About Me
With a Major on Digital Animation, studies in programming for Machine Learning and a long trayectory as a business developer, I live and breathe game development industry!!
As an Entrepreneur and Business/Industry Developer
At 2012 I co-founded Frame 3 Studio, company that became one of Costa Rica's more established outsourcing and outstaffing (in art and development fields) companies in the country, working with clients from all around the world like The Sandbox, Totem, Fair Play Labs, and many more.
As one of the leading companies, Frame 3 Studio has participated in industry events all over the world (GDC, Game Connection, Dev Gamm, Gamescon, EVA, BIG) as a representative of the local industry alongside the Costa Rican Trade and Export Agency (PROCOMER), leading the way for many other younger studios in our country.
Alongside other of the major companies of Costa Rica, Frame 3 Studio became one of the founding companies of the local Game Developer's Association (ASODEV) and I had the honor to became one of the signing founding members as well as the Vicepresident for the 2022-2024 period. With ASODEV we've managed to push the industry forward by helping in the development conditions for other entrepreneurs and companies to thrive in our country, by leading scholarship processes, mentorship and consultorship for government organizations. ASODEV later became member of the LATAM VGF, helping us create even more opportunities for developers not only in Costa Rica but in Latin america.
Also, with the support of ASODEV and alongside renowned colleges in the country, I helped co-develop the first National Videogame Showcase and Conference (Expovit) that happened as an international event, opening B2B doors to our costarican companies to others like 11Bit, Square Enix, Armor Games, META Publishing, Neon Doctrine, Nintendo, ID-XBOX, Playstation, and securing sponsorships from companies like XSolla, Whisper Games, Vicon and Epic Games.
Finally, I've also been investor and co-founder of several other tech startups like ARVenture (AR Development for Marketing) and Colonizers (Metaverse), Funcrashers (Casino Gaming) that have either been sold or gained traction and are home of several talented developers!
As an Academic and Researcher
To develop an industry, the relationship between the productive sector and academia is essential. In 2015 I co-created the first approved majors in Costa Rica related to video game development and video game design at the Universidad Creativa where I have worked since then as the academic director of these majors and the major of Digital Animation, leading the formation of new generations of developers and artists. I have managed a core of teachers and students that raise over 500.
I was able to establish some of the most meaningful international partnerships and relationships that the university currently has with other institutions and companies like Epic Games, Toon Boom, San Francisco State University and the West Virginia University.
Also, I was accepted at the "Universidad Estatal a Distancia'' (UNED)as a researcher on the fields of Gamification, emerging technologies (AR, VR, XR and Metaverse). I've been leading the technical part of prototype developments of new tools that have been used in projects like MHADI (The National Digital Outdoor Museum) that combined AR outdoors with art pieces in exhibition. This project was inaugurated by the President of Costa Rica, Carlos Alvarado, and was named by the subsequent administration as National Patrimony (this as part of the collective project called "Un Encuentro con la Historia").
As a Consultant
I had the privilege of being consulted and invited around Latin America to give speeches, mentorships and business development advice in institutions like UNAD Colombia, Americana Institución Universitaria Colombia, approaching subjects like the Metaverse, gamification applied in education and human resources. I've also been consulted by PROCOMER and helped the local Trade Agency to scout companies to establish operations in the country and give mentorships in my fields of expertise.
Also, I've done volunteer work giving mentorships and classes to kids and young people coming from adverse backgrounds with an ONG in Costa Rica called Fundación Paniamor.
As an Artist and Project Owner/Manager
I have a Licenciature Major in Digital Animation and Digital Art is truly one of my passions. I've a strong background in Technical Art, 2D and 3D development (from concept to production) and in the use of a lot of the industry leading work tools like Maya, ZBrush, Blender, Unity, Unreal Engine, Substance Painter, After Effects, Photoshop, and others.
This knowledge has helped me to communicate accuratelywith the people that have worked on the companies/projects I've led, understanding their pipeline, needs, possible outcomes and problems along the road, which has been a key part of the success of all of the initiatives I've been involved in.
I've lead my team in several art and design projects like Ebenezer and the Invisible World, and Nickelodeon's All Star Brawl 2 (I've worked directing art, and managing the production pipeline in the subjects of scenario/background design, cutscene animation, rigging, VFX, character design, and many more). Check the projects below:
Finally, but not less important, hey, I'm a pretty decent piano player!! If we end up working together, I'm sure you'll hear me play soon enough!
