Okay! Hey! Alright! First post. Not sure where it’s going to show up but I’m going to introduce myself just the same. The basics: spent five years as a full time game designer/writer at High Voltage Software. I’ve freelanced for Telltale Games on a couple of CSI titles, freelanced for a Swedish studio on a Gizmondo title that — trust me — would have totally rocked had it been released. I also contributed to a book on game writing called Game Writing: Narrative Skills for Videogames (and have yet to receive my free copy!) and taught classes on Game Design. Check out my website at www.wrestlevaniaproductions.com to see critics’ reviews of my work, endorsements from past clients and co-workers, my resume, etc.

Recently I: Left my full time job in the games industry, co-wrote a screenplay, sold my house near Chicago, moved to Portland, Oregon w/my wife and kids, lost 40 pounds, took up golf, joined a Presbyterian Church, bought a new house, a new car, and took a full time job in the marketing department of Gerber Legendary Blades (www.gerbergear.com), a maker of knives and outdoor gear. They put me in charge of their website, in hopes I’ll do lots of cool interactive stuff with it. Instead of Manga and Iron Man action figures everywhere there are hunting knives and shotguns covering every square inch of office space. It’s a corporate gig but with a fun company and I love it for being everything the games industry is not. International sales are up. Life is good.

Regarding the state of the industry (Hollywood, interactive narrative, sequels, women in games, censorship, blah, blah, blah) I’ll say only this: some things are good, some are bad. It will all work out.

Regarding my future involvement in games: I’ll be freelancing on the side, one project at a time. I especially enjoy writing, but enjoy game design as well, especially “traditional” adventure game/mystery design (I felt I got pretty good at it with my last CSI gig). It’s fun work and although I don’t miss being a full time Game Designer I do miss working on games.

To quote one of the preeminent musical genuises of his day, Peter Criss, AKA “the Catman”, “Everyday above ground is a good day.”

Live it up.