In the rapidly evolving world of blockchain gaming, Gemz stands out as a project driven by visionaries and industry veterans who are shaping the future of Web3. The team behind Gemz is not just another group of anonymous developers.
These are some of the most accomplished minds in the gaming and tech industry, with a collective history of groundbreaking success and innovation.
Curious about who’s steering the ship? Let’s meet the key players behind the magic of Gemz. 💎
Justin Waldron (Co-Founder): The Pioneer of Social Gaming
When you think of social gaming, names like FarmVille, CityVille, and Words with Friends immediately come to mind. These games revolutionized the way we interact and play with each other online, and Justin Waldron was one of the driving forces behind their creation.
Justin is a co-founder of Zynga, one of the most iconic gaming companies of the last decade. Zynga’s games defined social gaming during the Facebook era, and Justin played a crucial role in leading the company to its $1 billion IPO. If you’ve ever harvested crops in FarmVille or built a thriving metropolis in CityVille, you’ve experienced his work firsthand.
In addition to his work at Zynga, Justin co-founded Playco, a company that specializes in creating instant games that can be played anywhere, without downloads or installations. His expertise in building mass-market games extends far beyond social gaming. He has also contributed to the massive success of CSR Racing 2, and now acts as an advisor to cutting-edge blockchain projects like Dapper Labs, Immutable, and Decentraland.
Justin’s extensive experience in gaming and his pioneering work in social platforms make him an invaluable asset to the Gemz team. Under his leadership, Gemz is poised to push the boundaries of what’s possible in the blockchain gaming space.
Michael Carter (Co-Founder): The Innovator Behind WebSocket and Instant Gaming
If you’ve ever played a game on Facebook’s Instant Games platform, you’ve encountered the work of Michael Carter. A co-founder of Playco and Game Closure, Michael created the wildly popular game EverWing on Facebook’s Instant Games. But his contributions to the gaming world extend far beyond just creating hit games.
Michael was one of the inventors of the WebSocket protocol, a technology that allows real-time communication between devices and is now used by over 2 billion devices globally. This innovation paved the way for the development of real-time online gaming, enabling the instant, synchronous experiences we enjoy today.
Beyond his role in shaping the future of gaming technology, Michael serves on the Board of Directors at Rakuten Games, a leading platform in the gaming industry. His influence and leadership continue to make waves, not only in gaming but in the broader tech landscape as well.
Michael’s ability to push technological boundaries makes him a key player in the Gemz ecosystem. His vision for the future of instant gaming and his deep technical expertise are essential to the project’s success.
Damon Pidhajecky (General Manager): Master of New Domains
Damon Pidhajecky brings a wealth of experience and entrepreneurial spirit to Gemz. His journey in the gaming industry began with Neopets, a wildly popular virtual pet website that captivated millions of users around the globe. He later worked at Zynga, contributing to the company’s expansion and success in the social gaming world.
But Damon’s expertise doesn’t stop at social gaming. He has been instrumental in launching games in new and emerging domains, such as PSVR (PlayStation Virtual Reality). His passion for cutting-edge technology led him to co-found the Portland Immersive Media Group, where he helped create innovative art installations that blend art and technology in new and unexpected ways.
As the General Manager at Gemz, Damon is responsible for ensuring that the project not only meets but exceeds the expectations of its community. His diverse background in launching games across various platforms and his entrepreneurial drive position him perfectly to lead the team through the complex and ever-changing landscape of blockchain gaming.
Ian Brillembourg (Head of Product): Innovator in Web3 and Blockchain
Ian Brillembourg is a tech entrepreneur with a passion for Web3 and blockchain technologies. As the founder of DappFuse, Ian has been at the forefront of connecting on-chain data with marketing tools, helping projects reach new heights in the world of decentralized finance and blockchain.
Ian’s expertise extends into machine learning and product development. His experience in these fields has allowed him to lead innovation at several major companies, including Zynga, Xbox, and Dropforge. His involvement with blockchain projects like Olympus DAO showcases his deep understanding of the decentralized ecosystem and his ability to leverage new technologies to create groundbreaking products.
At Gemz, Ian serves as the Head of Product, driving innovation and ensuring that the platform stays at the cutting edge of blockchain technology. His unique combination of technical expertise and product development experience makes him a crucial part of the team’s success.
A Team of Visionaries Shaping the Future of Gemz
The Gemz team is a group of innovators and game changers who have already made significant contributions to the gaming and tech industries. With backgrounds that span across social gaming, instant gaming, Web3, blockchain, and machine learning, this team is uniquely positioned to lead the charge in bringing blockchain gaming to the masses.
Their collective experience includes:
- Pioneering social gaming with games like FarmVille, CityVille, and Words with Friends.
- Inventing the WebSocket protocol, which powers real-time communication across billions of devices.
- Launching games in new domains, including virtual reality and immersive media.
- Driving product innovation and leveraging on-chain data in the decentralized finance space.
At Gemz, these visionaries are building a platform that merges the best aspects of gaming with the power of blockchain. This project isn’t just another trend in the crypto world; it’s a serious endeavor led by some of the brightest minds in the industry.
What’s Next for Gemz? 🚀
The future is bright for Gemz as the team continues to push the boundaries of what’s possible in the blockchain gaming space. With the expertise of Justin Waldron, Michael Carter, Damon Pidhajecky, and Ian Brillembourg at the helm, Gemz is set to revolutionize how we think about gaming and decentralized technology.
Whether you’re a gamer looking for the next big thing or a crypto enthusiast exploring the latest in blockchain projects, Gemz offers something for everyone. As the team continues to build, the possibilities are endless. You’re in great hands with these brilliant minds driving the project forward.
So what are you waiting for? Play Gemz today and be part of the future of gaming!
Play Gemz Now 🎮
Ready to join the revolution in blockchain gaming? Play Gemz and experience the future of gaming for yourself!