Hi, I’m MelusDev. This is how it all began.
From my first Game Boy Color to my first mods and MMO. This is how my story with video games began.
Translated from the Spanish original. Leer en español
My real name is Daniel Gómez, and I’m already 34. It feels like yesterday that I started making my first mods for a game many of you probably know: The Battle for Middle-earth II. That was where it all began: everything to do with editing, emulation and game development.
Of course, video games had come into my life long before that. A cousin gave me my first Game Boy Color. I’d watched some of my friends playing on theirs, but until then I’d had to settle for being a spectator.
My first game was Pokémon Yellow. I’ll never forget the day I put the cartridge into that dark blue Game Boy Color, sat down next to a light at home and began what would be the first of countless adventures with video games. That moment is etched in my memory.
Pokémon Yellow, Spanish Nintendo edition. Source: WikiDex.
Before long, more consoles arrived: the Nintendo 64, the PS1… I remember having a Super Nintendo when I was even younger, but those memories are so hazy that I don’t count it as my first encounter.
Video games were a refuge for a boy born in a village of 500 people in Extremadura. And it’s not as though I was particularly popular: I didn’t like football or the other things that helped you fit into the only group around. So video games became my most faithful friend.
I remember my dad offering to buy me a motorbike, hoping it would help me fit in with the other boys in the village. Naturally, I told him I’d rather have a computer and an internet connection.
That was when the path to where we are today really began. A few years later I discovered my first MMO, Regnum Online, after a long stretch playing The Lord of the Rings: The Battle for Middle-earth II and its expansion. That was when I started making my first mods.
Some of you probably know what came next: World of Warcraft. It all started on Fumetas, where someone told me that a few guys had set up the server themselves, and that it was something you could do. It blew my mind.
There wasn’t nearly as much information online back then, let alone AI. I started looking into how to do it on my own computer and, after plenty of tinkering, I managed it. I didn’t know it that day, but my life had changed forever.
For a reason many of you know, I can’t share many stories or details about that chapter just yet. It lasted almost 19 years in total. I hope I can tell you much more about it soon.
This blog is a personal project as I look towards my professional future. We’ll talk about news, current topics and everything to do with MMOs and game development.
Remember to follow me on X, @melusdev (I lost my old account), to keep up with new posts and whatever news comes along. The future looks more promising than ever, and the new projects look like they’re going to be very exciting.
A big hug,
Dani
YOUR TURN
Which game started it all for you? I’d love to hear your story.
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