"I make games to provide an escape from reality for those who need or want it."
I've been head deep in the industry for 10 years, having worked on board games, collectible card games, and core digital gaming, all with IPs of varying target audiences and complexity. I have functioned in every role during each of my releases from QA and convention staffing to production and marketing.
I didn't have the best atmosphere when I was growing up, and because I was in a suburb of Ohio generally regarded as a retirement town, I quickly latched onto games as an escape from reality. I filled my time with adventures in Raccoon City, accepted an apprenticeship as a planeswalker in Magic: The Gathering, while at the same time partaking in an amazing high school program that put the students in charge of scheduling, budgeting, and pretty much looking after themselves (Linworth Alternative Program in Worthington). |
Halfway through my junior year of high school, I moved out to sunny California, and it was during my senior year that I had my life altering brush with death. I was in a coma for two weeks, and the majority of the time I passed in and out of consciousness, but when I woke up, I had a new drive: to provide the escape that professionals in the industry provided me with, and to give as much fun and enjoyment to people as I can.
Since then, I have pushed myself to give others the same escape I had when I was younger, hoping to inspire the next great developer. |
I made a large decision to leave sunny California and moved out to the not-as-sunny Stockholm, Sweden, where I worked with a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic team from all around the world and developed Overkill's The Walking Dead as a System Designer while coaching a semi-pro Overwatch team on the side.
I have recently moved back to the United States, where I am working on various projects, including Lords of the Fallen 2 and two currently unannounced projects. Trying to find time to write blogs or have any time to myself has been difficult, but I'm looking forward to sharing my wisdom as soon as possible.