Today we’d like to introduce you to Shaqullie Jackson.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I began my career serving in the Mississippi Army National Guard as an M1 Armor Crewman. After completing my military service, I explored several different career paths, including trucking, HVAC, photography, graphic design, and motion graphics. Over the years, I have worked with a variety of clients in the entertainment industry, which helped me develop strong creative, communication, and problem solving skills.
Although I gained valuable experience through those opportunities, I eventually realized that my greatest passion was video game development. I enrolled at the Academy of Art University to study Game Design and began developing my own narrative driven action adventure game. I also formed my company Red Dice Studios LLC with the goal of creating meaningful games inspired by Southern culture, history, and the communities I grew up around.
Today, I am balancing school, employment, family responsibilities, and the development of my company and game. My long term goal is to become a professional level designer, build a successful independent game studio, create opportunities for other talented people in underserved areas, and use my success to give back to my community.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
The journey has not always been smooth. One of my biggest challenges has been balancing work, school, family responsibilities, and building a game studio at the same time. Video game development requires a great deal of time, money, patience, and technical knowledge, so I have often had to teach myself new software and solve problems without a large team or major financial backing.
Transitioning from military service and trying different career paths also took time. I had to determine what I truly wanted to pursue while continuing to support my family. There have been moments of uncertainty, financial pressure, technical setbacks, and self-doubt, especially while developing an ambitious game as an independent creator.
However, each obstacle has strengthened my discipline and problem solving abilities. My military experience taught me perseverance, teamwork, and how to remain focused under pressure. Instead of allowing setbacks to stop me, I use them as opportunities to learn, improve, and continue moving toward my goals.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I am a multidisciplinary creative specializing in graphic design, photography, motion graphics, and video game development. Over the past decade, I have created visual work for artists and entertainment clients, including Jacquees, Birdman, Ella Mai, YTB Fatt, Rylo Rodriguez, and NBA YoungBoy. That experience taught me how to understand a client’s vision and turn it into artwork that feels professional, memorable, and authentic.
Today, my main focus is game design and level design. I am studying Game Design at the Academy of Art University while building my company Red Dice Studios LLC.
I am most proud of making the transition from freelance visual design into game development and continuing to build an ambitious project while balancing school, work, and family. What sets me apart is my combination of real world experience, military discipline, visual storytelling skills, and willingness to learn every part of the creative process. I do not simply want to create something that looks impressive. I want my work to have meaning, represent overlooked communities, and leave a lasting impact.
How do you define success?
I define success as having the freedom to provide for my family while doing meaningful work that reflects who I am and where I come from. Financial stability is important, but success means more than money to me. It also means completing the goals I set, continuing to grow, and creating something that has a positive and lasting impact.
For me, success would be graduating, becoming an established game and level designer, and building Red Dice Studios into a company that creates memorable stories while opening doors for talented people from communities that are often overlooked. I also want to use what I accomplish to give back and create opportunities for others.
Ultimately, I consider myself successful when my family is secure, my work has purpose, and the progress I make helps someone beyond myself.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/reddicestudios/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61571061340354
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/@reddicestudiosllc?si=Yq1yCRD3Wg0ZbtXf
