Founding Santa Barbara Games

Hey there! 👋 I’m Shawn. I founded Santa Barbara Games, and I'm happy that you've found your way here.

When I was a kid, I often felt like an outsider. And when the real world got tough, games were my escape. They never judged. They never let me down. Sure, my dad would shake his head and tell me I should be playing outside. But, from scribbling made-up Zelda dungeons on the back of my homework to my first adventure into gaming entrepreneurship (selling MMO gold in high school), deep down, I knew if I stuck with my passion that it would lead to something amazing.

That something turned out to be a job at a gaming behemoth. Dream come true, right? Well, sort of… I’ll forever be grateful for that experience, but here's the thing: I've always had a bit of rebellious streak and a drive to make games with heart. So, I took a leap of faith and founded an indie game studio! We're a small tight-knit team of incredible people crafting experiences that we hope will stick with you long after you’ve finished playing. Our studio runs on a mix of imagination and fun that brings everyone together as an important part of something really special.

So, whether you're a fellow gamer, a potential collaborator, or just curious about what we do, welcome! I’m excited to share our journey with you and can't wait to show you what we're bringing to life. 🪄

What we’re about

We are a close-knit team that creates games that deeply resonate with players, and leave them with lasting, delightful memories.

We make games we love.

We will always double down on heart. We are players first and foremost crafting engaging and delightful experiences that are as captivating to play as it was for us to build. We embrace being a modest, independent studio with the freedom to pursue unique ideas and infuse our passion into all our projects.

We may be small, but we’re a mighty team.

We build each other up, and in doing so together build the place where we all shape how our games come to life. No one person can do it alone - it takes the village we have built. Each one of us nurtures our quest for ongoing evolution.

We work smart and play hard.

We are at our best when we can rest. There will be times when we know we will need to hustle, but by taking care of ourselves and our team we will have the right balance to healthily achieve our goals.

We’re in partnership with our community.

We’re grateful to have such wonderful people who support our creative endeavors. We honor them by creating personal relationships that guide our development and enrich our games. We foster a community that always feels welcome and is deeply connected through the fun of gaming.