Draft:Jesse Freeman

Jesse Freeman is an American game developer, author, and speaker, best known for his work in developing Pixel Vision 8, a fantasy console and game creation platform inspired by retro gaming. Freeman has made significant contributions to the fields of game development and digital art.

Early Life

Jesse Freeman's fascination with technology and gaming traces back to his childhood. Growing up in the era of the iconic Nintendo Entertainment System, which debuted in 1985, Jesse was captivated by the world of video games from a young age. This early exposure to gaming sparked a lifelong passion.

His interest in technology was further fueled by the experiences he had with computers in school, laying the groundwork for his future endeavors in game development and digital art. A pivotal moment in Jesse's early life was when he received a Macintosh LC from Larry Lederman, his uncle in 1991. This gift was more than just a piece of technology; it was a gateway to the possibilities of programming and game creation for Jesse.

These formative experiences, from the pixelated adventures on his Nintendo to the educational opportunities at school and the hands-on learning with his Color Computer, were instrumental in shaping Jesse Freeman's career path. They sowed the seeds for his future contributions to the world of gaming and technology.

Career

Jesse Freeman boasts a rich career spanning over two decades, marked by leadership in developer relations, marketing, and a consistent drive for innovation. His journey began in 2004 with the New York Jets, where he contributed to web strategy, media player development, and even crafted award-winning games for their kid's site. This early exploration ignited his passion for captivating audiences through interactive experiences..

Freeman's technical prowess blossomed at Major League Baseball Advanced Media. He implemented robust workflows, expanded their platform for entertainment clients, and architected the draft tracker, solidifying his expertise in building scalable solutions.

In 2008, he transitioned to Radical Media, leading a development team and implementing agile methodologies. This fostered his collaborative spirit and honed his ability to secure business opportunities through clear communication of technical concepts.

Roundarch saw Freeman wearing multiple hats. He led development teams across diverse projects, spearheaded mobile/web strategies, architected enterprise applications, and even served as the company's technology evangelist. This multifaceted role not only broadened his technical skillset but also nurtured his leadership and communication abilities.

2012 marked his journey with Microsoft, where he actively participated in hardware launches like Surface, Windows Phone, and Windows 8. Recognizing the potential of indie game developers, he championed their inclusion in the Microsoft App Store ecosystem and advocated for their support. He also leveraged social media to connect with the developer community, growing his Twitter following by a staggering 5k in just one year.

His passion for empowering developers led him to Amazon in 2014. As a Senior Developer Evangelist, he played a pivotal role in launching and promoting Amazon devices, collaborating with developers worldwide to expand the Amazon Appstore. His collaborative approach demonstrably yielded a 1.5x increase in app submissions within the first year.

Driven by a desire to delve deeper into developer relations, Freeman joined Samsung NEXT in 2019. As the Chief Developer Advocate, he spearheaded content creation around AI/ML and directly engaged with customers and developers, deepening his understanding of the intricate relationship between technology and its users.

Currently, he leverages his extensive experience as the Sr. Director of Technical Marketing at Akamai Technologies. Leading a global team of over 25 individuals, his focus lies on developer marketing and content creation. He has successfully streamlined video production, resulting in a 114% audience growth for the Developer YouTube channel, and relaunched the company blog, increasing readership by nearly 180%. These achievements showcase his ability to develop and execute impactful marketing strategies that resonate with the developer community.

Throughout his career, Jesse Freeman has consistently championed innovation, fostered collaboration, and empowered developers to achieve their full potential. He remains passionate about building meaningful connections, creating high-quality content, and driving impactful marketing campaigns. With his diverse skillset and proven track record, Jesse Freeman is a force to be reckoned with in the ever-evolving landscape of technology.

Early Contributions and Flash Development

Freeman's career began with a focus on Adobe Flash, where he leveraged the platform to create engaging web-based games and animations. His innovative work during this period laid the foundation for his future endeavors in game development and digital art.

Game Development and Pixel Vision 8

As the digital landscape evolved, Freeman shifted his focus towards more comprehensive game development projects. His most notable contribution is the creation of Pixel Vision 8, a fantasy console and game creation platform inspired by the nostalgia of retro gaming. It standardizes 8-bit console limitations and is built on a modified version of MonoGame, offering a set of APIs for creating authentic 8-bit games. Pixel Vision 8 is highly modular, allowing for customization through a "chip" system, and supports various development tools and languages. Freeman has dedicated over six years to its development, emphasizing its educational value in game creation​.

Pixel Vision 8 has been praised for its authenticity, ease of use, and its role in democratizing game development, allowing users of all skill levels to create their own games

Community Engagement and Open Source Contributions

Freeman's dedication to the tech and gaming communities extends beyond his professional work. He has been actively involved in supporting open-source projects, including his own Pixel Vision 8.

Innovative Projects and Collaborations

Freeman's creative prowess is evident in his diverse range of projects. From integrating NodeJS with pixel art and robotics to creating games like Space Station 8 that leverage community contributions through GitHub, his work exemplifies the innovative spirit of the tech community.

Advocacy and Education

Jesse Freeman's commitment to advocacy and education in the field of game development extends well beyond his own projects. He is an active proponent of using technology responsibly and harnessing it for educational purposes. Freeman's dedication is evident in his creation of LinkedIn Learning courses like "2D Game Design and Development Essential Training" and "Game Development Foundations: Game-Related Math". These courses not only aim to teach technical skills but also encourage learners to think critically about game design and development.

