Interests & Hobbies

When I'm not coding or designing games, I enjoy a variety of activities that keep me balanced, inspired, and connected to the world around me. These interests not only provide a welcome break from screens but also inform and enrich my creative work in game development.

Tabletop RPGs

I'm an avid player and designer of tabletop role-playing games, which combine storytelling, strategy, and social interaction in ways that digital games often aspire to. My experience with tabletop RPGs includes:

  • Game Mastering: I regularly run campaigns for friends, creating immersive worlds and narratives that respond to player choices
  • System Design: I've designed custom rule systems and mechanics for specific campaign settings
  • Character Creation: I enjoy the creative process of developing complex characters with unique motivations and backgrounds

Tabletop RPGs have taught me valuable lessons about player agency, emergent storytelling, and balancing structure with improvisation—all principles that I apply to my game development work.

Video Games

As a game developer, I'm also an enthusiastic player across various genres. My gaming interests span:

  • RPGs and Immersive Sims: Games like the Elder Scrolls series, Deus Ex, and Disco Elysium that offer rich worlds and player choice
  • Strategy and Simulation: Titles such as Civilization, Factorio, and Rimworld that challenge planning and systems thinking
  • Indie Games: I'm particularly drawn to innovative indie titles that push boundaries in mechanics, narrative, or art style
  • Retro Gaming: I maintain a collection of classic games that have shaped the industry and continue to influence design

I approach gaming not just as entertainment but as ongoing research—analyzing mechanics, studying design choices, and staying current with industry trends and innovations.

Exercise & Physical Activity

Maintaining physical health is essential for creative work and mental clarity. My regular physical activities include:

  • Strength Training: I follow a consistent strength training regimen to maintain energy and focus
  • Running: Regular runs help clear my mind and often lead to creative breakthroughs on challenging development problems
  • Hiking: Exploring natural environments provides both exercise and inspiration for environmental design in games

Physical activity is a crucial counterbalance to the sedentary nature of development work, helping me maintain productivity and creative energy throughout long projects.

Travel & Exploration

Experiencing different cultures, environments, and perspectives is invaluable for creative work. My travel interests include:

  • Cultural Immersion: I seek authentic experiences that provide insight into different ways of life and storytelling traditions
  • Natural Wonders: Exploring diverse landscapes from mountains to coastlines informs my approach to environmental design
  • Historical Sites: Visiting places with rich histories helps me understand how architecture and environments tell stories

Travel experiences often find their way into my game designs, whether through architectural influences, cultural references, or environmental storytelling techniques.

Rock and Roll Music

Music is both a passion and a source of inspiration for my creative work. My musical interests center around rock and roll, including:

  • Classic Rock: I'm drawn to the pioneering sounds of bands like Led Zeppelin, Pink Floyd, and The Rolling Stones
  • Progressive Rock: Complex compositions from bands like Rush and King Crimson that push musical boundaries
  • Modern Rock: Contemporary artists who continue to evolve the genre in new and interesting directions
  • Live Music: I regularly attend concerts to experience the energy and community of live performances

Music often influences the rhythm and pacing of my game designs, and I pay particular attention to how sound design and music can enhance player experience and emotional engagement.

How My Interests Inform My Work

These diverse interests don't exist in isolation from my professional work—they actively inform and enhance my approach to game development:

  • Tabletop RPGs have shaped my understanding of player agency and emergent storytelling, influencing how I design quest systems and narrative choices
  • My gaming experiences provide a rich reference library of mechanics, systems, and design patterns that I can analyze, adapt, and improve upon
  • Physical activity maintains the energy and mental clarity needed for sustained creative work and problem-solving
  • Travel experiences expand my visual and cultural vocabulary, enriching the worlds and environments I create
  • Music influences my approach to pacing, emotional arcs, and audio design in games

By maintaining a rich and varied life outside of development, I bring fresh perspectives and diverse influences to my work, creating games that are more engaging, authentic, and resonant with players.