Gabriel shares his career journey, his favorite feature in UFC 6, and why he’s proud to be a part of the EA SPORTS UFC team.

Going Beyond the Game with UFC Gameplay Software Engineer, Gabriel Kannenberg

Gabriel talks career journey, UFC 6, and the special culture of the EA SPORTS UFC team.

June 11, 2026

EA SPORTS™ UFC® makes its return on June 19 with the worldwide launch of EA SPORTS™ UFC® 6, and our players are in for the most immersive MMA experience next to the Octagon itself.

UFC 6 brings unparalleled fighter authenticity to fans with a new era of fighter individuality, true-to-life movement and striking, stunning visuals, and all-new modes like Hall of Legends and The Legacy - which deliver deep, immersive storytelling to the franchise.

But the real magic behind UFC 6 - and the franchise as a whole - is the people, and Gameplay Software Engineer Gabriel can attest to this. Since joining EA SPORTS and the UFC team three years ago, Gabriel has worked among passionate team members to deliver the most authentic fighting experience yet, bringing fans closer to the sport they love, while also creating a culture of growth, support, and fun.

Gabriel, Gameplay Software Engineer, EA SPORTS UFC.

Keep reading to learn more about Gabriel's career journey, what he's excited for fans to experience in UFC 6, and why he's so proud to be a part of the EA SPORTS UFC team.

A major career transition and a cross-continental move

Gabriel grew up in Brazil, and had been gaining experience and honing his skills in software engineering since attending university for game development. In 2022, after working at a mid-sized gaming company for over two years, he was ready for a new challenge. "I wanted to be closer to people that were at the frontier of game development, and learn from them - to grow both personally and professionally."

With that goal in mind, he decided to take the next step and explore what was possible. Gabriel connected with an EA employee who told him great things about our company. Confident enough about his decision, Gabriel applied, and a few months later, he was moving to Canada to start his career with EA SPORTS.

"He told me about the company's culture of learning and development, including all the internal presentations that take place, and how people are always eager to share and help each other. This was exactly what I was looking for and made me excited to join the team."

A special team culture

Not only is Gabriel proud of the passion and dedication they pour into their games, but he also values the team culture and is happy about all the friendships he's built along the way. "One of my favourite memories has been getting together with my team to attend a UFC Fight Card here in Vancouver. It was a lot of fun to experience that together!"

Gabriel and his team members catch up at EA Vancouver.

His team has also gone above and beyond when he's needed extra support, both professionally and personally. A year after he joined EA SPORTS, Gabriel's dad passed away. The way his team and EA as a whole showed up for him was beyond anything he could have imagined.

"When my dad passed away a year after I joined the team, I was supported on things I didn't even think I needed, but the biggest one is the feeling of caring. I don't think there could have been a better team for me than UFC, especially during such a challenging time. My father was never able to play the games I worked on at EA SPORTS, but if he was still around, I am certain he would be very proud of UFC 5 and 6, and eager to share it with all his friends."

Bringing EA SPORTS UFC 6 to life

Gabriel has worked on both EA SPORTS UFC 5 and UFC 6, focusing on tools and technology that support gameplay, low-level systems, and online services.

In UFC 6, he helped polish and improve the gameplay experience, including time dilation, which slows down the game during intense moments, and crossplay, which ensures players have a smooth experience across different gaming platforms. While he's proud of the game as a whole and knows players will be blown away, Gabriel's most excited for fans to experience Hall of Legends.

Gabriel and his team members play a round of EA SPORTS UFC 6.

"I can't think of a better way to experience the game in its full glory than Hall of Legends. There is something special about being able to immerse yourself in the stories of these legendary fighters, gain respect for their origins, and experience their legacy in a way I haven't seen before in a video game."

Building a career at EA SPORTS

When seeking to expand his horizons back in 2023, Gabriel was cautious about what it meant to join a global company. He knew these organizations were filled with smart, talented individuals, but he also wondered if he'd have access to and be able to learn from industry veterans, as well as do meaningful work. Three years later, and having now grown into a more central role across both our EA SPORTS UFC and NHL franchises, he describes joining EA SPORTS as a life-changing experience for him and his family.

Gabriel working at his desk.

"At EA SPORTS, I'm able to learn and grow, and work on new, innovative, and exciting projects. I don't feel like I'm just a number, but rather a significant part of this force that pushes the limits of how games can look and feel for sports fans all over the world."

Start your career with us today, and join Gabriel and the rest of our EA SPORTS UFC team in creating the most immersive fighting experiences for MMA fans worldwide.

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