Hello, I’m Mandi – I started my career as a video game designer and I’m now a software engineer making websites do things that once used to be the exclusive domain of desktop software.
I love complex systems and weird problems. You can view my project portfolio here.
TILCode is short for Today I Learned… in code. TILCode exists to “give back” to the massive developer community that has given me so much.
Hi, I just found your blog and like it! I’d love to suggest an article for beginners on how to do a simple MySQL database query from inside a webpage using PHP for example. Suppose one has a database hosted someplace and they just want to display data from all or some headings. Could you break it down into something utterly simple and reproducible?
Hello! I just came across your blog when I was searching for more information about OSU online CS program. Thank you for sharing your experience with the world :).
Hi chicken__steak!
If you don’t mind me asking, did you have any D or F grades in STEM courses during your first BS career when you applied to OSU program? Some schools like FSU require C or better grades for STEM courses, and I was wondering if OSU has the same requirement besides the minimum GPA requirement of 2.75.
Hi!
If you don’t mind me asking, what motivated you to make the jump from Video Game Designer to Programmer? and are you still in the same industry?
I think the biggest motivator was the shift in what it means to be a game designer at a lot of companies right now. The last two game studios I worked for were making “freemium” (pay to win) games.
I’m more of a classic PC and console gamer and I felt out of my depth trying to design “addiction loops” and trying to motivate people to spend real money on in-game things. It just wasn’t fun for me and I couldn’t relate to the players who basically pay money to avoid parts of a game that’s supposed to be fun.
I’ve always liked making websites as a hobby and thought it might make a good full-time career. Since switching from game designer to web developer I’ve found better working hours (no weekend work), more stability (fewer layoffs and studio closures), and higher pay (my highest game industry salary was my lowest web dev salary).
I’m a full-time web developer making web-based tools and interfaces for web app. I find it enjoyable and satisfying and I’m glad I made the switch.