OUR FOUNDER'S UNIQUE PATH
Hello I'm Scott Stevens,
Founder and Creative Director of 2Play Games.
I started designing dungeons for version one of Dungeons and Dragons in the 1970's. I'm constantly looking for a new creative outlets. I have over 40 years of experience in the arts & entertainment. Throughout my journey, I have always focused on creative solutions to problem solving.
After college I had the unique opportunity to take theatre into prisons across the United States. I was the designer and IT specialist for the Geese Theatre Company which worked exclusively in prisons. From Sing Sing to San Quentin, Geese Company provided specialized performances and workshops for all prison populations.
My interest in game & play theory began with the Drama Therapy methods incorporated by Geese Company. I embraced two principles from these techniques that have been the foundation of my work ever since: "Who is the audience?" and "What is the message?" Although these started as theatrical ideas, they apply to many industries. I will define their use in games in future blogs.
I expanded my play/drama therapy techniques working with young victims of abuse. This included developing a set of specialized masks to be used in interacting with the children.
My work with children continued in Colombia, South America, where I was the designer/technical director for Teatro Bambalinas.
I was the first MFA graduate from a new program in Dramatic Media at the University of Georgia. The program explored the two-way relationship between theatre and the digital arts. It emphasized the importance of dramatic principles and story telling techniques in computer animation/graphics. My first project received an Emmy Award. The program also explored game design. My team project won 1st Place for game design at the annual San Francisco SIGGRAPH chapter contest.
After grad school my career path took various turns: teaching computer graphics at the Academy of Arts College in San Francisco, and a variety of roles with touring Broadway shows. I finally ran off to Las Vegas to join the circus. I spent nearly 10 years on the management team for the world's largest production show: KÀ, by Cirque du Soleil. It was great to be surrounded by so many talented artists. They inspired me to head down the creative road again.
When I'm not in front of a computer I enjoy exploring the world. Whether it be from the depths of the Grand Canyon, along the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu, or gazing at the top of the world from Mount Everest Base Camp, I love to find new perspectives in challenging myself. I occasionally enjoy a good cigar, like my victory cigar at Mount Everest Base Camp in the photo. In that same spirit, 2Play Games strives to challenge the boundaries of games.
We have many exciting projects in the works. Thanks for stopping by.
- Scott