Meet Squanch Presents Adam Smitley!

Have you ever had a rock? You know, a small (often times grey) hunk of mineral grains? They are usually pretty heavy when you calculate the rock's volume by its specific gravity, making them great paper weights, door stops, and sometimes weapons.

Anyway, Adam Smitley is one of Squanch's rocks. He's sharper than any weapon, stronger than any door stop, and probably heavier than most paper weights. He's the incredible Adam Smitley, Squanch's infamous systems administrator!

Read on to learn more.

Adam Smitley, System Administrator

What do you do at Squanch?

I’m the systems administrator. Which generally means I’m keeping an eye on all the background workings. Making sure everything is working as it should, when it should, so everyone else can do their job. With the occasional computer/IT type trouble to resolve.

What was your first video game?

I don’t know exactly which was first, but my first gaming experience was our Sega Master System. I fondly remember playing “Alex Kid: The Lost Stars”, “Spellcaster”, “Choplifter”, “Wonder Boy in Monster Land”, and “E-SWAT”. Most time was probably spent in “Wonder Boy” and “Spellcaster”, so we can go with those two.

What got you into the industry?

Well, if we’re talking about the game industry, it was really a lot of consistent job searching. I had been in IT working with a managed service provider for 13 years and had been wanting to work in a different capacity. I started the job hunt for something new and something I felt I would really enjoy day to day. I was pretty narrowly focused on the games industry and was thrilled when this came along. As far as the IT side of things, really just breaking and having to fix the family computer as a kid/teenager. During and after college (which I attended for graphic design) I worked as a barista and even did a little work in the graphic design industry but felt it wasn’t what I wanted. Found my IT job through a family friend.

What is the BEST part of your job?

Honestly, as cheesy as it may sound, being able to support such a great and talented group of game developers is what excites me most. It’s a thrill to see things coming together and to be able to help support that.

As a father, what is the WORST kids show you’ve ever had to watch?

Thankfully my kids have pretty good taste for the most part, but probably the worst thing I’ve had to watch consistently was a YouTuber, Blippi. Also an absolutely mind numbing kids show called “Ethan the Dump Truck”. Luckily that didn’t really last long.

Do your parents often ask you for tech support?

As an “IT person”, everyone asks for “tech” support related to anything with electricity. My parents generally try not to “bug me” (their words), but of course I’m always willing to help and sometimes just take it upon myself to fix things I notice when I’m at their home.

We’ve noticed you actually have some artistic talent, has this always been a hobby of yours?

Definitely, I was always in some kind of art class from Kindergarten on. I really dove into it in high school and taught myself photoshop and html as my creative outlet then. I helped create and run a Dragonball Z themed “pen and paper” RPG which needed loads of custom images and such. That’s really what set me toward graphic design.

Can you share one of your favorite doodles?

Wearing all the many hats I do, I don’t have a lot of time to doodle much anymore. Most of my drawing takes place on temporary surfaces: sidewalks, chalkboards, and whiteboards when drawing with my kids. I did remember these monsters I made for target practice with some dart guns.

If you heard of a major bank robbery in your town, and then stumbled upon a very large suitcase of cash that was stashed off a path on your morning walk through the park - what would you do with the money?

Oh man, I’ve always had a rebellious drive and I really would love to say I’d take it and give it or some of it away, or even use it for myself. In reality I’m sure I’d just do the “boring” and “honest” thing and call the police to report it and see if they wanted me to bring it in.

What else do you want to share about yourself?

I really don’t know… I’ve always loved those really long jokes with really bad puns and/or punchlines and like everyone else lately have been into dad jokes these past few years so I’ll share a couple of my favorites. Also, if you ever have the pleasure of hanging out with me in a more social setting I’d be thrilled to tell you the story of the diver hobo.

Q: What’s the difference between a Hippo and a Zippo?

A: One’s a little lighter.

My wife thinks I have a drinking problem because I’m drinking every night. “It’s just brake fluid,” I tell her “and I can stop anytime I want.”