Perplex City Wiki - User contributions [en]

Mind Candy

2010-06-24T22:20:42Z

FleetfootMike: /* Mike Whitaker */

[[Image:Hugemclogo.JPG|thumb]]

'''Website:''' http://www.mindcandydesign.com/

'''Companion Website:''' http://www.mindcandypuzzles.com/

==General==
*When the game began, there were many references to "MC", which proved very confusing to players
**Named on the [[Perplex City Postcard]] as "MC"
**[[Abbey Road]] clues mention "MC"
**[[Scarlett Kiteway]] mentioned "Adrian/Michael/the guys from MC", and usually talked about contacting them (including through e-mail).
**The [[Parcel Letter]] confirms 'MC' stands for 'Mind Candy', an Earth-based company helping [[Sente]] with the recovery of [[The Cube]].

*Mind Candy had a presence at:
** [http://www.e3expo.com/ E3] on 18 May 2005
** [http://www.toy-tia.org/ The American International Toy Fair] in New York on 15 Feb 2006

==Staff==
:''See: http://www.mindcandydesign.com/people/index.html''

===Michael Smith===
[[Image:michael.jpg]]
*Chief Executive Officer
*Co-founder of online retailer [[Firebox]]
*Launched Mind Candy in 2003
*He really, really likes the game [http://www.firebox.com/index.html?dir=firebox&action=product&pid=1254 Set]

===Jey Biddulph===
[[Image:Jey.jpg]]
*Was ARG Developer
*Unfiction Alumni: [http://forums.unfiction.com/forums/profile.php?mode=viewprofile&u=1351 Wishi-San]
*Known to enjoy the odd dalliance in '''[http://www.perplexcitycardcatalog.com/1/136/ ladies]''' garments

===Jack Dixon===
[[Image:Jack.jpg]]
*Graphic Designer
*Formerly operated a record label, Alaska Design & Recordings, with Olli Leivers

===Hannah Boraster===
[[Image:Hannah.jpg]]
*Puzzle Designer
*Attended University in the West Country.
*Appeared on Reality TV

===Olli Leivers===
[[Image:Olli.jpg]]
*Graphic Designer
*Briefly Attended Westminster University
*Partnered with Jack Dixon for a time at Alaska Design
*Previous Project: '''[http://www.iliketodraw.net ILiketoDraw]'''

===Jo Carter===
[[Image:Jo_C.jpg]]
*Developer and Protector of Purpleness
*Has the following degrees from the University of Nottingham:
**A BA In Law with French
**An MSc In Computer Science
*Perplex City Profile: '''[http://www.perplexcity.com/profile/view.qbuild?player=angelsk Angelsk]'''

===Guy Parsons===
[[Image:Guy.jpg]]
*Customer Service And Community Support
*Perplex City Profile: '''[http://www.perplexcity.com/profile/view.qbuild?player=GuyP GuyP]'''
*Possesses perhaps the floppiest hair known to mankind

===Divinia Knowles===
[[Image:Divinia.jpg]]
*Studio Manager, replacing Fiona Silk
*Has an Archaeology degree from the University of Wales at Lampeter
*Answers phones, balances books, and so much more.

===Dr.Chris Thorpe===
[[Image:Chris.jpg]]
*Chief Technical Officer
*Prior career as a research scientist
*Has a deep and abiding love for William Gibson, particularly '''[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pattern_Recognition_(novel) Pattern Recognition]'''
*Has "bleepy" musical tastes

===Steff Davies===
[[Image:Steff.jpg]]
*Network Sysadmin
*Enjoys the simple pleasures to be found in taking things to bits, and then attempting to re-assemble them
*Spent time in his youth playing MUDs online

===Toby Moore===
[[Image:Toby.jpg]]
*Java Developer
*A keen traveller, recently returned from an overland trip between Russia and Bali
*BSc (Hons) in Software Engineering
*Enjoys surfing, snowboarding, scuba diving and playing "Go"

===Eric Harshbarger===
[[Image:Eric.jpg]]
*US Based Puzzle Designer
*Has previously been an expert '''[http://www.ericharshbarger.org/scrabble/ Scrabble]''' player
*Also has amazing skills with '''[http://www.ericharshbarger.org/lego/ Lego]'''

