Room 8 Voices: Meet Pikria Sandodze  

Welcome to Room 8 Voices, a series about the people behind the projects. With Voices, we’ll strive to highlight the unique journeys and experiences of our specialists—those whose creativity and dedication powers everything we do.   

March 8th marks International Women’s Day—a day dedicated to equality and opportunity. But we’re celebrating all month long! At Room 8 Group, we believe in empowering women and fostering an inclusive environment where everyone can thrive. Over the next month, we’ll be publishing special editions of Voices—starting with this one—each focusing on one of our female experts. We’ll ask them a series of questions about their dreams, achievements, biggest inspirations and more to celebrate the considerable female talent in our company—and in the industry as a whole. Today’s voice is Pikria Sandodze, Project Manager at Room 8 Group.  

Originally from Georgia, Pikria Sandodze—ფიქრია სანდოძე in Georgian—started her career in game production three years ago. Before that she spent several years in field and project management. Her academic background is partially in social sciences; she also has a Master’s in American Affairs. At Room 8 Group, Pikria has contributed to six projects during her time with us, including a AAA title and a major mobile game, with experience in porting and service work. 

When you were a child, what did you imagine you’d be doing as an adult?   

Looking back, I think I always knew I wanted to work in a field where I could tackle complex challenges and make a meaningful impact. During my university years, I deepened my knowledge of social sciences and politics, all while dreaming of financial freedom and a career that would allow me to travel the world without interrupting my work. 

Now, I can confidently say I’m doing exactly what I always wanted. If you had told me in university that I would have this job, I would have been over the moon! My Master’s thesis was about the challenges of the video game industry of the USA. I just wanted to dig deeper into the industry and used the opportunity to write a Master’s thesis on gaming. 

What first sparked your interest in the games industry, and how did you break in? 

My interest in gaming started the moment my mom bought me my first PC and I started playing great games like Counter-Strike and Grand Theft Auto. These classic titles are extremely memorable for me; they remind me of my childhood. Naturally my passion and good computer skills led me to explore the industry professionally.  

Who is your favorite game character and why do they resonate with you? 

If I had to choose my favorite character, it would be Nomad from Ghost Recon Breakpoint. He is always put in incredibly difficult circumstances, yet he always shows strength, and finds ways to overcome each and every challenge.  

Who or what has been the biggest inspiration in your professional journey? 

I have found inspiration in both the present and the future. First and foremost, I should mention my current producer, Marcus Sheldon, who is a tremendous source of motivation for me. He demonstrates the kind of leadership I strive for—extremely knowledgeable, ethical, and he solves extremely complex problems. I have been fortunate to work with him, and the opportunity to learn from him has been invaluable. Second, I envision myself to be an inspiration and a source of encouragement and guidance to others.  

What’s one misconception people have about working in the games industry that you’d like to clear up?  

I honestly think that the biggest misconception is that working in games is not a ‘serious’ or ‘respectable’ career path. People sometimes underestimate the complexity of the industry. Personally I find it very fulfilling, and it provides me with intellectual and creative challenges I wouldn’t find elsewhere. I’m passionate about my contribution and happy to be part of the space.  

What advice would you give to women aspiring to join the games industry? 

My honest advice to women would be: be passionate, be bold, be persistent, be inspired! Yes, it is male-dominated industry, and there might be moments where you find yourself in a room full of men, but let that be even more motivation and empowerment for you. Do not hesitate to ask questions, be open, ask for help, build connections, build your expertise, use every opportunity to learn something new, and last but not least, never let anyone tell you what you can or cannot do. Believe in your abilities and your talent will speak for you.  

What skill do you think is the most underrated yet crucial in game development?  

I would say communication; I mean communication on all levels. It’s absolutely essential to ensure that everyone is one the same page. I think the most important duty of production staff is to make sure everyone—from design to marketing, biz-devs, internal and external stakeholders—are aligned with each other. Miscommunication can lead to very costly mistakes and missed deadlines. Ultimately, effective communication directly affects the quality and success of the game creation process.  

What does success mean to you personally in this industry?  

Personally, I believe that success in the gaming industry is a combination of personal fulfilment and practicality. To me, success in this industry is a multi-faceted concept—it’s about being able to work with a talented and supportive team, creating meaningful experiences for players on various projects, being able to work on AAA titles, and contributing to award-winning games. Additionally, its extremely important for me to have opportunities to push boundaries and challenge myself, so I don’t feel stuck in the same place for a long time. Success is about finding the balance between creative fulfilment, personal growth, and contributing to impactful projects.  

How do you stay creative and motivated, especially when facing tight deadlines? 

I consider myself a very results-oriented person, so I push myself to complete tasks to a high standard. If challenges arise that require teamwork, I prioritize open communication and work closely with colleagues to find the best solution possible. I also understand the importance of stepping away and refreshing my mind. Taking breaks, and even walking for 10-15 minutes, can give me fresh ideas.  

If you could give one piece of advice to your younger self, what would it be?  

I would say to my younger self what I say to everyone: “Keep going and believe in yourself, even if no one believes in you. Even when things feel really dark, remember that’s when the little sparks of light shine the brightest.” 

If you want to become part of the Room 8 Group team, explore opportunities here.