Today we’d like to introduce you to Leonardo Feistl.
Hi Leonardo, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I have always had a passion for drawing and creating. In middle school, I applied to the South Miami Arts program, but unfortunately, I was turned down because my art was considered not traditional enough. That experience almost made me lose my courage to pursue the arts.
My journey into the gaming industry began in 2020 when I wanted to create mini-games using Fortnite Creative. However, after experiencing little success, I took a break from it for a couple of years. When Fortnite Creative 2.0 was released, it reignited my passion and allowed me to step into the professional game development industry. I am entirely self-taught, having learned through videos and plenty of trial and error.
Initially, I started taking random commissions to develop maps. I joined a small team, but it didn’t quite align with what I was looking for. In 2024, I came across an ad for one of the largest creative teams in the industry. After I applied and they reviewed my previous work, I was thrilled to be hired immediately.
Now, I work as an environmental artist, which involves creating everything you see visually in a video game. I am currently working full-time while attending virtual school, a format I’ve been using since middle school. I love the freedom and flexibility that virtual schooling offers; I can accomplish so much more in less time compared to a traditional school setting.
I believe I excel in my job because of the dedication and practice I’ve put into refining my skills. There are likely fewer than 200 people in the world who have the expertise to do what I do, making it a highly specialized field.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Nothing is ever entirely smooth. One of the challenges I’ve faced is my age, which has limited my ability to attend certain gaming conferences. Before joining my current team, I worked on various projects for others without receiving proper compensation, which was quite frustrating. Additionally, being denied entry into the art school was a significant setback that made me question my path in the arts. However, these experiences have only strengthened my resolve to succeed in the gaming industry.
I’ve also learned that not everyone will recognize your talent. If I had given up after being rejected from that school, I would have allowed them to dictate my future, despite the value I knew I had to offer. Their failure to see my potential only fueled my determination to prove myself in this field.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I’m an environmental artist, and I take great pride in my work on “Rewind Royale,” which achieved an impressive peak of 50,000 concurrent players. Recently, I also started working with the Huodini Program, a tool not many people know how to use. My environmental designs are highly detailed, and when you play the maps created by my team, there’s a good chance I had a hand in designing them. For those unfamiliar with Fortnite, it’s all the stunning visuals that transport players into another world.
What truly sets me apart in this field is my strong work ethic, which I inherited from my parents, who are first-generation immigrants. They came to this country with nothing but big dreams, an open heart, and a relentless drive to succeed. Having me at a young age, they demonstrated incredible dedication and perseverance, inspiring me to strive for excellence in everything I do.
How do you define success?
For me, success is happiness. It’s about doing what I love every day and earning a living from it while still having time for the activities I enjoy, such as climbing and practicing Taekwondo (where I hold a black belt). Additionally, success means having a career that allows me to spend quality time with my family, friends, and pets.
