Dan Paladin

American video game developer (born 1979)
  • Alien Hominid
  • Castle Crashers
  • BattleBlock Theater
  • Pit People
  • Alien Hominid Invasion
WebsiteSynj.net

Daniel Joseph Paladin (born September 14, 1979[1]), also known as Synj, is an American video game artist, designer, and co-founder of the video game company The Behemoth.

He began collaborating with Newgrounds creator Tom Fulp and in the early 2000's designed several Flash-based browser games: Sack Smash 2001, Chainsaw the Children, Dad n' Me, and, most notably, Alien Hominid.[2] In 2002, he, Fulp, John Baez, and Brandon LaCava founded the video game company The Behemoth. Paladin designed the critically acclaimed remake of Alien Hominid, as well as the hack-and-slash game Castle Crashers, with his 2D style becoming signature for these games.[3][4]

Aside from working for The Behemoth, Paladin has also worked for Gratuitous Games and Presto Studios. He also composed the polka-style closing credits tune for the Cyanide & Happiness animated shorts.[5]

Personal life

Paladin lives in San Diego, California, where The Behemoth is located. He was an active member of Newgrounds.[6]

Games

Year Title
2002 Alien Hominid
2008 Castle Crashers
2013 BattleBlock Theater
2018 Pit People
2023 Alien Hominid Invasion

Awards

Castle Crashers, a game Paladin is credited as the art director of, won two awards in Independent Games Festival 2007: "Excellence In Visual Art" and "Audience Award".[7][8]

References

  1. ^ "The Behemoth - Facebook". Facebook.
  2. ^ "Dan Paladin". synj.net. Retrieved 12 February 2013.
  3. ^ "Taunting The Behemoth: Tom Fulp and Dan Paladin Cry Out". www.gamasutra.com. 12 December 2008.
  4. ^ "The Behemoth's Game 5 is Alien Hominid Invasion". 31 January 2020.
  5. ^ "I Like Your Hat".
  6. ^ "DanPaladin". Newgrounds. Retrieved 12 February 2013.
  7. ^ "2007 IGF Main Competition Finalists Announced". Independent Games Festival (IGF). 9 December 2006.
  8. ^ "IGF Winners Announced!". Independent Games Festival (IGF). 8 March 2007.

External links

  • Dan Paladin's profile at Newgrounds
  • Paladin's site
  • Some of Paladin's sketches on Castle Crashers
  • v
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  • e
Games that debuted
on Newgrounds
Films/series that debuted
on Newgrounds
Associated people
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