Getting the Ball Rolling

[Anthony Pecorella]

It's very cool how things can start coming together before the work has even begun. I'm in the progress of organizing both an advisory team and a development team for this project. The advisory team has been ridiculously easy - there are so many people who are interested in providing help and support! I am fortunate that Jed Macosko, a physics professor at Wake Forest University, has been deeply involved with the project, finding numerous professors at Wake to help out and offer their expertise. Additionally, he had a fantastic connection with a top line computer gaming company who is interested in working with us in an advisory role, and potentially promoting us in the long run.

On the development side, I have a very talented developer and artist who has signed on, which is extremely exciting. His name is Lars Doucet and he is the primary developer of Super Energy Apocalypse (http://www.brainjuicegames.com/games.html), a very cool strategy game that teaches the players about important issues such as renewable energy, pollution, and, of course, zombies. It's a very cool project and everyone should check it out!

I'm currently seeking hopefully one more team member (2 if necessary, depending on the available time commitments). I think I have a good connection to a great artist (who also can code!) who would make a fantastic addition, but I'm waiting to see if there's any interest.

I think that's probably about it for my opening blog post. I'm very excited about this project! I'm going to learn a ton while simultaneously putting out an exciting, educational game to the public.

[cathy davidson]

Fantastic news, Anthony, that you are already getting things rolling even before the official grant begins. One caution we've shared with other grantees: U of California, which issues checks and reimbursements, frowns on expenses incurred to the grant before the actual award letter and check is issued. It's worth keeping in mind. You can contact the UCHRI staff, especially Jessica Pham, about this (Jessica Pham ).


But ideas can be exchanged any time, even if money can't before the grant itself. And we are very excited about your project and are delighted you are already on your way. It sounds like it will be a terrific year.