iTunes - Podcast RSS Feed - Podcast RSS Feed - News RPGFan YouTube Channel RPGFan on Facebook RPGFan on Twitter


RPGFan Social Links
Mike Salbato
Creative Director

Interact

E-mail:

Forums:

Twitter:

Elsewhere:

A Chrono Site:


Stats

At RPGFan Since:
June 1999

Location:
California, USA

Favorite Games/Series:
Chrono Trigger, Final Fantasy VI, Valkyrie Profile, Secret of Mana, Zelda, Portal, Metroid, Mega Man, Metal Gear Solid series

Favorite Genres:
Adventure, RPG, Action, Puzzle

Other Interests:
Writing, Hockey, Poetry, TV, Music, 80s movies, Black Cherry Soda
Yes, I'm still here. As one of the senior editors, I've so far outlasted almost everyone else since joining the site in June 1999. Recruited for my apparent skills on what, looking back, was a lame fan-made RPG site hosted on Xoom, I joined RPGFan with no specific title. Sure, I'd go on to redesign the site (multiple times) and handle all graphic and layout decisions, but I also dabbled in several other sections, and with the most recent changes to reviews and previews, have been instrumental in overhauling most of the site - visually and structurally - compared to what we were in 1999. Graphics and layout are my main duties, though I've also been known to work in Pictures and write the occasional news story or review.

My origin story when it comes to RPGs is probably a common one. Once upon a time, Nintendo Power had a promotion that involved giving away copies of Dragon Warrior (this was before 'Dragon Quest' finally became a global name) which was my first RPG. I liked it, but it wasn't enough to make me play others of its kind, until Final Fantasy IV (as II) came out for the SNES. Dragon Warrior may have been my first RPG, but it was FFIV that made me a fan, and is the real reason I fell in love with the genre. It's also why I must buy every remake of the game and could never look at any edition objectively. While Final Fantasy VI and Chrono Trigger would eventually take over as my top games, FFIV will always be my "first."

Besides RPGs, I have an overwhelming love for most Nintendo franchises: Zelda, Mario, Metroid in particular. Enough that I will use a vacation day (or three) at work to be able to play new editions of each on release. Despite my lack of reviews for the platform here at the site, I'm a huge fan of my iPhone and iPad, though I tend to play things besides RPGs on them; it's an excellent gaming platform for puzzle games, I've learned, and I have way too many.

I was going to work a nod to Joss Whedon in there somewhere, but it didn't fit. So, I love Joss Whedon. I have yet to find a story or cast of characters that resonated with me as much as any of his shows (though Lost came close), and try to turn people onto them whenever possible, usually starting with Firefly. And if you're reading this and have not seen Firefly... please go buy or watch it and let me know what you thought.



Featured Content
Dust: An Elysian Tail
Dust: An Elysian Tail
Review
Random Encounter Episode 49 - The Economist and (more!) Guild Wars 2!
Random Encounter Episode 49
The Economist and (more!) Guild Wars 2!
Dragon's Dogma
Dragon's Dogma
Review
Gungnir
Gungnir
Review
The Evolution of Pokemon
The Evolution of Pokémon
Feature
Theatrhythm Final Fantasy Feature
Theatrhythm Final Fantasy
Feature
July Game of the Month
Game of the Month
July 2012