Staff Spotlight: Ryan "rydash" McGill, Senior Software Enginner

Well, well, well, if it isn’t Ryan “rydash” McGill, Senior Software Engineer and Jackbox’s #1 fan! Rydash does a lot of the work to make sure the controller (aka, your phone or mobile device) works well with jackbox.tv. Literally, no one could play the games without him. 

Fun fact: Rydash is the most popular employee at Jackbox. I don’t make the rules, I’m just glad to be his friend. Wishlist Trivia Murder Party 3 on Steam and sign up to become an Alpha Playtester here!

How long have you worked at Jackbox Games?

Just over six years! But I’ve been in the fandom for more years before that, which I think can teach us all the wrong lessons about the value of parasocial relationships.

Do you have a favorite Jackbox memory?

Dear reader, you may recall that The Jackbox Party Pack 7 received a physical release! Everyone at the studio received a copy, too. On that day, a bunch of us decided to reverse the inner jackets of the game covers so the blank side was showing, then signed them all like they were yearbooks. ‘H.A.G.S.’ as far as the eye could see, even though it was very much winter.

In other words, I ruined this collectible’s mint condition to create an object that only has value to me. Take that, inheritors of my estate!

What’s your favorite Jackbox game?

Blather ‘Round will always be special because it was the first title I worked on! Those imposing scrollable lists of words that you’re frantically tapping at while playing on jackbox.tv? That’s my fault!

Anyway, my real answer, and the only correct answer to this question, is Word Spud.

What are you currently working on?

Making games and getting them to even more players! If you want more specifics, you gotta wait juuuuust a bit longer. I promise we’re talking weeks, not months.

For now I can tell you I’m helping bring Trivia Murder Party 3’s jackbox.tv experience to life! That sinister trivia host has ratcheted up the drama in these twisted little minigames. You’ll need luck AND skill to survive! And quite possibly a third thumb. Good luck!

Do you know any secrets about the Jackbox head?

The Jackbox head can dance The Worm! It takes a while, because you need to wait for the monobrow to grow in first, but you’ll be hypnotized by that luscious fur tube while those supple eye holsters rock up and down.

Have we reassured everyone I wasn’t hired as a writer yet?

What do you like to do when you’re not working?

Brace yourself for a surprise: I play a lot of video games! Luckily I can lie to myself and call it market research. I’m a big isometric ARPG fan (Path of Exile, Diablo, Last Epoch, and similar) and will even be internationally travelling to a convention for that first game later this year!

If you could play Jackbox with anyone dead or alive, who would you choose?

Nicolas Cage, easy choice. If he’s taking requests, I need him in a full Spider-Noir suit-up for a true Suspectives showdown.