It’s never too late to launch a website
In fact, I first launched this site back in February 2014, while I was living in Costa Rica. And now it returns in a new static version —so I guess it’s more like: it’s never too late to launch a new static website!. And now I live in Berlin!!
I’ve been leaving traces on the internet for years: photos, texts, software, interviews, and the occasional silly thing.
At one point, this site was an attempt to unify everything, but that’s no longer the case. I created a linktree for that 🔗🌳: links.lucasdima.com
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This site is now more of a personal blog where I share things I’m into. Some of them might not age well. Others might… who knows.
Art, art, art… art to live in art
My mind has two worlds.
One is rational, mathematical, a programmer’s mind.
The other is more free-flowing —yet equally structured— and lives between art and design.
For years, I struggled to find a middle ground. In the 90s I did 3D animation, but also developed software. One computer embodied that coexistence: the Commodore Amiga.
Over time I realized I don’t have to choose. I am both things.
I’ve worked from one side, the other, and often blending both. And fortunately, usually on interesting projects.
It’s wonderful to combine them: you can write software that generates art, create intelligent NPCs in games —and that’s art too— while also being technical and rational. Discovering this has been deeply rewarding.
Many of my current passions began in childhood
💾 Computers and programming
My first encounter with programming was in 1983, using a TI-99/4A.
I coded in Extended BASIC. For some reason, my dad never wanted me to learn Logo (or to have a game console!).
So there I was, drawing sprites on graph paper and writing their corresponding hexadecimal numbers without really knowing what a hexadecimal number was. I just knew that if the line was completely filled, I had to write FF. I was 11 years old.
📸 Photography
My first camera was a Kodak Colorburst 100, an instant camera that arrived at home around 1981.
When I managed to get a roll of film (they were expensive), I’d have fun creating fake UFO shots by sticking saucer-shaped toys to the window, or photographing my action figures.
Later on, in 1998, the Kodak DC120 —my first digital camera— let me learn through trial and error.
And that’s how the story continued.
🎮 Videogames
Video games have always been part of my life —not just as a player.
Back in the 80s, with the TI-99/4A, I started programming my first games in BASIC.
Later on, with the Commodore Amiga and AMOS Pro, I dared to create more complete games with graphics, sound, and logic. It was awesome to build them and invite friends over to test them out!
In 2023, I was lucky enough to formally study game development and completed two diplomas in Argentina:
- A more technical one, at the Universidad Autónoma de Entre Ríos, called Diplomatura de Extensión en Desarrollo y Producción de Videojuegos.
- And a more anthropological one, at the Social Sciences Faculty of UBA, called Diplomatura en Análisis y Diseño de Sistemas Lúdicos y Narrativos para Videojuegos. Both were great experiences with cutting-edge professors. It’s great to study again —I learned that in 2009 and confirmed it again in 2023.
Then, in August 2024, I took a big step: I released my first commercial game, Leon’s Mahjong
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The game is inspired by one I used to play with my dad in the 80s. My son Leon gave me the idea and was a co-creator. A wonderful experience that somehow bridges three generations.
I keep exploring ideas, experimenting, and trying to capture a bit of that 16-bit magic.
The End
That’s me:
Lucas Dima, born in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Currently living in Berlin, Germany. I’ve also lived in Costa Rica, North Carolina, and Barcelona.
I’m a father, game and software developer, photographer, gamer, teacher, translator, and advocate for free software and open technologies.
Let’s see what comes next.
Enjoy!