Digital Gamecraft 2020

It has been just more than a year since SophSoft, Incorporated lost its second founding partner (of three) and I lost my wife of 31 years.  In a week, the company will be celebrating its 38th anniversary, and it will continue to develop game software.

During 2019, I took time to reflect on what was really important and what I wanted to do with the rest of my life, and I decided that the plans that Sherry, Rick, and I had devised (and undertaken) as business partners were honest and true representations of what we wanted to achieve.  Therefore, I will continue those pursuits, not just out of a sense of loyalty, but because they are why we got into this venture in the first place.

Digital Gamecraft will continue to develop and publish game titles in a variety of genres, and this will be our primary focus.  While some of these games may be a little different to what they would have been with my partners to help guide the development, the games will nevertheless embody the spirits of Sherry and Rick to the best of my capabilities.

SophSoft will also continue to do consulting work; however, due to sheer limitations of time, our regular client roster is effectively full.  Please feel free to contact us if you are in desperate straits or need our help with a fully-funded project that is right down our alley, but realize that we may not be able to fit you into the schedule.  (If you have just an idea, a shoestring budget, or a need for fleet management software, go somewhere else.)

We also have a couple of adjunct projects that I expect to see the full light of day within 2020; announcements will be made here as and when appropriate.

In an industry where companies come and go with a disturbing regularity, remember that we have had the same address for 30 years:

Post Office Box 4936
East Lansing, MI  48826-4936

We have had the same business phone number for 25 years:

(517) 337-3905

Our web site has also been in steady operation since 1995 (though this blog is just a baby at a mere 15 years old).  Plus, having been originally founded in 1982…

We are the oldest independent video game company in the world.

I truly appreciate your support as we continue to move forward.

Sincerely,
Gregg Seelhoff

Elite Game Developer Needs More Paying Work

Don’t bury the lead.

Game Developer for hire

Digital Gamecraft: What I Do

I will make your game idea into a real product.  I will make your existing game much better.  I will instill a sense of fun into your team.  I will imbue your code with quality.  I can help get your project shipped to customers.

This game developer is seeking additional work.

I generally work on a contract basis, but I can also do hourly or even full-time salary, as needed.

What?

  • Game development (Windows, macOS, Android, iOS, Linux, online, …)
  • Programming (C++, C, Objective-C, Java, C#, PHP, JavaScript, …)
  • Software Engineering (API design, UI/UX, mobile, AR, networking, AI, …)
  • Project Management (agile, leadership, standards, marketing, quality assurance, …)
  • and much more (from concept through customer support)

Who?

My name is Gregg Seelhoff, and I have more than 30 years experience in the game industry.  I have worked on more than 30 published products, usually in a principal role.

  1. Peruse my current résumé.
  2. Check out my LinkedIn profile (especially the recommendations).
  3. See my online portfolio.
  4. Read the archives of this Gamecraft blog site (since 2004)
  5. Just ask (in the comments, or via email to seelhoff@sophsoft.com).

Note that I have many talented colleagues upon whom I can call, especially for art and music, to form a team of the necessary size for nearly any project.

Where?

Here.  I can travel to almost anywhere in the world, and I have clients all over the United States, but I am most efficient (and prefer) working from my comfortable home office.  That said, I will relocate (and have) for the right opportunity.

When?

I am available immediately.  My time is booked to about 25% of capacity right now but that can change quickly.  Act now, while I am still available for additional projects.

Why?

Love and money.  I love what I do and I need to have enough money to keep doing it.

 

Seriously

If you want to have a top quality game developer on your team, or you have a game project that needs to be created or improved, contact me now.

 

New Old Home Office

Michigan development at full strength.

This week we completed some basic remodeling of the main Digital Gamecraft™ headquarters.  After three years splitting time with Los Angeles, California, we have again consolidated here in East Lansing.

Before we piled too much equipment into this office, we took the initiative to clear it out, remove the nasty linoleum tile floor, repaint the walls bright white (from beige) to increase brightness, seal the floor to insulate the office from external odors, and install proper carpeting to muffle the ambient noise from multiple systems running in a limited space.  With the addition of another bright lamp, this space is now very (i.e., even more) comfortable and conducive to productivity.

Of course, over so many years, we collected lots of equipment that is not as necessary, or downright obsolete, and (I hate to admit) an abundance of cables running every which way, including some that were no longer connected to anything on one or even both ends.  Now we are reloading the office with only the necessary, convenient, and/or inspirational items (and the best ones, in the case of duplication).  At the moment, it is still a little spartan with just the fundamental development systems, but we will build it out for better efficiency as we perform our primary programming tasks over the next month or so.

