Bachelor of Arts (BA)

[2002] Focus on 3D Terrain Programming - Wrote a book about a variety terrain programming algorithms. - Wrote accompanying source code and put together a companion CD of demos and sample implementations to go along with every concept. - Worked with leading authorities in academic and video game sectors to aid in the development and implementation of terrain rendering algorithms. - Took the book from initial concept all the way through writing/development and editing, eventually being published. [2001-3] Misc. - Contributed chapters to other compilation books with this publisher. - Wrote half a manuscript for an unreleased book on multiplatform game programming.

Author

Like everyone else in the game industry, I then worked at an edu-tech company called planet3. The goal was to create a multimedia educational curriculum “replacement” (meeting all the necessary standards of existing cirriculum? I only studied being a teacher not actually being one, so the specifics are lost on me). Our approach combined a variety of “interactives” (graphs/diagrams/simple simulations that can be manipulated), “videos” (they’re like moving pixels with audio), and then the “immersive” component: the game part. I started as Sr. Technical Designer and then ended up as Lead Experience Developer (heading up our component’s development). Things done: * Worked on a comprehensive renderering feature set (in Unity) and small touches to overhaul our graphical capabilities even on low-end systems. * Prepared our client to run in WebGL 1.0 on Chromebooks. * Worked extensively with third-party vendors to ensure good practice and quality deliveries, as well as general support as-neede

Lead Experience Developer

Senior Systems Designer

Worked closely with designers, engineers, animators, and VFX artists to achieve AAA results in cross-disciplinary areas of Redfall. * Spearheaded initiatives to create first-person gunplay on par with other AAA FPSs and expanding on Arkane's tradition of an immersive, fluid player package. * Led design, prototyping, and guided nativization of Redfall's Heroes and their unique Hero Powers. * Ongoing management and mentorship of designers and developers to help them achieve their goals in the industry.

Lead Gameplay Designer

I was brought in as a consultant on Crowfall initially. This turned into a contract role as a sort of Senior VFX Artist. Overall, my goal was to help define the look-and-feel of VFX in Crowfall while establishing a workflow that worked best for the team. I started by proposing PopcornFX the VFX creation environment. I created a handful of effects to highlight its versatility, showed the art director and VFX artist the workflow involved in creating effects, and ultimately that was what we decided on. And then I made a whole suite of effects for each of the class archetypes in the game (at the time) covering as many use-cases as I could conceive. I also worked with the development team on integrating PopcornFX into their codebase. Once the integration was complete and we had a solid base of effects (a few months' worth), I was asked to stay on as a Technical Artist for a while to provide an efficient set of standard shaders to help the team further realize their unique, stylized style wh

Senior VFX Artist, Programmer, Technical Artist (Contract)

PlunderNauts - Design and implement high-level systems. - Take a rough, high-level implementation/design and refine and polish it. - Working in C# to write core game systems, tools, and general functionality to ease development. - Working in-office and remotely with our team. - Creating and scheduling tasks that need to be done in order to reach high-level sprint goals. - UI implementation from start to finish, along with all of the little polish bits. - General design work as far as UI wireframes, feature specs, system balancing, etc. Untitled Console Game [Canceled] - LUA script-base updates to ensure ease of scripting. - Roadmap for technological and practical improvements that would allow designers to do “more with less”. - Extensive prototyping using Unity to get an in-game “sketch” of design ideas while preproduction occurred throughout the rest of the studio. - UI design/implementation intended for parallel development using Flash, ActionScript, and Scaleform. - Guiding other de

Senior Game Designer

- Worked on a data analysis application for the Ulysses Spacecraft (it's a satellite in space (well, it was; it's not anymore)). - Contract position.

Programmer

[2007-2009] Elemental War of Magic - Worked in C/C++ with DirectX, HLSL, and the Win32 API daily. - Initially structured and developed the PC graphics/game engine used by this game (and other Stardock games). - Worked on a variety of gameplay systems such as city improvement/development, UI, and input response. - Did extensive design and development work on two of the game’s largest tools (intended to be player-facing). [2009] demigod - Design consultant - Network architecture [2008] Political machine 2008 - Design and development of several gameplay systems, as well as iterating on the original game’s gameplay systems initially. - Extensive UI design and development throughout production. - First Stardock game to use the updated graphics/game engine that I started structuring and developing during pre-production - System architecture. [2007] Galactic Civilizations 2: Twilight of the Arnor Various user interface and feature improvements, as well as the creation of the Governor system.

Game Developer

I had a whole lot of roles at Team Chaos (partially due to my occasional involvement with its sister company, Chaotic Moon). I worked on a whole bunch of games, some of which were side-projects I developed on the side (published by Team Chaos), and I worked in a variety of different capacities. Which included doing voice acting and PR. Somehow. Instead of paragraphs, here's just a list as a rough idea of what I did across the eight games I worked on: * Creator and director for Rooster Teeth vs. Zombiens. Also pitching it to both Rooster Teeth and Team Chaos. * Creative director for all internal projects. * Project planning and task management internally (with high-level planning and management directions on external projects). * System, gameplay, and level design. * Sole writer for all projects (only Rooster Teeth vs. Zombiens, Elements, and Loot Raiders were text-heavy). * Project pitches for interested third-parties. * Voice acting (anything that wasn't human). * VO recording session

Creative Director and Executive Producer

I started Joy Machine because I know that great games can be made more efficiently through very well thought-through workflow processes, creative use of modern tech, a game design that has encourages flexibility in all of its system to produce wholly dynamic results, and, beyond all that: the strength of an incredibly talented small team with the right attitude. And players deserve a game that really brings them together, and constantly surprises them. The whole "starting a game studio with no money" thing intended up being a great way to also predict "lack of money will be the downfall of the project". But, hey, I feel like I got six-seven years of experience doing ALL THE THINGS across the project (along with setting up a detailed project schedule and business plan)... In about two years.

Founder and CEO

Lead Combat Designer

- R&D on directions to create future-facing tech to develop better tools and workflows for game/simulation development. - As-needed work on the Unreal Engine 4 plugin integration for trueSKY. - Working with UE4/trueSKY in coordination with external studios. - Ongoing consultant.

Consultant and R&D Lead [on secret things]

* Established new processes for the Design Department for improved cross-team collaboration. * Led design of the Returnal co-op from when I started through ship. * High-level vision planning, design, and coordination on an unannounced project; oversaw Systems, Combat, AI/NPC, and Technical Design.

Lead Game Designer

Associate Design Director

[2003] Graphics Programming Methods - Contributed a chapter on a variety of contemporary terrain programming algorithms and implementation methods. - Wrote sample implementations of these methods, which were used -- in part -- to help define the books' cover art. - Peer reviewed and edited various chapters from other coauthors.

Co-Author

Associate Design Director at CD PROJEKT RED and video game maker and dabbler on the side.

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