miyamoto and Sid Meier. In particular, I fell in love with Gaben’s definition of "FUN" and Sid Meier’s definition of what a game is:

"A game is a series of interesting choices".

Aside from my love for video games, I have a few other passions that keep me busy and inspired.

I enjoy scale modeling of military vehicles, particularly from the World War II and the Great War eras.  This hands-on activity allows me to merge my fascination with history and my love for crafting details. Each model is not just a creative project but also a way for me to connect with the stories and events of the past that I deeply enjoy studying.

Reading books is another favorite pastime, as it lets me immerse myself in captivating stories  and expand my knowledge. Some of my favourite authors are H.P. Lovecraft, Douglas Adams, George Orwell, Seneca and Pennac.

Music is also a big part of my life: I play the electric guitar and appreciate all forms of music, but mostly rock and metal.

I also recently approached the world of Warhammer 40k! I love playing battles with my friends and painting miniatures!

These hobbies not only provide me with relaxation and joy but also fuel my creativity and imagination.