Mike Porter has worked in the video games industry since 1995, contributing to a wide range of projects and products. Starting in Lewisville, Texas, Mike has had the opportunity to work with and learn from incredibly talented people at places like Terminal Reality, Ritual Entertainment, Sierra, Bungie, SuperXStudios, FASA, and Microsoft Games Studios. Working as an artist and level designer gave Mike the opportunity to continually push to learn new tools, techniques and work in a variety of genres. He has also been fortunate to live in some amazing places, such as Texas, Seattle, and New Zealand.
Mike moved to New Zealand to teach on a graduate diploma course for game artists and helped develop New Zealand's first bachelor program for game artists. He taught at Media Design School for 6 years before leaving to start his own school, Skilltree NZ. His school focused on project-based learning, creative problem solving and using traditional art practices. He has taught mask making, practical prop building, miniatures, special effects makeup, and game development for the last three years in Hamilton, New Zealand.