Roll Call

[helmet275]

Name: Scott Hassler
Company: Lason
Occupation: Systems Administrator
Location: Detroit Area, MI
Hobbies: Reading, Weightlifting, spending countless hours playing video games

Currently, I'm working in a Business Processes Organization in the field of Document Imaging/Data Capture. This will fund my eventual entry into the indy sector.

I'm also planning on competing in the World's Strongest Man Competition in 5 years time.

[Mike Boeh]

Since we are starting the forums fresh again, it's probably a good idea to do roll call like the original dexterity boards did...

Name: Mike Boeh
Company: Retro64, Inc.
URL: http://www.retro64.com
Occupation: Full Time Indie Game Developer/Publisher
Location: Chicago Suburbs

Background:
I have been a full time indie for about 4 years now (man how time flies!). Originally, the company concept was to make 3d remakes of classic arcade games. But since everyone seems to be doing that now, we are changing slowly but surely. Games we have developed include: Bugatron, Z-Ball, Best Friends, WarHeads SE. We have also published Platypus, Party Bowling, and Marbles Deluxe. I love constantly tweaking the site and experimenting in ways to improve sales.

[Mark Fassett]

Since he started it...

Name: Mark Fassett
Company: Laughing Dragon Games
URL: http://www.laughing-dragon.com
Occupation: Full Time Indie Game Developer
Location: Near Seattle

I've been full time indie for near 11 months, supplementing my income (well, at the moment, my only source) with contract work. My first for sale game, Derelict should be done sometime soon now (within the next month). I do nothing except work, play with my son, and waste time on game dev forums.

[Jim Buck]

Name: Jim Buck
Company: Sony Computer Entertainment America
Occupation: game developer working in a corporate setting but looking at indie as a long-term goal
Location: San Diego, CA

Background:
I've been in the game industry for 8.5 years now working primarily as a senior-level programmer. I was working at Sony Interactive Studios America and 989 Studios (same studio but changed names) from '96 - '00 and shipped four PS1 titles: Rally Cross, CART World Series, Twisted Metal 3, and Twisted Metal 4. I left with a coworker to start an external game company named DepthQ from '00 - '03. We worked on one project with Sony Online that was almost completed. During '02, I took a sabbitcal to live in Warsaw, Poland for almost a year. I came back to close down DepthQ and take a job at RedZone Games(owned by Sony Computer Entertainment America, formerly 989 Studios) and shipped PS2 GameDay 2004. I am now working directly at Sony Computer Entertainment America on the PSP platform.

[Bluecat]

Name: John
Company: None at this stage
Occupation: Software Engineer
Location: Baltimore, Maryland
Nationality: Aussie

I've been a software developer since 1984. but have never worked in the game industry. I've worked on a variety of different systems from accounting packages, to remote modem test software, to training systems for defence. I'm currently on secondment to a big US defence contractor where I am working on the integration testing of a radar system.

Most of my work has been in C/C++, but I've dabbled in Java, Ruby, Smalltalk and am currently using Python quite extensively. Oh, and there was that time at the beginning of my career where I coded in COBOL.

I'm at the point in my life where I would really like to strike out on my own, so I'm working on my first game. Well, not really my first. I wrote a couple of simple games back in high school on an old Apple 2e, and on my old Vic 20, alas, long gone. I've been an avid gamer for many years, and have always loved playing them more than writing them. That's going to change.

I'm here in the US for another year, and then I head back home and start selling my game. Unfortunately I can't make any income aside from my visa-authorised job, so I have to wait until I get back to Oz before I get rolling. Even though I am having a great time here, I'm looking forward to it.

[Lerc]

Name: Neil Graham
Company: Screaming Duck Software
URL: http://www.ScreamingDuck.com
Occupation: Full Time Indie Game Developer / House husband
Location: Christchurch New Zealand.

I have been doing games for a number of years. My first shareware game was for DOS in 1995 and made me about $100. I really got going with the release of Fitznik. Dexterity's first game in a publisher role. Drippy and Fitznik 2 followed. I suffer from depression and arthritis that hampers my productivity from time to time, but I battle on. I play soccer and basketball which improves my depression but plays havok with my arthritis.

[simonh]

Name: Simon Harrison
Company: Si Design
URL: http://www.superhamsterball.com
Occupation: Full Time Indie Game Developer + Part Time Webmaster
Location: West Midlands, UK

I have been a full-time indie for nearly one year now. In that time (and a year or so before it), I've been working on Super Hamster Ball. It's nearly finished now, with a release pencilled in for September 1st. I'm hoping to continue working as a full-time indie for as long as possible!

[EpicBoy]

Name: Warren Marshall
Company: Respawn Games
URL: http://www.respawngames.com
Occupation: Full Time Game Developer/Part time indie
Location: North Carolina, USA

I've been doing little games for over a year now and just kind of trying things to see where it takes me...

