After graduating from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in 2002 with degrees in Computer Science and Philosophy, Michael took what marketable skills he had to the consulting industry, where he created software for large telecommunications companies and call centers. While consulting paid the bills, it wasn’t quite as exciting a job as he was hoping for, so Michael quit his job and moved from New York to Redmond, Washington, to enroll in the Master’s program at DigiPen Institute of Technology. Michael’s plan to break into the entertainment industry was quickly successful; while completing his studies, Michael interned at Amaze Entertainment, where he worked on the smash hit PSP title “Over the Hedge: Hammy Goes Nuts!” Once finished with his degree program at DigiPen, Michael packed up his things and moved back across the country for the second time in two years to join up with Big Huge Games.

A gamer for almost his entire life, Michael is nothing short of ecstatic to be working at Big Huge. His academic background in artificial intelligence and love of fun gameplay puts him in a great position to contribute to the creation of the best games around. In addition to programming at Big Huge, Michael is also a contributing author to the Game Programming Gems series. While not at work, Michael enjoys playing games and throwing himself at the planet from high altitudes.