What is the weirdest job youʼve ever held?

Many summers ago, I worked with three friends as a creepy hooded figure scaring kids inside a childrenʼs maze. The most awesome part was that we were allowed to make small changes to the maze (so it also counts as my first design job ever!) I designed a fake wall with handles that could be moved around the maze which made the whole thing like a million times better. So basically, my design career peaked in my teens.

What is your favorite all-time game?

Chrono Trigger, hands down. Itʼs one of the main reasons Iʼm a game designer. I published a thing about it once upon a time… if youʼre really good at the Internets, Iʼm sure you could find it.

What games are you playing right now?

Soooo much Hearthstone. Recent conquests include Kentucky Route Zero, Diablo III, Gone Home. Also Iʼm always replaying Chrono Triggerand regularly engage in some Magic: The Gathering event or other. Also, board games!

What motivated you to begin working in the game industry?

Mine is the stereotypical game developer story. Iʼve always loved games, grew up playing Intellivision (Snafu, anyone?) and tons of Zeldaon NES and eventually moved on to finding novel ways of breaking D&Dâs systems. When I found out people did that for a living, there was really no other choice for me moving forward.

What inspires you?

Amazing things that people have created. If I see something amazing and think “I could have totally done that!” then all I want to do next is sit down and create something equally amazing. Iʼm also inspired by traveling just as much. I make it a point to travel all around the world and load my design toolbox with awesome, foreign creations. For example, Iʼm intrigued by how different cultures have elegant, efficient and still wildly different solutions to the design of the everyday bathroom. I have a picture collection to back this up.

What is your proudest achievement?

I designed and developed, along with a small team, a media piece that was recently displayed at the Guggenheim Museum in NYC as part of their Italian Futurism exhibition.

What piques your curiosity?

Online communities. Reddit, Craigslist, Twitch, dating sites, Chatroulette… Iʼm fascinated by strangers connecting online through weird channels.

What is your hidden talent?

I have yet to meet a person for whom I canʼt find a beer that they like. 9 out of 10 times itʼs a Belgian or a Flemish Sour. Itʼs nailing down the remaining 10% that makes it a talent.

What is the best thing about working at Schell Games?

The people. Youʼll never find a cooler group of game developers.

What is one thing people would be surprised to know about you?

I love the show Gilmore Girls and own all the complete seasons on DVD.

How long have you worked at Schell Games?

Four years!