[Nikster]

Name: Paul Tankard
Company: BBC Worldwide (Gamezlab) Until the 29th of this month when it closes.
URL: None
Occupation: Senior programmer
Location: Sheffield, UK

I spent most of my time recently writing game authoring tools, but have worked on PC, PS2, PS1, GB, NGC, NGPC, C64 and Amiga, I have worked on some popular titles commercially, but my aim is to get into shareware where I can do the thing I have wanted to do for the last 14 years, I'm currnelty getting a toolset to help me acheive this. I started out as a musician and have gone back to my roots in my spare time also.

[Aldacron]

Name: Mike Parker
Company: None
Occupation: Freelance English Teacher/Programmer
Location: Seoul, Korea
Nationality: American

I've been living in Korea for 13 years since I first came over as a soldier. Over the past 10 I've held a multitude of part-time and full-time jobs both for Korean businesses and U.S. government/contractors. Through it all I've taught different levels of English both as a private tutor and at different educational facilities (language institutes, grammar/middle/high schools and universities). For the past few years I've been supplementing my teaching income with contract software work (mostly in the J2EE arena). I'm now liniting my teaching schedule and trying to find my niche in Indie Games (while debating if I should start my company here in Korea or back home in the USA).

[DarkUni]

Name: Shane R. Monroe
Company: Dark Unicorn Productions
URL: http://www.darkuni.com
Occupation: Client/Server Programmer
Location: Phoenix, AZ

In 1980 began programming in BASIC on a TRS-80 Model III computer, then proceeded through the ranks of Commodore computers including the VIC-20, C64, and Amiga. Released freeware and shareware programs on the C64 and Amiga - in 1993 formed the Amiga shareware group Dark Unicorn Productions - producing some of the most well-known Amiga games in history. In 1995, entered the PC platform and began work coding for the Web (Shockwave, Flash, ASP, DHTML, JAVASCRIPT, etc). Created numerous popular websites for classic video gaming and emulation. In 2000, formed the DUP PC division. Released vs.Ball and Kablooey Redux for the PC in 2001.

For the Apple II - Inquisitor (study and test generator for students, ported from the C64); For the C64 - Canyon Bomber (a flying bombing game), Scrambler (BBS message encryptor - long before PGP came around), numerous demos and coding samples; For the Amiga - Psycho Squares, Psycho Squares Deluxe, GIF Processor Plus, Your Privacy Assured CD, Power-Cat (unreleased), Fleet Commander (unfinished), Scorched Tanks CD (unfinished). For the PC - Fuel, Oil, and Water Report (a Navy application for submarines, still around today), Psycho Squares 2000 (in development), Kablooey! (a KABOOM! knock off with internet score posting and cool graphics), Kablooey Redux (cool new remix), and vs.Ball, action strategy game.

Ramble ramble ...

[GameStudioD]

Name: Daniel Anderson
Company: Game Studio D
URL: http://www.gamestudiod.com
Occupation: Part-Time Indie / Full-Time Student
Location: San Francisco, CA

I am a Senior at San Francisco State University, majoring in Computer Science. Videogames are my passion and I don't see myself doing anything else with my life. The games that are being churned out from the retail game industry (and to some extent the indie scene) bore me. I feel that I can do better, so I started Game Studio D. Next step is to release a game ...

[Escotia]

Name: Scott Campbell
Company: BigFizz Games Ltd.
URL: http://www.bigfizz.com
Occupation: Full Time Indie Dev
Location: Birmingham, England

Background:
Been in the games industry since graduating from Glasgow Uni in 1998. Left the mainstream industry a couple of years ago and started contracting along with my housemate, using our spare time to work on our own ideas. Our indie games so far released are Puzzle Word, Snowball Frenzy and Party Bowling.

[Air]

Name: Jake Stine
Company: unaffiliated [formerly of Hour 13 Studios]
Occupation: Oddjob Programmer / t-shirt salesman
Location: Meshoppen, PA

Background:
Barring a long history of cheezy BASIC coding on various archaic hardwares, I started out as a demo coder back in 1993 doing starfields and scrollers. From there: On-and-off-again developer for the Mikmod Sound System for several years from 1995 through to 2001. Created with Mikamp module plugin for winamp. Continuously did reading and research into game development techniques during that time. Started Chicken Little in late 2000. Formed Hour 13 Studios in early 2002. Life completely fell apart in 2003.

My life has been anything but consistent. I have long suffered from a depressive sleep disorder that has wreaked havoc on my ability to function as a member of society. I lack any real formal education as I was quite unable to stay coherently awake for much of high school. For as long as I can remember my years have been riddled with runs of striking brilliance paired with extended periods of time (sometimes as long as 3-4 months) when I, quite literally and honestly, forget how to code. I have been labeled as lazy, disorganized, and undisiplined for much of my life. I've had issues.

