About ddanrob
Game developer and technical storyteller passionate about building scalable systems that evolve from rapid prototypes to enterprise-grade solutions.
I've been creating Minecraft content for roughly nine years and went professional after college five years ago. Today my Kotlin plugins run on just two servers, while my datapacks and Bedrock addons have reached millions of players.
Technical Philosophy
I believe in starting with the simplest solution that works, then evolving it based on real needs. This approach has taken me from command blocks and datapacks to enterprise Kotlin plugins, always maintaining the ability to iterate quickly while building for scale.
Every technical decision is a story waiting to be told, and I'm passionate about sharing both the successes and the mistakes that lead to better systems.
Core Expertise
Game Development
Minecraft plugins, custom game modes, performance optimization
System Architecture
Scalable frameworks, hot-reload systems, data-driven design
Technical Communication
Complex concepts made accessible, implementation case studies
My Journey
From Command Blocks to Kotlin
What started four years ago as a simple project with command blocks and datapacks has evolved into HorizonEvents, a sophisticated minigame framework written in Kotlin. This journey taught me the value of starting simple and evolving based on real needs.
Along the way, I've learned that the best technical solutions often come from understanding the problem deeply, not from choosing the fanciest technology.
Building Scalable Game Infrastructure
Managing server infrastructure that supports autonomous game instances federated with larger networks has taught me about the importance of designing for scale from the beginning, even when starting small.
Key lessons: stateless design, efficient synchronization, and building systems that can gracefully handle failure.
The Art of Technical Storytelling
Every bug fix, architecture decision, and performance optimization has a story. I've found that sharing these stories—both victories and failures—helps build better software and stronger technical communities. That's why I document not just what I built, but why I built it that way and what I learned.
Technical Approach
Start Simple
Begin with the simplest solution that solves the real problem. Complexity should be earned, not assumed.
Measure Impact
Every technical decision should be backed by data. Performance improvements mean nothing without measurements.
Document Everything
The best technical decisions are useless if they can't be understood, maintained, or learned from by others.
Let's Connect
Interested in discussing game architecture, performance optimization, or the journey from prototype to production? I'm always happy to share experiences and learn from others in the field.