Last Online: 6/5/08
Andy Schatz
CEO, Founder, Pocketwatch Games
Pocketwatch Games
Venture Arctic
Wildlife Tycoon: Venture Africa
Qatfish: THE Source for Game Development Opinion
Everyone needs a snotty bio:
Andy Schatz is a veteran of the console/PC video game world. He is responsible for the first ever Xbox Live implementation (Whacked!), the first title to use Electronic Arts multiplatform (PS2, Xbox) online console implementation (Golden Eye: Rogue Agent), as well as game code, complex AI, and game design for a number of titles (Star Trek: Hidden Evil, Whacked!, Medal of Honor: Breakthrough).
Andy started Pocketwatch Games in January 2005. He designed, engineered, managed and contributed art to the acclaimed indie title, Wildlife Tycoon: Venture Africa. Venture Africa, a strategic ecosystem simulator was built in 10 months for $8000 dollars in conjunction with a global team of artists. It is downloadable for the PC and Mac as well as available in retail stores. Venture Africa went on to merit nominations for the Grand Prize at both the 2006 Independent Games Festival and the 2006 Slamdance Festival.
Currently, Andy is working on Venture Arctic, the second game in the Venture series of ecosystem sim games.
Inspired by the Wild
San Diego TV Appearances
San Diego's Fox 6 Morning Show
The IGF
I'm a big believer in the Independent Games Festival. The IGF helps to promote some of the best "indie" games out there through helping to broker publishing deals, publicizing independently developed games, and more. In 2006, Wildlife Tycoon: Venture Africa was a finalist for the Grand Prize, and in 2007, I had the honor of being the MC of the awards ceremony.
Venture Arctic Teaser
The team behind VAr
Donnie Bugden
Adam deGrandis
Nate Clowar
John Seguin
Beth Dillon
Artie Moffa
Venture Arctic is a ground-breaking ecosystem sim game that plays like a cross between a real-time strategy game and a paint program. In it, players embark on open-ended adventures in icy lands where wolves roam the tundra and orcas patrol the seas.
My Communities
Qatfish Originals
This feed is scheduled to be updated shortly
Titles I've Worked On
Hanauma Bay, Oahu
I recently visited our modeler, Nate Clowar, at his home in Hawaii. We shot some video in Hanauma Bay, a famous spot for snorkelers and divers. Video!
