#MeetIronGalaxy - Dan Nelson

You never know where a Career in gaming will take you. A slight pivot could lead to an unexpected career in an area you never knew you’d love.

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In this interview series, we speak with the people that make this studio both a home of amazing projects and even more amazing teammates. Today, we’re talking to Daniel Nelson. He started with us back in 2011 in our Chicago Studio and has since made his way to our newest studio in Nashville. Let’s catch up and see what pivots got him to where he is today.

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Iron Galaxy: Who are you and what would you say you do here at Iron Galaxy?

Daniel Nelson: My name is Daniel Nelson and I’m a Lead VFX Artist here at Iron Galaxy. I get to play around with virtual elements like smoke, water, fire to make a gameplay action feel impactful.

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IG: With Dan’s powers combined! What’s the most challenging aspect of being a virtual Captain Planet of Iron Galaxy?

DN: Besides keeping the framerate running smooth with complex particle systems, I’d say the most challenging aspect would be conveying gameplay actions in all sorts of scenarios. The animation team here is incredible! They lay the groundwork for me to add the extra visuals that attacks or weapons need to feel powerful and show the area of attack. If there’s six people fighting near each other, all players near and far need to see what’s always happening.

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IG: It helps to have a great team to bring out your best work. Did any skills from your youth translate to how you work today?

DN: I spent a lot of time building things out of K’Nex and Legos. I still build the occasional ship from Star Wars. I always enjoy the technical challenge of building something, while also focusing on aesthetics. When I was around the age of 7, I once poured a cup of milk in a sink that was half full of water. Seeing the milk mix with the water created a very cool visual that really stuck with me.

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IG: Your attention to detail manifested early. How is your role unique compared to others in the company?

DN: Working with fluid simulations is mostly unique to a VFX Artist role. This includes water and gaseous fluids. Besides simulating them, we need to be able to capture them to run in a real-time environment.

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IG: That does sound like it would demand a certain expertise. Has your work changed over the years to help you hone your skills?

DN: I was initially hired as a contractor to have my time split 50/50 between Level Design for Wreckateer and QA for Street Fighter III: 3rd Strike. On my first day, I had spent the first couple of hours building my PC, we didn't have IT at the time, and syncing Wreckateer. While that was going, I then helped Dan Coleman test some menus and had a match or two with Dave Lang, which I'm proud to say I won. I ended up not doing any more QA work after that first day, as my time was needed more on Wreckateer.

As my contract was ending at the end of 2011, it wasn't looking like there would be enough design work for me to do. I told Dave that I was really hoping for full-time, and he asked if I had any other interests in game dev, to which I replied, art. He reached out to Chad Newhouse and sure enough, we needed a VFX artist. I had absolutely no experience in it, but IG allowed me to spend a couple of months learning it. I ended up really enjoying it and from then on, I've been in the art department as a VFX Artist with a sub role as a Tech Artist.

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IG: Amazing how quickly your path can pivot. Do you have a moment you're most proud of at Iron Galaxy?

DN: In the very early days of Rumbleverse, one of the first things I prototyped was the falling VFX of one player grappling another from the top of a building. I like to give people that “wow” factor whenever possible, and that seemed to happen more times than not when it was shown at a company meeting.

IG: That was a very “wow” moment in the game! If you could give advice to someone looking to start a career in gaming and wow people just like you, what would it be?

DN: Try as many aspects of game development as you can. Learn the basics of 3d modeling, texture creation, material creation, scripting, and the principles of animation and lighting. When creating an effect, you are typically responsible for all the elements that it needs. This also includes hooking it up to spawn and interact with gameplay.

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IG: Stack your toolbox with as many skills as possible. What is the best thing about working at a video game development company?

DN: Being surrounded by the most passionate, intelligent, and talented people I’ve ever had the pleasure to work with. Projects we’ve released, as well as talks and presentations people give, really show how much fun others are also having with their work.

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IG: We need to keep a running tally of how many times people have that answer. Besides the great people that work here, what is your favorite perk associated with your job?

DN: I get to work on both the tech and art side of game development. Switching between particle systems, scripting, material creation, texture creation and modeling helps keep things feeling fresh.

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IG: Your brain gets a nice workout. How collaborative are you with different teams across Iron Galaxy?

DN: On most projects, I’m working with a variety of other departments on a weekly basis. On Rumbleverse, I was in talks with a programmer at least once a week. I’d work closely with the Character, Animation, Audio, and Environment teams throughout the project.

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IG: Teamwork is essential. What are your main goals when you are creating games for people?

DN: As I mentioned earlier when it comes to VFX, I go after that “wow” factor. Whether that’s getting people amped up from a powerful explosion or setting the mood with a weather system that feels ominous.