===Ben Burry===
[[Image:Ben.jpg]]
*Java Developer by day
*Kilt-wearing dark avenger by night
*A highly regarded member of the Perplex City playing community, until snaffled to work for Mind Candy
*Creator of the Perplex City '''[http://perplexcitycardmanager.com/ Card Manager]''', instrumental in the maintaining of the '''[http://perplexcitytrades.com/ Trades Site]''', and one of the founders and chief techies of '''[http://www.perplexorum.com/ Perplexorum]'''.
*Perplex City Profile: '''[http://www.perplexcity.com/profile/view.qbuild?player=buzman buzman]'''
*Unfiction Alumni: [http://forums.unfiction.com/forums/profile.php?mode=viewprofile&u=7600 buzman]

===Marty Batten===
[[Image:Marty.jpg]]
*Web & UI Designer

===Lisa Long===
[[Image:Lisa.jpg]]
*Head of Business Development
*Is consumed by the search for sugary comestibles

===Mark Walker===
[[Image:Mark.jpg]]
*Java Developer
*Programming ninja
*Previously did work with more commonplace games. Boy do we hope he knows what he's gotten himself into!

===Ryan Conway===
[[Image:Ryan.jpg]]
*Network Administrator
*GADGETS!
*GIZMOS!
*MAC USER!
*Originally from way up north
*Graduated from Sheffield Hallam University with a degree in Computing Networks

==Former Staff==

===Dave Blake===
[[Image:Davepic.jpg]]
*Developer
*MA in Computer Science from Cambridge
*Spent almost two years working for Jagex, developers of RuneScape

===Adam Martin===
[[Image:Adampic.jpg]]
*Chief Technical Officer
*MA in Computer Science from Cambridge University

===Justin Berkovi===
[[Image:justinpic.jpg]]
*Art director
*Set up and ran cult dance labels Predicaments and Nightrax
*Has produced five solo albums and performed at clubs, raves and festivals worldwide
*Also started his own design agency, and produced a wide range of work for '''[http://www.firebox.com/ Firebox]'''
*Website: [http://www.justinberkovi.com]

===Fiona Silk===
[[Image:Fipic.jpg]]
*Marketing
*BSc. Hons. in Computer Science from Liverpool University
*Unfiction Alumni: [http://forums.unfiction.com/forums/profile.php?mode=viewprofile&u=1399 Fi]

===Mike Whitaker===
[[Image:Mikepic.jpg]]
*System Architect
*MA in Computer Science from Cambridge University
*Plays Lindsey Buckingham in '''[http://www.fleetfootmike.net/ Fleetfoot Mike]''', a tribute band whose name everyone gets wrong
*Now working for the BBC iPlayer team, having left MindCandy to work for Yahoo! UK.

===Dr. Paul McCormick===
[[Image:Paul.jpg]]
*Fearsome Emperor Of Card Production
*PhD in Biostatistics at Cambridge University
*The mole from the [[Clapham Common]] meet
*Puzzle architect of the P01 Promotional Card, which was given out at ComicCon

===Dan Hon===
[[Image:dan.jpg]]
*COO
*Cloudmakers moderator
*Pioneered '''[http://www.cloudmakers.org/trail The Trail]''', used by all subsequent ARG player groups
*Holds an MA in Law from Cambridge University
*Holds an MSc in Software Engineering from the University of Liverpool
*Worked with Microsoft HIVE as Lead Online Community Developer
*Blog: http://danhon.com/

===Adrian Hon===
[[Image:adpic.jpg]]
*Director of Play/Executive Producer
*ARG player since 2001, with The Beast
*Graduated from Cambridge University in 2003 with a degree in Natural Sciences
*Left neuroscience DPHil at Oxford University in 2004 to join Mind Candy
*Blog: http://www.mssv.net/
*[[Sentinel]] Interview: '''[http://www.perplexcitysentinel.com/archives/2006/07/iona_interviews_17.html Adrian's Sentinel Interview]'''
*In-Game Info:
**Was introduced to Perplex City by Michael Smith, just after Hon started a PhD at Oxford
**Has stated: "I don't think that we're in this for the money. We're helping because we have a genuine interest in helping Perplex City. Just as you're fascinated by our world, we're fascinated by yours."

===Naomi Alderman===
[[Image:naomi.jpg]]
*Lead Writer
*Orange Award winning author of '''[http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/0670916285/ Disobedience]'''
*Has published academic papers on Buffy the Vampire Slayer
*An avid fan of Lucasarts' Monkey Island II

===Andrea Phillips===
[[Image:andpic.jpg]]
*Ad Hoc Polymath
*Cloudmakers moderator
*Lifelong gamer
*BA in Journalism and Japanese Language and Culture from Eastern Michigan University
*blog: '''[http://www.deusexmachinatio.com/ Deus Ex Machinatio]'''
*[[Sentinel]] Interview: '''[http://www.perplexcitysentinel.com/archives/2006/03/earth_interview.html Andrea's Interview]'''

===David Varela===
[[Image:David.jpg]]
*Writer
*"Given enough coffee, David Varela can write anything. "
*Has worked with Richard Attenborough and Sandra Bullock.

