Mike is a powerhouse of a developer. He's remarkably reserved about his industry experience as well as his artistic and technical expertise. His professional experience spans titles such as God of War (2018) and Judas, alongside independent development through Dreamatron. Those with a keen eye, however, will quickly recognize the depth of his knowledge, professionalism, and capabilities.

We first met by coincidence at the Academy of Art University's Spring Show, where we had both won awards in our respective categories. Naturally, our first interaction involved looking at each other's projects and immediately debating what the other could have done better. It wasn't exactly the most conventional introduction, but in hindsight, it was a fitting beginning to our relationship.

What started as a friendly rivalry eventually developed into mentorship, friendship, and a close professional collaboration. Mike consistently challenged me to hold myself to higher standards, often through direct, uncompromising feedback. His approach is pragmatic, honest, and grounded in reality. He sees things for what they are, and I've always respected his willingness to say what needs to be said rather than what someone necessarily wants to hear.

Over time, we spent countless hours working shoulder to shoulder, from remote development and in-person playtesting to attending GDC together. Our collaboration evolved naturally as we explored different ways of working together, occasionally finding ourselves at odds over our differing approaches to development, problem-solving, and creative work.

Those differences have sometimes led to disagreements, but they've also been among the most valuable aspects of our relationship. We challenge each other's assumptions, compete to improve, and learn from perspectives we might never have considered independently. Ultimately, we've found that we work best when given the freedom to pursue our own ideas and ambitions, coming together when our strengths and interests align. Rather than forcing a particular way of working, we've learned to embrace what makes our collaboration effective in the first place.

Beyond our work together, Mike has always been someone I could turn to for guidance. Even when I approached him with questions outside his expertise, he would make a genuine effort to help. He consistently goes above and beyond for others, often dedicating more of his time and energy than anyone could reasonably expect.

Mike has been far more than a mentor to me. He's been a collaborator, a competitor, a friend, and someone whose perspective has fundamentally influenced how I approach my own work. We've pushed each other, disagreed, learned, and grown through our experiences together.

I have tremendous respect for what he's accomplished and what he'll continue to achieve, and I'm grateful that our paths crossed.

Let's see what the future holds!

— Jordan "KARST TERRAIN" Fridie

Personal reflection · November 5, 2026