One Year Later. . .

Exactly one year ago (12/1/05), I was in the middle of getting my Bach. Degree for Game Development, I hadn't touched Torque in about six months, and I was beginning to feel the anxiety about getting a job developing games. A few days before Christmas, my girlfriend's father had a brain aneurysm and had to have 9 hours of micro-brain surgery. Commuting every day between work in Orlando and the hospital in Tampa, plus the added stress of getting ready for final project, created so much stress that I seriously considered dropping out of Full Sail.

Six months, one degree, and another student game project later, I was still employee of Staples (electronics retail sucks by the way), and I felt like I had gone nowhere. In an effort to keep my coding skills sharp and occupy my down time with what I love, I downloaded the newest TGE build. It might have been a coincidence, or just fate, but two months later I was employed at a company who hired me based on my Torque knowledge.

Finally, it happened. In pursuit of a college education, I left my favorite city (Boston), all my friends, all of my possessions, and got dumped my ex-fiance. I moved to Orlando, FL with no job, no place to live, and no contacts. While attending Full Sail, I lost 20 lbs, had a nervous break down, and at one point, lived off PB & J for 2 months. Now, as a professional game developer, I felt like I had obtained what so many people go through their entire lives looking for. I was living my dream. Three days from now (12/4/06, I will be attending I/ITSEC to demonstrate the project I've been working on since I was hired.

So, one year ago was my birthday, and nothing special happened that day. Today, with the exception of seeing my favorite band (AFI) play live, nothing special will probably happen. I don't believe birthday's are really important, or special. I think it's what you accomplish between birthdays matters more. One year ago, I was a broke college student with more stress than I could handle. Today, I'm a professional developer by day, Indie Game developer by night. . .except tonight. . .in which I'll be head banging to AFI, then retiring to my apartment to drink myself silly and play Guitar Hero 2 until I pass out.

Thanks to Garage Games for providing me with the game engine that created my Associate Degree project and helped me obtain my dream.

Thanks to Malignant Entertainment and Flash Games, two teams I was a part of during my college days. We made some awesome games.

Thanks to Garrett Brown, for his guidance as my instructor, and advice as my External Producer.

Finally, thanks to all of you, for making up this community. You have provided me with a lot of laughs, helpful resources, and overall feedback over the past few years.

So what will I have accomplished in the next 365 days? With your support, I will release Ars Moriendi to the public. Beyond that, who knows. . . (sorry for the anti-climax, I'm not big on plans =) )