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I am a 25 year old kid at heart. I love games of all forms. My favorite game, however, is making one. The challenges that become evident during development are unparalleled.
When younger, I found that I had a knack for creating my own games by putting together different elements, even if unrelated initially. I made sports games in which cards represented players and rosters, much like newer card games. I invented numerous dice games where different results were generated based upon dice rolls.
Then came the NES. When I played the NES for the first time, it triggered something from within. I loved it. My imagination grew leaps and bounds, and a desire to make game began to grow with in.
Soon enough, my parents got our first PC, a Commodore 128. At this time, I was introduced to programming through the game programming books that were available from the library that included the complete source needed to create a game. I learned BASIC by entering the source from these books, and soon began to create my own games. Sports sims, space simulations, and even RPGs. I was in love.
As the years passed, I continued to play games but lost track of development. In 1997, I purchased my first IBM PC, an old Hewlett Packard with a loan from my grandparents. I worked at night to pay for my new toy, and I learned a great many things about commitment, responsibility, and trust.
To get back into development, I began to play around with programming on this new PC. It was at this time that I decided that I wanted to make games for a living. As such, I followed the only option after graduation - a Computer Science Degree. While in college, I earned a job at a local telemarketing firm. While there, I found that my PC skills could be put to use in more ways than I had previously thought. I quickly moved into the IT department, and began to learn SQL, Linux, and all about databases. My skills began to grow down an unpredicted path. During this time, I took a break from school so that I could work full-time.
A short while later, I was offered a job from a local research firm who was looking for a database programmer. I came in and began to develop my first Windows database applications using Visual Basic 6, Microsoft Access, and Microsoft SQL Server. Like a goldfish, my skills continued to grow and evolve until I reached the limits of the position. As with before, a new opportunity presented itself right on schedule.
I moved on to Interyx where I began as a custom software developer. We worked with clients during a needs analysis, designed a solution, developed it, and supported it. I learned how to interact with clients, manage risks, estimate work requirements, and most importantly, how to work within a team. My skills continued to excel, and I soon became the Lead Programmer within the company. Shortly thereafter, I was offered an opportunity to become a member within the LLC to facilitate expansion. Our company continued to grow, and I was at the forefront of that growth. During this time I worked on an accounting system, a motor vehicle liscensing package, a district court case management solution, and a medical billing application. I learned many things about many fields and touched numerous technologies. I also returned to school to finish my degree.
At school I ran into the love of my life, Dacey Jacobsen. We immediately rekindled an old flame, and have been together ever since. She has supported me through my quest for knowledge and has been threre for me through thick and thin. She is currently working to become a Game Producer. We have a two year old Chihuahua mix named Xobi. He is our little watch dog.
During the rest of my time at Interyx, I continued developing games on the side - but it was becoming more and more of a hobby than a career. Then I found Full Sail. After a little detailed research, I knew the school was for me. I asked to exit the LLC, and my partners were all very understanding. I continued to work for the next year while I prepared for the biggest move in my life. In December of 2004, we moved to Orlando. Classes began the following week in January.
While here, I have learned everything that I could have hoped to. My dream is becoming a reality, and I love every second of it. As I prepare to transition back into the work force, I welcome this new chapter in my life with open arms and greatly anticipate the possibilities that lie before me.