With over 30 years of experience at the forefront of the interactive entertainment industry, I have dedicated my career to exploring and monetizing emerging technologies and business models. My professional journey has spanned leadership roles at global giants including Microsoft, Amazon, Disney, Electronic Arts (EA), and Unity, where I have served as a catalyst for revenue growth and strategic partnerships.
My Mission: Bridging AAA Expertise with AI Velocity
My mission is to empower the next generation of game creators by bridging three decades of AAA industry expertise with AI velocity. I am dedicated to helping teams survive the "meat grinder" of game development while building thriving, high-performance cultures. My philosophy is rooted in "Ruthless Compassion," high expectations, and a "Race to Playable" mindset to ensure that creative vision always meets execution.
The Legacy: From Madden to the Cloud
I have had the privilege of leading and contributing to some of the most iconic franchises in gaming history:
* Electronic Arts: I served as a Senior Producer for the Madden NFL franchise (versions '95–'00), a journey featured in the Amazon Prime documentary, It's in the Game: Madden NFL.
* Microsoft: As a Senior Program Manager and Developer Relations Manager, I led the NFL Fever franchise and managed the technical and creative relationship between Microsoft and EA for the Xbox 360 launch.
* Amazon: I successfully delivered Amazon Game Studios' first console title, The Grand Tour Game, and defined the mobile initiative for titles like Storm Runners.
* Unity: I built and managed the Unity Certified Creator Network (CCN), expanding it from under 50 to over 500 authorized resources.
Current Focus: Reinventing the Pipeline
As the Founder and Sr. Vice President of Noctua Interactive, I am currently redefining AAA development by integrating Unreal Engine 5 (UE5) and Generative AI (GenAI) workflow pipelines. Our mission is to prove that lean, veteran-led teams can outperform traditional massive studios by utilizing modern toolsets to create original, story-driven IPs faster and with less risk.
Global Advisory & Strategic Growth
Beyond my work at Noctua, I am deeply involved in fostering the global gaming ecosystem:
* Entrepreneur-in-Residence (EIR): I currently mentor approximately 57 startups for the Exel Gaming Accelerator in Riyadh, helping to build a robust development culture in Saudi Arabia.
* Applied AI Association (AAIA): As Council President of the Gaming and Entertainment Committee, I lead efforts to empower AI innovators and facilitate industry-wide collaboration.
* Strategic Consultant: I serve as a Technology & Strategy Specialist for the Mode7 Collective (Game79 Agency), helping technology firms forge powerful, long-term partnerships targeting user acquisition and monetization.
Let’s Connect
Whether you are looking for insights into AI integration, seeking to uplevel your team culture, or interested in a speaking engagement through my event company, Short Stax Media, I’d love to connect.
As I always say: "Everything is fine, and we are shipping on time".
Specialties: Strategic Business Development, GaaS, Monetization, Studio Operations, AI Strategy, Unreal Engine 5, Team Building, and Organizational Health.