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IG: Love it, get the people amped up! What was the best “wow” factor you’ve seen a game have over someone?

DN: We had received a message from someone who played Rumbleverse about being very thankful for the different body types we provided. It helped them express themselves in the game like no other has.

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IG: It was great to see the affect Rumbleverse had on people with the focus on inclusivity, diversity, and accessibility for all. Let’s pivot to some more personal questions. What is your hometown?

DN: I grew up in Morton Grove, IL until 7th grade. Home of the original Pequod’s pizza.

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‍IG: A frontrunner for many in the great deep dish pizza debate of Chicago! Aside from playing video games, do you have any hobbies?

DN: I’ve been learning a lot of home improvement things over the last few years. I can change out toilets, light fixtures, and most major appliances now without hurting myself. I don’t get to often, but I also really enjoy hockey and high speed electric go kart racing.

IG: Sounds like you applied your own advice of learning as many skills as you can! If you could only eat one food for the rest of your life, what would you choose?

DN: I’d probably get sick of it after a week or two, but WOW do I love butter chicken. When I go to my favorite Indian restaurants, I always eat until my stomach hurts.

IG: What is your favorite travel destination?

DN: I go on yearly fishing trips with family in Chetek, Wisconsin. There’s always lots of laughter and drinks on the Pontoon we rent. The town is small and far from major cities and that always gives me a nice break from the normal day to day throughout the year.

IG: Any one place that you hope to see one day?

DN: I’d like to visit Italy someday as that’s where my mom’s side of the family is from. I also love pizza and pasta…

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IG: That’s a lot of carbs so don’t treat it the same as butter chicken! Do you have a favorite book or series?

DN: I read Masters of Doom back in college. Easily the most inspiring book I’ve ever ready. It goes through the history of John Carmack and John Romero, the start of ID software, and the creation of some of their earlier games. Wolfenstein 3D is one of the first games I played and loved every minute of it.

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IG: Hold for one second as I throw that on my Chicago Public Library pull list. Thanks for the recommendation! What was the last concert you saw?

DN: I had received some free tickets from an awesome coworker to see Elton John. I like some of his music, and my girlfriend is a big fan, so I decided to go. I enjoyed it more than I thought I would.

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IG: What game have you spent the most time playing?

DN: Lately it has been the DMZ mode of Call of Duty. I was very big into CoD from the first one, up until Modern Warfare 2. I stopped playing for over 5 years and DMZ finally got me back.

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IG: Can you think or a movie you’ve probably seen more than any other?

DN: Back to the Future. I think I’ve watched that movie (sometimes the sequels as well) once a week between the ages of 7 and 10.

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IG: Back to the Future 1, 2 and even 3 can really get your mind racing at a young age. What about binge worth series, any that have been your favorite?

DN: I think I’ve only really watched a total of 5 full series. I was almost going to say Parks and Rec, but my pick is The Boys. I really enjoy the realistic take on superheroes. Some crazy things happen in almost every episode and combined with great cliffhangers; makes you want to start another episode.

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IG: You get a pass to choose both. On the other end of the spectrum, do you have a movie you love that bombed!

DN: Starship Troopers. It was one of those rare movies that came out when I was a kid that all the adults talked about being so gruesome. This of course made me want to see it. I now watch it at least once every other year.

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IG: We would like to know more... If you could join the cast of The Boys in their real-world antics, what superpower would you choose?

DN: I’d pick flying like Superman. It looks like a ton of fun, and I’d also be able to go almost anywhere in a very short amount of time.

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IG: What about wishes? If you could have one wish, what would it be?

DN: I’m going to go the easy route and say unlimited money. There’s a lot of things I’ve wanted to get and try. Until my house is paid off, I’m probably more careful with my money than I should be. I’d also go crazy with donations and being generous with close family and friends.

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IG: For this next question imagine this scenario: You’re a high schooler and your friend, the local neighborhood scientist, has created a time machine. Where do you go?

DN: If my safety is guaranteed, I’d like to see some real dinosaurs.

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IG: Doc Brown didn’t always seem like he was thinking safety through, but I’m sure in this scenario you’d be fine. If you could have dinner with anyone in the world, who would you invite?

DN: Adam Sandler. I grew up loving his movies and albums. He also just seems like an overall good person.

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IG: Which historical figure would you want to show the modern world?

DN: The Wright Brothers. I’d be sure to show them how the modern air transportation industry is working out. I think they’d be blown away by the advances that have been made with modern aircraft.

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IG: I think they’d be pleasantly surprised with the advances. Just like you were presently surprised with the advances and changes you’ve seen with your time at Iron Galaxy! Thanks for taking the time to sit down and talk with us today Dan, it’s been a pleasure.

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