After years of trying to resolve the issue myself through a combination of sheer determination coupled with stark changes in diet, exercise, and work habits, I was hit with a new kind of hurt: Chronic fatigue [an adrenal disfunction disorder, specifically], that did not go away after almost a year of suffering. That was the last straw. I sought medical treatment. Just four weeks later (two months ago now) I was basically cured of all mentioned ailments. ... maybe I should have done that sooner!

Now I'm just working on trying to restore my confidence in myself. I have a littany of unfinished projects and broken promises behind me that I would like to, in one way or another, resolve. Anything beyond that I have yet to ponder. Stay tuned!

[Plowsoft]

Name: Adam Payne
Company: Plowsoft
URL: http://www.Plowsoft.com
Occupation: Part Share trader, Part indie
Location: Perth, Australia

I've been working on Plowsoft off and on since i finished university in late 2002. Finished my first ever game Astrosiege in September 2003 and hope to make a lot more as i get better (and quicker!) at game development. I doubt I would have gotten close to finishing my first game if it wasn't for the dexterity forums.

[luggage]

Name: Scott Newby
Company: BigFizz Games Ltd.
URL: http://www.bigfizz.com
Occupation: Full Time Indie Dev
Location: Birmingham, England

Background:
Was in the games industry for 8 years or so starting as a tester, then onto designer, tools coding and finally game coder. Left and set up with the other Scott (see above somewhere).

[Siebharinn]

Name: Bill Keller
Company: Creative Logic Software
URL: coming soon
Occupation: IT Director of a small non-profit company
Location: Bradenton, FL

Background:
I've been a corporate programmer for a long time, but I've always had games on my mind. Like many people here, I learned to program in order to make games, but database front-ends pay a lot better, so I've been doing that.

I'm working on my first game, off and on, and progress is very slow. It's more of a hobby than an "indie lifestyle" at this point.

[Phantom1029]

Name: Sean
URL: Goodlinuxgames.com (http://www.goodlinuxgames.com)
Occupation: Student
Location: Virginia

Background:
Just recently decided to create my own games. At first it was for fun, but making money off of it compelled me, so I am trying my hand at that. My first title, IronWill will be completed in the next 2 months - barring some catastrophe. Only known of dexterity for a couple of months and it has been an invaluable resource. Hopefully this forum will grow and even surpass the legacy of it as a resource for independent developers.

[Ratboy]

Name: Charles Oines
Company: Irrational Designs
URL: http://irrationaldesigns.com
Occupation: Freelance Artist
Location: Near Seattle, WA.

Background: I've done a twelve year stint as a 2d & 3d production artist, doing games on everything from the TurboGrafx CD to the XBox. These days, I'm filling my time with freelance game art jobs, and taking the occasional stab at programming.

[Reactor]

Name: Joel Blackwell
Company: To be announced
URL: Coming soon
Occupation: Full time artist, writer, designer.
Location: Another one of the many Perth Australia indies!

Background:
I'm currently in development of my first game (with my programmer of a brother), after being approved by the Aust government for a years funding to 'start a small business'. I'm also someone that doesn't have any formal training, but I didn't think I should let that get in the way I love playing games, and have been doing so since gaming first began. And, with a first game almost out the door, I'm confident this is what I should have been doing all along.

[BantamCityGames]

(formerly BrewKnowC)
Name: Bruno Campolo
Company: Bantam City Games
URL: (see Signature)
Occupation: IT Manager of a small manufacturing company
Location: NY

Background:
I've been into computers since age 5 and even programmed a few things (copied out of a book) as a kid. Started making hobby games in high school. Then started game development for real about 5 years later. Started Bantam City Games almost a year ago with the release of Trials of Werlin and I'm now currently working on my second game which should be available at the end of Aug.

I don't know about anyone else, but I almost had a heart attack when I ready Steve P. was shutting down the Dexterity forums. Good job Retro64, Svero, and Dan for such a smooth transition.

[ggambett]

Name: Gabriel Gambetta
Company: Mystery Studio
URL: http://www.MysteryStudio.com
Occupation: Part-time indie, Part-time Computer Graphics teacher, Full-time developer for a local software company
Location: Uruguay

Background: Have been doing stuff with computers since age 5, with a ZX Spectrum 48+. Started Mystery Studio with an university classmate around october 2002. Got an engineering degree (our equivalent to Computer Science) in december 2003, days before turning 23 years old. Published games so far are Betty's Beer Bar, FaceIt and PegSweeper. Still trying to make a hit

[Anthony Flack]

Name: Anthony Flack
Company Squashy Software
URL: www.squashysoftware.com
Occupation: Full-time parent, part time employee at tedious job, indie developer in the leftover time
Location: Currently Tokyo, but often back home in New Zealand

Background: Fine Arts degree in film, followed by a stint as a commercial animator. Been involved with making indie games since 1999, and currently working towards my big break...

