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Schoolin’
Gee whiz, you just never know where you’re going to end up, do ya?
Vita Academica (1994-2004)
In a different life, I was going to be a scientist. While studying Biology in Maine, I fell in love with my future wife (first) and Immunology (second). That led to almost getting my PhD before the practical experience of research science and an amazing advisor chased me into making games.
If you’re interested in what those years led to, I do have a published science and everything!
Hobbyist (1996-2004)
My game dev journey started in college when a friend showed me how to use build.exe to make levels for Duke Nukem 3D. My first level was an oval room with 6 pillars, two spawn points, and every weapon from the game. Over the years, I’d also noodle around in Quake, Q3, Half-Life, Doom 3, and UT2K4.
I spent the most time working on an Assault level for UT2K4 called Holocorp Redux. It was my first experience learning how much work it takes to make something resembling a complete level, my first time truly appreciating the value of playtest and feedback, and a wonderful lesson (that I promptly forgot) in cutting and scope. This level (and a passing familiarity with the Radiant editor) was enough to get my foot wedged in the games industry door.
