Online Marketing Manager

Sam “QforQ” Houston has had a love for video games and communities that has spanned his entire life. His father, also a fan of technology, introduced Sam to PC gaming on DOS as a small child. Growing up with favorite games such as Mad Dog McCree on the PC and Sonic the Hedgehog on the Sega Genesis, it’s safe to say Sam was hooked.

In high school Sam enrolled in computer networking and web design courses, which is where he was introduced to the world of online gaming and developed a passion for gaming communities. Shortly thereafter he joined various FPS clans and MMORPG guilds and became very involved with messageboard and fansite communities for online games. In 2005 Sam added internet radio to his collection of hobbies, as he began broadcasting weekly for the community of the niche MMORPG “The Matrix Online”. He would later go on to create “Vanguard Radio”, the only internet radio station for the fantasy MMO, Vanguard: Saga of Heroes.

After Vanguard Radio started to catch on with the Vanguard community and became quite popular, Sam joined the Uberguilds Network on January 15th of 2007. In June of 2007 he took the success of Vanguard Radio and expanded it to become “Uberguilds Radio”, the flagship station for the Uberguilds Network. With the support of Uberguilds Sam would go on to broadcast live from the 2007 SOE Fan Faire, providing high quality video and audio broadcasting of developer interviews and event wrap ups.

Sam is passionate about game communities and how the game industry and utilize Social Media to interact with gamers. He has spoken at a variety of events about this topic, including the 2009 Seattle PAX.

You can find Sam on Twitter at http://www.Twitter.com/SamHouston

Sam joined gamerDNA in March of 2008 as Game Talent Lead, and in July of 2008 Sam became gamerDNA’s Community Manager. In July of 2009 Sam became gamerDNA’s Online Marketing Manager, where he handles all Community Management and Public Relations.

When not gaming, Sam enjoys listening to music, playing bass guitar and going to rock shows in the Cambridge area.

Favorite Games: Call of Duty series, Half Life series, Battlefield 2, Team Fortress 2, Bioshock, Rock Band, Goldeneye, Red Alert 2, and Command and Conquer Generals.

Favorite Movie: The Matrix