Brian McRae

Brian McRae has had an extensive career in the gaming industry, starting in 2000 as a 3D Artist at High Voltage Software, where they focused on environment and level art. Brian then moved on to Midway Games in 2003, where they contributed to the team on Psi Ops and worked on Mortal Kombat Deception. In 2004, Brian joined Blizzard Entertainment as a Lead Environment Artist, leading a team on the development of Starcraft Ghost and presenting the game at Blizzcon.

In 2007, Brian founded Crazy Pixel Productions, a cinematic animation studio that grew to a multimillion-dollar business in just three years. Brian established a top-tier client base, including Disney, Ubisoft, and Sega, and created a pipeline, hired and trained staff, and mentored them.

In 2010, Brian founded Fenix Fire Entertainment, a studio that initially focused on work-for-hire projects for major brands such as Red Bull and John Deere. The studio also incubated and released original projects that became breakout successes.

Brian co-hosted the Game Design Dojo Podcast, one of the top game design podcasts on iTunes, from 2013 to 2016. Brian recognized a void in the market, established a partnership, and developed the format, content programming, distribution, and marketing of the podcast.

Brian also taught at the Illinois Institute of Art from 2002 to 2003, where they created and instructed curriculum for intermediate and advanced modeling and 3D animation, mentoring many students who went on to have successful careers in the entertainment industry.

Brian McRae attended Northern Illinois University from 1996 to 2000, where they earned a Bachelor of Art (BA) degree in Electronic Media and Time Arts.