Hello!
I’m Matt. I am a Game Programmer working out of Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. I’ve been doing this for over 10 years now, and over that time I’ve had the chance to work on some amazing projects! I helped develop the online lobby systems used across almost every EA Sports title. I helped architect and create the Flash frontend systems used by Radical Entertainment on multiple shipped titles (and a few cancelled ones). I also lead both the Frontend and Mission programmers on Prototype 1 and 2 respectively.
In 2012 I left Radical Entertainment to help build a new studio in Vancouver: Digital Scapes. Starting with just 3 people, we (more-than) doubled in size within the first year! Funded by Techland, the studio behind Dead Island, we developed a special PVP “be the zombie” game mode for the game Dying Light, released in early 2015.
Currently I work for Microsoft at The Coalition creating Gears of War!
In my spare time I program even more! I love making small 2D games where I can take the role of Designer and Technical Director. Sometimes I even play Artist. Most of these projects are open source, so I hope to find the time and place to share some of that work on this website. Check out my most recently released indie games on itch.io!
Hi Matt, When are you selling more copies of From Below? I need a copy for my NES collection. Plus the game looks fun! I am surprised no copies have been resold on ebay yet. Let me know.
I would recommend posting on the “Project Recruiting” channel of the NESdev discord.
https://discord.gg/AdMQJzjV9P
Someone there might be able to help out. The other channels on there will be good for getting more information if you want to do things yourself. I’m on there as well.
http://frombelowgame.com/
Hi Steve,
I don’t have any more to sell at this time, but will be doing a final run of 50 at some point.
Join the mailing g list above.
Hi Matt. Just read your article on porting NES games to the Vs. Thanks for doing that! The Vs has a limited library of titles. There are only 4 light gun games for example.
Yah, it was actually news to me that it even existed. Glad you enjoyed it!
Hey Matt!
“Recently” the NES game “Witch N Wiz” came out in physical form.
But since I don’t have a credit card and I became aware of the game too late for the LRG sale, I was hoping to find something from you personally…
Do you have a CIB version of the game for me to purchase?
I would be very happy about a short feedback, no matter what kind!
Until then, I remain with best regards from Cuxhaven!
Sven
P.S.: Give the “NES Commando” a try… German NES Content Creators on YouTube which recently streamed WNW gameplay (https://www.nescommando.de, https://www.youtube.com/c/nescommando)
Hi Sven,
I don’t have any copies for sale sorry. It likely won’t be on sale again until fall 2023!
Hi Matt,
Like your site.
Would like to order a printed copy of your imagine.
What would postage to the Netherlands be?
For years I’m reading the UK retro gamer which I enjoy monthly and can recommend to every retro gamer (there is a German version as well).
Also interested in e re-release of your Home-brews so please add me to the list.
With kind regards, Sten
Hi Sten,
You can see how much it cost to ship by entering your shipping information during check out here:
https://www.magcloud.com/browse/issue/2212332
You can get the shipping cost without paying. Looks like its about $4USD to ship to the Netherlands.
Hi Sten,
You can see how much it cost to ship by entering your shipping information during check out here:
https://www.magcloud.com/browse/issue/2212332
You can get the shipping cost without paying. Looks like its about $4USD to ship to the Netherlands.
Hey Matt,
I just now found out about VS. From Below and am super excited! I own a VS. Unisystem AND a VS. Dualsystem Table (RedTent). First of all, thank you for giving love to this under-appreciated system. It seems like it’s often overshadowed by the PlayChoice. :/ I would LOVE to setup a board to swap in my RedTent with the other boards I swap from time to time with your game on BOTH sides. How cool! But, there is no attract mode and I really can’t risk my CRTs. These specific monitors are difficult to find and a pain to maintain but it’s worth it. Really, I just have one question:
Do you think you’ll be adding attract to VS. From Below soon? If so, I’ll start gathering the parts I need for another board. 🙂 Either way, Thanks again!
I have good news! There is already an Attract Mode in VS From Below! You can find a full list of additional features on the game’s website: http://vs.frombelowgame.com/
That is GREAT to hear. I’m not sure where I read that it did not. Now I need to source some parts. Thanks!
Hi
I want to learn Game Development
can you help me ?
I am not able to reach to following link :
https://www.matthughson.com/game-development-without-engines
regards
Hi Matt,
I’d be interested to hear your experience in dealing with publishers like Limited Run Games (I have already contacted them myself but they appear a bit coy talking about publishing rights for games not yet quite finished).
I’m working on my first NES game myself (Currently dubbed “Project Tower Cat”) and am thankful for any tips.
Feel free to email me
Hi Mark,
Working with LRG was good. The biggest plus is that it exposes your game to their massive audience that might not be aware of what is going on in homebrew (I’m not sure if you are making a homebrew game or not).
It makes sense to me that they wouldn’t be super interested in a game that isn’t done yet, tbh. Their business is (for the most part) taking existing digital games, and putting them on physical media. The LRG machine is really going to kick in when the game is done, and you have all your marketing material, box art, etc ready to go. Prior to that, I’m not sure what they can do. I approached them after Witch n’ Wiz was pretty much done (but prior to the digital release). You probably want to get pretty close to wrapping up the project before engaging with them, would be my guess.
Hope that helps!
Hello, I am a great fan of your games. Can I make of your games the windows-, browser- or android-versions?
Hello, Matt! Thank you for the guide for “embedding an NES Emulator on itch.io. It’s been very helpful with planning a current project.
Question, though, if you please (comments on that article are closed) — do you happen to have an updated zip file that’s more current that the one posted? When I check out your game on itch.io, it formats properly on mobile devices and shows a virtual gamepad overlay. But when I test using your most recent example, it doesn’t work properly on mobile, and no gamepad. So I’m hoping you might have, and be willing to share, and updated example.
Even if not, thanks again for the guidance! It was a huge help!
Hi Matt,
I was wondering if I could get in touch with you regarding your design on GRO that made expandable hockey pads. I am looking for any knowledge of designing hockey equipment and would love to understand your process!
Best,
William
Hey Matt,
I am working on a short dungeon game to go along with a band’s album release coming up in 2025. I was curious if you could answer a few questions about releasing games in a limited run on cartridge (NES and/or Gameboy carts). I know the company Limited Run Games but am curious of the best route to accomplish this on a low budget. My second question is about what software to use for development. Ideally we’d turn actually recorded songs into midi files. After messing around making gameboy games, I realized this process was not so simple. I know I’m asking some big questions here as an artist/designer. I would really love to hear your opinions on this before I begin plugging away on this project.
Best,
Alex
Dear Mr. Matt Hughson,
I am writing to you because I have been working on an idea for a board and video game for 2 years and now I want to make it a reality.
With my distance learning degree in economics at the renowned state University of Hagen, I see myself more as a project manager who can solve financial and structural problems.
For this purpose, I would like to ask you to provide me with your old development environments for the very first XBox, if still possible, especially the Titanium Engine with Mysql Support.
If my project on the old Xbox is a success (possibly also financially), I offer you the right of first refusal of the game including all merchandising rights in return. I simply lack skilled workers for an implementation on the newer consoles.
Dear Mr. Matt Hughson,
I know this all sounds very vague and unlikely, but the risk is comparatively low for you.
Your trademark rights are also excluded. The designs are all created by the designers, only the game engines are to be used, for the time being.
What do you think of that? Are we in business?
Best regards,
Silvio Reindl