joegtake2

I am essentially a life long hobbyist when it comes to game development. Had I realized as an 8-bit kid that a career in games would've been possible, it certainly would've been my path. Instead, I became a musician...a filmmaker...a writer...because yeah, they're all much more realistic career goals! I have always designed games. When I was four years old, my father brought home a 'computer' for a weekend (a pre-disc computer when backup was done on cassette tape!). It was just a game to me, but I was learning basic programming making the screen blink and play tones. When I was seven years old and in love with my NES, I used to design intricate levels for my own games on the road with sidewalk chalk. When I was 11, I programmed games using Hypercard on my Mac Plus. After high school, I played around with Python, Flash, and even engines like RPG Maker and Zelda Classic. While touring with a rock band, I actually taught myself flash development and made money, remotely making small web games for some of my clients. I taught myself GameMaker and Unity3d and eventually started teaching game development in Baltimore City Schools. Two years into teaching this rogue subject, I was invited to help write the curriculum for the state. For someone who has no official titles under my belt, I feel like I've done a LOT of work. Maybe I still haven't realized I can do it as a career 'when I grow up'.