===Des===
[[Image:Des.jpg|100px]]
*Dead
*So universally well-loved that [[Des|he gets his own page]]

==References==
*'''The Perplex City Sentinel'''
**article, 07-JUL-05 "[[Mind Candy]] Flounders" {{WaybackS1|www.perplexcitysentinel.com/archives/2005/07/mind_candy_inco.html}}
**feature, 23-DEC-05 "Year in Review: Newsmakers of 268" {{WaybackS1|www.perplexcitysentinel.com/archives/2005/12/year_in_review.html}}
**article, 23-DEC-05 "[[Leaderboard]] End of Year Round-Up" {{WaybackS1|www.perplexcitysentinel.com/archives/2005/12/leaderboard_end_1.html}}
**article, 03-MAR-06, "Earth Interviews: [[Mind Candy]]'s Andrea Phillips" {{WaybackS1|www.perplexcitysentinel.com/archives/2006/03/earth_interview.html}}
**article, 23-MAR-06, "[[Tally]] Climbs to Top Place on [[Leaderboard]]" {{WaybackS1|www.perplexcitysentinel.com/archives/2006/03/tally_climbs_to.html}}
**article, 22-JUN-06 "[[Mind Candy]] Launches [http://www.mindcandypuzzles.com/ New Puzzle Site]" {{WaybackS1|www.perplexcitysentinel.com/archives/2006/06/mind_candy_laun.html}}
**article, 10-JUL-06 "Wave 4 Release Rumoured As [[Academy]] Leaks Like Sieve" {{WaybackS1|www.perplexcitysentinel.com/archives/2006/07/wave_4_release.html}}
**article, 13-JUL-06 "[[Iona Rodie|Iona]] Interviews... [[Mind Candy|Adrian Hon]]" {{WaybackS1|www.perplexcitysentinel.com/archives/2006/07/iona_interviews_17.html}}
**article, 17-JUL-06 "Wave 4 Rumours Confirmed by [[Mind Candy|MC]]" {{WaybackS1|www.perplexcitysentinel.com/archives/2006/07/wave_4_rumours.html}}
**article, 02-OCT-06 "[[Mind Candy]] Releases Stones Game on Earth" {{WaybackS1|www.perplexcitysentinel.com/archives/2006/10/mind_candy_rele.html}}
**article, 25-JAN-06 "No Reason For Second Season, Say Commentators" {{WaybackS1|www.perplexcitysentinel.com/archives/2007/01/no_reason_for_s.html}}

Mind Candy

2006-12-28T08:25:49Z

FleetfootMike: /* Mike Whitaker */

[[Image:Hugemclogo.JPG|thumb]]

'''Website:''' http://www.mindcandydesign.com/

'''Companion Website:''' http://www.mindcandypuzzles.com/

==General==
*When the game began, there were many references to "MC", which proved very confusing to players
**Named on the [[Perplex City Postcard]] as "MC"
**[[Abbey Road]] clues mention "MC"
**[[Scarlett Kiteway]] mentioned "Adrian/Michael/the guys from MC", and usually talked about contacting them (including through e-mail).
**The [[Parcel Letter]] confirms 'MC' stands for 'Mind Candy', an Earth-based company helping [[Sente]] with the recovery of [[The Cube]].

*Mind Candy had a presence at:
** [http://www.e3expo.com/ E3] on 18 May 2005
** [http://www.toy-tia.org/ The American International Toy Fair] in New York on 15 Feb 2006

==Staff==
:''See: http://www.mindcandydesign.com/people/index.html''

===Michael Smith===
[[Image:michael.jpg]]
*Chief Executive Officer
*Co-founder of online retailer [[Firebox]]
*Launched Mind Candy in 2003
*He really, really likes the game [http://www.firebox.com/index.html?dir=firebox&action=product&pid=1254 Set]

===Adrian Hon===
[[Image:adpic.jpg]]
*Director of Play/Executive Producer
*ARG player since 2001, with The Beast
*Graduated from Cambridge University in 2003 with a degree in Natural Sciences
*Left neuroscience DPHil at Oxford University in 2004 to join Mind Candy
*Blog: http://www.mssv.net/
*[[Sentinel]] Interview: '''[http://www.perplexcitysentinel.com/archives/2006/07/iona_interviews_17.html Adrian's Sentinel Interview]'''
*In-Game Info:
**Was introduced to Perplex City by Michael Smith, just after Hon started a PhD at Oxford
**Has stated: "I don't think that we're in this for the money. We're helping because we have a genuine interest in helping Perplex City. Just as you're fascinated by our world, we're fascinated by yours."

