WGE MAG: 05
It’s a Game Nation
Daniel T. Ruke is the President of Blink, a non- traditional creative agency. But that is only the tip of the iceberg. Daniel is a father to four daughters, visits Disney World over six times a year and is a creator of worlds (more on that later). The man even has a secret, dedicated Star Wars room that contains all the toys he has been collecting since childhood. Known simply as, Ruke, Daniel is a creative illustrator, designer, artist and businessman who transforms visions into reality, offering clients the best results and highest quality service. In 2010, Ruke combined all of his experience and talents to create the genesis for Game Nation, the world’s first Experiential Video Game Theme Park and Resort.
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n the past Ruke served on the South Florida chapter of the IGDA (International Game Developer Association). He worked on that
board as an advisor and has done special projects to help shape their future. Because of his passion and drive for societal improvement, Ruke consults monthly, free of charge, with no less than five start-ups, entrepreneurs and businesses looking to advance to the next level. Daniel does this through several international networking groups as an effort to give back. Participating in workshops nationwide allows him to help people see a previously unrecognised future for their companies. This philanthropic work has led him to earn the respect of industry peers and become internationally renowned.
of total interactivity where, with everything you do, you earn a higher score, experience points and reputation. It is a place where your dreams and fantasies will come to life. You will be able to become anything you like and live out the character you create in th e actual park. But it’s not a video game. It’s a physical large-scale theme park and resort.
It’s a wonder he has time to head up Game Nation. If you haven’t heard of Game Nation; at first impressions you might think it’s a gaming blog or website. But you would not be further from the truth. When dealing with Daniel Ruke you have to think big, as in, real big. In Daniel’s words, “Game Nation’s mission is to create a realistic experience that immerses you into a story. By combining video game mechanics with interactive physical themed attractions, we are creating the world’s first Experiential Video Game Theme Park and Resort.” Visitors will become players as they step into a re-creation of worlds based on popular video games filled with myths, legends and arenas. Instead of just rides, you’re immersed in a world
“By the eighth year of running my creative agency, I realized I had reached all the goals I had put in front of us.”
That’s right, Daniel, along with a team of eight world renowned professionals, is building a video game theme park. The team includes Robert Ward, Cole Peacock, Marc Mencher, Janice Barrocas, Adam Farmer, Rich McGrath and Thomas Ruke. Their experience includes theme park and resort destination development, investor relations, licensing and sponsor relations, government and community partnership specialists and risk management. Most recently, Atari signed on as a partner, which
basically guarantees Atari-inspired rides. This partnership should set gears running into smooth motion for Game Nation. This dream team covers all the necessary aspects of building a successful theme park.
Ruke’s vision of building a theme park stretches back to when he was a kid. Daniel told WGE of his childhood, “A favourite childhood memory of mine is when my mom took me, without my brother and sisters, to a new house we had bought. She walked me straight through the house to the back door, opened it, and in front of me was a quarter
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