My name is Nolan Lichti, but I also go by FunkCracker. I’m probably too old to still be using this college-berthed nickname, but it has become my a.k.a. on the Internet. So I still use it.
I currently live in Indianapolis, IN with my wife and daughter. I pay the bills by doing software development for Liberty Mutual, but my passion has always been in games and game design.
After receiving my BA in Computer Science at Goshen College, I completed my MS at Georgia Tech in the program now called Digital Media. Previously it was called Information Design and Technology. Clearly the name change was for the best.
I learned a lot about design there, and between the faculty and students, I had the privilege of meeting many smart and creative people. My primary focus was in video games. My thesis project focused on a rule-based interface for an RTS (perhaps I’ll get that up somewhere soon for the public). I also completed a summer internship at Maxis Studios as a Production intern on the Sims 2.
Indianapolis is not a hotspot for a career in video games, and I haven’t found the time or motivation to do any projects on the side. Instead my interest has turned to board games. I’m constantly trying to come up with new ideas. I have several designs in progress, but I have not found the courage to share any with anyone yet, let alone make a playable prototype.
You can find me on BoardGameGeek as FunkCracker. I’m not much of a contributer yet, but I hope to change that as well.
Outside of board and video games, I’m an avid ultimate (frisbee) player. I also enjoy disc golf, but am much worse at it. I tinker with music, and am semi-competent on the piano, guitar, and saxophone.
Thanks for reading my blog! I hope that with the interaction of others, I can use this as a way to grow as a game designer.