===Dan Hon===
[[Image:dan.jpg]]
*COO
*Cloudmakers moderator
*Pioneered '''[http://www.cloudmakers.org/trail The Trail]''', used by all subsequent ARG player groups
*Holds an MA in Law from Cambridge University
*Holds an MSc in Software Engineering from the University of Liverpool
*Worked with Microsoft HIVE as Lead Online Community Developer
*Blog: http://words.danhon.com/

===Naomi Alderman===
[[Image:naomi.jpg]]
*Lead Writer
*Orange Award winning author of '''[http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/0670916285/ Disobedience]'''
*Has published academic papers on Buffy the Vampire Slayer
*An avid fan of Lucasarts' Monkey Island II

===Andrea Phillips===
[[Image:andpic.jpg]]
*Ad Hoc Polymath
*Cloudmakers moderator
*Lifelong gamer
*BA in Journalism and Japanese Language and Culture from Eastern Michigan University
*blog: '''[http://www.deusexmachinatio.com/ Deus Ex Machinatio]'''
*[[Sentinel]] Interview: '''[http://www.pxcsentinel.com/archives/2006/03/earth_interview.html Andrea's Interview]'''

===Jey Biddulph===
[[Image:Jey.jpg]]
*ARG Developer
*Unfiction Alumni: [http://forums.unfiction.com/forums/profile.php?mode=viewprofile&u=1351 Wishi-San]
*Known to enjoy the odd dalliance in '''[http://www.perplexcitycardcatalog.com/1/136/ ladies]''' garments

===Jack Dixon===
[[Image:Jack.jpg]]
*Graphic Designer
*Formerly operated a record label, Alaska Design & Recordings, with Olli Leivers

===Hannah Boraster===
[[Image:Hannah.jpg]]
*Puzzle Designer
*Attended University in the West Country.
*Appeared on Reality TV

===David Varela===
[[Image:David.jpg]]
*Writer
*"Given enough coffee, David Varela can write anything. "
*Has worked with Richard Attenborough and Sandra Bullock.

===Olli Leivers===
[[Image:Olli.jpg]]
*Graphic Designer
*Briefly Attended Westminster University
*Partnered with Jack Dixon for a time at Alaska Design
*Previous Project: '''[http://www.iliketodraw.net ILiketoDraw]'''

===Jo Carter===
[[Image:Jo_C.jpg]]
*Developer and Protector of Purpleness
*Has the following degrees from the University of Nottingham:
**A BA In Law with French
**An MSc In Computer Science
*Perplex City Profile: '''[http://www.perplexcity.com/profile/view.qbuild?player=angelsk Angelsk]'''

===Guy Parsons===
[[Image:Guy.jpg]]
*Customer Service And Community Support
*Perplex City Profile: '''[http://www.perplexcity.com/profile/view.qbuild?player=GuyP GuyP]'''
*Possesses perhaps the floppiest hair known to mankind

===Divinia Knowles===
[[Image:Divinia.jpg]]
*Studio Manager, replacing Fiona Silk
*Has an Archaeology degree from the University of Wales at Lampeter
*Answers phones, balances books, and so much more.

===Dr.Chris Thorpe===
[[Image:Chris.jpg]]
*Chief Technical Officer
*Prior career as a research scientist
*Has a deep and abiding love for William Gibson, particularly '''[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pattern_Recognition_(novel) Pattern Recognition]'''
*Has "bleepy" musical tastes

===Steff Davies===
[[Image:Steff.jpg]]
*Network Sysadmin
*Enjoys the simple pleasures to be found in taking things to bits, and then attempting to re-assemble them
*Spent time in his youth playing MUDs online

===Toby Moore===
[[Image:Toby.jpg]]
*Java Developer
*A keen traveller, recently returned from an overland trip between Russia and Bali
*BSc (Hons) in Software Engineering
*Enjoys surfing, snowboarding, scuba diving and playing "Go"

===Eric Harshbarger===
[[Image:Eric.jpg]]
*US Based Puzzle Designer
*Has previously been an expert '''[http://www.ericharshbarger.org/scrabble/ Scrabble]''' player
*Also has amazing skills with '''[http://www.ericharshbarger.org/lego/ Lego]'''

