And So We Begin

My name is John Dickinson, I am a student at Devry University Online in the Game Development and Design school. This blog will chronicle my transformation from a not so mild mannered Insurance Agent to a Professional Game Designer/Programmer.

I have been an active gamer since games like Traveler and Dungeons and Dragons were first published. Yes, I'm old. I remember when dirt was new and a computer looked a lot like a slide rule. In 1979 I co founded and became President of the North Monterey County High School Fantasy Gaming Club. We ran games at lunch, hosted game nights at different members' homes and even brought gaming to a new generation of gamers by teaching and running games at our school's Lyceum for 4-8th graders.

My first video game that I truly became enchanted with was Vanguard. An excellent example of a scrolling game, it cost me probably hundreds of dollars one token at a time. I also discovered that we could play some script games similar to Adventure! at Hartnell College.

Throughout the 80's I continued to play RPG games, started groups in Prunedale, Ca, Vallejo, Ca and Colton, Ca. We played D&D, Gamma World, Champions and even on occasion, Paranoia. I created levels and Modules for entertainment in and of itself, I really didn't care if I had players, I enjoyed the creation itself.

Enter the real world. Husband and father of 6, I became an Insurance Agent then moved up and owned and operated an Insurance Brokerage throughout the next 19 years. With the collapsing economy I came to a crossroads in 2009 and decided it was time to do what I love for a living.

Fasten your seat belts, it's gonna be a bumpy ride!!!!!