Meet the working stations

We have a few different stations set up for development work:

Windows and Android station (dual-boots Linux)

This primary development station currently handles Windows and Android development, as well as Linux, Unity (desktop), Unreal Engine, HTML 5, or almost any other platform for which we build products.  It is positioned in the optimal location for seeing outdoors and minimizing reflections (to reduce eye strain).

Mac and iOS station (dual-boots Windows)

This secondary development station currently handles Mac and iOS development, as well as Unity (mobile), and other platforms when on the road.  It, too, is positioned for reduced eyestrain, with minimal reflections and a direct view outdoors.

Relaxation station (in progress)

This station facilitates development by giving an opportunity to relax and break away from direct problem solving, which often gives the unconscious mind some time to work the problem, or to simply blow off some steam.  This pinball machine is a Williams Fun-Fest, an electromechanical (EM) model produced in 1973, which is fully playable, but slowly undergoing some restoration.  It has been accompanied by an original arcade Galaga machine from 1981, but that cabinet currently needs a replacement CRT or board.

This room also houses our primary server, which is headless, and a mobile device station consisting of two multiple device docks capable of charging 15 mobile devices (including Apple Watch) simultaneously, though we still need to charge the iPad Pro pen separately.

Older makes way for newer

In the course of setting up and making room for the latest equipment, we find that there are older systems and devices to be retired from ongoing development.  In this go ’round, the following were retired:

  • Apple Mac Mini PPC
  • iPad (original, still on iOS 3.2)
  • iPod touch (2d generation)
  • Android 2.2 (Froyo) phone
  • Ouya
  • Microsoft Xbox 360

Some of our peripherals may be retired as well.  Our duplicate X-Arcade Tankstick, as well as the older Dual Joystick and (separate) Trackball devices, are destined for storage.  Our Microsoft Sidewinder joystick and Logitech/Momo steering wheel/pedals, force-feedback devices, will stay.  We have 4 printers, 3 scanners, and 2 external optical burners (all useful) to optimize, and we have extraneous monitors, speakers, and various network routers and switches to stash.  I guess we will retire the fax machine, too. 😉

Efficient usage of resources

Now that the remodeling, consolidation, and configuration of the office is (essentially) complete, we find that we have some extra time for external development projects.  In these slow, summer months, we are booked to only about 25% of maximum capacity.  If you have (or know anyone who has) need of a massively experienced game developer or team, please check out SophSoft, Incorporated at sophsoft.com.

Of course, we have (literally) 32 more game projects prioritized for development under our Digital Gamecraft brand, plus a separate productivity product (to be announced), but I would love to discuss how we can help you make your vision into a published reality.

Looking Forward to 2018

Happy New Year! 🙂

Digital GamecraftThe Roman calendar started in March (Mensis Martius), so by that measure I am not too late.

OK, so we are already two months into the Gregorian year, and this is only my second post.  Frankly, those of you who know me personally will appreciate that I often have a lot to say, but when it comes to setting aside time in my busy schedule to write it down, well, my preference always tends to actual development (and my task list reflects that preference).

So, SophSoft, Incorporated and Digital Gamecraft have been acting like a duck, appearing calm and quiet on the surface, but paddling like crazy under the water.

Yes, we have been ducking. 😉

That said, we have been doing a great deal of development work on a few fronts.

What We Have Been Doing

Recent development work has been divided pretty clearly into three categories:

  1. SophSoft has been continuing our long-term association with Goodsol Development, and there are a couple of products in the pipeline for release in the near future and, of course, more to come thereafter.  There is a major release scheduled for March 21st (stay tuned), followed shortly by our two products, the first of which is already “in the can”, and the other being completed now.
  2. Digital Gamecraft is going to be releasing Demolish! Pairs for Android soon, in conjunction with the refresh of Demolish! Pairs for iOS, which is currently in progress (as required by Apple).  Another game is prototyped and approved for full production once that simultaneous release is (successfully) completed.
  3. I have been leading a team, the Advanced Concepts Group, at DAQRI, to produce AR (augmented reality) software for enterprises (Professional Grade AR™), including the majority of the Worksense™ productivity suite, as well as the development tools necessary to build applications for the DAQRI Smart Glasses®.

With more than a dozen products actively developed already this year, not to mention also properly purchasing our Michigan home/office during the same period, perhaps that will put some perspective on my lack of blog progress.  Now…

What (else) We Will Be Doing

In addition to the work mentioned above:

  • SophSoft has another (unannounced) product designed and in the early (prototype) phase.  It is a slight departure from other projects we have previously done, but it should be groundbreaking.  The first version is scheduled for release in “late Q3”.
  • Digital Gamecraft has a planned and prioritized list of game projects to undertake, with four more expected to be developed during 2018.  However, we should probably emphasize the “agile” nature of this schedule.
  • With DAQRI, there are several exciting (but, alas, non-game) projects scheduled throughout the year and into 2019 and beyond.  I am not at liberty to reveal any of these plans, of course, but I have seen the future of industry.