Projects: Bert the Barbarian (abandoned), Platypus, Cletus Clay (in development)

[Dan MacDonald]

Name: Dan J. MacDonald
Company: Rainfall Studios
URL: http://www.rainfallstudios.com
Occupation: Programmer
Location: Bothell, WA

I'm an odd job type of programmer, I was hired by Microsoft during my 2nd year of University to be a Software Developer in Test. My big plan was to transition into the games industry inside Microsoft by getting into the games group. I interviewed for a few test positions, but with the amount of developers at Microsoft wanting to get into games, I really wasn't the most qualified of applicants.

It was during my time there that I first ran across SteveP as he was starting his publishing business. I had no idea you could make money from games online, and after a long series of emails with Steve I decided I wasn't going to wait for the industry to give me the job I wanted, I was just going to have to do it myself.

I left Microsoft to go work for Boeing as a contractor, tempted by a 6 figure income. After doing that for a year (all the time working on my game) and paying off a good portion of my debts. I went to work for a small company doing enterprise solutions for various clients, it was a big pay cut but I got to work with some college friends, so far it's been a lot of fun.

In that time, I've managed to spend almost three years on my project . I've had some problems getting all the art done, so in the interim I released the EasyPPC Installer in conjunction with www.phelios.com . This month (or maybe the beginning of next) I will release another game "Little Soldiers" in conjunction with squarecircleco.

[GBGames]

Name: Gianfranco Berardi
Company: GBGames
URL: http://www.gbgames.com
Occupation: intern, Unix/distributed computing division
Location: Melrose Park, IL (near Chicago)

I only realized relatively recently that starting my own business was something I could actually do. I graduated from DePaul University with a degree in Computer Science, and I am continuing with grad school, also in CS.

I hope to release games for the Gnu/Linux and Windows platforms, and I would also like to do development for other platforms such as the Mac.

[lakibuk]

Name: Karl Hofer
Company: Blueskied.com
Occupation: Part-time application programmer, part-time indie
Location: Austria

I've been interested in making computer games since i was a kid. Grew up with arcade games in my parents' pub. I wanted to learn C++/directx and made a freeware game called Frozen Fruits. People seemed to like it so i decided to develop a shareware version of it. I am selling it since last year, it's doing ok so far and keeps me motivated. I want to start writing my second shareware game soon.

[kevryan]

Name: Kevin Ryan
Company: Top Meadow
URL: http://www.topm.com
Occupation: Full Time game making guy
Location: Shaver Lake, CA (high up in the Sierra Nevada Mountains)

Background:
Started up at Dynamix in 1984 with three other guys. Did a bunch of games. Sold Dynamix to Sierra. Did a bunch of games. Moved to the Sierra Nevada Mountains. Did some games long distance. Infant son was very sick. Lived in San Francisco for almost a year (most of it at the hospital) - didn't do games - left Dynamix. Son got better . Completed a couple of indie games sold through Garage Games. Plan on doing a bunch of indie games.

[serg3d]

Serg3d

Company: not yet
Occupation: daytime 3d programmer, indie in training

Background : Doing Direct3D/OpenGL for living for several yeras (not games, mostly simulations), before that was doing boring staff (databases, communications etc) had several game projects but finished no one. Now I'm really indending finish last one. Have some expirience in genetic algorithms and cellular automata, hope to put it in use in some later projects. In the process of finishing (hopefully) my first game - puzzle game for Symbian cellular phones. May be will rewrite it in Java and put online late.

[Linusson]

(formerly freeman)
Name: Mikael Linusson
Company: Nordic Software for Entertainment
URL: http://www.nordicsoftware.se
Occupation: CNC Operator
Location: Sweden

Me and my wife both wanted to make games, so here we are.
Currently working on updates for our 2 games (BrickBuster and Fluffy).

[svero]

Name: Steve Verreault
Company: Twilight Games
URL: http://www.twilightgames.com
Occupation: Full Time Indie Game Developer
Location: A beach in southeast asia - from Montreal, Can though

Background:
Full time for about 3 years now. 1st game was Aargon, followed by Aargon Deluxe, A Snake's Life, Twilight Mahjongg, Frozzic's Revenge, Mahjongg Variations, Space Taxi 2. Have published a few games too. RatMaster, Pocket Aargon, and Aargon Blackbox were all developed by 3rd parties. We also team up with Redmarblegames to do some Mac ports of our games. Before writing games I was working as a developer and consultant for a number of big companies writing all kinds of stuff like software for robotics, finance, medical, etc..