[NOTE: this is more of a casual chat about myself; if you are looking for my work-related experience, feel free to check out my Resume.]
You can call me “Dan” =)
So, how did I end up making games?
To tell the truth, I wasn’t really into videogames as a kid. I did like writing stories and crafting board games with my best buddy at the time, though. I was raised by mid-80s/early-90s Japanese anime (Saint Seiya ♥), U.S. TV shows (MacGyver ♥) and, of course, movies (see below), which had a huge influence on me. The only games I was really fond of were LucasArts adventure games (Ron Gilbert ♥); the mystery, the humor, the adventure… they captured my imagination like no others.
Then, in 1998, my life changed forever. I came across a preview of a new upcoming game called Metal Gear Solid. It was love at first sight. It felt like someone got into my head and my fantasies, and made a game out of it. With the game finally released, my mind was blown. That was the future, and I wanted to be part of it.
Then, in 1998, my life changed forever. I came across a preview of a new upcoming game called Metal Gear Solid. It was love at first sight. It felt like someone got into my head and my fantasies, and made a game out of it. With the game finally released, my mind was blown. That was the future, and I wanted to be part of it.
It wasn’t really a straight line from there. At the time, Japan seemed like the “dreamland” to me, where great minds were crafting memorable and beautiful worlds. I wanted to crack that culture, so I decided to study it at University, learning its language, history, art, and philosophy. I also had the opportunity to go to Japan several times. Approaching such a complex and sophisticated culture broadened my horizons.
While I was studying Japanese culture, I also started to study 3D Art. It was a way for me to get into the game industry through a backdoor, since Game and Level Design were what I felt best at (eventually, that knowledge proved to be extremely useful).
While I was studying Japanese culture, I also started to study 3D Art. It was a way for me to get into the game industry through a backdoor, since Game and Level Design were what I felt best at (eventually, that knowledge proved to be extremely useful).
Finally, my passion for movies drove me to further explore storytelling through the art of screenwriting, which I’m still learning from.
Now, I truly believe videogames are the future of storytelling. There is so much potential in interactivity that I feel we’re still only scratching the surface. Making games — like playing games — is mainly about discovery. That’s what makes it exciting =)
P.S.: Meanwhile, I also became fascinated with primates (it probably all started with an enlightening documentary about primate cognition). Seriously, how could anyone not love them? During my travels in Japan, I visited several wild colonies of the local snow monkeys. I had the time of my life walking among them in the world-famous Jigokudani hot springs ♥
All-Time Favorites
Primates
White-handed Gibbons
Japanese Macaques
Games
Monkey Island 2: LeChuck’s Revenge
Papers, Please
Movies
Back to the Future (Trilogy)
Indiana Jones and The Last Crusade