Billy Katz
Hi, I am a game developer with a passion for deckbuilders and roguelikes. In 2020, I quit my job at Amazon because I knew I wanted to be a game developer. In 2022, I released my first game and landed my first industry job at Good Luck Games. I work mostly in game design and programming but I also love creating VFX and tinkering with hand drawn animations.
Ultimate Frisbee
I am a two time National Champion and two time World Champion in ultimate frisbee. I have played since 2010 and I compete with my club team “Mixtape” based in Seattle, WA. I have also played on the USA National Team at the World Beach Frisbee Championships.
I love Ultimate Frisbee because the game is self-refereed which means the players on the field make the calls. This means that players value integrity and treat one another with respect and dignity.
Favorite birthday celebration
My favorite way to celebrate my birthday is to cook a huge meal for my friends. I am Filipino-American and I connect with my heritage by cooking traditional foods like adobo, sinigang, pancit, kaldereta, pinakbet, and garlic fried rice.
If I’m not playing a game…
Then I am probably cooking dinner, clamming at a local beach, or hiking with friends.
If I were stranded on a desert island and could bring 1 book, 1 movie, 1 album, what would they be?
Ancillary Justice. I really love how Ann Lecke writes about gender and I love the idea of an AI holding a grudge forever.
My Cousin Vinny. Every single scene is hilarious and the New York accent makes me feel like I am home.
Aja by Steely Dan. My dad was a huge influence on me and my musical tastes and now I love jazz and funk music and Aja is a beautiful combination of both.
Favorite Boardgame
Wingspan. It combines intriguing engine-building mechanics, beautiful artwork, balanced strategies and it a great two player game.
Favorite PC game
Storybook Brawl. I love the way it challenges players to strategically build a composition of famous fairy tale characters. It has an incredibly satisfying power curve and when you plan and get the right cards, everything falls into place.
Favorite Mobile game
Isle of Arrows. This game combines base building with tower defense and it reminds me of what good old fashioned mobile gaming used to be.