About GameDev.net
GameDev.net launched as a resource for game developers in June 1999.
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Who is behind GameDev.net?
Our staff and moderators have extensive experience, depth, and breadth of knowledge in the technology and development of games. We are developers first. We know the technology, develop games, middleware, tools, and more for the games industry, and we also happen to know how to run an online platform like GameDev.net. Combined we have centuries of game development and games industry experience.
Kevin Hawkins (@khawk) is the founder, owner, and admin for GameDev.net. You can learn more about him on LinkedIn and Twitter.
View our staff and moderator directory here.
Our History
GameDev.net was created for the sole purpose of providing a public site where game developers could freely exchange information, inspire each other, and connect throughout the industry. We are primarily funded by advertising, affiliate programs, and paid memberships through GDNet+.
In 1998, the founders of GameDev.net originally ran their own game development sites. At the time the web was small, generally segregated, and making the list in the Yahoo directory was a major achievement. The founders started talking about working together and eventually led to the idea of a one-stop destination for "all your game development needs" - our original slogan.
By early 1999, the "gamedev.net" domain was purchased - the name representative of "game development network" - and design and layout discussions began. On June 15, 1999, all traffic from the individual sites were rerouted to https://www.gamedev.net, and GameDev.net was live.
GameDev.net June '99
As the "game development network", GameDev.net consisted of the main site, the Wotsit's Format file format directory site, the Game Development Search Engine which was a Google for game development, and Demonews for the demo scene. Soon after launch we also added NeHe Productions, the most popular site to learn OpenGL.
GameDev.net in 2001
Founders
GameDev.net has always been a passion project for its founders and volunteers and has continued to grow and evolve as the games industry has evolved.
Only one founder is still involved in GameDev.net: Kevin Hawkins ( @khawk ). Kevin has worn every hat at GameDev.net over its lifetime and continues as the site admin, including working with partners, developing new features, and ensuring GameDev.net continues its mission to provide a free, independent resource for game developers.
These founders are no longer involved with GameDev.net, but without them it would not be the great resource that it is today:
- Dave Astle @Myopic Rhino
- Michael Tanczos @Michael Tanczos
- John Munsch
- Don Thorp @dthorp
- Ernest Pazera @TANSTAAFL
- Greg Howland @ghowland
- Nick Murphy @Nick Murphy