I’ve been a professional software developer for 20 years. I’ve written a lot of website applications and I absolutely love what I do. However, it’s time to do something for myself.

Who is Electric Visions?

Originally founded in Bournemouth, Dorset, United Kingdom in 1998 it eventually became a consultancy firm specializing in Agile software development and Web technologies. It’s now evolving to become a games developer house.

Electric Visions is run by one person (so far), me.

A bit more about me

I was 7 years old when I got my first computer, a Commodore 64. It didn’t take me long to go from playing games to keying in the programs from the manual and magazines.

When I was at school, Graham, a friend of mine, gave me a book on C programming and I was hooked. Later, I programmed graphics, 3D, effects and made a few small demos with Sean, another friend of mine and some games such as a tron light cycle clone and 2 player Asteroids style shoot 'em up.

I also got into electronic music and music programs called trackers that allowed you to trigger samples at certain times to create music. It was magical!

I played around with graphics software, 3D modelling software, even CAD programs. Lego, Meccano and Scalextric also featured heavily. I loved creating things with any medium I could get my hands on. One time I built a scale model Spitfire out of balsa wood. It glided incredibly well. So well, in fact, it flew straight into a tree! I enjoyed technical drawing at school and even toyed with the idea of going to art college. However, programming was my true passion.

I’ve built PCs out of various materials, a tiny PC using a coffee tin and PCs built into cars. My current setup is a custom built gaming chair and standing desk with the PC built into the legs!

My name is Phil A Thompson. I live in the South of England with my wife, Claudi and our dog, Colin.

My vision

Although I love what I do, I’ve had an idea for a game for 20 years. It’s changed a lot over the years, had plenty of false starts but it’s always been at the back of my mind.

So, I’m telling myself “I am a game designer”. One day it will be true.