Origin Story: Concept Art House

SF: This is the second installment of our Origin Story series, which documents the beginning of interesting companies in the words of the founders. James is the CEO of Concept Art House, a external provider of extremely high quality art. He’s used by a number of companies across the game industry. I mostly like him because he provided art for Magic: The Gathering.

James Zhang: This was my life plan when I was about 14 years old.

Step 1: Go to art school.

“Check”

Step 2: Learn to draw really well.

“Check.”

Step 3: Get a job working on Star Wars.

“Check.”

Step 4: Create the next Star Wars.  Become George Lucas.

“ ….…..”

Apparently, that 4th step is really, really hard.

Unfortunately, I didn’t find that out until I was 30 years old.

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Origin Story: 5th Planet Games

JM: We asked our friends Steve Pladson and Rob Winkler, the co-CEOs of 5th Planet Games, to tell us their story, of actually taking their craft into an asteroid field. We’re thrilled and honored to feature them as the first guest writers on SoMoFos. Enjoy.

SP/RW: Six friends, each with a passion and love of games, are unwinding after a raucous night of hardcore Ted Nelson (aka extreme Marco Polo). One turns to the others and says “I’m not playing another game until I make one.” The others laugh in incredulity but this time, unlike so many before, there was certitude which would prevail over ennui. Thus, a company was born.

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