Hello! My name is Andrea and this is Booster!

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This is my very first blog post! (YAY). If you are reading this, you rock! Thanks for taking the time to get to know me and check out my website. I will use this blog mostly to write reviews about games, trends in the industry, and things I like. I will do my best to post from time to time! So check my blog out when you can :) A little bit about me:

I was originally a music major. I played the violin (still do, but not nearly as much). I went to the University of South Florida for music performance. I wanted to be the musician playing the soundtracks for video games. Sadly, that dream did not work out. After a LOT of soul searching, I found myself working an office job to put myself through Grad School. I now attend Lindenwood University for Game Design. I live in Tampa with my lovable cat Booster (named after Booster from Super Mario RPG) who is the light of my life. ADOPT don't shop! I decided to get into Game Design to create video games that offer a sense of comfort. In all life's difficult challenges, I always had video games to turn to. I want to do the same for countless others and be able to create a safe space for my players. My video games will mainly focus on pro-social themes that a lot of games in the commercial industry lack. I think an important question I ask myself (and get asked often) is why do I design games and for whom? I had a rather difficult family. I know everyone thinks that or believes that, but I really had a strained relationship with my family. Not having that type of support leaves one to feel lonely. I used to feel like there was a hole in my life because I did not have that sense of family, where no matter what, you were accepted and loved for who you are. To add to that, I lost the one person who did make me feel that way in October of 2019, my grandma. The love, feelings of safety, and acceptance that my grandma gave me, I hope to give to you. When you surround yourself with good people, they lift you up. They motivate you and push you to be the best version of yourself. When you are down, they are there to pick you up and be a shoulder to lean on. Hurt people hurt other people. I want to extend my video games as a form of healing, fun, and motivation. I want to make games for everyone. Anyone and everyone who needs uplifting, motivation, and acceptance. My happiest memories and fondest life lessons were formed through gaming. Life is a never-ending challenge, filled with happiness and sorry. I want to make the world better with games for everyone. Video games with powerful narratives that can teach lessons are my goal, and I hope you enjoy the games that I create. I have been playing Ori and the Blind Forest created by Moon Studios and boy oh boy does that game have a deep and sad narrative (I cry every time I play). A recurring theme in the game is death and how we can handle it. Dealing with death is rather difficult as you never forget, nor move on. You simply accept, which is hard. However, a quote from the game that is very profound is, "Remember those who have passed, and they will forever live on." As someone who greatly misses her grandma, in moments of grief, I remember these words, and I smile, remembering happy memories with my grandma. I highly recommend this game if you are looking for a fun game that has deep themes and great music. I thank you for taking the time to get to know me and the reasons why I became a video game designer.

Please stay safe and wash your hands.

-Andrea