Personally, I have two close family weddings and a big family reunion all scheduled during the summer (in three different months), so I should be increasing my air miles, too.

Conclusion

Everything is looking quite positive, and after Looking Back at 2017, I fully expect 2018 to every more productive and fulfilling.  In fact, composing this blog post reminded me why I should be doing it more regularly: it helps me increase both my enthusiasm and my focus.

Looking Back at 2017

Overall Performance Grade: C-

Digital Gamecraft / SophSoft, IncorporatedIt has been more than four years since we have done a proper ‘Year in Review‘ post and, frankly, it will be still longer before we do a proper one.  However, we should take a look back on the previous year and take an honest appraisal of our performance and the work we have done at Digital Gamecraft and SophSoft, Incorporated.

Overview

Excluding politics, 2017 was not a terrible year for us, and for the most part we moved in a positive direction, with no catastrophic setbacks.  However, it must be noted that our ostensible performance was disappointing.  While we made big strides with internal development, we did not publish enough product (nothing directly from Digital Gamecraft) and did a poor job of communicating and marketing.

When one is spinning plates, it does not take much loss of focus to allow things to come crashing down.  Right now, SophSoft is as “streamlined” as it has been since 1994, so with fewer manhours to utilize, we tend to focus on the crucial issues (e.g., paying bills) and the tasks that we perform best and enjoy the most (i.e., development).

What Went Wrong

Because I gave us a below-average grade, we will start with the negatives for 2017:

  • We did not publish any Digital Gamecraft products (or even updates).
  • One of our Demolish! Pairs products was removed (forcibly) from the App Store.
  • Our primary web server crashed (hard) in the summer and we are still recovering.
  • Time spent in Los Angeles is far less productive than East Lansing (for reasons).
  • The current US Government is attempting to destroy this country for generations.

What Went Right

Now, we can end this with the positives about 2017:

Conclusion

Ultimately, being disappointed with shipping an average of more than one product update per month is probably a good thing; however, we can definitely do better, and that will be the subject of my next post, Looking Forward to 2018.

Happy Thanksgiving 2017!

Why I Am Thankful This Year

I have many reasons to be thankful this year:

  • On the business side, I am thankful that my company (SophSoft, Incorporated) continues to survive in a difficult and challenging industry.
  • On the development side, I am thankful that I have a large list of interesting projects on which to work and that I still get excited about programming games.
  • On the marketing side, I am thankful that I have been able to restore the new server and this blog site to something resembling its prior glory.
  • On the employment side, I am thankful that I have an excellent team of elite programmers who can pull off amazing projects and from whom I can still learn.
  • On the social side, I am thankful that I have some astonishing friends who are truly wonderful, giving me something to which I can aspire.
  • On the family side, I am thankful that my family remains so wonderful and continues to support me and each other, even when times are tough.
  • On the personal side, I am thankful that I am still healthy and active and that I can be comfortable without compromising my values or integrity.

I wish great happiness for all of you on this special holiday.

Gregg Seelhoff

35th Anniversary!

SophSoft has been in business for 35 years as of today.

Digital GamecraftOn Wednesday, January 13, 1982, thirty-five years ago today, Sophisticated Software Systems was officially founded.  That company was later incorporated as SophSoft, Incorporated (because that domain, sophsoft.com, was still available).

Five years ago, I wrote a post, 30 Years in Business, giving more information.  You can also see the About SophSoft and Digital Gamecraft page (and sidebar).

Over time, some years have been more productive, and some have been more “interesting” than others.  Notably, back on the 25th anniversary, I actually posted about the results of our annual off-site meeting, rather than the major milestone; in that vein, I will keep this celebration limited and generally mark the occasion with more development. Still…

SophSoft, Incorporated is the oldest indie game development company in the world!

Ha!  Beat that. 🙂

Fifteen Years with Goodsol

We have been working with Goodsol Development for 15 years now!

Goodsol DevelopmentOn this date back in 2001, SophSoft, Incorporated made our first software delivery to Goodsol Development.  Since that time, we have never stopped working together, producing the best solitaire software ever created.

I posted about this collaboration 5 years ago in my post, 10 Years of the GDcard Library.  We have continued our progress since then, adding an entire line of iOS products and 400 more games to Pretty Good Solitaire Mac Edition, along with much more.

