About Jay
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Games have always been a constant in my life. From weekend gaming sessions with friends to discovering new worlds and stories, they've shaped how I think, solve problems, and connect with others. Today, creating memorable experiences for players is what drives me, and I'm grateful to spend my career building games that bring people joy.
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Before entering the games industry, I built a career in health and fitness as a Certified Personal Trainer and Physical Therapy Aide. While I enjoyed helping people improve their lives, my passion for games never faded. In 2012, I decided to pursue that passion full-time and enrolled at Full Sail University to earn a Bachelor of Science in Game Design.
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At Full Sail, I immersed myself in every aspect of game development, from level design and systems design to scripting and production. The experience strengthened my understanding of what it takes to create great player experiences and confirmed that game development was where I wanted to build my career.
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While attending Full Sail, I worked as a QA Tester at Mobile Deluxe, where I gained firsthand experience in the game development process. I became known for detailed bug reports, fast turnaround times, and a strong understanding of player experience. Working closely with designers, artists, engineers, and producers gave me valuable insight into how games are built and strengthened my desire to pursue a career in design.
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While working with Mobile Deluxe, I landed an internship with Disney Interactive as a Game Design Intern. It was my first opportunity to contribute directly to game design in a professional studio environment, collaborating with experienced developers and learning how ideas evolve from concept to implementation. I had the chance to be part of 3 different projects and had my internship extended twice to reach the 1 year limit. On my final day, my main project, Disney Enchanted Tales shipped—the culmination of a year spent helping bring the game to life.
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After earning my Bachelor of Science in Game Design, I joined Tic Toc Games and quickly advanced through a variety of design and leadership roles. Over the years, I've helped develop games for partners including NBC Universal, Netflix, Nickelodeon, Funko, and Hello Kitty while leading cross-functional teams through live operations, feature development, and production. Today, I serve as a Game Director, focused on creating player-centered experiences, aligning teams around a shared vision, and helping people do their best work.