MEET SQUANCH: ARE YOU THIRSTY?

Hey Squanchies,
This week, we have a VERY special treat, because we get to talk to TWO different Squanch employees. World, please meet Mr. Mike Casalenuovo, a detail-oriented man who may or may not be able to save you from a zombie attack by the time he fully evaluates the situation; and Mr. Nathan Griffin, the man solely responsible for keeping Squanch employees hydrated and feeling refreshed. A true hero.

These two men play significant roles in keeping us “kids” at Squanch organized - and alive. So grab a drink, sit back, and read on to learn more about waters going on with Miiiiiiike & Nate!

Mike Casalenuovo, Associate Producer

What do you do at Squanch?

As an Associate Producer, it is my responsibility to keep the team in sync and focused on the most important goals that we have set for ourselves. This means I am making sure that communication is flowing all while acting as their buffer; limiting the amount of distractions and interruptions so the team can spend more time putting in their best work.

What do you love about Squanch (other than our eyes)?

You’re right, it’s really easy to get lost in a Squancher’s pretty peepers, but, admittedly, not the number one reason I love it here. What I really love about Squanch is how open we are in sharing ideas and collaborating together. Does not matter who you are or what you do at the studio, anyone can participate in reviews and share ideas. This often happens naturally and we get some of our best work just from riffing off each other. So much riffing.

As an associate producer, you track so much all at once. How do you stay organized?

A lot of lists and setting reminders. I need to write everything down then organize it so I can easily come back to it. The reminders are a must, otherwise I may forget to get back to those notes. I cannot trust myself to keep it all in my head, I have a memory of a goldfish when it comes to info that is not trivia related.

How did you know you wanted to get into games?

I had dreamt of working on and making games ever since I got my Sega Genesis. Sadly, it felt like a pipe dream for the longest time as I did not know where to even start and my college major was nowhere near it. It was not until after my first job out of school, working in production at a now defunct video game editorial company, that I had a chance to speak with developers and learn how they entered the industry. Not one person I spoke to shared the same path and many just found their way accidentally. I soon discovered an opportunity to work in production in actual game development and I jumped at the chance.

Would you help a person being attacked by a zombie on the street if you knew there was a good chance you could be eaten or infected?

I want to say that I would, but not without some hesitation. I’d have to assess the situation first: How many zombies are we dealing with here? Do I know this person or is it one of those people that I wish I did not know? If I get attacked, would this endanger my party? Do I have a party? Why don’t I have a party? Is it me? No, it’s probably them. Anyway, by that time they’d probably be dead. But at least my conscience would clean: I tried when many would just walk away....cowards.

What is the most disgusting vegetable in existence?

Anything green that’s been boiled.

What is the last movie you watched?

Currently rewatching Blade Runner now. And by rewatching, I mean that I have it in the background while answering these questions. I really love its atmospheric score.

If you could do high school over again, would you?

If it means I go back to the high school days as a teenager, sure. I’d have the family invest in a few things while I’m there. If I have to redo high school as a thirty-something year old? Hard pass.

An alien species is offering to rewrite your genetic code and give you a free superpower, but you can’t know what it is in advance. It could be something as cool as a photon blast, or as lame as growing extra arm hair at will. Would you accept?

Does the whole “with great power comes great responsibility” still apply? Because count me out if I am expected to save the world with an extra few inches of arm hair.

What else should people know about you?

I am very food motivated.

Nathan Griffin, Water Boy

What do you do at Squanch?

I provide hydration and temperature control for our team members here at Squanch. Usually my job consists of filling water bottles, cooling water bottles, wiping sweat from the programmers, and opening water bottles for the artists. Coronavirus has complicated my job quite a bit but I still manage to ensure our employees are peeing at least 8 or 9 times throughout the work day.

How did you get started?

My first big break was helping NASA develop the first zero-gravity water pouch. It was essentially a catheter but in reverse.

When Squanch eventually contacted me about their hydration problem I knew that I could apply my expertise to help.

Why is staying hydrated so important for video game development?

Every year more than 600 people die from heat stroke. Most people think of heat stroke from the sun, but they don’t realize how hot computers and nerds can get. It’s really easy to get heat stroke from over exposure to computer ventilation mixed with the body heat of people who don’t go outside if you don’t consume enough water.

It had become a regular event that our developers would pass out from overheating before I arrived and reverse catheterized them.

Do you ever feel like water isn’t getting the props it deserves?

Definitely. Most people are 80% water. It’s our heritage and it is sadly often overlooked. It is my hope that one day people will look to the ocean and remember that we are all children of the watery horror Cthulhu.

Which water is best (Spring, Purified, Seltzer or Soda Water)?

Most people think that spring water is ideal. However, when you start getting into water professionally you’ll find that it really comes down to each developer’s specific body chemistry and astrological sign. For example an overweight taurus might respond to seltzer, but a lean gemini would definitely prefer pond water.

Did you ever have a near-dehydration experience you can tell us about?

At a young age I lost my dad to severe dehydration. Some people say it was the car that hit him that did it, but I know it was because he hadn’t had any water. Ever since then I’ve had a desire to make sure no one else suffers from the effects of extreme thirst like he did.

What’s your favorite body of water?

Lake Titicaca.

Dehydration can happen to anyone at any time - do you ever feel like it’s hard to “turn off the job” when you are with family and/or friends?

Being a Water Professional is more of a life choice than a simple career choice. The longer you’re in the game the more black and white things become. You’re either hydrated or you’re not. Sometimes I find myself being too callous about this with my friends and family, but it’s a compromise I have to make. I am the thin wet line.

Have you ever played a game that really showcased water well?

I think Bioshock has always stuck with me. One second you’re trying to hydrate a city and the next you’re being drilled to death by single-parent diving equipment. It’s a reminder how important the service I provide is, and how delicate all water professionals have to be.

Anything else you’d like to share about yourself?

I think a lot of people see their water boys and girls as two-dimensional people, but like many of us I also have hobbies outside of work. In my free time I will sometimes do a little gameplay programming as a way to relax, but I could never do it professionally. No, my heart belongs to the people who need me: the sweaty thirsty losers here at Squanch.

Well, from all of us at Squanch - THANK YOU for your continued service and dedication, Nate.