For fun, I thought that I would take a look at some of the numbers:

To save everybody a little bit of math, this means that, on average, we have delivered a new product version once every 10 days, and we have added a new game of Solitaire every two days, for the entire 15 years.  Amazingly, the number of delivered versions for Pretty Good MahJongg and for Pretty Good Solitaire Mac Edition are currently exactly the same: 88 of each.  [Spoiler: PGMJ will take the lead with a macOS Sierra bug fix.]

In lieu of anniversary gifts 🙂 , just tell your friends about our excellent products!

SophSoft Relaunch

SophSoft, Incorporated jumps back into the fray.

SophSoft, Incorporated - custom game developmentAfter a respectful (and necessary) period of readjustment, while SophSoft, Incorporated and Digital Gamecraft™ added a second office on the west coast, we are making our public reappearance.

It has, admittedly, been a while since I have made any concerted effort to market our development services or published games, or to comment on industry events.  Instead, I have retrenched to focus on our core concerns: key clients, business organization, and (of course) financial stability.  Having made significant progress on all fronts, it was time for us to again perform those functions that go beyond simple maintenance to actually growing the company.  To that end, I am not only committing time to this effort but getting more assistance in areas that I can efficiently delegate.

Here is a quick roundup of the news (past and upcoming):

SophSoft, Incorporated

Over the past year, we have continued our previous development work, most notably for Goodsol Development, with whom we have been working for 15 years (later this month); there have been several releases in that time, and many more are still scheduled to be shipped (for Windows, Mac OS X, and iOS) during the rest of 2016.

We have added to our collection of mobile devices (iOS, Android, and Windows) for development and testing, as we have continued to improve our knowledge and experience on all three platforms.  (I can neither confirm nor deny reports that Apple Watch, Android Wear, Apple TV, and Android TV are included in our forthcoming lineup.)

As a departure from games, development is underway on a new line of productivity tools that aim not only to enhance our bottom line, but also (actually, primarily) to significantly increase our internal efficiency and organization.

Digital Gamecraft

We have continued to support (albeit not promote) Demolish! Pairs for iOS, while we have been making progress on an Android edition.  This progress on a new platform for Demolish! Pairs has gone from fitful to steady, and it is now increasing in velocity.  We have some new marketing prepared, including an online playable version (in HTML5).  Expect new features and new platform announcements fairly soon.

In addition to that title, our next game is already under development.  This one will be the first of our “Gamecraft Classics™” series of classic board and card games, and it represents an early step along our roadmap of upcoming titles in five major genres, as well as a few experimental (‘one off’) titles.  All of these games feed into our SophPlay™ System for robust game development, strengthening its foundation.

Finally, plans are in place for renewing and enhancing our presence on social media, expanding from Facebook, Twitter, and Google+ into more places for community.  Follow us via these links now and experience the resurgence as it happens.

Still More…

As noted, we now have offices in both East Lansing, MI and Los Angeles, CA, and it has been a chore getting our infrastructure working (together) in both places.  Now that we have stability, we are enhancing our capabilities with new, faster servers.  Although the switch-over and retirement of older hardware is still in progress, users should experience more responsiveness and better reliability (if not now, then within a couple of weeks).

As ‘no battle plan ever survives contact with the enemy‘ (in this case, the challenges of limited resources and product discoverability, primarily), there is no doubt that our goals are ambitious and our priorities will change.  However, as an entrepreneur, I find that merely maintaining the status quo is more stressful than risking failure.

SophSoft West

Now (also) coming to you from Los Angeles.

SophSoft, IncorporatedDigital GamecraftIt has been quite a while since I posted a Gamecraft update.  The last six months have been filled with “opportunity”, and the upshot of it is that I have relocated to Los Angeles, California.

Structurally, SophSoft, Incorporated and Digital Gamecraft still continue to operate from our Michigan office, and nothing substantial has changed in terms of client services or product development.  Practically, of course, having the company principal living a couple thousand miles away from the home office presents interesting challenges (some of which are still being resolved).  I am definitely in a period of adjustment, both personally and professionally.

So, what am I doing in California?

I am out here to pursue a great opportunity in the burgeoning field of augmented reality, bringing my years of experience in game development, coupled with my abilities in quality assurance and robust programming, to bear on a young industry that is just beginning to show its enormous potential.  That, however, is a topic (well, several) for another post.

For the moment, though, I am still transitioning from living in the Midwest to residing in the second largest city in the United States, and now that my West Coast office is up and (mostly) functioning, we are looking to resolve the remaining logistical and technical challenges inherent in running a business with offices in two different states.

Please stay tuned!