Founder, CEO

DnD Class: Warlock 

Hogwarts House: Slytherin

Pokemon Go Team: Valor

Empire or Rebellion: Rebellion

Turtle: Leonardo

When did you first get started in games and how?

College – I majored in Applied Computer Graphics (computer art and animation for film/tv/games) and minored in Video Game Design. After college, I worked at a company called Animax. One day I told my boss, “Michael, I want to create a video game.” Together he and I started a studio called Night Light Interactive. We entered the demo of Whispering Willows into the OUYA Create Game Jam and it was well received. Shortly after we launched our successful Kickstarter for Whispering Willows, and the rest is history!

What has been your favorite project to work on?

Whispering Willows – It was my first time arranging and leading a full team, as well as guiding the creative direction. It taught me a lot of things that I am still doing today.

Where do you draw inspiration from?

When I am designing games I draw inspiration from toys, animals, really anything around me. Every night I close my eyes and let my mind flow, and as soon as I get anything interesting I start trying to develop them further. 

What is your favorite video game or series?

The Dark Souls series – I like that the game teaches you to play well and punishes you for being hasty or reckless. I like that every story in the game is depressing; every character has something tragic happen to them. I think that sad stories stick with me much more than happy ones.

What is your favorite tabletop game?

Sentinels of the Multiverse – every game feels completely different. There is a ton of variety in the characters, villains, and environments. Each character has a different playstyle and I like that it is cooperative.

If Akupara could partner with any person, who would you want to work with?

David Firth – the creator of Salad Fingers. He tells really weird and creepy stories. I think he would be an interesting creative mind for video games, and we could make a unique world that brings in his humor, writing, and art style.

What is your proudest accomplishment with Akupara?

Probably just how many projects and games we put out in the first year. It was great to be able to take long-running projects like The Metronomicon: Slay the Dancefloor and help publish it. Also putting out one project, like Star Vikings Forever, and having Rogue Snail turn around and partner with us immediately again.