[[Senior Marketing Producer]]
Turtle: It’s a split between “Kowabunga” the USWA wrestling Karate Turtle & Steve “The Turtle” Weiner
Pronouns: He/Him
When did you first get started in games and how?
I was a director for a digital marketing/branding agency that worked in the early influencer/creator space, which was around the corner from my home city’s game dev hub. Got involved with game jams & offering marketing consultation for smaller projects, and was eventually hired by a local, boutique creator agency that was building out a publishing/funding studio.
Where do you draw inspiration from?
The people I’ve had the privilege of traveling with & meeting through my background in performing arts. I’m a classically trained cellist (I went to college for it and everything), went through the UCB improv/sketch program, spent a few decades as a gigging EDM DJ, and also worked in professional wrestling. It’s given me a wide berth of irreplaceable experiences I’m forever grateful for.
What is your favorite video game or series?
I’m a sucker for experiences where kinetic movement and managing spatial relationships are core design concepts. So I’d say my favorite game is Namco’s “Mappy” and my favorite franchise is Splatoon.
What is your favorite tabletop game?
Lupin III! Based on the classic anime franchise, its reverse Scotland Yard meets social deduction meets Spies vs Mercs.
If Akupara could partner with any person, who would you want to work with?
I spent a decade working in wrestling so pretty much all of those guys.
What is your proudest accomplishment with Akupara?
It’s not the most exciting thing but reevaluating & restructuring how we approach Influencer Relationships, as well as our digital marketing and SEO processes as a value add for our development partners has been a point of pride.
One advice you could give someone who wants to get into the gaming industry.
Get involved with your local game dev hubs. Don’t let people discourage you from participating because of factors like age, your career path, or socio-economic status.
One advice you could give someone who wants to be a Producer.
You have to be more than just an “idea guy.”
Any fun facts about yourself?
I’m fairly sure I’m one of the very few people if not the only person in the games industry who has won tag-team championships as well as DJ’d at an EDM festival.
What were you doing before you joined the game industry?
I did the “disruptor start-up” thing in the 2010s. I don’t miss salmon colored dress socks, power clashing ties, & 4Loko happy hours.
What is your favorite color?
Black 3.0
What was your favorite subject in school?
That open period of free time I got as a member of SGA. I was a perfectly average C+/B student.
Controller or Keyboard?
Gamepad w/bumper jump controls and those little handle gimmicks on the underside.
What activities do you enjoy doing?
Got back into Gunpla last summer after a 17 year hiatus. Also an avid fan of camping. Also-also I used to put on heavy, foam rubber tokusatsu suits and get thrown through tables in wrestling rings and I’m looking forward to getting back into that.
Favorite song?
I have a classically-trained background as a musician and I’ve always gravitated towards Bossa Nova, Acid-Jazz, Funk, & Native Tongues Hip-hop. I also enjoy doom metal. I enjoy and find value in most genres except pop country and generic royalty free YouTuber/streamer EDM.
Favorite Akupara moment?
Every time a hairless cat jumps into frame when we’re on a call with David.
Favorite content creator?
Hard Drive Magazine. Which I also write for.
Console vs PC?
No. Leave this internalized capitalist tribalism in the 1990s.
If you like to connect with Ian or any other members of Akupara, join the Akupara Discord.