===Ben Burry===
[[Image:Ben.jpg]]
*Java Developer by day
*Kilt-wearing dark avenger by night
*A highly regarded member of the Perplex City playing community, until snaffled to work for Mind Candy
*Creator of the Perplex City '''[http://perplexcitycardmanager.com/ Card Manager]''', instrumental in the maintaining of the '''[http://perplexcitytrades.com/ Trades Site]''', and one of the founders and chief techies of '''[http://www.perplexorum.com/ Perplexorum]'''.
*Perplex City Profile: '''[http://www.perplexcity.com/profile/view.qbuild?player=buzman buzman]'''
*Unfiction Alumni: [http://forums.unfiction.com/forums/profile.php?mode=viewprofile&u=7600 buzman]

===Marty Batten===
[[Image:Marty.jpg]]
*Web developer by day
*Punk-rock loving, moshing festival-goer by night
*Mind Candy's "Token" Kiwi, who is their "Anything that's cool" web expert

==Former Staff==

===Dave Blake===
[[Image:Davepic.jpg]]
*Developer
*MA in Computer Science from Cambridge
*Spent almost two years working for Jagex, developers of RuneScape

===Adam Martin===
[[Image:Adampic.jpg]]
*Chief Technical Officer
*MA in Computer Science from Cambridge University

===Justin Berkovi===
[[Image:justinpic.jpg]]
*Art director
*Set up and ran cult dance labels Predicaments and Nightrax
*Has produced five solo albums and performed at clubs, raves and festivals worldwide
*Also started his own design agency, and produced a wide range of work for '''[http://www.firebox.com/ Firebox]'''
*Website: [http://www.justinberkovi.com]

===Fiona Silk===
[[Image:Fipic.jpg]]
*Marketing
*BSc. Hons. in Computer Science from Liverpool University
*Unfiction Alumni: [http://forums.unfiction.com/forums/profile.php?mode=viewprofile&u=1399 Fi]

===Mike Whitaker===
[[Image:Mikepic.jpg]]
*System Architect
*MA in Computer Science from Cambridge University
*Plays Lindsey Buckingham in '''[http://www.fleetfootmike.net/ Fleetfoot Mike]''', a tribute band whose name everyone gets wrong
*Now working for Yahoo! UK.

===Dr. Paul McCormick===
[[Image:Paul.jpg]]
*Fearsome Emperor Of Card Production
*PhD in Biostatistics at Cambridge University
*The mole from the [[Clapham Common]] meet
*Puzzle architect of the P01 Promotional Card, which was given out at ComicCon

==References==
*'''The Perplex City Sentinel'''
**article, 07-JUL-05 "[[Mind Candy]] Flounders" ([http://www.perplexcitysentinel.com/archives/2005/07/mind_candy_inco.html link])
**feature, 23-DEC-05 "Year in Review: Newsmakers of 268" ([http://www.perplexcitysentinel.com/archives/2005/12/year_in_review.html link])
**article, 23-DEC-05 "[[Leaderboard]] End of Year Round-Up" ([http://www.perplexcitysentinel.com/archives/2005/12/leaderboard_end_1.html link])
**article, 03-MAR-06, "Earth Interviews: [[Mind Candy]]'s Andrea Phillips" ([http://www.pxcsentinel.com/archives/2006/03/earth_interview.html link])
**article, 23-MAR-06, "[[Tally]] Climbs to Top Place on [[Leaderboard]]" ([http://pxcsentinel.com/archives/2006/03/tally_climbs_to.html link])
**article, 22-JUN-06 "[[Mind Candy]] Launches [http://www.mindcandypuzzles.com/ New Puzzle Site]" ([http://www.perplexcitysentinel.com/archives/2006/06/mind_candy_laun.html link])
**article, 10-JUL-06 "Wave 4 Release Rumoured As [[Academy]] Leaks Like Sieve" ([http://www.perplexcitysentinel.com/archives/2006/07/wave_4_release.html link])
**article, 13-JUL-06 "[[Iona Rodie|Iona]] Interviews... [[Mind Candy|Adrian Hon]]" ([http://www.perplexcitysentinel.com/archives/2006/07/iona_interviews_17.html link])
**article, 17-JUL-06 "Wave 4 Rumours Confirmed by [[Mind Candy|MC]]" ([http://www.perplexcitysentinel.com/archives/2006/07/wave_4_rumours.html link])
**article, 02-OCT-06 "[[Mind Candy]] Releases Stones Game on Earth" ([http://www.perplexcitysentinel.com/archives/2006/10/mind_candy_rele.html link])