Lebanon keeps exporting talents and brains from its heart to the whole world. And among the talented Lebanese brains, shines the name of Waseem Kordab, known as Sam, an ambitious Lebanese native who works for the global empire: Apple.inc
Wasseem who develops games inside the app store, tells us more about his experience with the global company developing games from A to Z:
Ø Tell us more about your childhood, did you grow up in Lebanon? Or have you lived your entire life in USA?
- I was actually born in the U.S., but I have been to Lebanon several times. My father sent me to Lebanon when I was seven years old. He sent me there to learn Arabic and spend time with my family. Being born here, I didn't speakany Arabic, so my father did whathe believed was the best thing for me, he sent me to Lebanon to learn about my culture and my language. I stayed there until I was 10 years old before returning to the U.S. I learned a lot about my home while I was there and I learned to speak, read, and write in Arabic. Last time I was there was in 2004, so I am overdue for a visit.
Ø Where did you pursue your studies and was your major a life dream that came true?
- I pursued my studies in the U.S. I am currently attending a university in California. Technology has been something I have always been interested in since I was a child. I remember at age 6, being extremely curious about my first computer and taking it apart and putting it back together. Needless to say, my father was not very happy about that, but he was actually quite surprised how at such a young age I could relate to technology in a way only adults could. I was always curious about what made it work, and to this day, I still find it interesting. I remember back in early 2014 having lunch with my best friend Binh, we talked about developing a game, we looked at a few games we liked and talked about how they would be better if they we could add our own perspective. From there I decided to start releasing games for Apple.
Ø Where did you work before applying as an app developer for Apple?
- I worked for my parents, they owned a few sunglass retail stores in California. Soon the business unfortunately came to an end due to the crisis with the economy. That's when I decided I was going to chase my dream, even if it seemed impossible. I was going to have my own games in the app store. I started working with some developers in order to make my creations into realty and released my first game, Don't Step the Green Tile - Ninja Style.
Ø How exactly did you earn that position? And when did you start working for the global company?
- I work as a Freelance creative designer. I pay yearly to have a developer account with Apple. This allows me more freedom to have a developer help create my ideas and turn them into games people of all ages will enjoy. I released my first game in 2014.
Ø Was it hard to fit in the company when you first started?
- Since I make my own schedule it is not too difficult to get my creative ideas to a developer, where he begins to implement what it is I want in the games. There isno time limit or deadline from Apple, only the ones I set for myself, thus, I have ample time to create, study, and analyze what is new and "in" in the App world.
Ø What was the first game you designed for Apple?
- The first game I released was Don't Step the Green Tile - Ninja Style. It was my first game I learned a lot from this experience. It wasn't my best game, but it taught me what I needed for the next game.
Ø How challenging was it to create a game that meets Apple's standards?
- Apple has very high standards, they will never approve a game that is less than perfect to be available in the app store for its users to download. So it was a challenge at first getting the game up to apples standards, but with time, patience, and persistence it was ready to be released.
Ø Do you face the same obstacles when developing all your games?
- Every game presents a new obstacle, because no two games are the same. Yet with practice and time, all of them turned out how I envisioned them. With every game I release I learn something new, it's a constant learning experience, which I look forward to each and every time.
Ø What's the concept of Flying Batpire? How do we play it and what's the goal?
- The concept of the Flying Batpire is simple, get Batlua through the rock pillars without hitting them. In the center between the two pillars there's a drop of blood, every 10 drops of blood give you a gem. The gem can be used to resurrect Batula, so you may continue from where you left off instead of starting from the beginning when you lose. As you advance it will require more than one gem to gain your life back, so as simple as it seems it can be somewhat challenging. The goal is to get the highest score you can possibly achieve. You are basically competing with everyone who plays the game through the game center. The gems are also available for purchasing through the in-app purchase.
Ø Can you share with us the names of the remaining games in your record?
- Flying Batpire is my most successful game to date, but I do have three other games. Don't Step the Green Tile - Ninja Style, Don't Stop the Pets, and my latest game Tappy Color.
Ø Are you in the middle of developing a new game? If yes can you share the name with Beiruting.com fans?
- At this current moment I am not working on another game. During the summer I do intend on releasing a couple games. The details of the game are not yet available, but they will revolve around the premise of mental capacity games, challenging one's mind. I will be happy to share anymore information I have as I get closer to designing the game.
