Dev Blog

Dec 09 2015

Developer Bio: Cale Schupman

We can’t talk about what we’re doing, so we’re talking about the people doing the work. A producer has a tough job at any company devoted to artistic, creative endeavors. It’s a “herding cats” kind of gig under the best of circumstances, and a “juggling knives AND flaming torches AND chainsaws” job under the usual circumstances. We’re lucky to have one of the nicest, kindest, and most affably unflappable producers on earth on our production team. No matter what edged weapon you throw at Cale, he will smile at you nicely while he catches it one handed and fits it into the schedule…or Jedi-mind-tricks you into taking it back. Here’s Cale to tell you how he came to the job. — Sanya

Cale’s 37 Simple Steps to Becoming a Video Game Producer if You Were Born in the 80s

by Cale Schupman

Read on if you want to know how I got the most awesome job in the world.

Dec 01 2015

Developer Bio: Abby Wilson

We can’t talk about what we’re doing, so we’re talking about the people doing the work. Our subject today is Abby Wilson. At a big studio, Abby would be one of ten people, but here she does the work of ten people, and we’re terribly glad to have her. Here’s how she came to QA, and the Lab. — Sanya

To Infinity and Beyond

By Abby Wilson

Video games have been at the core of my being since I was little. Surprising, huh? I think it would be more surprising at this point in the Developer Bio series if I said I’d always wanted to be a baker.

Nov 17 2015

Developer Bio: Mark Young

We can’t talk about what we’re doing, so we’re talking about the people doing the work. Today, we meet Mark Young. If it were possible to identify a typical Undead Labs person, it might well be Mark – the thirteenth person to join the company, rendering that forever our lucky number. He’s got rock star talent but a friendly, can-do personality. Check out the story of how he became a programmer. — Sanya

Ultimatums

by Mark Young

Many many years ago, my older brother discovered an ad in Nintendo Power magazine for DigiPen, an institute for video game programming, and a dream began to form; a dream of making video games for a living. It was 1999, and I would be graduating high school in a year. More importantly, it was the year I gave my parents an ultimatum – I was going to DigiPen in Seattle or I wasn’t going anywhere! I was so convinced, it really was the only school I applied for. I was confident I would be accepted (and fortunately, I was). However, my passion for games began at a much younger age.

Nov 10 2015

Developer Bio: Nicole Hamlett

We can’t talk about what we’re doing, so we’re talking about the people doing the work. I’m biased about Nicole, because we’ve known each other for ten years, as we both cycled between freelancing, journalism, and community management. When it came time to double the community team (from one to two people), I knew we needed someone who would care about members of our community as individuals and not as shallow “likes” to be collected. Someone who would be honest and kind and no-nonsense. Someone who’d been there and done that and come out the other end devoted to serving a community, instead of using community to achieve other personal ambitions. We’ve got that person in Nicole. Read on for her story. — Sanya

Dreams and Memes

by Nicole Hamlett

Settle in, kids, and get comfortable for story-time. This is where I tell you about being a Community Manager.

Nov 03 2015

Developer Bio: Nicco Simone

We can’t talk about what we’re doing, so we’re talking about the people doing the work. Meet Nicco, whose can-do attitude manages to stand out on a can-do team. I first met him in person when he literally got off the plane from his honeymoon and went straight to the PAX show floor to take his turn demonstrating our games. Making games is a breeze with guys like that pulling for the team. Read on to see how he got into the industry:

The Governor’s Coming

by Nicco Simone

Hi, I’m Nicco Simone and I’m a programmer here at Undead Labs. My experience in the industry is limited; in fact, this is my first job! Coming onto the team here is a dream come true for me, and the story of how I got my foot in the door is a bit surprising.