[meheleventyone]

I started programming at seven on a ZX Spectrum that I still own. Basically I wanted to make my own games and the only way to do that was to learn to program. I spent a lot of my teenage years making games, mods and websites. All the books that are relevant for that period aren't really anymore except for historical interest. I also got to grow up as the Internet grew up for better or worse.

I went to Uni for four years studying Computer Games Technology. It was great for meeting likeminded people and networking with local companies as well as providing space for making more stuff. Won a few awards for my student work and went off to work for a startup after I graduated. That folded after a few months and I ended up at a local AAA studio. Sixteen years later and I'm still making games. I got that first job with just a casual chat over coffee the day after I was wrestling in jam and am still working with the friends I made at the first big studio!

Right now I'm lead of the Community Engineering team for a web-based game development platform called dot big bang (https://www.dotbigbang.com) so running a small band of multi-talented people making games for the platform, live streaming and that sort of thing. By far one of the most fulfilling jobs I've had as I help out other game developers all day and enjoy a lot of creative freedom.