Freeman's approach to education is holistic, focusing not just on imparting knowledge but also on inspiring learners to explore the creative possibilities of technology. His courses cover a range of essential topics, from the basics of game design to the application of game-related math, showcasing his belief in a strong foundation of both theory and practice.

Beyond the digital classroom, Freeman engages in broader discussions about the role of technology in society. His writings and public engagements reflect a deep concern for the ethical implications of digital innovation and a strong advocacy for historical awareness. This aspect of his work underscores a broader mission: to empower individuals not only to create but also to think critically about the impact of their creations.

Freeman's career is a testament to his belief in the transformative power of education and technology. Through his courses, writings, and public speaking, he continues to contribute to a culture of innovation that values both creativity and responsibility. His work serves as an inspiration for current and future generations to explore the limitless possibilities of digital creativity while maintaining a mindful approach to technological advancement.

Publications

Freeman is also an accomplished author, with several publications to his name. His book "Building HTML5 Games with ImpactJS: An Introduction on HTML5 Game Development" is a notable work that guides readers through the process of creating a 2D game from start to finish. This book reflects Freeman's commitment to sharing his knowledge and expertise with a broader audience.

Books

Freeman, Jesse. Building HTML5 Games with ImpactJS: An Introduction on HTML5 Game Development. [Publication Year: 2012]. This book guides readers through creating a real 2D game from start to finish using ImpactJS, a JavaScript game framework that works with HTML5's Canvas element.

Selected Articles

"The Anatomy of an Amazon 6-pager." The Writing Cooperative. [Published Date: Jul 12, 2023]. A detailed exploration of writing comprehensive planning documents, drawing from experiences at Amazon.

"AI in Music: A New Era of Composition." [Published Date: Jul 4, 2023]. Discusses the intersection of technology and creativity in AI-generated music, sharing personal experiences with AI music composition.

"Introduction to AI Prompting and Generative Art." [Published Date: Nov 6, 2021]. An introductory guide to AI prompting and its application in creating generative art, encouraging readers to explore their creative potential with AI.

"The Dark Side of Supporting an Open-Source Project." [Published Date: Nov 3, 2021]. Reflects on the challenges and personal experiences of maintaining Pixel Vision 8, a fantasy console and game creation platform.

"NodeJS + Pixel Art + Robot Arm = Fun." [Published Date: Nov 3, 2021]. Shares an innovative project combining NodeJS, pixel art, and a robotic arm to create generative art.

"I Made A Game In 72 Hours That Uses GitHub Issues To Crowdsource Map." [Published Date: Nov 3, 2021]. Details the creation of Space Station 8, a micro-platformer developed in 72 hours for Ludum Dare 49, highlighting the use of GitHub for community collaboration.

"Open Sourcing My Tools For Generating Tutorials From Source Code." [Published Date: May 21, 2021]. Discusses the development and open-sourcing of tools designed to automate the creation of tutorials from source code, reflecting on the importance of documentation in open-source projects.

References

1. "2D Game Design and Development Essential Training." LinkedIn Learning, taught by Jesse Freeman. 2D Game Design and Development Essential Training.
2. "Game Development Foundations: Game-Related Math." LinkedIn Learning, taught by Jesse Freeman. Game Development Foundations: Game-Related Math.#Freeman, Jesse. "Pixel Vision 8's Philosophy and Workflows." PixelVision8 Wiki, edited by Jesse Freeman, 11 Nov. 2021, [PixelVision8 Wiki](https://github.com/PixelVision8/PixelVision8/wiki).
3. "Building HTML5 Games with ImpactJS: An Introduction on HTML5 Game Development." O'Reilly Media, 2012, [O'Reilly Media](https://www.oreilly.com/pub/au/3725).
4. Freeman, Jesse. "The Anatomy of an Amazon 6-pager." The Writing Cooperative, 12 Jul. 2023, [The Writing Cooperative](https://writingcooperative.com/the-anatomy-of-an-amazon-6-pager-fc79f31a41c9).
5. Freeman, Jesse. "AI in Music: A New Era of Composition." Jesse Freeman's Blog, 4 Jul. 2023, [Jesse Freeman's Blog](https://jessefreeman.com/ai-in-music-a-new-era-of-composition-caaba6f00718).
6. Freeman, Jesse. "Introduction to AI Prompting and Generative Art." Jesse Freeman's Blog, 6 Nov. 2021, [Jesse Freeman's Blog](https://jessefreeman.com/introduction-to-ai-prompting-and-generative-art-d442d83e8392).
7. Freeman, Jesse. "The Dark Side of Supporting an Open-Source Project." Hashnode, 3 Nov. 2021, [Hashnode](https://jessefreeman.hashnode.dev/the-dark-side-of-supporting-an-open-source-project).
8. Freeman, Jesse. "NodeJS + Pixel Art + Robot Arm = Fun." Hashnode, 3 Nov. 2021, [Hashnode](https://jessefreeman.hashnode.dev/nodejs-pixel-art-robot-arm-fun).
9. Freeman, Jesse. "I Made A Game In 72 Hours That Uses GitHub Issues To Crowdsource Maps." Hashnode, 3 Nov. 2021, [Hashnode](https://jessefreeman.hashnode.dev/i-made-a-game-in-72-hours-that-using-github-issues-to-crowd-source-maps).
10. Freeman, Jesse. "Open Sourcing My Tools For Generating Tutorials From Source Code." DEV Community, 21 May 2021, [DEV](https://dev.to/jessefreeman/open-sourcing-my-tools-for-generating-tutorials-from-source-code-10o4).