Gaming is my primary passion, after my family of course. I have been gaming since I was a kid (thanks Mom). Initially, my mother taught me chess. After that, card games were the next logical step. Then, we use to save up money and purchase games from Toy’s R Us (Dark Tower, Electronic Dungeon and Dragons, Stop Thief, etc.) I also used to invent games, and even got an award in 8th grade for my game called Crazy Christmas Shopping.
There was a point in college where I stopped gaming. But low and behold in 2003, the board gaming bug bit me hard. Chad Starns introduced me to my first Eurogame – Setters of Catan. Since that day, I have been collecting games at an incredible rates. I currently own 1500+ board games (link). I have my favorites, but try not to play the same game more than once in a month. A friend of mine, Roy Jones, calculated that it would take 6 years at current pace to play each game once. I guess I better get cracking.
In addition to board gaming, I use to play a collectible card game called, Star Trek 2nd Edition. I have not cracked open that game in ages. It was fun playing with the gamers at the Game Parlor Woodbridge when it was around. But, alas that has gone into history and the cards are now just collecting dust.
In 2004, I was exposed to miniature wargaming. I just moved to Fairfax, VA and needed a job. I landed one as a store clerk for the Game Parlor Woodbridge. There I met Dennis Rude who introduced me to Games Workshop Warmaster. I played with someone’s dwarf army (which I finally acquired later on in life, which in itself is it’s own story). Then Terry Kolb introduced me to historical miniature wargaming. He took me to Fall-In when it was in Timonium, MD. My goodness I was hooked. There I met Mark Fastoso who was running his Vietnam Scenario, and discovered he was in the Fairfax area. Terry, Roy, myself and others played every Thursday and Saturday. It was great. Got the bug to write a scenario book. Terry and I partnered up and started a set that focused on WWII Pacific. After much hemming and hawing, Eagle over the Rising Sun was born. Terry stepped out of the development scene leaving me with Tarawa to develop. It has been an interesting part of my life. One that I will cherish.
In 2009, I began exploring the possibility of rekindling a childhood dream of designing board games, and have worked on several design concepts (On the Crab, Mill City, Stockyards, Orbital, and Masters of Fire), but none have broken through the glass barrier of being published. Time will tell.
Ah games… such a relaxing hobby… miniatures, card, board, etc.