Steven Raines

When I was a kid, I played a game called Star Wars Jedi Knight II: Jedi Outcast on PC. One day my friend showed me a website where you could download "mods" for the game, and this unexpectedly started me on my journey as a software developer. By making mods I learned about 3D modeling, particle effects, shaders, making maps, level scripting, and learning how to use software like Photoshop.

After graduating from high school, I completed an Associate in Science degree from Cape Fear Community College before transfering to the University of North Carolina at Wilmington. At UNCW I majored in Computer Science with a concentration on Digital Arts.

After graduation, I began learning web dev and landed my first job as a junior web developer at Queensboro Shirt Company, a local screen print and embroidery business. I worked there for three years until the company was forced to downsize on account of the COVID-19 pandemic.

After an unsuccessful stint trying my hand at being a self-employed game dev, I landed my next job as a web developer with Piestar. I worked remotely with them for four years until DOGE funding cuts forced them to lay off several employees.