I sunk Lord knows how many weekends into videogames growing up.

Turns out they’re fun to develop, too.

This version of ‘About Me’ is less formal than my front portfolio page. I want to take this space to share further details about my writing experiences, what inspires me, and why I do it.

My passion is in developing high-fidelity, cinematic story experiences, ranging from FPSs and RPGs to branching narratives.

I don’t remember precisely when I first played a videogame. But, it was sometime in the late 90s to George W. Bush’s first term. Must have been a GameBoy Advance playing Star Wars Podracer or Star Wars Episode 1. From there, I played computer games on a bulky Dell laptop. One that used a detachable wi-fi card - yeah, one of those. The original Battlefield, Halo, Call of Duty, Need for Speed: Hot Pursuit 2, a couple of even older military games.

Since then, here’s a broader sense of my taste:

Marvel's Spiderman

Uncharted 4: A Thief’s End

The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim

Life is Strange

Horizon Zero Dawn

The Walking Dead

Halo 3

Halo 2

Lego Star Wars

Helldivers 2

Battlefield

Overwatch

Aloy learning how her birth is connected to the reborn, post-apocalyptic world around her was so intriguing to see unfold. A nameless player-character waking up in a certain carriage later gets saved by a dragon once thought disappeared. Brothers bantering with each other while chasing pirate treasure before their nemesis does. Or Master Chief splattering Flood Infection forms with a Warthog, driving at top speed with Marines lucky enough to survive, to the UNSC Forward Unto Dawn before the Halo ring detonates. Those moments encapsulate my passion for game writing & development.

On the flipside, I enjoy challenging myself outside of those constraints.

But wait, that’s not all! I have a blast playing with people. From Battlefield to PUBG, Rainbow Six Siege to Mario Kart - playing with others creates lasting memories and community. Mostly, I default to Halo. Those games hooked me when I was a kid.

Outside of gaming, I serve overhand in volleyball, am a Middle Earth and Star Wars geek, love pranking friends, and write novels. Afficionado of dark humor.

And for more:

What made me want to write and learn videogame design?

Crazy stress in college and personal stuff. So, I took a break. I discovered the process of storytelling. I loved it. Every. Single. Step of developing a story from imagination.

Additional Experiences?

One science fiction novel, in beta reading. Flash fiction, thought pieces once in a blue moon. By-lines of videogame journalism with the non-profit organization Love Thy Nerd.

Education?

I received that overpriced piece of paper called a diploma from Portland State University, with a B.S in English Literature and a Minor in Creative Writing Fiction, in 2018.