Author Archives: Ben Retan

About Ben Retan

I'm a designer/developer/musician and my life revolves around music and technology. I spend most of my time playing guitar, working on games, or recording music. In what little free time I have outside of that, I like to act and sing whenever I get the chance.

Common Game Design Anti-Patterns – San Francisco IGDA Meeting

Posted on April 11, 2012 by Ben Retan

I will be speaking tonight, April 11th 2012 @ 7PM, at the San Francisco IGDA meeting about Common Game Design Anti-Patterns. Come check it out! Here are the details. Talk title: Common Game Design Anti-Patterns Description: Anti-Patterns are patterns that … Continue reading →

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Talk Of Alabama Interview

Posted on January 13, 2011 by Ben Retan

After the Birmingham News article, a local morning talk show also asked me to do an TV interview. The host was a somewhat mistaken about my role on the project but he was very enthusiastic!  

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Birmingham News Article With David Jaffe

Posted on December 27, 2010 by Ben Retan

The Birmingham News gave The Force Unleashed 2 an A+ review and the reporter contacted me about doing an interview. While telling him my story, I mentioned how, as a designer from Birmingham, David Jaffe (also from Birmingham) had inspired … Continue reading →

Posted in David Jaffe, Games, Lucas Arts, Star Wars | Leave a comment

The Force Unleashed 2 Released

Posted on October 26, 2010 by Ben Retan

After a lot of long hours of hard work, I’m proud to say Star Wars: The Force Unleashed 2 is finally released! This project has been an epic journey and I’m extremely proud of the work I was able to … Continue reading →

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Full Sail Article

Posted on August 31, 2010 by Ben Retan

I was recently approached about doing an article about my work on The Force Unleashed 2. It was featured on the Full Sail website and details my work and experience on the project. “Video games have played an important role … Continue reading →

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Lucidity Released On XLBA

Posted on September 11, 2009 by Ben Retan

I recently worked on level design for one of the more indie games we have been developing as part of our Lucas Labs effort. It’s a reverse-platformer in the sense that instead of controlling a character moving through a world, … Continue reading →

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Star Wars: The Force Unleashed DLC

Posted on July 30, 2009 by Ben Retan

Really excited that the DLC I’ve been working on is coming out! It was awesome getting to work on the Boba Fett and Obi Wan boss fights. I hardly could have imagined when I was a kid running around dressed … Continue reading →

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Six Flags Fun Park DS Released

Posted on October 30, 2008 by Ben Retan

My first published game has now been released and I’m extremely excited! There’s nothing quite like the feeling of being able to go to the store and see your game on the shelf. Even though I’m doing design work now … Continue reading →

Posted in Games, Nintendo DS | Leave a comment

New Job With Lucas Arts

Posted on October 20, 2008 by Ben Retan

Well I’ve left Austin and moved to San Francisco to work for LucasArts as a Systems Designer. I loved living in Austin and I’m sorry to have to say goodbye to all my friends here but unforunately with all the … Continue reading →

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Hero Design Challenge Winner

Posted on September 3, 2008 by Ben Retan

So a few weeks back, I entered into a game design challenge on a website to design the next big video game hero. Not thinking about it again until recently, I went back to check and I had won! Go … Continue reading →

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