As a game developer, my primary focus is on writing and design, although I have also served in community management and testing. My product management and managerial skills have been acquired through the financial software industry and military service, but remain valid in game development, particularly with my existing background in the industry.
Order of War
I have recently finished up Order of War for Wargaming.net, published by Square Enix. For this project I wrote thousands of lines of dialogue, scripted cutscenes and videos, designed mission overviews, created hundreds of barks, edited the user interface, developed scenario content, and wrote user documentation and reference data such as unit descriptions. This game was released on September 22, 2009.
Operation Luttich video (10MB, AVI)
Operation Luttich video script, first draft (30KB, MS Word)
US Voice Feedback spreadsheet, first draft (32KB, XLS)
Twilight War
For the Smiling Gator Productions Twilight War: After the Fall massively multiplayer online game project I contributed directly to design and development of the game by assisting in the creation of design documents. I was also responsible for community management and creating the official website for the game. In the forums my nickname was “Severian”. Since the game has not yet been released (although it appears to have been shelved), I cannot in good conscience provide portions of the specifications or other planning documents.
America’s Army
For the U.S. Army’s America’s Army: Soldiers roleplaying game project I wrote and edited dialogue and backstory, assisted with UI and scenario design, developed user documents and knowledgebases, and verified the realism of the product. For the America’s Army: Operations first-person shooter project I developed the user manual and online help system and tested the game for authenticity. I also administered the community forums on the website and assisted with the beta testing program.
America’s Army: Operations User Reference (9MB PDF, 230 pages)
America’s Army: Soldiers Video Script (15KB PDF, 5 pages)
America’s Army: Soldiers “Letters Home” (24KB PDF, 6 pages)
Panzer Elite
For Wings Simulations and Psygnosis, I wrote and researched both the user manual and the accompanying historical reference guide (below) for their World War II armored combat simulation, Panzer Elite. I also ran their beta testing program in North America and validated authenticity and accuracy of missions.
On Tank Warfare (3MB PDF, 122 pages)
IGDA Party Game
If you attended the IGDA members-only party at GDC 2008, you played a game I designed! I was responsible for the social networking card game played by over 1,500 game developers at that party! You can download the game cards below.
IGDA Party Game (6MB, Zipped, 30 JPGs)
Sturmtruppen
I wrote a set of World War II miniatures rules scaled so that one miniature soldier or vehicle represented one actual soldier or vehicle. The rules were nominated for an Origins Award in 2003. The following sample is the entire rulebook, as published.
Sturmtruppen World War II Miniatures Rules (9MB PDF, 176 pages)
Level Design
This is an example of a level I created in UnrealEd in just a couple of weeks of spare time as an example of a multiplayer level. It’s a dark hedge maze (like in The Shining) with a stone tower in the center and a wall around the outside, surrounded by towering trees. It’s small but spooky.
Hedge Maze for Unreal Tournament 3
Board Wargames
An unpublished work in the fantasy boardgame genre called City-States. The following samples are the entire core rulebook and a complete rules supplement covering oceans and deserts. The unique boards and counters are not included.
City-States (1.5MB PDF, 26 pages)
Sea and Sand (642KB PDF, 15 pages)
Quest Arc
This sample quest arc includes several short quests set in a generic fantasy world. It includes NPC descriptions, creatures, and some general background on the purpose of the arc within the game.
The Woods Have Eyes (186KB, 12 pages)
Video Game Reviews
As a game player, I closely examine the games I play. By sharing my opinions with others, I am able to assist other players in evaluating whether or not a game is right for them. I currently review games at GamersInfo.net, where I also serve as the Military Games Editor. I have also previously written game reviews for The Wargamer.
My Reviews on GamersInfo.Net
My Reviews on The Wargamer
Articles
Due to my military experience, I tend to gravitate toward military-oriented games (although that is by no means all I play). This article is about how the military use of games for training has increased and what they’re using games for.
Training Killers: Serous Games are Serious Business
Classes
This is a brief online class I gave as a guest lecturer at Westwood College about the military use of games as training tools from historical games through virtual reality.
Video Games and the Warfighter (7.5MB PPT)