About Me

Hi, I’m Derek Larson.

I’m a game developer from California, USA, and I’ve spent the last several years building games, testing games, and studying what makes them feel good to play. My background includes both personal and commercial game development work, and I’m currently working on an unannounced game of my own.

Games have been a huge part of my life for over 30 years. I grew up playing a wide range of genres and styles, and that long history with games shaped the way I look at design, player experience, and quality. I don’t just notice when something is broken. I notice when something feels off, confusing, frustrating, or less immersive than it could be.

Over time, that turned into thousands of hours spent playing with a more critical eye. I’ve logged over a thousand hours of playtesting experience, paying close attention to bugs, UI and UX friction, onboarding issues, pacing problems, unclear mechanics, and the little moments that pull a player out of the experience. I care deeply about helping developers catch those issues early and improve the overall feel of their game.

I especially enjoy working with indie developers and small teams. I know how much time, heart, and sacrifice can go into building a game, and I know how valuable it is to have honest outside feedback from someone who truly cares about games and respects the work behind them. My goal is always to provide feedback that is clear, useful, thoughtful, and grounded in the real player experience.

I’m 34 years old, a proud father to a beautiful 4-year-old daughter, and someone who genuinely loves this craft. Whether I’m building my own game or helping another developer strengthen theirs, I bring the same care, curiosity, and attention to detail to every project I touch.

If you’re looking for someone who understands games not just as products, but as experiences, I’d love to help.