tl;dr

Founding member and cashier.

The beginning

I was born in 1989 and grew up in Vienna, Austria. Ever since I was young, I’ve had a deep love for gaming. My earliest memories include playing NES and SNES with my dad and brother, enjoying classics such as The Legend of Zelda, Super Mario, and Mega Man. Those holidays spent with family and friends playing new games are some of my favourite childhood memories. Over the years, I have gathered a small collection of gaming consoles, ranging from the PS1 to PS4, N64, a handful of Gameboys, the original XBOX, and most recently, a Nintendo Switch. Most of my time was spent on the PC though with games like Might & Magic, Monkey Island, Baldur’s Gate and everything by Blizzard.

The in-between

I pursued my passion for gaming at FH Technikum Wien, where I obtained a master’s degree in Game Engineering and Simulation. With over 10 years as a professional software engineer, I have worked with various programming languages for different companies, most recently as a Perl tools engineer at a publishing company. Gaming has not only been a source of entertainment but also a way for me to connect with others. I’ve made lifelong friendships through playing games online and have been an active member of various gaming communities, including MMOs like WoW and FFXIV. As a guild and raid leader, I’ve enjoyed fostering a sense of community among fellow gamers. I’ve also done my fair share of speedruns, occasionally even claiming and defending top spots.

How it’s going

Nowadays I enjoy playing something more relaxed and with friends, as my reflexes and endurance aren’t what they used to be, like Minecraft, Factorio, or strategy games (like those by Paradox Interactive). My love for gaming also extends beyond the digital realm. I am an avid fan of board games and pen & paper RPGs, having served as a Dungeon Master for over 10 years in various D&D campaigns, from pre-written modules to homebrew settings and stories. This creative outlet has allowed me to explore my passion for game design and storytelling. When I’m not immersed in the world of gaming, I enjoy reading fantasy novels (especially those by R.A. Salvatore), sailing, savoring a cup of green tea on my balcony, binge-watching anime or Netflix series, and staying active to balance out my screen time.